Shows
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryHelp me REBRAND Mentors on the Mic podcast with Marketing expert Abby ZufeltMarketing Expert and Podcast Host Abby Zufelt walks us through the rebrand of her podcast, Working Girl Talk, sharing with us her tips on rebranding our projects.“Branding is one of my favorite topics and as somebody who just went through a really long branding journey, I’m happy to help and share my thoughts on this.”Some questions we went over include:1. What is the mission? What do I do? What am I trying to convey to people?2. Abby walks us through her three lists exercise so we can align your c...2025-02-2442 min
Creative RiskRaw + Rising: Michelle Simone Miller of Mentors on the MicIn this episode of Raw + Rising, we’re keeping it real with the multi-talented Michelle Simone Miller—actress, podcaster, and the powerhouse behind Mentors on the Mic. Known for pulling back the curtain on the entertainment industry with interviews featuring top-tier showrunners, casting directors, producers, and more, Michelle shares how she’s carving her own path while lifting others up.We dive into the nitty-gritty of starting a podcast and how Mentors on the Mic has become more than just a platform—it’s a community and a springboard for creative connections. Michelle gets candid about balancing her artist...2024-12-0435 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryTRIBECA: Tim Blake Nelson, Andrew Liner and Vincent Grashaw for "BANG BANG"TIM BLAKE NELSON - Actor, writer, director, and producer Tim Blake Nelson has appeared in over ninety feature films, including Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, Ang Lee’s Billy Lynne’s Long Halftime Walk, Louis Letterier’s The Incredible Hulk, Jay Roach’s Meet the Fockers, Steven Gaghan’s Syriana, Miguel Arteta’s The Good Girl, Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Andrew Davis’ Holes, and the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou? Nelson also starred as the title character in Netflix’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, written and directed by the Coen Brothers. He next a...2024-06-2836 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Series Regular & Indie filmmaker Izzy Stevens (Netflix, ABC, Cannes Diversity, Hollyshorts, Cinema Australia)Want to make your own film and have no idea where to start? This episode answers so many questions with Mentor Izzy Stevens.
IZZY STEVENS is an acclaimed Aussie-American Actress, widely regarded for her lead role in Netflix’s ‘Occupation’ Franchise among other lead roles in films such as ‘Rainfall’, ‘Underbelly’, ‘Puberty Blues’, and ‘Another Mother’. On top of her successful acting career, Izzy has created a name for herself as a powerhouse filmmaker and producer. Izzy’s award winning films have been screened on ABC National Network, as well as at Cannes Diversity, Hollyshorts, Cinema Australia, Tropfest, Redline Int. F...2023-05-2258 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Showrunner and Screenwriter Hank Steinberg (ABC's "For Life", "Without a Trace", ABC's "Nine," TNT's "The Last Ship," Upcoming show: "Doc")We are so fortunate to have another Showrunner on the podcast. This time, Hank Steinberg.
In 1997, Steinberg successfully sold the cable network HBO on 61*, a biographical drama about the legendary home-run race between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle of the 1961 Yankees. The following year, Billy Crystal came aboard as a producer on the project and subsequently directed the film, starring Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper. 61* garnered 12 Emmy nominations, including Best Motion Picture for Television and Best Writing. Steinberg was also nominated for a WGA Award for the film.
Steinberg then created the CBS show Without...2023-05-1551 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Producer & Post Production Supervisor Leslie Converse ("Marriage Story," "Hillbilly Elegy," "Stepford Wives," "White Noise")Did you know what it takes to be a post production supervisor? Or that it's a possible way to climb up the track to Executive Producer?
LESLIE CONVERSE is both a producer and a post-Production Supervisor. She tells us about her start in the industry, assisting Director Frank Oz on movies such as The Indian in the Cupboard, In & Out starring Kevin Kline, and Bowfinger starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, she goes into how she started as a post-production supervisor and what that usually entails, and working closely with directors such as Ron Howard, Steven Soderbergh, F...2023-05-0858 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry3 Actionable tips to starting your PR strategy before getting a publicistWaiting to hire a publicist when you book something BIG? It may be too late.
Former publicist Diane Foy breaks down why it's a tall ask for a publicist to start promoting your big project without all of the basics set up, things you can do NOW. It can also start your interview journey and prepare you for those bigger media outlets. How can you do The Late Show without some proper training?
This is where DIANE FOY comes in, the creator of the Superfan Attraction Method. We discuss the first three tips from her Superfan Attraction method including PERSONAL...2023-05-0531 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Actress and viral Content Creator Courtney Michelle Dlugos (450k on TikTok w/ 20 mill likes)Courtney Michelle Dlugos is an actress and viral content creator with (at the time of this episode airing) 450k followers on Tik Tok with over 20million likes and 127k followers on Instagram. She creates her own work every day on social media, many of which are sponsored/branded.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The vulnerability of creating your own work and sharing it, including getting over her self-judgement
• Whether she has a content creation schedule and what is her process
• Her advice for you about creating your own content now
...2023-05-011h 01Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming Actor and Tony-nominated Broadway Producer Lamar Richardson ("DEATH OF A SALESMAN," "NEW YORK, NEW YORK")LAMAR RICHARDSON is an actor and producer born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He received his B.A. from Columbia University in the City of New York in 2015. Shortly after, Lamar made his regional theater debut as 'Sylvester' in Phylicia Rashad's award-winning production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2016. He made his Broadway debut as a Co-Producer of the 2022-2023 revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman starring Wendell Pierce, Sharon D. Clarke, and Andre de Shields at the Hudson Theatre. Kander...2023-04-171h 10
Actor Michelle Simone Miller, Host of Mentors on the Mic visits Madame PerryNew York born and raised actress Michelle Simone Miller has major imbd TV/Film cred - co-starring on shows like Blue Bloods and Homeland - and is also a top Communications Coach, and Host of the 'Mentors on the Mic' podcast.
Her television credits include the title character an an episode of MTV's 'One Bad Choice: Dona Huertas,' a co-star role on the CBS drama 'Blue Bloods,' and a co-star role on the SHOWTIME drama 'Homeland.' 🎉🎥Michelle's popular podcast, Mentors on the Mic, features interviews with accomplished mentors in the entertainment industry. She loves using her training to hel...2023-01-131h 06
Badass BABES of EntertainmentBadass Babes Interview with Michelle Simone Miller | E17Welcome to the Badass Babes of Entertainment! On our seventeenth episode of season 2, we chat with Michelle Simone Miller. Michelle is an Actress born and raised in New York City. She has been performing since she was 5 years old before her first TV appearance on 2 episodes of The Rosie O'Donnell Show in the second grade. At age 11, she appeared on the Off-Broadway production of "I Never Saw Another Butterfly." She studied and performed at Stagedoor Manor, Neighborhood Playhouse Jrs, The New York Film Academy, Stuyvesant High School, and Brandeis University.Shortly after her college graduation, Michelle returned to N...2022-08-3124 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Actress and Series Regular Madison Shamoun ("The Lake," "Blackish," "#blackAF")Born and raised in San Diego, California, Madison Shamoun’s passion for musical theater and talents for acting, dancing, and singing started when she was very young. Recognized for her star potential and undeniable talent, Madison is the recipient of two National Youth Theater Awards for Best Supporting Actress, for her performance as Lucy in “13” (2013) and Motormouth Maybelle in “Hairspray” (2015). Madison recently graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting for Theater, Film, and Television.
