The Making of “Reminisce” with Ashna Sharan and Wayne Jay
What happens when an aerospace engineer-turned-actor and a multilingual actress-turned-writer join forces? You get Reminisce—a compelling new short film exploring a May-December romance, generational gaps, and power imbalances in love. In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Ashna Sharan and Wayne Jay to unpack their creative journey, from meeting in a virtual writers' group to developing a short that’s captivating the festival circuit. They discuss character development, drawing from real-life relationships, and how to turn personal stories into powerful proof-of-concept films. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or just love great storytelling—this episode is full of insights and inspiration.🎟️ Catch Reminisce at LA Shorts on July 26 at LA Live. 📲 Follow the film @reminiscetheshortfilm and the creators @ashkash009 and @waynemjay
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From Commercial Giants to Intimate Documentarians with Jason & Blue Gerber
In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with powerhouse filmmaking duo Blue and Jason Gerber. From directing award-winning commercials for brands like Walgreens, Chipotle, and Lincoln Park Community Services, to creating emotionally resonant documentaries, this married team shares their evolution from the fast-paced world of high-budget commercials to the deeply personal realm of documentary filmmaking.They unpack their process for winning commercial pitches, the art of co-directing, and the creative inspiration behind their new documentary Dawn Dusk—a powerful story of grief, healing, and wearable art. Learn how they balance artistic integrity with client expectations, how fashion becomes narrative, and what it really takes to tell meaningful stories that last.🎥 Dawn Dusk premieres August 15 on Tubi, Amazon, and The Roku Channel. 🔗 Visit: dawnduskfilm.com | IG: @dawnduskfilm
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From Back to the Future to Blind Logic: Jack Teeter’s Epic Marketing Journey
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, Leslie speaks with Jack Teeter—marketing legend behind iconic Universal hits like Back to the Future, Scarface, and The Breakfast Club. Now a director and producer, Teeter shares how his old-school marketing chops fueled the creation of Blind Logic: The Ralph Teeter Story, a powerful documentary about his blind great-uncle who invented cruise control. Discover what still works in film marketing today, how to compete with indie budgets, and why testing your content might be the most underrated tool in your kit. A must-listen for filmmakers, marketers, and movie buffs alike.
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Creating on Your Own Terms: Laura Knight on Producing, Storytelling & Owning Your Voice
In this episode of Best in Fest, Leslie sits down with powerhouse producer and development executive Laura Knight to talk about the art of telling stories across film, TV, podcasts, and animation. From her early days at ICM to her work with John Leguizamo and the groundbreaking interactive show Bar Karma, Laura shares what it takes to craft compelling content—whether it’s adapting a bestselling novel, running a female-led set, or reverse-engineering a podcast into a television series.Learn how Laura built her diverse career by taking risks, understanding budgets, and putting story first—plus why she believes women in production are changing the energy of the entertainment industry.🎬 Why locking your script matters 🎙️ How Going Reno is flipping podcast-to-TV development 💥 And the real power of saying “I’ll just make it myself”If you’re a creator, producer, or storyteller looking to own your path, this episode is pure gold.
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More Than Santa Baby: Tamar Springer’s Tribute to Musical Legend Philip Springer
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie speaks with first-time filmmaker Tamar Springer about her powerful documentary More Than Santa Baby — a heartfelt tribute to her father, legendary composer Philip Springer. Known worldwide for penning the holiday classic "Santa Baby," Philip’s influence goes far beyond that single hit, with songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and many more.Tamar shares how her background in social work evolved into an unexpected filmmaking journey, sparked by a pandemic-era epiphany and fueled by a deep love for her father's astonishing legacy. From rare archival footage to interviews with UK music icons like Cliff Richard and Mike Read, this conversation dives into the making of a three-act documentary, the magic of the Brill Building era, and the enduring power of passion projects — no matter your age.🎶 Discover the untold story of a music icon. 🎥 Learn how a daughter turned legacy into art. 🎄 And yes — it all starts with “Santa Baby.”
Host Leslie LaPage, Director of LaFemme International Film Festival uncovers the Secrets of Filmmaking with her lineup of industry professional guests. In every episode you will learn things like how to make the most out of the film festival circuit, how to find a great distribution partner, how to attract A list talent, finding the perfect representation, the dirty little secrets of Hollywood and much more.
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