DJ Kiraz, Bringing Female DJs into the Spotlight

April 14, 2015 Seth Perlstein Leave a comment

Despite electronic dance music’s quantum leap in popularity in recent years, success for female DJs in the male-dominated industry has been scarce. But Swedish-born DJ Elin Ekdahl, known to most of the world as DJ Kiraz, has successfully carved a niche for herself in the EDM “boys club.”

DJ Kiraz has played some of the biggest venues in the world such as ageHa in Tokyo and Exchange LA in Los Angeles. Though she’s established herself in the business, the well-travelled DJ is not content with her male counterparts dominating the dance music scene.

“I love seeing other female DJs killing it on stage,” Kiraz said. “I think we need to stick together and support each other more. We need to show that we can, and that we want to, be a part of it, too.”

Music has been a part of DJ Kiraz’ life for as long as she can remember. EDM became her favorite style of music when she was 13-years-old; but it wasn’t until she saw a female DJ take the stage at Club Atom in Tokyo that she wanted to learn the craft and become a DJ as well.

“I was so excited, as it was the first female DJ I had seen there,” Kiraz said. “However, her music selection was completely different from the club format, and she seemed to have a guy helping her out in the DJ booth.”

The experience filled her with determination. She recalled, “That’s when I knew I wanted to prove that girls are equally capable of being great DJs.”

Kiraz went back to Europe to learn the art of the club DJ. She studied under some of the most successful European DJs such as Swedish DJs Mikey Mic and Havin Zagross, and U.K. DJs John Taylor and Graeme Lloyd. Two years later she was on stage at the biggest clubs in Japan including Warehouse702, Club Asia and ageHa.

The gig at ageHa, Japan’s largest nightclub, took Kiraz’ career to new heights. The club’s 2,500-people main stage had been previously played by world-renowned DJs such as Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk. DJ Kiraz stood in their footsteps and shined.

“It was nerve wracking, but so much fun,” Kiraz said.

Kiraz has played all kinds of EDM from deep house to hardstyle. But trance has been her true passion.

“Trance makes me happy,” Kiraz said. “It makes sad. It gives me goosebumps. It makes me feel something.”

The loyalty to her joy has clearly served Kiraz well since her move to the U.S. She’s played alongside internationally renowned DJs Simon Patterson, Sean Tyas and Headhunterz at Exchange LA in the heart of Downtown L.A.’s thriving club scene.

The similarities between L.A. and Tokyo took DJ Kiraz by surprise.

“I was told that it would be so different and that I would need to change my style of DJing,” Kiraz said. “But honestly, if we are talking electronic music crowds, I don’t think that they are all that different. They all dance, they all rage and they all have a true passion for the music.”

Kiraz’ ability to heat up the dance floor all over the world has earned her a loyal fan base, too.

“There aren’t enough female DJs out there that can play the way that Elin can,” fan Kelly Sandgren said. “She really knows how to bring great energy to a set and I haven’t seen many other DJs, male or female, who can do it as well as she can.”

But DJ Kiraz’ gender has been just a small part of her story. Her time in the genre as both a fan and DJ, and her love of and loyalty to trance has earned her spots at major league clubs on both sides of the Pacific.

“My style of music is unique, especially for a female DJ,” Kiraz said. “I have a lot of experience in the industry, and I have been able to closely observe the evolution of electronic music from three completely opposite sides of the world for the last decade.”

Outside the club, DJ Kiraz has hosted her bi-monthly podcast on SoundCloud since October, 2013 at www.soundcloud.com/kiraz-1.

Actors, Film, Spanish Actors, Television

The Spanish Actress to Watch, Ainara Landon!

April 9, 2015 Scott Prewitt Leave a comment

The versatility of Spanish actress Ainara Landon has dazzled European and American audiences alike. Landon is trilingual, internationally recognized for her devotion to her craft, and her work has won prestige on both sides of the Atlantic. Her incredible talent can be seen in major projects such as The Avatars, a Disney production. The show, which is set in New York, filmed in Spain and airs in Italy on the Disney Channel, is known for drawing a huge number of viewers.

The Avatars takes the adaptable Landon back to high school, where her character Jana wins the heart of Robbie, played by Kirk Bonacci. The Avatars centers around a band of teenagers – one of whom is Robbie – whose musical skills have been underestimated because of their young age. In the series the group decides to form an online, pseudo-anonymous band to avoid the judgment of record executives and to prove their talent isn’t limited by their youth.