Following her graduation from UCLA, Madison’s acting career has continued to blossom. A member of SAG-AFTRA, she's worked...2022-07-0155 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry4 Tips to Deal with Rejection (BONUS)As an actor, I face rejection ALL OF THE FREAKIN TIME
You don't even want to know how many auditions I've been on that I haven't booked. It's exhausting.
As any creative artist would tell you, it's important to come up with some tips to deal with rejection because sometimes, it's incredibly devastating. We need tactics and tools to pull us out of it.
With the help of Amy Koppelman (Season 3, Episode 1), I share my favorite tips for handling rejection including:
• write a thank you letter to your rejectors on why it...2022-05-1313 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Actor and Series Regular Larry Saperstein ("Big Red" in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)Larry Saperstein plays "Big Red" in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a reinvented take on the two-time Emmy Award-winning "High School Musical" franchise, for Disney+.
Saperstein can also be seen opposite Kiernan Shipka in the film "Fan Girl," directed by Paul Jarrett and as Timmy in the first season of BET+’s "First Wives Club."
Formally trained as a dancer and vocalist, Saperstein has starred in several regional musicals including "Oliver!," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Miracle on 34th Street.” He also starred as Rusty Griswold in the original workshop reading of Broadway Vacation...2022-05-0956 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry3 Tips to Calm your Nerves (before an audition or presentation - BONUS)Want 3 Tips to Calm your Nerves before any stressful situation? These tips are great before auditions, presentations, speeches, zoom calls, sales calls.
Excerpt from my interview on the GlobalVID podcast, with advice from Mentors including Grammy winning Producer Sandy Vee (Rihanna, David Guetta) and Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker (The Following, The Equalizer, The Affair).
Recently, the Global VID Podcast sat down with NYC actor & communication coach, Michelle Simone Miller to talk about dealing with nerves & handling rejection during the pitching/auditioning process in TV & Film. This episode is meant to inspire up & coming...2022-05-0609 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Casting Associate Allison Kirschner at Gayle Keller Casting (Crashing, The King of Staten Island, The Big Sick)Working alongside Gayle Keller, Allison's projects include several hit series, films and indie features.
Allison's credits include: INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, GOTHAM (Season 1), LOUIE (Seasons 4 & 5), THE WHO WAS SHOW (Netflix), THE DETOUR, MAN SEEKING WOMAN, HOUSE OF CARDS (Season 1), CRASHING (Season 1, 2 & 3), the Woody Allen Feature IRRATIONAL MAN, & MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT, Indie features THE GOOD CATHOLIC and MS. WHITE LIGHT, the Judd Apatow feature THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND and the Amazon feature THE BIG SICK.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Advice to actors for making strong choices in comedy
• Casting differ...2022-05-0234 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry6 Memory Tips and Tricks (BONUS)6 Tips to help you memorize your next audition, presentation, or speech
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle2022-04-2910 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Primetime Network Television Director Bethany Rooney (Chicago PD, Law & Order, Bull, The Blacklist)Bethany Rooney has directed more than two hundred thirty episodes of prime-time network television, most recently Law & Order: Organized Crime, Chicago PD and Station 19. Her credits include many critically-acclaimed series such as Desperate Housewives, Ally McBeal and Brothers & Sisters, and the American long-running classics NCIS and Criminal Minds. For two seasons, she was the Producing Director of the CBS drama Bull, following her earlier stint in that position on the CW drama The Originals. She serves on numerous committees at the Directors Guild of America (DGA), including co-chairing the Diversity Committee, which implemented the first Directors Development Initiative in 2016, i...2022-04-2547 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryThat time I was fired by my Headshot Photographer (BONUS STORY)Here's an actor story for you. The time I was fired by my Headshot Photographer.
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle2022-04-2208 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... The Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast (with 315k Tik Tok followers, Merch, Patreon, and live shows)Celebrity Memoir Book Club is a podcast hosted by NYC based comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton. Every week they read a celebrity memoir so that you don't have to. Come for the gossip and stay for the banter between two best friends!
In this episode, we talk about:
• The birth of the ‘Celebrity Memoir Book Club’ podcast
• Their Tik Tok marketing strategy and how they grow to 237k followers
• Why We Are the best thing she’s ever worked on and how she didn’t hold back at all
• Incorporatin...2022-04-1845 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry10 Tips to Achieve "On Camera Presence" or How to Look and Feel Your Best On Camera (BONUS)On Camera Presence - 10 Tips for How to Look and Feel your Best On Camera
"Before anything else, preparation is the key to SUCCESS." - Alexander Graham Bell
A. Be Technically Prepared
1. Well Lit Space
2. Eyes Leveled With Camera
3. Distraction-Free Background
B. Be Mentally Prepared
4. Ground and Activate
5. Define Audience
6. Mind your Audience
7. Get there Early and Fully Prepared
C. Be Physically Prepared
8. Be Mindful of Hand Gestures
9. Vary Pitch and Tone
10. Maintain Eye Contact
2022-04-1509 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Executive Vice President at Maven Screen Media Jenny Halper ("The Kindergarten Teacher," "A Mouthful of Air")Jenny Halper is EVP of Film at Maven Screen Media, where her credits include THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, DRIVEWAYS, AMERICAN HONEY, SKIN, and A MOUTHFUL OF AIR. As a screenwriter her scripts have placed three times on the Black List, on the Athena List, received grants from Film Independent and the Tribeca Film Institute, and been selected for New York Stage and Film’s Workshop (in association with Powerhouse Theater). She is currently developing an anthology series with Freida Pinto and Emily Verellen Strom's Freebird Films and Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi's Significant Productions, a limited series with Michael Di...2022-04-1138 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryCOMMUNICATION TIPS - How To Deepen your Relationships with Active Listening using RASADid you know we are only using 25% of our mental capacity when we listen? What do we do with our other 75%?
As a Communications Coach, I love teaching tips to improve Active Listening. One of my favorite strategies to teach is RASA ("juice" or "essence" in Sanskrit).
R - Receive (Pay Attention)
A - Appreciate (Respond instinctively)
S - Summarize (respond with a summary of what the other person is saying)
A - Ask (Ask questions)
Check out the episode for more information on each. For more...2022-04-0806 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... 2022 ALBUM OF THE YEAR Grammy winning Autumn Rowe (Jon Batiste, Diana Ross, Dua Lipa, Fifth Harmony)Autumn Rowe won a Grammy yesterday for Jon Batiste’s WE ARE—Autumn co-wrote five of the album’s 13 tracks—she has received nominations for “Record of the Year” for “Freedom” (a track she also produced); “Album of The Year” for WE ARE; “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for “I Need You” and “Best R&B Album” for WE ARE. Additionally, her Diana Ross single “I Still Believe” has recently been remixed by Purple Disco and is burning up the charts! See original and remixed versions in the links below. The legendary songwriter and woman of color has collaborated with some of music’s biggest name such...2022-04-0448 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry'Stories from the Vault' with Mentors Marta Kauffman ("Friends") and Brian Volk-Weiss ("Movies That Made Us") BONUSHere are two incredible stories from Showrunner and Co-Creator of Friends and Grace & Frankie Marta Kauffman and Executive Producer of Movies that Made Us Brian Volk Weiss. These are the stories that haven't been made yet. Brian hopes to develop his story this in the next few years and Marta has pitched her story around Hollywood to no avail.
