Talent Freaks Podcast

In this throwback episode from 2010, host Andy Coon sits down with independent filmmaker Todd Tinkham from Hillsborough, North Carolina. Todd's journey into filmmaking is as compelling as the stories he tells on screen - after spending 17 years working with at-risk youth, he made a bold mid-life career change following the deaths of his parents, who he realized had "died with their music still ins...

In this second installment of our conversation with Eric Jacobus, we dive deeper into his experiences working on Micah Moore's martial arts film "Dogs of Chinatown" and the challenges of transitioning from stunt performer to dramatic actor. Eric shares candid insights about the physical demands of choreographing and performing fight scenes while also handling acting responsibilities. He discusses...

In this special throwback episode (Part 1 of 2), host Andy Coon revisits his 2008 conversation with Eric Jacobus - stuntman, filmmaker, and founder of The Stunt People. Since this interview, Eric's career has skyrocketed from indie action filmmaker to motion capture superstar, most notably as Kratos in the God of War series. Join us as we explore Eric's fascinating journey from small-town martial...

In this episode of Talent Freaks, host Andy Coon sits down with Eliot Rausch, the acclaimed filmmaker and visual artist known for his deeply human storytelling. Recorded in 2013, this conversation explores how Eliot's unique approach to filmmaking has continued to make significant contributions to the industry. Eliot shares insights into his career highlights since 2013, including award-winning ca...

In this episode of Talent Freaks, host Andy Coon revisits a conversation with Achille Coquerel and Thomas Kauffmann, the dynamic duo behind Cokau Lab. Recorded in 2012, when their innovative experimental films were gaining recognition, this discussion delves into how these French directors have since expanded their creative horizons and established a renowned creative studio in Paris. Achille and...

In this nostalgic episode of the Talent Freaks Podcast, host Andy Coon reconnects with fellow Montclair High School alum Philippa Burgess for an insightful conversation about her journey in the entertainment industry. Recorded in 2008, this interview captures Philippa during her time as co-leader of Creative Convergence, a multi-faceted entertainment company in Los Angeles specializing in literary...

In this episode of the Talent Freaks Podcast, host Andy Coon revisits a fascinating conversation from 2012 with French artist Bruno Levy. At the time of the original interview, Bruno was making waves in the art world with his pioneering work in video art, interactive installations, and as co-founder of the innovative new media collective SWEATSHOPPE. The episode explores Bruno's groundbreaking...

In this compelling episode of Talent Freaks, host Andy Coon revisits a pivotal conversation with Craig Aaron, who has since become Co-CEO of Free Press, a leading media reform organization. Back in 2006, when this interview was recorded, Craig was already at the forefront of the battle for net neutrality and democratic media systems. Craig breaks down the concept of net neutrality in accessible te...

Join host Andy Coon for this engaging episode of the Talent Freaks Podcast featuring versatile actor and voice artist DC Douglas. In this conversation from 2007, Andy and DC discuss his journey into the entertainment industry, his approach to voiceover work, and his experiences in both on-camera and voice acting roles. DC shares fascinating insights about his early career, how he transitioned from...

Join host Andy Coon on the Talent Freaks Podcast as he revisits a 2012 conversation with the late Michael Ajakwe (10/12/1965 - 5/31/2018), the visionary founder of the  LA Web Fest . In Part II of this two-part series, Michael shares his profound insights on the future of web series, the evolving landscape of digital media, and how independent creators are reshaping the entertainment industry. Mic...

Join host Andy Coon on Talent Freaks Podcast as he revisits a 2011 conversation with Michael Ajakwe, a prolific writer, producer, and director whose career spans television, film, theater, and the burgeoning world of web series. As the founder of the LA Web Fest, Michael has been at the forefront of the digital entertainment revolution, championing the power of online storytelling long before it b...

In this episode of  Talent Freaks , we revisit a conversation from 2019 with the incredibly talented music composer  Michael Vignola  (aka Vigs), whose cinematic and atmospheric scores have brought life to films, TV shows, commercials, and web series. From his early days tinkering with an electric organ in his grandparents' basement to touring with bands and mastering the art of film scoring, Mich...

