Living And Working On The Spectrum In Hollywood With Chelsea Darnell

27:53

In this episode of Best in Fest , Leslie LaPage sits down with acclaimed international actor Ido Samuel, known for his roles in We Were the Lucky Ones , FBI: International , Tehran , and the award-winning short Dirty Bomb . Ido shares his journey from growing up in Israel to breaking into Hollywood, how he landed his powerful role as a conflicted Jewish policeman in Hulu’s Holocaust drama, and the real-life stories that shaped his performances. From navigating the L.A. acting scene to honoring Holocaust survivors through film, this episode is a candid and inspiring look at the grit, talent, and global perspective that fuels Ido’s work.…

Best in Fest

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Behind FBOY Island, Rhythm & Flow, and Building TV Gold with Kellie Dancho - Ep #216 39:23

8 days ago39:23

39:23

Ready to pull back the curtain on reality TV? In this episode of Best in Fest , powerhouse producer Kellie Dancho —the creative force behind hits like FBOY Island , America’s Got Talent , and Rhythm & Flow —shares how today’s unscripted shows are crafted, cast, and edited for maximum drama and laughs. 🎬 Inside the episode: The real (and hilarious) secrets behind producing FBOY Island and F Girl Island How Rhythm & Flow changed the game for music competition shows on Netflix The art of casting unforgettable characters—and why authenticity still matters Competition show legal rules you didn’t know about (yes, it's just like Jeopardy ) How reality TV evolved from Survivor to social media stardom Insider advice for women and newcomers trying to break into entertainment From setting up viral-worthy reality moments to mastering the chaos behind the scenes, Kellie’s journey is a must-hear for anyone obsessed with TV, content creation, or surviving the entertainment jungle.…

Best in Fest

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From Blood-Curdling Screams to Streamboat Dreams: Allison Pittel on Acting vs Producing - Ep #215 29:45

15 days ago29:45

29:45

What do exploding Zoom speakers, killer mice, and surprise parades have in common? Actress and producer Allison Pittel . In this no-holds-barred episode of Best in Fest , Allison dishes on her rise as a modern scream queen—from indie horror hit Terrifier to the Disney-gone-wrong chaos of Streamboat , where Steamboat Willie gets a slasher makeover. She also reveals what it’s really like producing reality TV with Mike Rowe , juggling 100 balloons and zero reshoots on Returning the Favor . 🎬 What you’ll hear: Why her scream is now legend in horror casting rooms Acting against puppets, air, and pure terror The magic (and madness) of horror conventions How public domain horror is rewriting the genre The emotional engine behind authentic fear onscreen If you love horror, hustle, and behind-the-scenes gold, this episode is a must-listen.…

Best in Fest

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Crush Your Goals with The DEB Method — Productivity Secrets from Debra Eckerling - Ep #214 38:40

22 days ago38:40

38:40

Struggling to stay on track with your creative or professional goals? Award-winning author and goal strategist Debra Eckerling joins Best in Fest to break down her powerful DEB Method — Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, Brainstorm Your Path —to help you set and actually achieve your goals. Whether you're in entertainment, a business professional, or just someone trying to get their act together, Debra shares actionable steps, real-life success stories, and mindset shifts to boost your productivity and focus. 🎯 We also dive into her new book “52 Secrets for Goal Setting and Goal Getting” , productivity hacks, how to use journaling to gain clarity, and how to turn your passions into tangible wins. Perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, writers, and multi-hyphenates ready to finally get it done .…

Best in Fest

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From Marine to Hollywood: Dee Freeman’s Journey of Tenacity, Theater, and Truth - Ep #213 36:59

29 days ago36:59

36:59

What does it take to transition from the U.S. Marine Corps to the big screen? Actress Dee Freeman shares her incredible journey from serving in the military to gracing the stage and screen, including her gripping true-crime solo show, Poison Gun . From breaking barriers as a woman in the USMC to tackling Hollywood’s toughest auditions, Dee’s story is one of resilience, humor, and an unbreakable spirit. Tune in as she and Leslie LaPage dive into the power of storytelling, the challenges of theater, and the untold history of women Marines.…