These are the stories that were never made.
From Season 2; Episode 15 - Marta Kauffman is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner behind the hit series Friends and Grace & Frankie. After graduating from Brand...2022-04-0113 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Actress, Filmmaker, and Coach Chantal Maurice ("Greys Anatomy," "Queen Sugar," "The Blacklist," "Blue Bloods")Chantal Maurice is an award-winning actress & filmmaker. She has booked roles on over 15 Television shows including P-Valley, Queen Sugar, Blue Bloods, Quantico, The Blacklist, & more. She most recently guest starred as Rashida Flowers, a lively social media influencer suffering from Kidney Failure on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Some of her film credits include: “Christmas DejaVu” Starring Loretta Devine and “Holiday Heartbreak'' featuring LisaRaye McCoy.
With 2 short films under her belt, Chantal is also an award-winning screenwriter & filmmaker. Her first short film, "Edge of Harmony" follows the journey of Harmony Bessler, a troubled Jazz singer in the 1930s. Edge of Harmo...2022-03-2855 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryActors: How to Write your Dream Role with Emily Grace (BONUS)Emily Grace is a career coach and Sundance award winning actress who helps actors finally write their damn script already and know what to do with it.
Do you have an interest in writing a script but just don't know where to start? I loved Emily's technique of creating a Character Square. In her free video, she breaks down everything you need to know to start writing right now. She even breaks down the first scene in The Devil Wears Prada so we could understand the wants and needs and conflicts of the protagonist and antagonist.
2022-03-2516 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming… TV & Film Producer Michael Harrop ("Billions" "A Mouthful of Air")Michael Harrop is a Motion Pictures and Film Consultant and Contractor. He is currently a co-executive producer on Billions. He was also a producer for "A Mouthful of Air" starring Amanda Seyfried (and directed by Mentor Amy Koppelman). He's also worked on films including Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, I Smile Back, Nice Guy Johnny, and more. He is also worked as an associate producer on the TV Show Public Morals (TNT).
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why he decided to work in New York as a Production Assistant.
• Being on Goldcr...2022-03-2145 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryWhat is NYWIFT and how can it be a resource for YOU? (BONUS)What is the New York Women in Film and Television or NYWIFT and how can they be a resource to you right now?
Maybe funds or grants for your next film? Or a community to network? Or do you need your next DP or Director for a project?
Join me and the ladies of NYWIFT to discuss what NYWIFT can offer and their podcast 'Women Crush Wednesdays" highlighting some incredible people in Film and Television.
Katie Chambers is a communications executive and event producer with a lifelong commitment to supporting artists and advocating...2022-03-1819 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming… International Bestselling Author Jenny Hale (Hallmark’s ‘Coming Home for Christmas’ and ‘Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses’)Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of over 15 romantic fiction titles. Her books have sold worldwide and have been adapted for television, appearing on The Hallmark Channel as part of their famous Christmas lineup. Coming Home for Christmas was published in 2013 and the movie adaptation for Hallmark starred Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years. Her book Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses was adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie in 2019 starring Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis (who you might know as Warner from Legally Blonde).
She’s been included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy...2022-03-1446 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryTips for Actors by Top Casting Director Mentors (BONUS)Question: What do each of the following Casting Directors have in common? Besides being a guest on Mentors on the Mic.
Answer: They all loved giving tips to Actors!
When I asked these incredible award-winning Casting Directors their tips for actors, this is what they shared
Featuring Casting Directors:
Kim Graham - Season 1 Episode 12 (Homeland)
Jenny Ravitz - Season 2 Episode 6 (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD)
Julie Schubert - Season 2 Episode 2 (House of Cards, Jessica Jones, For Life, Manifest)
Julie Tucker - Season 3 Episode 5 (Nurse...2022-03-1114 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Film & TV Producer, Director and CEO Brian Volk Weiss ("Films That Made Us," "Down to Earth w/ Zac Efron")How do you sell to Netflix?
Brian Volk-Weiss is the founder and CEO of the Nacelle Company, a leading Comedy producing and distribution house. Nacelle has produced and distributed scripted and unscripted content and established podcasting, development, distribution, records, publishing, marketing and management divisions.
Volk-Weiss has created, directed and produced hits such as Netflix’s docu-series, Down To Earth with Zac Efron, The Movies That Made Us, and The Toys That Made Us, and Kevin Hart’s Guide To Black History, as well as Behind The Attraction for Disney +, A Toy Store Near You, CW’s Disc...2022-03-071h 03Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryAre Directors and Producers involved in casting episodic TV or Pilots? (With Jason Ensler)Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing, The Newsroom, Scrubs, Gossip Girl, Franklin & Bash, The Passage, The Exorcist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Red Band Society, and most recently, Love, Victor...2022-03-0404 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Screenwriter Karen McCullah ("Legally Blonde," "10 Things I Hate About You," "She's the Man")Karen McCullah has written the movies LEGALLY BLONDE, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, ELLA ENCHANTED, SHE’S THE MAN, THE HOUSE BUNNY and THE UGLY TRUTH. She also did uncredited work on GIRLS TRIP which was the highest grossing comedy of 2017.
Her novel, The Bachelorette Party was translated into 12 languages.
She attended James Madison University, in VA.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How she and her writing partner started working on their first major film, the screenplay for 10 Things I Hate About You
• Being pitched twice in the same day to write...2022-02-2850 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry5 Tips that Will Make You a Better Storyteller (BONUS)5 Essentials to Storytelling 5 tips that will make you a better storyteller.
I teach Storytelling tips to clients all of the time. I have corporate and private clients, one day intensives, and 3 week workshops where I teach tips to tell engaging and powerful stories. Sometimes I talk about how we tell stories, but I also focus on teaching the content of our stories. How do we shape our stories for maximum impact?
The 5 Essentials we discuss in this episode are:
Identify your Audience - Who are you talking to?
Identify your Why - Why is...2022-02-2510 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Music Manager and CEO of Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures Lucas KellerLucas Keller, is a veteran manager and CEO and Founder of Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures, one of the biggest global management company for Songwriters, Producers and DJ’s in the world. Keller has over 25 employees, offices in Los Angeles, London, New York, Nashville, Dallas, Amsterdam, Australia/New Zealand and recently launched a sports division that manages 15 athletes in the NFL.
