Passion to Power

Tara Nicole Hughes has worked for 26 years with "Uber brilliant" director/choreographer, Rob Marshall on some of the biggest contemporary movie musicals including, Mary Poppins Returns, Chicago, Nine, and for two years she was a part of the entire pre-production, production and post-production process of Disney's live action, The Little Mermaid. With long sinewy legs and pure line, Tara was always...

SVP, Director of Creative Development, HarperCollins Publishers HarperCollins.com A guru of nonfiction book publishing, Lisa Sharkey, who agrees that she is indeed "a shark," has worked for over sixteen years at one of the largest publishing houses in North America, chasing stories that have to be told. In her earlier life she was a talented and successful producer of TV news shows with...

John Frank Levey -casting director of iconic TV shows - especially ensemble shows- shares his ideas 💡 on the casting process. He talks about his book 📕- which you can purchase now- and why he wrote it. RIGHT FOR THE ROLE; John loves actors - he respects them and their process. He says "we want you to succeed" and we are not "obstacles" we are opening doors. "Finding the community..." is essentia...

Programming for kid & family- keep it light even when it's important; but don't be self important. Enjoy your journey- it's yours alone. Every little thing you do can fold into another useful skill. Stay open - you never know which meeting will turn into a job. Temporary work can end up being full time even when you don't expect it! Kristofer Updike ⬆️ shares his optimism and enthusiasm and offers...

Jocelyn Hamilton was about to receive a Crystal Award from the Women in Film & Television, Toronto, Canada. As the President of eOne Canada, she oversees a 'dream team' that develops, produces and distributes original content around the globe. She worked her way up over the years- with early interest in journalism and debate. A trajectory that has moved through several spheres of the entertainment...

He loves to draw. He likes collaborating. He likes to share stories that have meaning and a take away message along with good entertainment value.  Phillip Stamp, Executive Creative Director of IOM: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Phillip shares his experience working on all sides of the creative table, management of crews, and how to keep innovating when the industry keeps changing. The world will...

❤️❤️❤️ Just in time -Valentine's Day is 2 days before PROUD will be released and available on the Amazon Prime platform in the US. Celebrate with some chocolate, roses, and scripted and unscripted LGBTQ content. https://www.outtv.com/ Brad Danks is honest, direct, reflective. With a good dose of laughter, Brad and host, Michelle Zeitlin talk about the network, distribution, original content and hi...

Christmas Day :What does a Choreographer do? Why isn’t there a union to protect (them) us? How does a choreographer work with a director ? Actors? Icons? From MJ to Madonna Vincent Paterson has experienced a myriad of emotions on set - taking care of delicate egos. He has set iconic movement on dancers and singers and celebrities. He has won accolades and toured the globe. But for me, it was the m...

“Be the guy who people want to work with!” Says Chris Campbell, Director🍿 He is tatted, edgy, a little cynical and a pragmatist. He is also passionate about making quality work and being the guy people like on the set. Chris has been immersed in the YA space, namely directing young influencers for content that appeals to the tween and teen girl set. His commercial reel is impressive and he was aw...

From child actor to reality TV star as "the youngest agent" to top theatrical agent in Los Angeles - Nick Roses has had an interesting trajectory.  Nick Roses is currently a partner at Pantheon, representing actors in scripted TV, feature films, in unscripted programming and redefining their agency opportunities and platform. Nick Roses over came scathing Hollywood press and a dented professional...

Ali Afshar is the founder of ESX Entertainment.  He races hot rods, he has been an actor, and he has built a sound stage in a barn in his home town, Petaluma, near Napa Valley where his company shot "California Christmas," in production during the Covid quarantines. Ali has built a company with a select and close group of friends who have all become busy producers, composers, directors and DPs. He...

“Hire me to direct!” Maria Capp knows that to get what you want you have to ask. She’s been doing the big “asks” for years/ whether to pitch a project to Tubi, Hallmark, or Netflix, or to raise funds for original movies she is producing and writing, or to ask for the best cast members to lead one of her movies for TV. With a family-centric and female-centric approach to movie making, Maria Capp ha...

Michelle Zeitlin is the host of Passion to Power and considered a Hollywood Insider, so it's a perfect match to have Jenn Boyce, who is the founder of THE HOLLYWOOD PREP as her guest on this episode.  As a Talent Agent in Hollywood for 30 years, Jenn Boyce has worked with thousands of amazing actors: Paul Rudd, Jessica Biel, Nick Robinson,  Shailene Woodley, Ava Michelle, Cedric Joe, Cia...