Best in Fest

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From Fitness to Film: Kerstin Schulze on Building Strength & Success in Hollywood - Ep #212 33:59

5 weeks ago33:59

33:59

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with actress and fitness expert Kerstin Schulze to uncover the secrets behind Hollywood’s most sculpted bodies. From training A-list stars like Chris Hemsworth to landing roles in The Righteous Gemstones and American Horror Story , Kerstin shares her journey from competitive sports to the big screen. Discover the truth about Hollywood fitness trends, the power of diet and discipline, and how she balances acting with her passion for health. Tune in for insider tips, industry wisdom, and inspiration to fuel your own fitness and career goals!…

Best in Fest

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Film, Reality TV, and the Power of Storytelling with Alpesh Patel - Ep #211 29:42

6 weeks ago29:42

29:42

From Bollywood dreams to Hollywood reality, filmmaker and editor Alpesh Patel shares his incredible journey in the entertainment industry. In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage dives into Patel’s career—from writing award-winning screenplays and directing indie films to editing over 30 reality TV shows, including Ghost Hunters and Expedition X . Discover how he navigated the film industry, built a production studio in Pennsylvania, and his plans for launching a new comedy series. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a content creator, Patel's insights on storytelling, AI in film, and breaking into Hollywood will inspire you. Don't miss this insider's guide to making it in the business!…

Best in Fest

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From Script to Screen: The Hustle Behind Hollywood’s Hidden Gems - Ep #210 31:58

7 weeks ago31:58

31:58

Award-winning screenwriter Amir Ohebsion joins Best in Fest to share the real journey behind getting an indie film made—from winning Slamdance to self-producing his own features. Discover the highs, the hustle, and the hard truths of Hollywood’s screenplay competitions, financing indie films, and why writing with passion is the key to success. Plus, get the inside scoop on All There Is , premiering at the Beverly Hills Film Festival!…

Best in Fest

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From Model to Movie Star: Blake Boyd on Acting, Hollywood & Taking Risks - Ep #209 35:42

8 weeks ago35:42

35:42

What does it take to go from modeling to starring in films with Hollywood legends? Actor Blake Boyd joins Best in Fest to share his journey—from off-Broadway stages to leading roles in movies like Cash Collectors . He dishes on audition secrets, working with Michael Madsen, and the power of taking risks in acting. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from his time on Shameless , Rocketman , and more! Tune in for an inside look at Hollywood, indie filmmaking, and the mindset that keeps Blake booking roles.…

Best in Fest

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From Startups to Superheroes: Nimrod May’s Journey with God’s Gang - Ep #208 38:36

9 weeks ago38:36

38:36

What happens when a media strategist and startup expert turns his passion into an animated series with a mission? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Nimrod May, the visionary behind God’s Gang , a groundbreaking animated series where love, unity, and compassion become superpowers. Discover how Nimrod transitioned from launching media startups to creating an interfaith superhero universe with millions of followers, all while leveraging startup strategies, marketing expertise, and the power of manifestation. Tune in for insights on growing a digital brand, funding an independent animation project, and making a lasting impact through storytelling.…

Best in Fest

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Living and Working on the Spectrum in Hollywood with Chelsea Darnell - Ep # 207 33:59

10 weeks ago33:59

33:59

Chelsea is currently the casting director for "Love on the Spectrum, but when she was little, Chelsea would spend her time imitating characters and singing songs. This is all in spite of the fact that she was diagnosed with Autism and had to work harder than most at communicating her thoughts and feelings. All of that work paid off and she became a communication major at California Lutheran University, graduating Summa Cum Laude! She's come far in life, having done a pop culture radio show at her university during her undergrad, red carpet interviews, and of course multiple character voices, both for work and play!…

Best in Fest

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Post-Production for Independent Film with Jijo Reed - Ep #206 42:43

