Around The Reel

What a special episode for all of you today! Around The Reel welcomes filmmaker Andrew Hernández & composer Ben Thatcher to our show! Andrew has a new documentary out entitled "The Biggest Dream". The Arecibo Observatory fell in 2020. This radar system was vital for so many reasons, not just for planetary defense but for the citizens in Puerto Rico. We dive into the project, the reas...

Today we sit down with filmmaker Dina McNeil! Dina is a remarkably humble and eloquent filmmaker here in the Pacific Northwest! Her humor and heart goes a long way, not only in her day to day life, but in her films as well. Filmmaking is a part time gig for her, but a passion nonetheless. We dive into to some very interesting topics for creatives: Characters, writing, how people in your life influ...

Today's BONUS EPISODE is a touchy one. Our local film community is one of the most talented and fun groups around! However, like anything else,  it has its issues. Recently we've seen division in our local community and we don't like it. So, as Around The Reel, we feel obligated to address the issue at hand and offer our advice, help and opinions on the matter. There's no reaso...

Today we welcome filmmaker and entrepreneur Carlos Ortiz to our show. Carlos understands the business side of filmmaking and he shares with us his vision, his approach and how he's working to bring the filmmaking industry to the Pacific Northwest. We dive into his background, growing up in east L.A., finding his love for film, his years of networking and why he's determined to keep the m...

Today we sit down with talented and well respected filmmaker Aaron Fokus Switzer! Some conversations are meant to occur and this is one of them. From his early beginnings as a DJ to now making his own films,  Aaron's story is inspiring! We jump right in learning about his music background, turning photography into filmmaking and hosting his own radio show The Green Room.  We also tackle some...

Today on Around The Reel the three of us discuss the importance of building a team, building a community and sharing with everyone in the industry. It's vital that all creatives understand that this isn't a competition amongst one another but more of a family of creatives in different boats sailing the waters alone... Let's all board the same vessel and make the trip better for us a...

Today we welcome filmmaker Steven Eaton to our show! Steven has not only become a filmmaker in his career with films like "Assassins Code" and "Death Fighter" but has also ventured into animation and is working on his own series called "Universal Opera!" A Sci-Fi Fantasy animated project he's put a lot of time into. We dive into what has inspired him and why he&a...

Today we welcome filmmaker Nathan Shepka to our show! Nathan's new film "Holiday Monday" is an action piece now available to stream everywhere! We discuss the production and the stunts, budget, what influenced him to make the film and so much more! Every artist is influenced by something, Nathan is no exception. With idols like Stallone, Shepka has evolved into an action star on his...

Today we welcome filmmaker Phillip Nelson to our show! And welcome to Halloween 2021! Join us as we learn about this brilliant filmmaker and discuss the ins and outs of filmmaking and so much more! We dive into a flurry of topics here including his brilliant short film "Frink", his background as a filmmaker, editing, working with a cast and crew and the overall admiration one should have...

Today we have the pleasure to sit down with Emmy Award winning actor Tom Skerritt! A neighbor here in the Pacific Northwest, Tom has had a legendary career as an actor! From Alien, Top Gun, The River Runs Through It, Steel Magnolias and so many epic films, Tom has embraced the gift he was given as an actor and creator! We get to know him on a different level on this show. His writings, thoughts, i...

Today we welcome Ira Katz to the studio! Ira is an actor here in the Pacific Northwest with a scene stealing persona! Ira shares with us his story: from his parents coming to the U.S., growing up in the Bronx to his beginnings as an artist! We dive into his career and how he's studied this craft and we learn his insights on how he approaches a character and what makes his take so unique. Humi...

Today Aaron Hawkins joins us on Around The Reel! Aaron is an actor, writer and filmmaker currently working on his new horror film 'Evil Lurks'! We jump right in on his new film, the production, challenges and what it takes to shoot in uncontrollable locations! Aaron also shares with us how his family has embraced his filmmaking dream and where to find support when those tough times hit!...