Valarie Pettiford is a "well rounded performer," who has longevity in the entertainment and performing arts.   She has worked in show business for 45 years- which is impossible to believe when you see her on her three (!!) current roles on three different television shows (BLACKLIST, FAMILY BUSINESS, TRUTH BE TOLD) as she is flawless- long limbs, blonde stylish hair cut and posture like the dancer...

This episode marks 50 produced episodes of Passion to Power! We are so excited- Michelle Zeitlin, Host/Producer.  Herizon Music Foundation, founded by Thea Wood in 2019, aims to level the playing field for women in music- on the mic, in the studio, on the mixing board, in publishing, and in every pursuit of the wide open music industry - creators, producers, engineers, distributors, the whole gamu...

Beth Parker always wanted to be in book publicity: “Always Always Always”  She started her own company after working with some of the biggest publishers in-house. She loves what she does. She works with top authors and new authors- helping them build their platforms, gain traction with press and online publicity. Beth utilizes her people-person, writing, "a fair amount of editing," and pitching sk...

Rachel Rose Oginsky is known for The Bold and the Beautiful; Men at Work; and Covert Affairs. She has worked on primetime and daytime TV shows in the first chair as Casting Director, as a Casting Associate and a Casting Assistant. Every project has shaped how she works in the entertainment industry. She has had mentors who have empowered her, and she's had examples of what NOT to do that have also...

Have you ever wondered what a SHOW RUNNER is and does? Peter Mohan, a man who has worked in television for 4 decades will share his duties, his creative life and his joy being in this (show) business. His current television series, The Hardy Boys (TV Series) - Executive Producer, is doing well and got picked up again. https://www.thehardyboystv.com/ He likes genre programming and especially the da...

Michelle Loucadoux & Matthew Shaffer share their stories and career highlights with Michelle Zeitlin, in anticipation of the April 8-10, 2022 dance convention called PDN, Professional Dance Network. Michelle Zeitlin will be leading master classes in jazz and contemporary, and judging dance showcases.  Michelle Zeitlin, host of Passion to Power, and talent and literary manager, CEO of More Zap Prod...

Ty Humes, 6’6,” African American, is imposing, impressive and especially well spoken. He is also humble in recognizing his own professional contributions, while cognizant of challenges of race, class and “lessons learned” that have shaped him and his career. Ty is a proud father of two (tall) kids and coaches ball for their sports teams. Ty, though super tall To these tweens says in athletic circl...

Joe Towne is an actor, writer, director and the founder of The Performers Mindset.  “To revolutionize the way we Think about performance… and then Train accordingly.” He's worked in television, feature films and theatre around the country, and currently he's coaching, speaking and hosting his own podcast. He graduated with a BA in Theater from The University of Southern California and interned at...

Tammy Pahel is the VP of Spa & Wellness Operations, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. She shares her experience growing up in an entrepreneurial household. Many jobs in her youth including as a fifteen year old bartender and waitress in her family restaurant, then in lumber— contributed to her success in working with people. Her focus is now on running a 70,000 square foot facility that is considere...

A writer with a big "W" is what Adam Belanoff is....along with being a producer for television in a few varied formats. He's worked in writer rooms for sitcoms (*situation comedies) and one hour procedural dramas and he's thinking about doing a feature film. Ideas are brewing. If you look up his credits on IMDB, you will see iconic shows starting in the 1990's and he is "grateful for 30 years of w...

Ed Steckley is an illustrator. He works on children's picture books, middle grade chapter books and advertising assignments. He's been a caricaturist, cartoonist and tried animating too- but that wasn't his wheelhouse, he says. He shares his passion, his journey and his goals. He also expresses gratitude for his mentors, some of the greatest artists that have contributed work in the last 100 years...

Nickelodeon and Disney writer Jordan Gershowitz has been incredibly prolific and he's had some adventures on his way to his current title as Head Writer for the kid and family genre of television entertainment.  In interviewing Jordan, these three words were especially vibrant and resonant:  ABSORB ADAPT ADJUST He is an award-winning musician and was nominated for the MTV VMA for Best Breakout Art...