We revisit an insightful conversation with Zack Bazzi, a U.S. Army veteran and one of the soldiers who filmed footage for the acclaimed documentary The War Tapes . Zack’s journey extends far beyond his military service—he has dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts, leading initiatives across the Middle East and Central Asia through his work with Spirit of America, TentED, and Empower Lebanon....

Join host Andy Coon on the Talent Freaks Podcast as he revisits a 2006 conversation with groundbreaking filmmaker Deborah Scranton. Known for her innovative approach to documentary filmmaking, Deborah made her directorial debut with  The War Tapes , a powerful film that captures the Iraq War through the eyes of the soldiers themselves. In this episode, Deborah shares her journey from covering extr...

Join host Andy Coon on the Talent Freaks Podcast as he revisits a 2006 conversation with award-winning documentary filmmaker Brett Ingram. Known for his deep dives into the lives of visionary artists, Brett has directed critically acclaimed films like  Monster Road  (2004), exploring the fantastical world of animator Bruce Bickford, and  Rocaterrania  (2009), uncovering the secret universe of scie...

We revisit a 2012 conversation with Haitian-American actor, writer, director, and producer Bechir Sylvain. Since our last talk, Bechir has made waves in the entertainment industry with roles in hit TV shows like  Claws ,  Bigger , and  Better Call Saul , as well as earning accolades for his theater work. In this episode, Bechir shares his journey from Haiti to the U.S., his early days in acting, a...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon , we revisit a 2006 conversation with Brian Conley, an American journalist, filmmaker, and founder of Alive in Baghdad , a groundbreaking citizen journalism project that provided unfiltered insights into daily life in war-torn Iraq. Through firsthand accounts and raw storytelling, Brian's work shed light on the struggles of civilians during the Iraq...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon, we revisit a 2006 conversation with Bruce Iglauer, the visionary founder and president of Alligator Records, one of the most influential independent blues labels in the world. At the time, Bruce shared intimate insights into his close relationship with the legendary blues guitarist and singer, Son Seals, one of his earliest and most significant sign...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon, we revisit a 2009 conversation with filmmaker William Hellmuth, the creative force behind the sci-fi suspense web series  Black Dawn . At the time, William was an emerging talent, and since then, he has significantly advanced his career, working as a director of photography on projects with high-profile names like Zach King, Terry Crews, Tony Todd,...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon, we revisit a 2012 conversation with Tom Maxwell, the multi-talented frontman and songwriter for the iconic swing-revival band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Known for penning their hit song  Hell , Tom helped propel the band to multi-platinum success, leaving an indelible mark on music history. Since our original interview, Tom has continued to thrive as an...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon, we revisit a 2008 conversation with Jose Montesinos, a talented and versatile independent filmmaker known for his guerrilla-style filmmaking and hands-on approach to storytelling. At the time, Jose had already made waves with his feature film  Number 35  (2000), which received positive recognition at the Sundance Film Festival and the LA Internation...

In this episode of  Talent Freaks  with Andy Coon, we revisit a 2012 conversation with  Amani Channel , a dynamic broadcast journalist, video producer, and digital media specialist. At the time, Amani was already an award-winning producer and senior producer at KEF Media Associates, creating impactful media tours for major organizations. Since then, he’s co-founded  Web Video Chefs , a platform de...

In this episode of Talent Freaks with Andy Coon , we revisit a 2007 conversation with independent filmmaker Adam Zucker. At the time, Adam had just released his debut documentary, Greensboro: Closer to the Truth , which explores the 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the city's path toward reconciliation. Andy, having also documented the event in Greensboro's Child , dives deep with Adam into th...

I'm excited to revisit a fascinating conversation from 2007 with the multi-talented filmmaker, editor, and video blogger, Ajit Anthony Prem. This episode captures Ajit during his early creative days, when he was making waves with innovative projects like Tickle Booth and Squiggle Booth, showcasing his unique approach to visual storytelling and digital media. Since our original chat, Ajit has conti...

I’m thrilled to revisit a special conversation from 2006 with my former high school classmate, Sarah Phelps. This episode holds a special place in my heart because it was the very first podcast I ever recorded! Sarah is the producer and manager behind the wildly creative and award-winning animator PES, whose groundbreaking stop-motion films like  Roof Sex  and  Game Over  have redefined what anima...