Keller’s clients have had some of the biggest global hits his year including Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” (co-produced by client Stuart Price) and BTS’ chart-topping “Butter” as well as “Dynamite” and “Permission to Dance,” from client Jenna Andrews. Th...2022-02-2136 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Bestselling Author, Brand Marketer, and CEO of Leave Your Mark Aliza LichtAliza Licht is a digital and brand marketer with over two decades of experience. She is also the Founder & President of LEAVE YOUR MARK LLC; a multi-media brand focused on career development and personal branding. As a global mentor, LEAVE YOUR MARK currently includes a best-selling book, podcast, community, and live mentorship events. The book has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. It is ranked in the Book Authority's "100 Best Career Development Books of All Time" and is required reading in many universities across the country. Licht was dubbed one of America's "Next Top Mentors" by The New...2022-02-1455 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDirector/Executive Producer Jason Ensler on Advice for GUEST STARS (LOVE VICTOR on HULU)Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing, The Newsroom, Scrubs, Gossip Girl, Franklin & Bash, The Passage, The Exorcist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Red Band Society, and most recently, Love, Victor...2022-02-1111 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Warner Music Asia's Head of K-pop and J-pop Shin ChoShin Cho is the head of K-pop and J-pop and marketing director for Asia/Korea at Warner Music Group. He is an experienced marketing expert with a demonstrated history of working in the music industry in International, Asian, K-pop, and J-pop. Shin is skilled in management, marketing, international marketing, marketing strategy, and digital marketing. He is also a strong marketing professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Information Technology from Rutgers University.
Join Michelle Miller with Shin Cho as they chat about working his way up the music industry as an intern. Shin is Warner Music As...2022-02-0735 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDirector/Executive Producer Jason Ensler on Social Media for Actors (Bonus Series)Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing, The Newsroom, Scrubs, Gossip Girl, Franklin & Bash, The Passage, The Exorcist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Red Band Society, and most recently, Love, Victor...2022-02-0411 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker "The Equalizer," "The Affair," "The Americans"Julie Tucker is a two time Emmy winning Casting Director (7 times nominated). Tucker/Meyerson Casting recently worked on projects including Queen Latifah’s "The Equalizer," the final "Dexter," Chapter, "The Expanse," "The Hot Zone, Anthrax," and the Jennifer Lopez feature film, "Marry Me." Past television credits include: "Damages" (Emmy and Artios Award), "Six Feet Under" (Emmy and CSA Artios Award for NY Casting), "Rescue Me" (CSA Artios Award), "Hunters," "The Affair," "Nurse Jackie," "Sneaky Pete," "White Collar," "The Following," Fringe," "The Big C," "The Americans," "In Treatment," "Lincoln Rhyme," "The Baker and the Beauty," "Tell Me A Story," "Sleepy Ho...2022-01-3149 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry3 Ways you can CREATE YOUR OWN WORK from top Mentors (BONUS)Everyone tells you to create your own work, but what actually works?
In this bonus episode, I discuss three ways my Mentors have created their own work.
Mentors include:
- Actor/Director Tony Goldwyn (Scandal, King Richard, The Hot Zone: Anthrax, Tarzan)
- Film/TV Director Rosemary Rodriguez (The Walking Dead, The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU)
- Director/Actor Ben Giroux (Henry Danger, Hart of Dixie, Big Nate, Danger Force)
PLUS inspiring words from Director Jason Ensler (Love, Victor; The Exorcist, The Passage)
Host:2022-01-2812 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Film/TV Director Rosemary Rodriguez "The Walking Dead" "Law & Order SVU" "Acts of Worship"Rosemary Rodriguez is a film and television director. In 2001, she wrote, produced and directed a feature film called Acts of Worship, about a young woman struggling with drug addiction. The film was nominated for, and won, numerous independent film awards and screened at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. In 2015, she directed the film Silver Skies starring George Hamilton. In 2004, she started directed Television on the show Third Watch. Her TV credits are numerous and include Law & Order, Rescue Me, Castle, White Collar, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Elementary, Jessica Jones, Sneaky Pete, The Tick, and more.
In this...2022-01-2458 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryTOP Entertainment News in only 5 Minutes (BONUS)You read that right... I read the Trades so you don't have to.
📰 I chose the top 5 stories this week to share with you from the major trades.
⏲️ Ever wish you had more time (or desire) to read what's going on in Entertainment?
ℹ️ Want to feel informed on the biggest things going on right now?
🧐 Don't know which trades to scan through?
Or simply, you don't feel like it.
🎙️Check out this quick bonus episode where I share the top stories from this week in 5 minutes or less.
This week:
2022-01-2105 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Showrunner/Writer Marshall Herskovitz "Blood Diamond" "The Last Samurai""My So Called Life"MARSHALL HERSKOVITZ is a writer, producer, and director who has won numerous awards for his work in television and film. Born in Philadelphia, he attended Brandeis University, then moved to Los Angeles in 1975, where he attended the American Film Institute. One of his classmates was Edward Zwick, and there the two created what is currently the longest-surviving creative partnership in Hollywood: The Bedford Falls Company, named for the town in Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. In the ensuing decades they created such TV series as thirtysomething, My So-Called Life, and Once and Again; and Herskovitz variously prod...2022-01-1759 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industrySelf Tape Tips for Actors from the Top Casting Directors (BONUS)Question: What do each of the following Casting Directors have in common? Besides being a guest on Mentors on the Mic.
Answer: They all loved giving tips to Actors regarding Self Tapes.
Self Tapes are the new normal. For non-Actors out there, these are how actors submit auditions now that we're not going in person. For this mini bonus episode, we are going over these Casting Directors's top Self Tape tips.
Featuring Casting Directors:
Kim Graham - Season 1 Episode 12 (Homeland)
Jenny Ravitz - Season 2 Episode 6 (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med...2022-01-1419 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Writer/ Director Amy Koppelman ("A Mouthful of Air" starring Amanda Seyfried)Amy Koppelman is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, A Mouthful of Air and I Smile Back. Her recent directorial debut for A Mouthful of Air stars Amanda Seyfreid, Finn Wittrock, Jennifer Carpenter and Paul Giamatti.
She received her undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania, and an MFA in fiction from Columbia University. Koppelman and her screenwriting partner adapted I Smile Back for the screen. The film, starring Sarah Silverman, premiered at the 2015 Sundance, Toronto and Deauville Film Festivals. Her other book is called Hesitation Wounds.
Shownotes
• Tips for dealing with REJECTION; wha...2022-01-1042 min
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... TV/Film Actor and Director Tony Goldwyn "Scandal," "King Richard"Tony Goldwyn is an American actor, producer, and director, known for playing the role of President Fitzgerald Grant III in the ABC drama “Scandal.” He has acted in films, such as “Ghost,” “The Last Samurai,” “The Last House on the Left,” “The Mechanic,” “Divergent,” “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” and “The Belko Experiment.” Recently, he was seen in the movie, “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.” In addition, he has directed a few episodes of hit TV series like “Dexter,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Six Degrees,” “Damages,” “Justified,” “Hawthorne,” and “Scandal.” Goldwyn is also known for his political activism and has been a supporter of Hillary Clinton. To...2022-01-101h 00
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDefinitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 4 (with Tony Goldwyn and Julie Tucker)What is your Definition of Success?
I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition.
This episode features answers from:
📺 President of Production and Development at Wayfarer Studios Andrew Calof
Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 16
📺 Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker (Sneak Peek of Season 3)
📺 Actor/Director Tony Goldwyn (Sneak Peek of Season 3)
Host:
Instagram: @M...2021-12-2409 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDefinitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 3What is your Definition of Success?
I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition.