In the first season Robbie develops a crush on Landon’s character, a romantic dynamic that builds anticipation until the two finally go on a date, which, although ends in catastrophe, doesn’t stop Robbie from trying to win her heart in the second season. Landon described the project as both challenging and rewarding, and said the opportunity to work with an entertainment giant like Disney really helped her grow in her craft.

“Playing a younger character is always a challenge, and going back to high school is definitely a big challenge,” Landon said. “Disney shows are very fast-paced, so it was a really good experience.”

Adept as both a dramatic and comedic actress, Landon’s work has won over audiences and critics in both the U.S. and Europe. Notably, her role in the romantic comedy Stuck to Your Pillow, which earned a Goya Award nomination, the most prestigious award available in the Spanish film industry, and one that is comparable to the Oscars in the U.S. and the BAFTAs in the United Kingdom. Her extraordinary talents in Spanish and Italian productions caught the attention of filmmakers in the States, who have cast her in 8th House, a cerebral drama, which examines the psyche of a woman struggling to recover from heartbreak.

In the upcoming feature 8th House, Landon’s dramatic talents will be on full-display. She plays Paulilu, the lead character’s best friend and editor. Paulilu struggles to help her friend Salome, a poet played by Andrea Goldman (The Sonnet Project, 1/20), after she suffers a nervous breakdown. The film follows Salome as she travels to France in an attempt to win back her married lover. During her journey, she meets eight women who reshape her views on love, femininity, and independence.

8th House is directed by Marem Hassler (House of Saddam, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life) and co-written by both Goldman and Hassler. It is a co-production of Viscus Films and FleenKat Films, the creative groups behind several exciting upcoming projects including DU-O and Sprouting.

In Dig Deep, Landon gives an amazing performance in the starring role of Jessica. Jessica finds herself at the center of a love triangle, but the audience soon discovers that the men she’s torn between are brothers. The brothers haven’t seen or talked to each other in years, and when they realize they are both falling for the same girl, the movie swiftly turns from romance to drama as it examines the complicated nature of love and the baggage each character carries with them.

Her international and cross-cultural appeal have made Landon one of the most sought-after actresses in the business today. Her sophistication, ability to adapt to filming on location across Europe and the U.S., and her natural talent for becoming the characters she portrays have endowed her with a Midas touch. Landon strives to gain insight from every performance she delivers, and believes each role she’s played and each genre she’s worked in has taught her more about the art form.

“I think it is important for an actor to show versatility. You always find yourself more secure in one genre or character, but you grow more when it’s a challenge,” Landon said. “I think as an actor you are always learning. You learn from every role.”

Incredible skill and a proven track record for bringing the very best qualities to her characters across every genre have made every project she’s been a part of shine like gold. Ainara Landon will no doubt be a household name internationally as she continues to take the American and European continents by storm.

Documentary Filmmaker, Editor, Entertainment, Film, Film Editors, Television

Film Editor Marta Bonet de Gispert Connoisseurs the Perfect Cut

April 6, 2015 Scott Prewitt 1 Comment

Hailing from a family of lawyers, Barcelona native Marta Bonet de Gispert left law school to pursue her creative passions in the film world, a move that has delighted international audiences and filmmakers alike.

Marta Bonet de Gispert went on to attend the prestigious School of Cinema and Audiovisual de Catalunya (ESCAC). About switching professions, Bonet de Gispert recalls, “I started my law degree following my family’s tradition in law. But after a few years, I felt unfulfilled. I had to face my mistake and find a better path. Even though I knew it was a difficult industry, I chose film school. Something inside me told me it was the right thing to do.”

Now an award-winning film editor, it is clear that Bonet de Gispert made the right choice. Her exceptional talent and painstaking attention to detail is apparent in every frame of every film that she’s done so far. Her extensive international resume includes the films Soldados (Soldiers), Padre Modelo (Role Model Father), Devil May Call, as well as many others. She was also the editor on the television shows Latino Dub and Califorma.

It may seem like quite a drastic change to switch from law school to film school, but in truth, both professions require a person who possesses a strong eye for details and an immense understanding of the technical intricacies of their craft. Even more critical in each though, is a person’s ability to use that perceptiveness and knowledge to adapt to a client’s needs—something Bonet de Gispert has accomplished, proven by the sheer number of awards her films have won over the years.

