The FilmUp Podcast

Today’s guest is a true talent who’s work can be seen all over the big and small screen. This week we’re thrilled to be joined by Valerie Weiss!Valerie is an award winning director, writer, and producer of film and television. After receiving her PhD from Harvard Medical School, she decided to embark into the entertainment industry, and it seems like she made the right choice. Valerie has directed dozens of episodes of some of the most popular shows on television such as Outer Banks, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Ginny & Georgia, as well as directed multiple features like Mixtape and The Archer. She is also co-chair of the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee.Valerie is also a big supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, a non-profit dedicated to building a future in which people live in harmony with nature by conserving and restoring biodiversity, reducing humans’ environmental footprint, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.To learn more about ways you can contribute to the World Wildlife Fund, visit https://www.worldwildlife.org/support

This week we are thrilled to have Paris Schulman on the podcast! Paris began his career as a record producer and film composer. In 2010, he founded RiTE MEDIA, a creative content studio based in Atlanta. Over the years, RiTE has developed and produced hundreds of stories spanning commercials, narrative, and music visuals. Rite Media’s expertise and resources are on emerging technologies like Virtual Production and Bolt CineBot robotic cameras, and they have deployed these solutions on some of the most notable films and series of the last decade, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 & 3, Stranger Things, and many more.Paris is also a big supporter of Earth Echo International, a non-profit that collaborates with youth around the world to provide knowledge and develop tools that drive meaningful environmental action to protect and restore our ocean planet. You can learn more about ways to support them by visiting earthecho.org

This week Aryeh is sitting down to talk with the talented and accomplished director, Justin Jarrett!Justin is an Emmy Award-Winning writer, director, and producer based in Philadelphia. He has written and directed over 200 television shows, commercials, shorts, and feature-length documentaries across five different continents while acting as the Principal Director of JTWO, a full service production house based out of Philly and Chicago. Justin is also a big supporter of Fred’s Footsteps, a non-profit that provides financial relief to working families in the Philadelphia region who find themselves in a crisis due to the costs associated with caring for seriously ill, injured, or disabled children.To learn more about ways to support Fred's Footsteps, visit https://fredsfootsteps.org.

This week we're excited to be joined by Dale "Rage" Resteghini. He's a legendary Music Video and Feature Film Director who's worked with some of the biggest names in both Hollywood and the music industry. Dale was born into a blue-collar Boston family, and traded a future in labor for a legendary career in film and television. He got his start on the set of School Ties and spent his early years in New York City, working alongside masters like Alfonso Cuarón and Sidney Lumet.Driven by a relentless 'Balboa' work ethic, Dale has helmed countless iconic music videos—amassing over 10 billion views for artists like Fall Out Boy, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Guns N’ Roses, and so many more. With more than 200 feature film credits to his name, including a Co-Executive Producer role on Al Pacino’s Lear Rex, Dale continues to bridge the gap between gritty independent storytelling and global cinematic spectacles.Dale is also a big supporter of Father John’s Animal House, a non-profit dedicated to providing quality, humane care to the cats and dogs at our shelter, to find loving homes for otherwise homeless animals, and facilitate spay/neuter procedures to reduce the over-population and suffering of unwanted or homeless animals. To learn more about ways to help Father John's Animal House, visit https://www.fatherjohns.org.

This week we're excited to introduce Nathan Presley!Nathan is a Los Angeles-based director, writer, and cinematographer known for his dark visual style and emotionally intuitive storytelling across music videos, narrative films, and commercial work. He hosts the Art & Faith podcast and his most recent narrative  project  FLESH & BLOOD  has earned official selection for many film festivals including SIFF & Screamfest.  Some of his clients include: SONY, NIKE, FILA, Tommy Hilfiger, WEEZER, J Lo, etc. He is also, most importantly, a husband and father of two boys.Nathan is a big supporter of Serve LA, a non-profit that serves people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Los Angeles by providing meals, hygiene services, and essential resources. Rooted in dignity and compassion, the organization partners with volunteers and local groups to help people move from crisis toward stability and flourishing. To learn more about ways to contribute, visit https://servela.org/community-impact

This week, we’re excited to be joined by the hilarious commercial and short film director, Taso Alexander. Taso graduated with a film degree in acting for film and television. And that's how serious he is about his craft. After lighting up the screen in a recurring role as the Pizza Hut delivery guy, he dove into the world of casting before finding his place in the director's chair, cementing his status as a true actor's director. Thanks in part to his performance background, he is known to have a keen eye for pitch perfect casting. His dry comedic sensibility and absurdity played straight styling consistently delivered the unexpected and mildly unsettling. Taso is also a big supporter of the Sick Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that is improving health outcomes for children and families in a compassionate and innovative, responsible and efficient manner. Learn more by going to https://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/.