This episode features answers from:
📺 Showrunner/Writer Mark A Altman (Pandora on CW)
Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 12
📺 Producer Creative Director Jill Hoppenheim (Bagg Street Productions)
Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 4
📺 Billboard Charting Vocalist and Viral Sensation Chris Mann
Full Episode...2021-12-1711 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDefinitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 2What is your Definition of Success?
I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition.
This episode features answers from:
📺 5x Emmy-winning Executive Producer and Director Rob Burnett (Late Night with David Letterman, Fundamentals of Caring)
Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 15
📺 Emmy-winning Casting Director Julie Schubert (The Devil Wears Prada, The Departed)
Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 2
📺 Gramm...2021-12-1009 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDefinitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 1What is your Definition of Success?
I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition.
This episode features answers from:
📺 VP of Disney TV Animation (Current series and Diversity) Jay Francis (Episode 2.7)
📺 Showrunner & Co-Creator (Friends, Grace & Frankie) Marta Kauffman (Episode 2.14)
📺 Casting Director (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD) Jenny Ravitz (Episode 2.6)
📺 Actor, Tik Tok star, Content Creator, Director Ben Giroux (E...2021-12-0308 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industrySneak Peek featuring TV/Film Actor Tony GoldwynSneak peek for Season 3, beginning Monday, January 10th, starring TV/Film Actor and Director Tony Goldwyn. Tony's credits include Scandal, Ghost, Tarzan, The Last Samurai, Divergent, and more. Currently, he is in King Richard (in theaters and available on HBO MAX right now), as well as The Hot Zone: Anthrax, playing on National Geographic and available soon on Hulu.
In this episode, we talk about:
• My upcoming season of Mentors on the Mic podcast
• A sneak peek of Tony Goldwyn's episode (the full interview available on Monday, January 10th) relaying the gripping story of h...2021-11-2912 min
Love+Live+Life Podcast503 "Love+Live+Life" Podcast - Michelle Simone Miller - NYC based Actress, Communications Coach, Host of the podcast Mentors on the MicIn this episode, I had a conversation with Michelle Simone Miller, NYC based Actress, Communications Coach, Host of the podcast Mentors on the Mic. We talked about Asking the right questions Building relationship instead of networking Podcast “Mentors on the mic”; creating a resource that she wished she had in the Entertainment IndustryShow notes & quotables Michelle’s Fun fact that most people don’t know about How Michelle got started as an actress as a child. “It was never a question for me to be something else” Transitioning...2021-10-2744 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... President of Production and Development Andrew CalofAndrew Calof is the President of Production and Development of Wayfarer Studios, most recently responsible for CLOUDS on Disney+ and led by JANE THE VIRGIN's Justin Baldoni. Prior to joining Wayfarer Studios, Calof served as Vice President of Creative Affairs at Amblin Partners. In his five years with the company he oversaw development and production of tentpole films such as OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY—directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck—starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, TJ Miller, and Olivia Munn, as well as GHOST IN THE SHELL, directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson.
Prior...2021-06-1449 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... 5x Emmy Winning Producer and Director Rob BurnettROB BURNETT is the writer/director of the feature film The Fundamentals of Caring, which was the closing night film at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. He is as a five-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and head writer of The Late Show with David Letterman. In the course of his career he has received 34 Emmy nominations. Burnett began his career with David Letterman in 1985 as a 22-year-old intern. In 1988 he joined the show’s writing staff, and at 29 became its head writer. In 1996 he became the show’s executive producer.
Joining forces with former Late Show head writer Jon Beckerma...2021-06-071h 06Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Showrunner of Friends and Grace & Frankie Marta KauffmanMarta Kauffman is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner behind the hit series Friends and Grace & Frankie. After graduating from Brandeis University, Kauffman got her big break alongside David Crane when their pilots Dream On (1990) and The Powers That Be (1992) were green-lit. The pair then launched Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions with Kevin Bright and became the trio that created the iconic sitcom Friends. In 2015, Kauffman started her production company, Okay Goodnight, with industry veterans Robbie Tollin and Hannah KS Canter. Their first series, Grace & Frankie, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston premiered on Ne...2021-05-3153 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryTips and Tricks from Entertainment Career Coach Carole KirschnerCarole Kirschner is a sought after Entertainment Career Coach, mentoring Showrunners, TV Producers, Writers, Executives, and more. Carole was a senior level creative Television Executive, before becoming the Vice President of Steven Spielberg’s first Amblin Television. She also created the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring program and helped develop the curriculum for WGA Showrunner Training program.
“Kirschner is one of the best at preparing people for success in the entertainment business.” — Barry Kotler, Agent, Creative Artists Agency
In this episode, we talk about:
• A breakdown of Carole’s Four Pillars of Success including ho...2021-05-2842 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Creative Director at Netflix's Strong Black Lead Kara BarnettKara Barnett is currently the Creative Director of Strong Black Lead at Netflix (Editorial & Publishing). She is a TEDx Talk speaker, a former Senior Producer and Writer of Branded Content at BET, and has over 10+ years in unscripted casting, development, brand/product integration, editing and more. She had her start as a Casting Associate Producer on America’s Next Top Model, before working different reality shows on Discovery, ITV, CBS, Viacom, OWN, A&E, and BET.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How she got her first job working for ANTM and why she calls the...2021-05-2450 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Showrunner of the CW series Pandora Mark A. AltmanMark A. Altman is a television and motion picture writer/producer/director who is currently the Showrunner/Executive Producer of the CW series, Pandora which is distributed by Sony Pictures Television worldwide and streams exclusively on Amazon Prime in the United States. Previously he served as Co-Executive Producer of The Librarians (TNT), Agent X (TNT), Castle (ABC), Necessary Roughness (USA) among others. In addition, Altman has sold numerous pilots and produced the $30 million film adaptation of the bestselling video game, DOA: Dead Or Alive, which was released by Dimension Films. His first motion picture was the award winning, Free...2021-05-171h 01Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Television Writer and Award-Winning Filmmaker Felicia PrideFelicia Pride is a writer and an award-winning filmmaker. She was a writer on Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” for two seasons and is currently a writer on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” She developed a drama pilot, a book adaptation, with NBCUniversal and sold a pilot to 20th Century FOX. She sold the erotic romance Deeper to Universal Pictures and is the co-writer and executive producer of the 2020 feature film Really Love, starring Kofi Siriboe alongside Naturi Naughton and Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba. More recently, Felicia is known for her directorial debut, tender. In 2020, tender screened at over 20+ film festivals incl...2021-05-1049 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Grammy winning Producer Sandy VeeSandy Vee is a Grammy winning French Producer, selling over 120 million singles and records worldwide. He won a Grammy for Rihanna’s first single “Only Girl (In the World)," which debuted at #1 on the top of the U.S.A. Digital Song chart and Billboard Hot 100. It marked the latest career plateau for French producer/songwriter Sandy Vee’s meteoric rise to the top of the pop charts. The song has gone on to hit #1 all over the world as well as reaching gold status in Belgium and Platinum in the (4x) Australia, UK, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmar...2021-05-0340 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Producer of South by Southwest Critic's Pick and Director Winter DunnWinter Dunn is an award winning producer, director and actress. She produced Numa Perrier’s debut feature film, JEZEBEL which premiered at SXSW 2019 and was awarded Best Narrative Feature at the American Black Film Festival that same year. JEZEBEL has been acquired by Ava DuVernay and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Previously, Winter served as a producer / director for media maven Condé Nast Entertainment. Her celebrity video features for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, GQ, Allure and other media brands have garnered over 60 million views and counting.