Temporada 92-93 (Season 92-93), one of Bonet de Gispert’s first credits as editor, was a resounding success at international film festivals. Set in Spain where for many fútbol is a religion, Temporada 92-93 tells the comedic story of two inseparable friends united in their love for soccer. One is celebrating his child’s birthday as both split their attention between the festivities and a historic soccer match playing over the radio.

“We had to be careful in selecting the takes we would use,” explains Bonet de Gispert. “Also, as in all comedy, finding the right rhythm was essential. Jokes don’t work well if they’re not on the right pace.”

Winning a staggering 44 festival awards, Temporada 92-93 was incredibly well received by judges and critics alike. Among the honors was the Best Editing Award from the Film Festival Terrassa, an incredible achievement for Bonet de Gispert, whose career had only just begun.

It is the editor’s job to thoroughly understand the director’s vision, to see the story as the director imagines it. Then, with that understanding, the editor uses the footage to turn an intangible idea, concept or even a feeling, into the story that unfolds before us.

Able to seamlessly shift from one genre to another, Bonet de Gispert’s work shows that a great editor doesn’t rely on a film’s subject so much as they rely on the vision of the filmmaker.

In Devil May Call, Bonet de Gispert’s ability to convey that vision was once again put to the test, and once again she surpassed everyone’s expectations with flying colors. What had once been just a nightmarish idea, Bonet de Gispert transformed into a physical manifestation of sheer, unadulterated horror.

Not for the faint of heart, Devil May Call is centered on Sam, an operator for a phone counseling hotline. Sam, played by award-winning actress Corri English (Planes: Fire & Rescue, Holliston) is training her replacement on the night shift; but when one of her regular callers, who happens to be a serial killer, hears that she’s quitting, he cuts off power to the building and traps Sam and the other employees inside. Devil May Call was filmed in Los Angeles and debuted at the 2013 Marches du Film event in Cannes, a dream for many filmmakers.

Bonet de Gispert also recently finished the films El Otro Lado and Gored. El Otro Lado, or The Other Side, is one of three films premiering as part of the Summer Of Shorts event, featuring films from three Spanish filmmakers bringing their work to American audiences. El Otro Lado is about a lawyer who finds himself losing his sense of morality as he goes from laundering money for the cartels to an even darker path. An even greater testament to the fact that she chose the right path by embarking on a career in film, Bonet de Gispert also directed El Otro Lado in addition to working as the editor. Produced by renowned production company La Panda, the film is scheduled to premiere in the U.S. this summer.

Gored, is a documentary about, fittingly, the bullfighter that holds the record for being the most gored in Spanish history. In a fascinating approach to a subject that hasn’t seen much coverage since Hemingway, the film follows Antonio Barrera as he grapples with the decision of a lifetime: whether to leave the ring and join his family while he’s ahead, or to commit himself to a glorious death against his lifelong adversary. The film will debut later this month at the Tribeca Film Festival where it has been chosen as an Official Selection, and is set to screen at several more festivals over the course of 2015.

Actors, Film, South Korean Actors, Television, Theater

For Jay Kim, Acting is an Avenue for Endless Exploration

April 5, 2015 Scott Prewitt Leave a comment

As a young boy, South Korean-born actor Jay Kim wanted to be a police officer, a Jedi and a myriad of other occupations one could simply not accomplish in one lifetime.

He recalled, “In the 6th grade, I had an epiphany and realized I that could be all those things if I became an actor. Over the years, the reason I kept to this path has changed, but that was the initial starting point.”

After serving his country as a Korean Special Forces commando, Jay Kim went on to become an actor, an occupation that, even if only for a few months at a time during the shooting of a film, has allowed him to fulfill a wildly diverse range of professions through his characters.

The young actor is absolutely devoted to his craft, and he has continued to prove his ability to blend into any role he is cast with natural ease. His work on both the stage and screen over the past decade has also put him alongside some of the most prestigious names in the business.

In his latest film, Purgatory, Kim gave a truly heart-wrenching performance. The film takes place in purgatory, and follows a man who was killed in a horrific car crash. Kim’s character Tod was an addict, a man with a hard habit and a harder life whose suicide brought him to the realm of repentance. Kim said the challenge of playing such a tormented character was an experience that was equally as dark as it was fulfilling.

“I loved the part and fought hard to get it. It was dark, and ‘getting inside’ the character required a lot of unpleasantness,” Kim said. “The character was miserable, but it was intriguing to attempt to really, really live in Tod’s shoes.”