Today we welcome actress Kaiti Wallen to our show! Kaiti is the star of the hit series "Tale of Tails" and other multiple successful films from her production company 'Painted Creek Productions'! Join us as we dive into acting, filmmaking, short films, features and the transitions into episodic series! As a mother, Kaiti and her husband Harley have put together a business in fi...

Today we welcome Angela DiMarco to our show! Angela is an actor, producer and educator here in the Pacific Northwest! With over 100 projects under her belt, Angela is the epitome of perseverance,  passion and poise! Not only is she a powerhouse actor but Angela also shares her lessons, her experience and knowledge as an educator to actors across the globe.  Join us in an epic conversation ranging...

Today we welcome Linda Nelson to our show! Linda is the CEO and Co-Founder of Indie Rights, a distribution company for indie films! With her vast knowledge of the industry, Linda breaks down the ins and outs of getting your film the best opportunity to be successful! From the different types of platform structures, deliverables, contracts, sales agents and so much more; we pick her brain to find t...

Today we welcome writer Tom Jolliffe to our show! Tom is a professional film journalist and screenwriter! With over 30 films under his belt, Tom has been able to take his passion for writing to another level! We discuss his freelance writing and how he has built up a following as a journalist for one of the UK's biggest film websites "Flickering Myth". Also, we dive into his storyte...

On today's episode Samantha brings us down a road of reflection, grief, frustration and love. A Philadelphia neighborhood is the largest open-air narcotics market for heroin on the East Coast. Addicts come from all over, and many never leave. Samantha questions us "Why?" Why are these things allowed to happen? We also ask the question, "Would You Rather?" What would you ch...

Today on our show we have the pleasure to speak with musician J.o. Lannigan. Joe is a guitarist in Canada who gives his gift of music to us with amazing riffs, tributes and his own original works! We dive into what got him playing guitar, how he learned to become one with his sound, musicians that inspired him and so much more! We also tackle some "tough talk" about what it takes to be a...

Today we chat with filmmaker Christian Day! Christian is the creator of the hit YouTube Series "When To Use The "N" Word. His show not only brings awareness to racial tensions in our culture but brings us all together with laughter! This remarkable artist shares with us his story; how the incident with George Floyd inspired his show, his take on where we are as a society and how he...

Today we have the pleasure to chat with actor Bill Houskeeper on Around The Reel! As a coal miner's son,  his dreams of acting could've have easily been overshadowed by the family business. However he set out on an adventure as a young man to follow his dream of acting. From his college days to his move to L.A., Bill shares his story, his career, his films and his work ethic. We dive dee...

Today we sit down with the talented David Fowler! David is a filmmaker here in the Pacific Northwest that recently released his feature film "Big Trouble In Seattle"! We embark on a wild conversation ranging from what inspired him to become a filmmaker, the movies that influenced him as a child, the support he's had from those in his life and above all else his "Just Do It&quot...

On today's episode of Around The Reel we have the pleasure to hang out with Tevis Marcum! Tevis is an actor, writer, producer and a man of many talents! From his early days on radio to his production career in film, Tevis has taken steps that many wouldn't dare try. With his determination, he has been able to work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and now has a new series on Tu...

Today we welcome Jon Meggison to the show! Jon is a local actor here in the Pacific Northwest that not only is chasing his dream of acting but also raising a family! A father of three, Jon has his work cut out for him however with his drive, determination and love of storytelling, he pushes forward full force to not only learn this business but also be a provider, a father and overall great human...

Today on Around The Reel we welcome Tokala Tatum to the show! Tokala is a young filmmaker here in Seattle that's gearing up to finish his first feature "Torn Apart" As a student at the University Of Washington, Tokala has vowed to make one film every year as his goal and with multiple short films under his belt, he's got the tools and talents to finalize his first full length f...

On today's show we welcome Harley Wallen to Around The Reel! Harley is a actor, writer, director and producer. You name it... Harley does it! Indie Filmmaking is a challenging endeavor and sometimes with the lack of funds you have to learn how to do ALL THE THINGS! Harley has accepted that challenge and as a result; has successfully created multiple successful films and tv series over the yea...