The BraveMaker Podcast

Actor/Filmmaker Tony Gapastione---on not just talking about it--but DOING IT.

Jane Kaczmarek is best known for her role as ‘Lois’ on television’s award winning Malcolm in the Middle, for which she received 7 consecutive Emmy nominations, multiple Golden Globe and S.A.G. nominations, as well as the Television Critics Award two years running, the only woman to be so honored. She will next be seen among the all-star ensemble in the Duffer Bros upcoming Netflix limited series T...

Sasha Timan is a fearless storyteller whose work bridges documentary realism with emotional, character-driven narratives. A former TV journalist in Moscow and Washington, DC, Sasha now creates intimate films rooted in human rights, immigration, motherhood, and survival. Based in Los Angeles and holding an MFA from UCLA, her latest short Timelessness follows a Russian pianist seeking asylum at the...

300th LIVE with Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam AND special guests from the BraveMaker Film Fest. July 10th, 2025 at the Bravemaker HQ in Redwood City, California with: Hilliard GuessSaeed CrumplerDave ThiesShoshannah Stern Zach Gottsagen Kathryn Smith-McGlynnNiema JordanNaee AndersonLeah Knauer Ken WhittinghamPriscilla Lam Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ....

Join hosts Tony Gapastione and Belgica Rodriguez for a special conversation with selected creators whose bold stories will be featured in our upcoming festival.🎬 Behind-the-scenes moments🎤 Filmmaking insights💥 Creative inspiration Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #Brave...

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Nijla Mu’min is a powerful creative voice shaped by poetry, music, fiction, and dance. Born and raised in the East Bay Area, she weaves deeply personal and socially resonant narratives that spotlight the intersections of identity, justice, and belonging. Her debut feature Jinn — a coming-of-age story about faith, freedom, and first love — premiered at SXSW, where it earned her the Special Jury Awa...

Writers — ever feel like breaking into the industry is a mystery no one’s willing to explain? Joey Tuccio has been changing that for nearly a decade. Starting his career at Bold Films (Drive, Nightcrawler, Whiplash) and reading for companies repped by Hugh Jackman and George Clooney, Joey saw just how tough it is for writers to get real access and actionable feedback. So he co-founded Roadmap Writ...

Writers, directors, and creatives — want to turn your vision into bold, unforgettable stories? Don’t miss this live conversation with Kim “Kimmie P” Callaway, an award-winning writer-director whose work blends humor, heart, and social impact. For over a decade, Kim has written and directed original web series, sketches, music videos, and commercials for major networks and brands including Amazon,...

Actors and creative entrepreneurs — want to build a sustainable career on your own terms? Don’t miss this. Join us for a deep-dive convo with Tristina Lee Bryant, a Los Angeles-based actor and brand strategist whose work spans studio films, network TV, and viral indie hits. You’ve seen her in Unstoppable (Amazon Prime), Rap Sh!t (HBO Max), Burning Little Lies (Lifetime), and the viral short Defaul...

From raising funds to facing rejection, from burnout to breakthroughs — this convo doesn’t hold back. If you’re dreaming of making your feature, don’t miss this raw, honest look at what it REALLY takes. Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ #BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #Fil...

BraveMaker Podcast with special guest Kathryn Smith-McGlynn! Kathryn Smith-McGlynn is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer whose powerhouse performances span theatre, film, and television. She’s graced the stage in acclaimed productions like HENRY V (The Old Globe), FAIRVIEW and SWEAT (Capital Stage), and DISGRACED (San Jose Stage), and shined onscreen in The Surrogate, Mazerunne...

We’re going deep into the real, raw truth of screenwriting with Hilliard Guess — writer, producer, podcaster, and director. From breaking into the industry to surviving the writer’s room, Hilliard is here to spill it all. With credits on Deadly Class (SYFY), the award-winning digital series TICKER, Amazon’s CROSS: AFTER HOURS, and the upcoming coming-of-age film MERMAID!, Hilliard knows what it re...

🎙️BraveMaker Podcast -- Casting & Character with special guest Jane Flowers! Jane is a casting director based in Los Angeles who began her career as an actor, earning her MFA from UCLA before transitioning to casting in 2011. She’s been on a mission ever since: helping actors book roles and shine on screen. Her recent credits include Way of the Warrior Kid (Apple), Die Hart Seasons 2 & 3 (...

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join our engaging BraveMaker Podcast conversation -- Making Short Films: VIRGIN and STEADY.Welcome our guests:Ramone Menon, a filmmaker from Bangalore, India, currently based in Los Angeles, California. Ramone has crafted a niche in genre cinema, particularly horror intertwined with social commentary. His film "Virgin" adds to his portfolio of thought-provoking films that challenge tradi...

🎬Join Tony Gapastione for a conversation with filmmaker Peter Curtis Pardini! Based in Austin, TX, Peter has made several documentaries about the legendary rock band Chicago, including Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago, released by CNN Films in 2017. His passion for documentary storytelling has fueled his journey into narrative filmmaking, where he explores human idiosyncrasies and irony...

BraveMaker Podcast -- How To Direct Female-Centric Feature Films with special guest Traci Hays. Traci Hays is best known for bringing female-centric stories to the forefront, and her fourth feature, ON THE RUN, is no exception—landing on Tubi’s Most Liked List as her third installment for FOX. Her international dark comedy MY BLOODY GALENTINE is also streaming on Tubi, and her psychological thrill...

BraveMaker Podcast -- Micro-Budget Filmmaking with special guest Noam Kroll! Noam Kroll is a Los Angeles-based narrative filmmaker and creative entrepreneur best known for his incredibly DIY approach to the craft. His micro-budget features Shadows on the Road, Psychosynthesis, and Disappearing Boy have earned acclaim at international festivals, and he’s not stopping there. As the founder of Creati...

🎬 Join us for an inspiring conversation with filmmaker and producer Ramfis Myrthil! Ramfis is a powerhouse in independent film, dedicated to championing stories by BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ creators. His journey started with a short film premiering at Cannes, leading to award-winning features like Cicada (2021) and the Tribeca hit Bad Like Brooklyn Dance Hall (2023), produced alongside Shaggy. His...

Join our conversation with Patrick Caligiuri, an award-winning producer, writer, and content creator behind some of TV’s most thrilling reality shows, including The Amazing Race, Big Brother, Naked & Afraid, and American Idol! Most recently, Patrick served as Co-Executive Producer for Fight to Survive (Roku) and The Quest (Disney+). With over 20 years in the industry, he’s mastered the art of...

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠ #BraveMaker⁠ ⁠ #Sundance2025⁠ ⁠ #FilmFestival⁠ ⁠ #THIRD ACT

Join Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam conversation. They share insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and how this trip impacted the BraveMaker team. Don’t miss this post-Sundance breakdown! #BraveMaker #PodcastLive #Sundance2025 #FilmFestival

Join Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam as they chat with Rachel Alig, star of the Sundance 2025-selected drama Omaha. Dive into the making of this emotional film that follows siblings Ella and Charlie on a cross-country journey with their father after a family tragedy — only to discover that not everything is as it seems. Welcome our special guest, Rachel Alig, an award-winning actress known for h...

Join our conversation with the special guest, Erin Brown Thomas. Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam host this episode about Making the Sundance Selected episodic project: CHASERS.Welcome our guest, Erin Brown Thomas, creator, director, and storyteller extraordinaire. Erin shares how her unique perspective and single-shot filmmaking style brought this bold, visually striking pilot to life. With its...