We finally hit 100 episodes! To celebrate the occasion we have the truly revolutionary Paul Scanlan!Paul’s consistently at the forefront of innovation in the film industry. He is an Emmy Award–winning cofounder and CEO of Legion M, the world’s first fan-owned entertainment company. He also cofounded MobiTV, the trailblazing streaming service that earned an Emmy Award and transformed how people consume entertainment. Paul is also a big supporter of The Bob Woodruff Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s veterans, service members, and their families have stable and successful futures.You can learn more by going to bobwoodrufffoundation.org and as always, all the details are listed in the description of this episode. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who's been with us on this journey to 100 episodes. We wouldn't be here without all of the support we've received over the years and especially not without all of the listeners who tune in every week. We love you guys, and we can wait to keep bringing you great stories from great people in the film and television industries!

Today we're excited to be joined by Valentina Vee!Valentina Vee is an LA-based director and cinematographer, originally from Kazakhstan. She started her career as an assistant director for movies like Eric England’s “Get the Girl” and has directed and shot a variety of film and video projects, including "Dracula's Ex-Girlfriend," a Nebula Original. She has also directed and shot two seasons of famed photographer Elia Locardi’s travel show “Moments in Time.” Her commercial clients include Google, Meta, Nike, Adobe, Sony Pictures, and Dell. Valentina likes to create content that raises awareness for causes, encourages positivity, and promotes diversity in front of (and behind) the camera. Valentina is also a big supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, a non-profit that provides a vital safety net and resources for professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry, including actors, dancers, musicians, and behind-the-scenes workers. It offers emergency financial aid, affordable housing, healthcare counseling, career development, and senior care, ensuring stability and supporting the cultural vibrancy of the U.S. by addressing the unique challenges faced by these creative professionals. It provides financial assistance, housing, and healthcare to more than 17,000 individuals each year.You can learn more by going to entertainmentcommunity.org

A masterful storyteller, Henry Hobson is known for his epic narratives that challenge and engage the senses. From concept to edit, he creates richly cinematic story worlds that explore the depths of the human psyche using powerful character-driven performances.His award-winning body of work includes spots and campaigns for Adidas, Apple, Audi, Gillette, Pepsi, PlayStation, Reebok, the Marines, Under Armour, Xbox, and others. He has earned awards ranging from Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, AICP awards, and One Show accolades to a Director of the Year nomination by Shots magazine. Henry’s feature directorial debut, Maggie co-starting Arnold Schwarzenegger and Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin, received praise at the Toronto, Tribeca, and Berlin Film Festivals. Henry is a big supporter of the non profit Women for Afghan Women. It’s a grassroots civil society organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women. To learn more about ways to help, visit https://womenforafghanwomen.org.

Welcome back to The FilmUp Podcast - we are excited to kick off Season 6 with the talented Enora Hope. Enora is a 25-year-old French-American filmmaker, writer, and director. Self-taught, she began using digital platforms as her entry point into the film industry. Her short film The Last Wave, which explores domestic violence and the silence surrounding abusive relationships, received an award at the Nikon Film Festival. She also directed Kallisti, a near-future anthology short examining technology, control, and emotional dependency. Enora is currently developing her first international feature film and a television series, with work focused on social issues and the impact of technology on human relationships. With a combined following of over 2 million users. Enora Hope is also a big supporter of the Malala Fund, a non-profit dedicated to championing every girl’s right to 12 years of education. By investing in civil society organisations who are challenging the systems, policies and practices that prevent girls from going to school in their communities, the Malala Fund complements their efforts by advocating to expand and protect girls’ right to secondary education and secure resources for education.You can learn more by going to malala.org