Several years before Purgatory, Kim worked with award-winning Greek stage and screen actor Yorgos Karamihos whose credits include Without Borders, Beware of Bear, Matomena homata, Tale 52, Bang-Bang Wedding!, El Greco, Fugitive Pieces and over 30 other film and television shows.

Not only were Kim and Karamihos costars in past projects, but Karamihos also had a huge impact on Kim’s development as an actor in the early stages of his career.

After seeing Kim’s performance as Tod in Purgatory, Karamihos said, “Dark stuff, and I absolutely enjoyed watching. Amazing, superbly organic and truthful, disturbingly beautiful to watch… I feel honored for having been [his] teacher once, and I am looking forward to watching [his] new film.”

Kim’s prior work with Karamihos included the gripping film Maestro, in which Kim played Ken, the “tough guy” and right hand man to Karamihos’ character, the titular “maestro.”

About working with Karamihos, Kim recalled, “I learned an incredible amount from him, not just acting technique-wise, but how all aspects of life apply to acting… I truly looked up to him and admired his knowledge, so it was a thrill to work alongside him.”

Maestro was a thrilling, fast-paced story of manipulation, greed, and backstabbing.

“The film was about a conniving, snake-like ‘maestro’ who stole his colleague’s lover and work clients,” Kim said. “Luis Fernandez-Gil also starred in the film and he was a fantastic actor to watch. The intensity he brought was genuine and proved that his talents are of the highest caliber.”

In 2014, Kim’s talent caught the attention of esteemed playwright and actor Tim McNeil, who cast Kim in The Straight Bozo, a one act play about a Wall Street man with a secret which gradually comes to light as the audience follows him in his commute from Long Island to Manhattan.

Other plays on Kim’s impressive list of stage works include Tennessee Williams’ The Rose Tattoo, Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding, and Bertolt Brecht’s The Irresistible Rise of Arturo Ui.

Kim’s upcoming releases include Purgatory and The Dragon’s Lair, which is set to finish production later this year. Audiences should brace themselves now, because the world will soon be seeing a lot more of this young phenomenon’s face.

Actors, Film, Television

Actress Christine Kim Shines in 2015!

March 30, 2015 Steph Mitchell Leave a comment

A-Muse film — Actress Christine Kim on the flyer for the upcoming film “A-Muse.”

Christine Kim left South Korea in 2005 with dreams of making her mark on the world. From the success of her film Better Than Normal, which she wrote and produced, as well as starred in, to starring in the upcoming film A-Muse, which is intended for the Sundance Film festival, and acting in Real Rob alongside Rob Schneider, she has clearly accomplished what she came here to do.

Now based in Los Angeles, Christine’s career is showing no signs of slowing down. Like most actors, Christine, who has a B.A. in Theatre Arts and an M.F.A. in Acting for Film, began her career acting in short films and theatre productions. Her talent was quickly recognized, leading her to be cast in The Vagina Monologues by Eva Ensler, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, in which Christine played a multitude of characters, and the production of Honour.

Playing the leading role of Sophie, Honour threw Christine deep into the mindset of the character. She explains, “I felt like I really did become Sophie and my emotional rollercoaster along with my lines were killing me.” Although an emotional rollercoaster, this role was one of Christine’s favorites because it provided her with the challenges she needed to reach the level of greatness she is known for today.

Last year Christine’s unparalleled talents as comedy actress caught the attention of The Wasp News creators. So far she has been cast in several episodes of the sketch comedy series including “Holiday Resentment,” “Valentine’s Day Resentment” and “The Drop Off.”

In addition to solidifying her reputation as a diversely talented actress, Christine has also proven her prowess as a screenwriter with the film Better than Normal. Based on her life as a Christian woman in love with a Christian man and the pressures their relationship faced, Christine showcased her undeniable talents in the film. Better Than Normal quickly gained attention as one of the few films selected to screen at this year’s 1^st Annual California Women’s Film Festival. Christine says ‘It was my pleasure and honor to have my film be screened there.’

Better Than Normal was also screened at Warner Brothers in Los Angeles.

It is an exciting time for Christine with many projects in the works. As previously mentioned Christine will be featured in Real Rob, an upcoming sitcom that is written and directed, as well as stars comedy legend Rob Schneider. “I’m really excited to see the show premiere,” beams Christine who got to work directly alongside Schneider while shooting the series.

