Act One Podcast

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Act One Podcast - Episode 25 - Interview with Director D.J. Caruso and Producer Simon Swart of the new film, REDEEMING LOVE.
Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850. It is a life- changing story of the power of unconditional and all-consuming love. Coming to theaters January 21, 2022, REDEEMING LOVE shows there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.
D.J. Caruso came up through the directing ranks in television by helming shows such as THE SHIELD, HIGH INCIDENT and DARK ANGEL. He then went on to helm major box office hits including XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (2017), I AM NUMBER FOUR (2011), EAGLE EYE (2008), DISTURBIA (2007), and TAKING LIVES (2004).
Simon Swart is a producer known for REDEEMING LOVE (2022), I AM ALL GIRLS (2021) and I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (2018). His production company, Nthibah Pictures is a global media company driving the development of superior content for all audiences. With offices in both Johannesburg and Los Angeles, they are committed to producing movies with broad audience appeal that also speak to the serious social issues of today. Prior to launching his production company, Simon was an executive at Fox with over twenty years of experience in distribution, marketing and production.
The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 09 - Interview with author, Carrie Arcos.
Carrie Arcos was born in Albany, NY. She studied English and Philosophy at Gordon College and received her teaching credential through Chapman University and her MA in Creative Writing from California State University Los Angeles. A teacher of high school and college students for years, she finally had the courage to pursue her own writing after the birth of her third child. It’s never too late or the perfect time to chase after your dream. Her debut novel, Out of Reach, published to critical acclaim and ended up being a National Book Award finalist that year.
Since then, she has continued to write books for young adults. Her latest novel, Skywatchers, is a thrilling, genre-bending mystery about the history of the Cold War and the UFO phenomenon. The book was recently optioned by a major production company to develop it into a feature film. Thank you to all the readers, librarians and booksellers that help get her books out into the world.
Currently she lives in Los Angeles with her husband David and their three children. Learn more at www.carriearcos.com.
The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 37 - Interview with Director and Screenwriter, Brandon Dickerson.
Brandon Dickerson is an award-winning writer/director/producer honored for his work in film, documentaries, commercials, and music videos—including the coveted Cannes Gold Lion. After building a career directing hundreds of high-profile commercials and music videos, Dickerson shifted his focus to writing, directing, and producing feature films. His music-based debut feature SIRONIA won the audience award at the Austin Film Festival before he dove into the inspiring biopic VICTOR, followed by the documentary A SINGLE FRAME, and the quirky romantic comedy AMANDA & JACK GO GLAMPING.
With comprehensive experience as a DGA filmmaker, Dickerson also enjoys serving as an educator, writer, speaker, and improv teacher. Brandon is currently directing/producing his commissioned screenplay KATHARINE — the true story of 1880s social justice pioneer Dr. Katharine Bushnell. Earning his MFA in Film degree at Vermont College of Fine Arts, Brandon continues his dedication to teaching by investing in the next generation of storytellers at the VCU Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture as well as mentoring students globally as a Superprof Ambassador.
For more on the retreats Brandon mentioned, visit: https://orefugioretreat.carrd.co and https://azoresislandretreats.carrd.co
The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 27 - Interview with Screenwriter and Director, Brian Baugh.
Brian Baugh is a director, screenwriter, and producer known for creating socially relevant and inspiring human stories that cross genres. He has spent the majority of his time working in feature films, but also has extensive experience in television, commercials, documentaries, and web content. He had an eclectic upbringing from being born in New Jersey, spending his youth in South Florida, and growing up in Seattle. His creative endeavors began as a flannel clad high schooler in the Northwest directing theater, making comedic videos, and producing grunge music in basement studios.
Brian started his filmmaking journey in earnest at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where he wrote and directed many films. His achievements earned him the USC School of Cinema Distinguished Scholar Award, and he was a member of the Order of Troy, Mortar Board, and Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating, he decided to pursue cinematography, and spent time on several studio films interning under world class cinematographers. Then he was awarded a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship which took him to Cape Town, South Africa for a year of additional education in the liberal arts...and African township life. Shortly after returning from Africa, the budding Director of Photography shot his first feature film at the young age of twenty five. He spent the next ten years shooting over twenty films (THE ULTIMATE GIFT, JACK & THE BEANSTALK, AN AMERICAN CAROL), and shooting and directing dozens of commercials (Ford, NHL).
Brian transitioned into feature directing with a high school drama, TO SAVE A LIFE. The film was released in theaters nationwide and earned an 'A' cinema score. The independent film's strong performance in the box office surprised many in Hollywood. Since then, he has written over twenty screenplays, several of which he is attached to direct. His film, I'M NOT ASHAMED, was nominated for a Dove Award for Most Inspirational Film. He directed the award winning comedic television pilot THE COMEBACK KIDS. Next, THE WORLD WE MAKE, a young adult interracial romance he wrote, produced, and directed, got picked up by Universal and Netflix and was released in 2019. His latest feature, FINDING YOU, was released theatrically in 2021 and also received very positive audience reviews. It was distributed by Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate, and Amazon domestically, and Universal internationally. The film is a spirited, upbeat, romantic dramedy shot in Ireland starring Jedidiah Goodacre, Katherine McNamara, Tom Everett Scott, and Vanessa Redgrave. Brian's desire is to be a part of telling stories that inspire audiences, foster justice and healing, or expand imagination and wonder in the world.
The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 05 - Interview with illusionist and author, Harris III.
Harris III (“the third”) has almost 30 years of experimentation as a creative entrepreneur. Harris began his career at a young age, traveling the world as an award-winning, professional illusionist. He has performed for and spoken live to more than two million people in more than 30 countries on five continents. His performances have been televised to millions more on the Travel Channel and ABC Family.
After traveling the globe and making a million dollars by the age of 21, only to go bankrupt a year later, Harris kick-started a decade-long journey to understand the stories we tell ourselves and how they drive all human behavior. Armed with a unique perspective, his career re-exploded as a world-renowned speaker, storyteller and entrepreneur.
He is the creator of Transformation Theory and author of the book, The Wonder Switch. Tapping into his background as a professional magician and understanding the intersection of storytelling and wonder, Harris developed a structured process that can dramatically change a team’s culture, or rapidly accelerate an individual’s transformation, from the story they feel stuck in, to the life they want to live.
In 2016, Harris founded the Istoria Collective, a consultancy and innovation lab. He is also the visionary entrepreneur and curator behind STORY, the world’s premier gathering for artists, creators and storytellers. He is a sought after coach, creative consultant and experience designer, and a quiet producer behind a diverse slate of TV and film projects, backed by a 7-figure development fund. In 2019, he founded the STORY Foundation, a non-profit focused on raising up and empowering the next generation of storytellers to change the future.
Through a diverse portfolio of projects, Harris is on a mission to help others find their way back to wonder, permitting them to change the untrue stories they tell themselves and begin to believe in magic again. He is succeeding at that mission, in ways only a magician who believes in real magic can.
The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

Support the show