Beyond The Take

B. Todd Johnston ( Mayor of Kingstown ) returns to Beyond The Take to discuss writing his own TV series, navigating today’s film industry, and adapting to an entertainment landscape shaped by streaming, self-tapes, and creator-driven content. We discuss: • The future of acting careers • Writing and creating your own projects • Streaming vs. movie theaters • Lessons from Mayor of Kingstown • Buildi...

How do indie filmmakers actually survive in 2026? Tube E Movie filmmaker Will Adams joins Beyond The Take to break down indie film distribution, streaming platforms like Tubi and Plex, and the reality of making movies outside the studio system. We discuss: • How indie films make money • Tubi, Plex & FilmHub distribution • Why film festivals aren’t enough • Fast, low-budget filmmaking strategie...

Does acting success come later in your career? Marc Chouen sits down with Bonnie Rose to talk about longevity, staying present in auditions, and building momentum at any stage. From booking her first major role with Sidney Lumet to working alongside Rose Byrne and Octavia Spencer , Bonnie explains why her “third act” may be her best yet. • Staying present on set • Navigating different career stage...

What’s really happening behind SAG-AFTRA negotiations — and are actors actually protected on set? Marc Chouen sits down with intimacy coordinator and strike captain Kristen Elizabeth to break down actor safety, union negotiations, and the future of the industry. They discuss: • SAG negotiations & what actors aren’t told • The reality of intimacy coordinators • AI, digital likeness, and actor r...

What does it actually take to make an independent film without investors or studio backing? Screenwriter and actor Marc Cubelli breaks down how he wrote, produced, and starred in his latest indie feature Shooting Sid — built entirely on creative control and guerrilla filmmaking. We discuss: • Self-financing and DIY production • Writing yourself into the lead role • 90s indie film influences • Fest...

What does it really take for an independent film to break through? In this episode of Beyond the Take , Marc Chouen sits down with filmmaker, producer, and Executive Director of the SoHo International Film Festival, Sibyl Santiago, for a deep dive into how the indie film world actually works. Sibyl shares her journey from child actor to producer to festival leader, the challenges she faced as an A...

What does it actually take to start acting and how do you know if you should keep going when things get hard? In this episode of Beyond The Take , Marc Chouen flips the format and sits down with someone new to the acting world, asking the kinds of honest questions most people are too afraid to ask out loud. Marc opens up about: • Recently losing his agent and what that really means for an actor’s...

What does it really take to build a lasting career in the entertainment industry without shortcuts, hype, or excuses? In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with actor, producer, and longtime mentor Jaime Zevallos, whose 27-year journey through film, television, theater, and independent cinema offers a rare look at how careers are actually built. Jaime opens up about: • Starting...

What does it really take to build a lasting acting career especially after being part of a global phenomenon? In the Season premiere of Beyond The Take , Marc Chouen sits down with actor Sherman Augustus for a deep, honest conversation about craft, career choices, and the realities of today’s entertainment industry — timed perfectly with the Stranger Things series finale. Sherman opens up about: •...

How do you direct horror with kids, compete in festivals, and survive Hollywood’s streaming shake-up all at once? In this Halloween-episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with indie horror filmmaker David B Jacobs to talk about the craft, the chaos, and the culture of modern filmmaking. They dive into: Directing horror — even with child actors Creating real fear without exploiting perfo...

In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with Michael J Puddy to tackle industry myths and uncover the realities shaping the entertainment business in 2025. From actors making political statements to the impact of streaming, they pull no punches in exploring where the industry is headed. They cover: • Should actors speak out at award shows? • How streaming transformed careers in f...

What happens when you leave a career in aviation to chase your dream in Hollywood? In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with actress, producer, and businesswoman Marcia Lopez to explore her incredible journey from Uruguay to the U.S., where she transitioned from pilot and flight attendant to performer and storyteller. Marcia opens up about: • Her path from aviation to acting a...

What if the best acting doesn’t look like acting at all? In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with veteran actor, coach, and author Jeff Seymour to explore his groundbreaking “Real Life Actor Approach.” With over 40 years of experience, Jeff challenges traditional acting methods, focusing instead on authentic human behavior, presence, and communication. Together, Marc and Jeff...

What do Navy training, Hollywood politics, and union elections have in common? In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with actor and SAG-AFTRA leader Christina Bobrowsky to break down the realities of union life most actors never hear about. From running for office and navigating committees, to the impact of AI in the industry and why SAG-AFTRA elections feel like U.S. politics,...

In this episode of Beyond The Take, actor, writer, and director Sunita Deshpande (@luckysunita) joins Marc for a powerful conversation on the beauty, vulnerability, and authenticity of live performance. From directing her first play Justice for Geeta to teaching improvisation across professional spaces, and explore what it means to stay creatively alive when the industry feels like it’s burning do...

Award-winning filmmaker, poet, and author Jamal Hodge joins Beyond the Take for one of our most powerful conversations yet. From a turbulent childhood filled with trauma and homelessness to becoming a celebrated voice in film and literature, Jamal opens up about how art became his path to healing. We dive into his journey, the film premiering at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival...

In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen and co-host Michael J. Puddy sit down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Sara Quiriconi to explore how vertical short-form content is reshaping the film industry—and what it means for working actors today. Sara shares her journey of building a personal brand that spans acting, writing, and entrepreneurship, while staying true to her creative visi...

Actor and wrestler in-training B Todd Johnston (Mayor of Kingstown, Ballard) joins us to talk about the rise of pro wrestlers breaking into serious Hollywood roles. We dive into: • The Rock’s Oscar potential and his upcoming A24 projects • Liv Morgan’s acting debut with NEON Films • Why Dave Bautista has outpaced other wrestlers in film • The real difference between wrestlers, influencers, and ath...