Most recently, Dunn directed season one of SoulPancake, Ove...2021-04-2649 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Music Executive, Entrepreneur & Manager of Legends Bob EllisBob Ellis is an American music executive and manager who has worked with musicians including Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, Meat Loaf, Rufus, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and many others. Bob joins the show to spill about the music industry and how social media has impacted the industry and music quality. Stay tuned in to hear the crazy story of how Bob and Michelle met!
In this episode, we talk about:
• Meeting and representing Billy Preston while working at a PR agency
• The story behind Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good”
• Openi...2021-04-1935 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... VP at Disney Television Animation of Current Series & Diversity Jay FrancisJay Francis is the Vice President of Current Series and Diversity and Inclusion at Disney Television Animation. He has over 15 years’ experience in managing the creative direction of series’ production, and has worked on award winning shows including Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, and Amphibia. Jay plays an important role in driving the push for more authentic storytelling that represents the world in which we live.
In this episode we talk about:
• The key to a great pitch
• Transitioning from independent animation production to recruitment for primetime animation television
• How accessible a...2021-04-121h 05Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Casting Director for Chicago Fire, Med, and PD Jenny RavitzJenny Ravitz is a NYC-based casting director at Jonathan Strauss Casting. She is currently casting shows including NBC's hit shows Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med. She has years of knowledge of the casting industry after working at some of the top casting offices in New York City. Jenny is here to share her journey and provide an inside look at what it is like to help create a Chicago universe that reaches over 8 million home viewers per episode.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Finding her passion as a Casting Director through working as an...2021-04-051h 11
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Billboard charting vocalist, Actor and Viral sensation Chris MannChris Mann is a vocalist, musician, and actor who has performed as the lead in just under 700 shows of “The Phantom of the Opera” during his first major acting debut. He got fourth place on The Voice in 2012 and has continued to soar through the music industry with Billboard charting releases of his studio albums Roads, Constellation, and his most recent release, Noise. Chris joins the show to share how he has achieved his success despite facing devastating setbacks along the way.
In this episode we talk about:
Signing his first ever record deal with Sony Musi...2021-03-291h 05Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Producer and Award Winning Creative Director Jill HoppenheimJill Hoppenheim is the owner and creative director at Bagg Street Productions, an award winning creative content agency known for creating captivating marketing campaigns, branded content, and scripted series for TV/Film including 24, Homeland, The Handmaid’s Tale, Glow, Family Guy and more. Jill has over ten year’s experience in entertainment marketing and breaks down her track to success.
In this episode we talk about:
Her move from Montreal, Canada to Los Angeles while still on her student visa
The job which introduced her to Entertainment Marketing
The launch and inspiration behind Bagg Stree...2021-03-2242 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Actor and Director Ben Giroux (with 4.5 million Tik Tok followers)Ben Giroux is an Actor, Director, and Producer best known for his role as The Toddler on Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger and Danger Force. He is also known for voicing Mikey Munroe in the animated series Bunsen is a Beast on Nickelodeon. His other TV credits include Psych, NCIS, Bones, Sam & Cat, Hart of Dixie, FML, and The Big Show Show. His success carries off screen where he has amassed over 4.5 million followers on TikTok and over 100k on Instagram.
In this episode we talk about:
How he traveled across the country in the final months of his enrollment at th...2021-03-1553 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert "Luke Cage," "Manifest," "House of Cards," "The Departed," "The Devil Wears Prada"Julie Schubert is an Emmy award-winning Casting Director. She has brought some of the best actors to beloved movies and shows. Some of her most notable credits include House of Cards, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Manifest, The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, 50 Shades Darker, 50 Shades Freed and more. Julie has climbed the ladder from intern to director and is joining us to spill some of her secrets to success.
In this episode we talk about:
How working at her family restaurant business led her to a career in entertainment
What it means to be a casting...2021-03-0853 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryBecoming... Emmy nominated Composer/Musician Beau BlackBeau Black is currently writing music for 3 shows and 2 TV Features for Disney. He is an Emmy nominated composer, songwriter, musician, voice actor, and producer.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Being nominated for a 2017 Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Award for composing the song “Sisi Ni Sawa” from The Lion Guard
• Writing music for Commercials including m Commercials such as Aveeno (with Jennifer Aniston), Sally Hansen, HP, Google Play, Mercedes, Target, Samsung, McDonalds, Wendy’s
• Working on music for Miles from Tomorrowland (opening song), Penn Zero: Part time Hero (composed with Ryan Shore), The...2021-03-0158 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryThe Importance of Mastermind GroupsIn Napolean Hill's book Think and Grow Rich, he describes Mastermind Groups as: “A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.” Mastermind Groups are a valuable form of peer-to-peer mentorship, uniting you with your colleagues in an effort to grow and build your business. What better way to share the importance of Mastermind Groups than by sharing with you a discussion with my own?
Twice a month, I get together with 4 intelligent, savvy, badass female podcast hosts:
Abby Zufelt is a digital marketing and...2021-02-2548 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry4 Tips on How to get a MentorThis episode was recorded LIVE on Facebook.
In this episode, we talk about:
• 4 Tips on How to get a Mentor
• How to cultivate a relationship with a Mentor over time
Episodes Referenced:
Episode 1 - Stan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & Director
Episode 21 - Linda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, Blackish, and more
If you like this episode, check out Bonus Episode 4 on The Importance of a Mastermind Group
Host:
Insta...2021-01-1412 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryHow to become a DIRECTOR (and other lessons from Season 1 Directors)Here is a Highlight Reel with advice from top DIRECTORS of Season 1 including Stan Brooks, Kristin Hanggi, Linda Mendoza, and Jason Ensler.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How one future Director stood out working in the Mailroom
• How one Director made the jump into Narrative Television
• How to transition from Producer to Director
• Are you waiting for permission to Create? How one director realized that she could just do it
• Using the available resources around you to create your work
• What you need to sacrifice for your...2020-12-2830 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryGet to know your Host Michelle MillerPeople kept asking for more information on me (thanks guys!). Since I can't interview myself, I asked my good friends of the popular Voices of Misery podcast if I could use some of their interview for a Bonus Episode.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How I started acting and my first outside school gigs on The Rosie O' Donnell show and the Off Broadway play "I Never Saw Another Butterfly"
• Best advice for any actor
• How I booked a Hand Modeling campaign for Samsung
• Dealing with nerves in the audition...2020-12-1438 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryLinda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, and moreLinda Mendoza is an Emmy nominated, Comedy Director Extraordinaire. Her credits are extensive, directing episodes of Scrubs, Gilmore Girls, The Mindy Project, The Good Place, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ugly Betty, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Grownish, The Chris Rock Show, Girlfriends, The Bernie Mac Show, The Tick, Liv & Maddie, 30 Rock, and many, many more. She has also been the go to Director for many Comedy specials including Tiffany Haddish (Black Mitzvah and 6 episodes of They Ready), Katherine Ryan, Wanda Sykes, Jamie Fox's Laffapalooza, Caroline Rhea, and various Mark Twain Prize specials (Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Bill Cosby, Carl...2020-12-071h 02Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryScott Feinberg - From Oscars blogger to The Hollywood Reporter Awards Columnist & HostScott Feinberg is an Awards Columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. He is also the Host of the incredibly popular podcast "Awards Chatter," where he has interviewed over 350 incredible guests including Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Oprah, and Denzel Washington. He is considered by many as an Oscar Oracle, helping many people (including myself) win their Oscar pools. Having previously created one of the first successful Oscar blogs called "And the Winner is..." he was hired to create something similar out of college for the LA Times.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Some tips and...2020-11-301h 20Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryNaz Perez - From The Ellen Show to E! Correspondent and Rotten Tomatoes and Dodgers TV HostNaz Perez is a TV Producer, Host & Podcaster. She is a true Renaissance Woman, juggling hosting responsibilities at Rotten Tomatoes, Dodger Stadium, E! Daily/Nightly Pop, T-Mobile, and the 'I don't get it' podcast. She is currently working her dream job at Rotten Tomatoes, hosting the tri-weekly show "The Ketchup," covering Movies and Television, and the weekly show "Binge Guide" covering what to watch next. After starting out at The Ellen Show and on E! True Hollywood story, she produced 5 seasons of The Bachelor.
