Episode 8 - Ben Wiessner
01/28/20 • 57 min
It is with a heavy heart that we present to you this week's Sundance special episode of Head Above Water. With the tragic, sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter and friends this week, we just wanted to take a moment to send our condolences to the families that have been affected by this week's tragedy. Grief is something that affects each one of us in its own way, and Kobe meant so much to so many people, that we wanted to remind you to mourn in your own way, and however long you feel is necessary. Take care of yourself and give someone you love a hug.
On this week's episode we talk to Ben Wiessner, producer of Beast Beast, which had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival last week, and still has now THREE more screenings coming up:
Monday, January 27th 9:00 PM / Salt Lake City Library Theatre / Salt Lake City
Thursday, January 30th 3:00 PM / Park Avenue Theatre / Park City Theaters
Saturday, February 1st 9:00 AM / Holiday Village Cinema 2 / Park City Theaters
Ben also produced Thunder Road, the 2018 SXSW Grand Jury Award winning film, which is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo On Demand, and more! It was our favorite film coming out of that year's SXSW, and we recommend you check it out!
Ben has a very unique perspective on finding happiness and success in the film industry, and talks about how his team at Vanishing Angle has found a method in which they can avoid the usual anxiety traps that come with being independent filmmakers, while also producing quality content that connects with a worldwide audience.
Produced & Hosted by Jason Charnick
Music by Jason David White
It is with a heavy heart that we present to you this week's Sundance special episode of Head Above Water. With the tragic, sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter and friends this week, we just wanted to take a moment to send our condolences to the families that have been affected by this week's tragedy. Grief is something that affects each one of us in its own way, and Kobe meant so much to so many people, that we wanted to remind you to mourn in your own way, and however long you feel is necessary. Take care of yourself and give someone you love a hug.
On this week's episode we talk to Ben Wiessner, producer of Beast Beast, which had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival last week, and still has now THREE more screenings coming up:
Monday, January 27th 9:00 PM / Salt Lake City Library Theatre / Salt Lake City
Thursday, January 30th 3:00 PM / Park Avenue Theatre / Park City Theaters
Saturday, February 1st 9:00 AM / Holiday Village Cinema 2 / Park City Theaters
Ben also produced Thunder Road, the 2018 SXSW Grand Jury Award winning film, which is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo On Demand, and more! It was our favorite film coming out of that year's SXSW, and we recommend you check it out!
Ben has a very unique perspective on finding happiness and success in the film industry, and talks about how his team at Vanishing Angle has found a method in which they can avoid the usual anxiety traps that come with being independent filmmakers, while also producing quality content that connects with a worldwide audience.
Produced & Hosted by Jason Charnick
Music by Jason David White
Previous Episode
Episode 7 - Ken Spooner
This week's episode - lucky number seven! - brings us New Jersey documentary producer/director, Ken Spooner. Ken co-directed the magnificent Life With Layla, a touching depiction of life as a young girl in a family struggling with the ravages of heroin addiction.
Ken's journey through a multiyear production process doesn't go without leaving an indelible impression, and we discuss the many ways spending time with a family of multiple drug addicts affects a filmmaker. Life With Layla is currently conducting local screenings throughout New Jersey, and is seeking national distribution.
You can find Ken's earlier short film, To Be Strong, online. The 14 minute documentary chronicles the struggles of Anthony Daniels, a 22-year-old man from Ridgewood, New Jersey, who is battling Lymphoma for the third time.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Head Above Water, and stay tuned for next week's Sundance Special, where we talk to Ben Wiessner, producer of Beast Beast, premiering at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival this weekend!
If you've been enjoying the show, please think about supporting the show by buying me a coffee!
Produced & Hosted by Jason Charnick
Music by Jason David White
Next Episode
Episode 9 - Mike Peebler
Greetings friends! All apologies for the delay between episodes, but we are back and we have a lot of fun, new interviews to share with you all! I know the world had changed significantly for all of us since the last episode, so hopefully these conversations can be a welcome distraction and get your mind off of things... for an hour at least.
On this week's episode we talk to Mike Peebler, a veteran of stage and screen, who is pivoting away from acting in the middle of a successful career to follow his heart and give directing a shot. His current short film, Evie, just finished up its run on the film festival circuit, and it available to watch on Vimeo right now for FREE!
A modern-day story of child marriage in America, Evie was made in part to support Unchained At Last, an organization dedicated to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and advocacy. You can also learn more about Mike and his production company, Upstart Crow Films, by clicking here.
Hope you enjoy our conversation with Mike, our best wishes to you all, please stay safe, and take good care of yourselves and your neighbors!
Produced & Hosted by Jason Charnick
Music by Jason David White
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