11 weeks ago42:43

42:43

Jijo Reed, recognized by LA WEEKLY and NEW YORK POST as "Top Trendsetter in 2023" is an Emmy Winning Producer, 16 time Telly Award Winner, and Executive Producer of over 80 feature films and/or series. Latest feature films include Crescent City starring Alec Baldwin and Terrence Howard, THE BLACKENING directed by Tim Story for MRC, Village Roadshow's CINNAMON, and MENDING THE LINE starring Brian Cox (Succession)... also, MACHINE GUN KELLY'S LIFE IN PINK 2022 documentary for Hulu/Disney and BACK ON THE STRIP with Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish. A high point in his career is when he deep dived to the wreck site of TITANIC in the Russian submersible, MIR 1, while directing and producing a documentary about the famed, ill-fated ship...during which he became one of the very few men in the entire world to dive the actual wreckage of TITANIC at 2.5 miles below sea level. More people have been to outer space than this depth of the ocean. His "ground breaking, cinematic" footage of Titanic is recognized globally. Reed states: "This was the most life changing project of my career." Also, Reed was Visual Effects Supervisor for THE AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N 3D interactive exhibit, the innovative and revolutionary experience which is currently a main attraction in Times Square, NY and Las Vegas. Jijo was Executive Producer of the 2013 OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Concert in Washington DC featuring WIL I AM and JOHN LEGEND. Additionally, he has produced screen media for live music concert tours, including EMINEM's MTV Awards performance and GUNS & ROSES. In 2004, Jijo created the hit VH1 show "CELEBRITY REHAB" which has won numerous awards and has helped people all over the world overcome addiction Throughout the 1990's, he worked as Post Supervisor on the audio/visual ad campaigns of studio films such as Martin Scorsese's CASINO, Jim Cameron's TRUE LIES, STAR TREK, DIE HARD, LETHAL WEAPON 4, THE UNFORGIVEN, and many others. Jijo Reed is a third generation Los Angeles native and the grandson of Alan Reed who was the voice of FRED FLINSTONE and acted in such movies as Breakfast At Tiffany's and Postman Always Rings Twice. Jijo is also the nephew of FRED ASTAIR'S choreographer, Hermes Pan.…

Best in Fest

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The Power of Female TV and Film Editors with Stacy Halbach - Ep #205 40:14

12 weeks ago40:14

40:14

With over 25 years in the entertainment industry, Stacy Halbach has honed her craft across a wide spectrum of genres, including biographies, documentaries, crime dramas, competition shows, reality TV, and an array of promotions and pilot projects. No matter the format, Stacy brings an unwavering focus on storytelling, leveraging her finely tuned instincts to craft narratives that resonate. “I approach every project as a treasure hunt, searching for those diamonds in the rough—the subtle moments that bring a story to life. Whether it’s uncovering the emotion in a scene or finding the perfect juxtaposition to spark laughter one moment and tears the next, I thrive on creating content that connects deeply with audiences. For me, success is hearing that a project I helped shape has moved someone emotionally or inspired them to act for a greater cause. That’s the kind of impact I strive for every day.”…

Best in Fest

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Producing Independent Film in a Contracting Hollywood with Farah White - Ep #204 41:44

13 weeks ago41:44

41:44

Farah White is an Actress, Producer, Director and Writer but does whatever needs to be done depending on the day! Her love for the entire filmmaking process is obvious by the wide spectrum of genres in her resume which spans over 25 years. She has produced over 30 feature films, shorts and TV pilots in addition to acting in over 50 films, MISS CONGENIALITY being one of her first. She has been on the creative side as well as produced and directed commercials for FED-EX, AMERICAN AIRLINES, FRITO LAY, WALGREENS, GATORADE and REVLON. She UPM’d Solange’s Video Album “When I get Home” as well as producing live recordings of WEEZER and THE PIXIES for Live Nation Events. She directed the feature film, LANDLORD FROM HELL (2023) for the LIFETIME Movie Network and is the executive producer for Ondi Timoner’s reimagining of the cult classic, DIG XX (2025), which premiered at Sundance 2024 and opened in theaters world-wide Jan 2025. you can “see” her on the screen currently in the Tommy Stovall’s CONDITION OF RETURN, starring AnnaLynne McCord, Dean Cain and Natasha Henstridge and A CHRISTMAS IN NEW HOPE directed by Julia Barnett starring Adrianne Palicki, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Malcolm Goodwin.…

Best in Fest

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From Entrepreneur to Actor with Rashaana Shah - Ep #203 34:42

14 weeks ago34:42