Forbes (Jun 15 2020) - “Essentially, you create your dream job by making the work th...2020-11-2349 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDavid Grae - From Spec Scripts to Executive Producer of Madam SecretaryDavid Grae is a Writer and Executive Producer of Television. He's written for Joan of Arcadia, Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls, Castle, and Madam Secretary. At the latter, he moved up to Executive Producer of the 6 season show. He was second in command to Creator and Show runner, Barbara Hall. He started off writing spec scripts and directing his Off-Off-Off Broadway play 'Moose Mating' in NYC, before directing the play in LA. He invested $25k of his own money to put up the production, an investment that paid off.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Mee...2020-11-161h 00Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryErika Karnell - From PR Temp to Legit Agent at BRS/GAGE Talent AgencyErika Karnell is an Agent with BRS/GAGE Talent Agency, representing actors in TV, Film, and Theater. BRS/GAGE clients include Series Regulars and recurring actors on Station 19, Claws, and Madam Secretary, as well as Guest Stars on NCIS: New Orleans, Elementary, Gotham, and Mr. Robot. BRS/GAGE Talent agency clients have appeared in almost every Broadway musical, including The Lion King, Aladdin, Hamilton, Come From Away, Moulin Rouge, and Waitress.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why she knew instantly that she wanted to work for The Gage group
• What's a "medium sized" Talent Agency and why BRS/GAGE Talent...2020-11-0949 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryJason Ensler - From PSAs to Executive Producer/Director of HULU's "Love, Victor"Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing, The Newsroom, Scrubs, Gossip Girl, Franklin & Bash, The Passage, The Exorcist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Red Band Society, and most recently, Love, Victor...2020-11-0251 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryElizabeth Van Metre - From In Touch Weekly Intern to Reporter/Fill-In Anchor on Channel 13Elizabeth Van Metre is currently an Alert Desk Anchor/Reporter/Fill-In Anchor on Channel 13. Upon graduating college, she got an editorial internship at a Tabloid, researching storylines, collecting information, attending red carpets, and transcribing interviews. She was offered a full time reporting job shortly after. Subsequently, she worked at The New York Daily News and Entertainment Tonight, before getting her Master in Journalism at Columbia University. She has spent the last 3.5 years working in front of the camera in News. She produced and anchored the daily morning show "Today in Wyoming," before moving to her current role in Missouri.2020-10-2651 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDamon Lee - From unpaid assistant to Award Winning Producer & CEO of Deacon MediaDamon Lee is an Award-winning Producer and CEO of Deacon Media. Not only has he been the Executive Producer for two of the top five grossing African American themed films of the past decade, but he is responsible for the first and only cross-over from animated web series to live action feature film. His projects have included Beyonce, Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Loretta Devine, Chris Brown, Regina King, and more. He won an NAACP award for Outstanding Television Movie, Sins of the Mother, the second most watched original film in...2020-10-191h 16Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryJonathan Mason - From News Assistant to Legit Agent at Don Buchwald & AssociatesJonathan Mason is a Theatrical or legit agent at Don Buchwald & Associates in NY (film, TV, and theater). In addition to celebrity clients, he also represents actors in some of your favorite television shows, streaming shows, and films. Buchwald is a top tier bi coastal agency with name recognition, offering representation in commercial, print, digital, branded lifestyle, film, TV, theater, literary, social media influencers, and voiceover.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The incredible journey Jonathan took to get to Buchwald, including working as a PA, Background Artist, Assistant at Channel 5 News, Finance, and Casting...2020-10-121h 05Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryKim Graham - From Opera Singer to Casting Associate for SHOWTIME's HomelandKim Graham has been the Associate Casting Director for the Emmy award winning casting office of Judy Henderson Casting since 2003. She casts for Film, TV, Commercials, Theater, and more. Most notably, Kim cast all seasons of Showtime's critically acclaimed, award-winning Homeland, starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin. She has also been an independent Casting Director on numerous projects.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How she toured opera as a competitive singer and why she quit
• Her journey from casting intern to associate
• Being introduced to one of her icons, Julie Andrew...2020-10-051h 05Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryMatt Witten - From writing poems to Playwright, Novelist and Television WriterMatt Witten is a Playwright, Novelist, TV writer, and Teacher. He started writing plays, with The Deal winning a Clauder Playwriting Competition in 1989. He's written four novels starring amateur sleuth Jacob Berns, include Breakfast at Madeline's, Grand Delusion, Strange Bedfellows, and The Killing Bee. His next book, The Necklace is coming out next year with his book already optioned by a huge production company. He's written for a long list of Television shows, including Law & Order, House, Medium, Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, CSI Miami, Women's Murder Club, JAG, and more.
In this episode, we talk about:
•...2020-09-281h 01Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryRon West - From the Mailroom at ICM to Hollywood Manager and ProducerRon West is a co-founder and principal of Thruline Entertainment, a prominent Management and Production company. Thruline manages incredible actors and writers including Oscar Winner Alison Janney, Eric Stonestreet, Michael Cera, Sarah Silverman, Rob Estes, Lindsay Sloane, Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids), six time Emmy award winner Barry Julien, director Zak Hilditch (1922), and more. Many Thruline clients have been honored with nominations and wins at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, the Emmy Awards, Tonys, Writers/Directors/Screen Actors Guild Awards, and The Grammys, to name a few. As a production company, Thruline produced 'The Great' on Hulu (Starring Elle Fanning...2020-09-211h 08Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryKristin Hanggi - From playing pretend to Film, TV, & Tony Nominated Director of Rock of AgesKristin Hanggi is a Theater, Television, and Film Director, as well as a Writer, Teacher, and poet. She is well known for directing and developing the international smash-hit Rock of Ages, which received five Tony Award nominations. Kristin was only 31 when she received her Tony Nomination for Best Direction of a Musical. Since then, she traveled the world directing productions of Rock of Ages all over the world. Recently, she has directed Episode 6 of Julie and The Phantoms, which came out on Netflix last week, Thursday, September 10th.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The sto...2020-09-141h 03
Voices of Misery PodcastNerd and new friend, actress Michelle Simone Miller shoot the breeze.Today the nerd has on special guest and new friend of the show, the amazing actress, Michelle Simone Miller on the show to discuss her new podcast 'Mentors on the Mic' as well as her very long career in the entertainment industry. This is a very open and honest interview into the pysche of an actor with someone that has done it in the industry. Please follow the lovely Michelle on social media and check her out everywhere as well as listen to her phenomenal podcast on ALL platforms.
All of her links are here!
...2020-09-091h 46Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industrySerena Kerrigan - From Nickelodeon Voiceover Actress to SFK, The Queen of ConfidenceSerena Kerrigan, also known as Serena F*cking Kerrigan, SFK, and “The Queen of Confidence,” does not wait for someone to give her a role, she creates that role for herself. This incredibly popular Content Creator, video producer, and Confidence Coach has amassed an engaged and loyal following of 70k+ on Instagram and 150k+ on Tik Tok. Only a few months ago, she created, produced, and hosted Let’s F*cking Date, the first reality show on Instagram Live, which The Today Show called a "Must Watch" and Guest of a Guest called "Better than the Bachelor."
Please...2020-09-0759 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryArun Narayanan - From Intern at Sony to Editorial Analyst at NetflixArun Narayanan is an Editorial Analyst of Metadata Research and Development at Netflix. He started as an intern for Avi Arad Productions and Michael De Luca Productions while getting his Masters in Film and Television Productions at USC. After many freelance jobs including Background work, quality control for DVDs, media technician work, editing, production, and writing, Arun has always aspired for balance between his practical and creative pursuits. Now he splits his time between his career at Netflix and his writing.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How he collected, categorized and analyzed metadata for Dis...2020-08-3146 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryAdina Pitt - From HBO Temp to Vice President at Cartoon NetworkAdina Pitt is the Vice President of Content Acquisitions and Co Productions at Cartoon Network and Boomerang. She started as a PA on a movie in Puerto Rico, moving her way through wonderful internships and a Masters in Early Childhood Development and Educational Communication and Technology from NYU. This proved perfect for her goal to work in Children’s Entertainment. After 10 years at Nickelodeon, Adina found her home at Cartoon Network.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The difficult process of getting that first paying job
• Why she decided to get her Masters
• W...2020-08-2453 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryDavid Pepose - From Temp to Ringo award-winning Graphic NovelistDavid Pepose is a Ringo award-winning Graphic Novelist, sporting two successful Comic Book series "Spencer and Locke" and "Going to the Chapel." He started out as a Temp at DC Entertainment, before transitioning to a Literary Assistant at Heroes and Villains Entertainment and writing Reviews for Newsarama (the ESPN of Comics). He also learned a lot from his time writing press releases at CBS about what it means to have a slow build as a writer. David takes us in on the exciting world of Comic Books, complete with his first experience at Comic Con and getting optioned very...2020-08-171h 00Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryKerri Berney - From Literary Agent's Assistant to NBC Director of Strategic ResearchKerri Berney is currently the Director of Multi-platform and Strategic Research at NBCUniversal Media. Kerri is a badass career woman who has worked in several areas of the Television industry including production, public relations, development, and at a literary agency. She shares with us her journey from an intern for Stan Brooks (Episode 1), to a Literary Assistant at Dytman & Associates, to Scholastic Entertainment, to Sony Pictures Television, to Oxygen Media Network, to VH1/VH1 Classic/CMT, to her current home at NBC.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The responsibilities of a Director of Multi-platform an...2020-08-1046 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryMichael Pitt - From Production Assistant To Production Manager of Ocean's 8 and The PunisherMichael Pitt is a Production Manager with over 70 credits in film and television, including Ocean’s 8, Person of Interest, Nurse Jackie, Sex and the City movies 1 and 2, I am Legend, The Devil wears Prada, 30 Rock, and more. He has had multiple roles on set, including Production Assistant, Second second Assistant Director, Second Assistant Director, First Assistant Director, and Production Manager.
In this episode, we talk about:
How he went from $500 a week on a Friday to $2,500 a week the following Monday
How bitterness of a lost job led him to huge life lesson
Discussions on plans to...2020-08-0342 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryJacks and Shawl - From passion project to the official Hallmark Channels' PodcastJacklyn Collier and Shawlini Munjunath-Holbrook, or Jacks and Shawl, are the Hosts of Hallmark Channels’ Bubbly Sesh, the official Hallmark Channels' podcast, where they talk about Hallmark movies, shows, romance and relationships.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How these ladies took their love of Hallmark movies and turned it into the official podcast for the network.
- The benefits of having this huge sponsor behind them,
- The best parts of hosting this podcast together
- How their podcast led to acting roles on a Hallmark movie and ot...2020-07-2752 minMentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryStan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & DirectorStan Brooks is a talented and highly regarded film and television producer and director. He has produced more than 70 films for film and television since 1989, some going on to be nominated and win Emmys. In this episode, we discuss his first job in the industry, working in the mailroom at a company called Filmways. He explains his incredible subsequent journey to becoming a Producer and now, Director.
In this episode, we talk about:
His transition from AFI (American Film Institute) to the “real world."
The simple and memorable advice his grandfather gave him before his first jo...2020-07-201h 01
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryIntroducing Mentors on the MicWhat do you look for in a Mentor? Every Monday, NYC Native actress Michelle Miller will be talking to some of the most interesting Mentors in Entertainment, including Directors, Producers, Network executives, Actors, and more. Her guests will share how they started, how they moved up and any advice they have for us today. Every path is different. A career in Entertainment is anything but linear. Let’s learn and be inspired together listening to Mentors on the Mic.2020-07-1601 min
Hallmark Channels’ Bubbly SeshHoliday Date Recap with Michelle Simone MillerJacks and Shawl are joined by Michelle Simone Miller to chat all about Holiday Date! The gals talk about the adorable Brittany Bristow, Matt Cohen pretending to be Mr. Christmas, and all of the wonderful Hanukkah traditions. Plus, a very special rendition of Hallstar Playhouse!Follow Michelle Simone Miller atInstagram: @michellesimonemillerTwitter: @MichelleSimoneMFollow us atInstagram: @thebubblyseshTwitter: @thebubblyseshCheck out more at: HallmarkChannel.com/thebubblysesh2019-12-1600 min
Berkreviews Movie ClubTop Five Movies Episode 090 - Michelle Simone MillerTop Five Movies episode 090 - Michelle Simone Miller
On this episode of Top Five Movies, Jonathan Berk (@berkreviews) and Craig Sybert (@MusicMusing_) got the opportunity to chat with actress Michelle Simone Miller (@MichelleSimoneM). They discussed her passion for movies and how she got into acting before asking her the "getting to know your movie history" questions. The episode concludes with Michelle breaking down her all-time Top Five Movies.
Michelle's list:
5. Girl Interrupted (1999)
4. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
2. Legally Blonde (2001)
1. Good Will Hunting (1997)
SUPPORT BERKREVIEWS.COM
Subscribe at Patreon – http://www.patreon.com/berkreview
One time donation @ Berkreviews.com and cli...2018-03-081h 26