The hard working Korean actress is currently leading a hectic but thrilling life, especially considering the fact that she is starring in the upcoming film A-Muse. The film follows Christine in the role of Jane, a literary assistant left with an unfinished script who must hunt down the author to complete it.

‘“I am honored to work with such a talented team,” says Christine about the project. “This is a story that everyone can relate to. It forces you to recognize and address all of the unfinished business you have in your life, and let’s face it, we all have unfinished business we need to tend to.”

Christine has known this is what she wanted to do since age 8 when she fell in love with ‘”The Sound of Music”, and she has been following that passion ever since. It’s that determination paired with her sheer talent that has led to her overwhelming success, making it abundantly clear that 2015 is Christine Kim’s year.

AFI, Behind the Scenes, Editor, Film

Editor Oliver Harwood turns Good Stories into Great Films

March 25, 2015 Scott Prewitt Leave a comment

Oliver Harwood understands better than most what it takes to turn a good story into a great story. His work spans the Atlantic, he’s been trained in one of the most exclusive and prestigious film schools in the world, and his talent has been essential to the success of an ever-growing list of award-winning films. So what does it take to make a good story great? It takes the keen eyes and ears of an editor.

Just this year, Share, a film edited by Harwood and directed by Pippa Bianco, premiered at the massive Austin-based SXSW 2015 festival where it won the Special Jury Recognition Award for Narrative Short. Share tells the story of a young girl’s return to school after being in a sex tape that gets shared online.

Harwood fell in love with film-editing inadvertently, when as a teenager he and a friend began filming their own comedy sketches. He became enthralled with cutting, splicing and arranging the clips, and in so doing found that the way stories are told on film come down to decisions made by the editor. Within a few short years, the young Brit was enrolled at the American Film Institute, known the world over for producing some of the biggest names in entertainment and filmmaking.

In 2013, Harwood edited Gala Goliani’s (What the Monkey Saw, Worship) film Red Rider, a dystopian thriller set eight years after a disaster turns the world into a wasteland. The intense action follows Adena, played by Abigail Wilson (Cigarette, The Half Man), as she roams the wastes seeking revenge on a vicious biker gang. A marvelous editing job to say the least, Harwood uses the character’s voice to narrate her thought process as she plans her mission, which gives viewers entry into her world without the overuse of dialogue to explain her plight.

The film was an Official Selection by several film festivals in 2014 including the San Jose International Short Film Festival, the La Femme International Film Festival and the NewFilmmakers New York Winter Festival. It also won the awards for Best Actor and Best Cinematographer at the Los Angeles New Wave Intl’ Film Festival.

After Red Rider, Harwood was tapped by director Leonard LoBiondo (Inheritance) to edit the film Reaver starring Kelly Blatz (Prom Night, 90210, Chicago Fire). A hair-raising chiller, Reaver is the haunting story of two siblings who come face-to-face with the evil specter that spirited-away their father. Reaver won the festival prize for Best Lovecraft Short at the 2014 A Night Of Horror Film Festival.

“Starting Reaver, I was pretty comfortable with myself as an editor, and was ready to experiment with my approach to collaborating with a director,” Harwood said.

A huge part of making a great film comes from knowing how to communicated and collaborate best with your fellow filmmakers. Harwood has been editing films long enough to what he needs to achieve the best possible film, and for him, that has to do with having his own space to create without someone looking over his shoulder. So, when it came time to start editing Reaver, Harwood suggested the use of a separate monitor where the director could view the progress without looking over his shoulder.

That decision really paid off. Harwood recalled, “It helped the director keep a better sense of perspective on the movie… he was much more able to astutely observe how much tension we could bring out from each shot, and how the following shot could be used to further enhance and build on that tension.”

Hot on the heels of Reaver, Harwood began work on Contrapelo in 2014. Directed by Gareth Dunnet Alcocer (Dig!, Exodo), Contrapelo was a huge change of scenery for Harwood. While the film’s dialogue was in Spanish, a language Harwood didn’t speak a word of, he managed not only to do the job, but to edit it into an awe-inspiring and gripping film. Contrapelo focuses on a cartel boss, a barber, a straight razor, and one of the most difficult decisions a person can be forced to make.

“Because I was unable to understand what was being said, I was able to decontextualize the line and turn the dialogue into something like music,” said Harwood, explaining that in a way the language barrier helped him with editing. “The rhythm and tone of the words being spoken helped me guide each cut based on feeling.”

The film’s recognitions included countless awards including Best Indie Short Film and the Audience Award at the 2014 Cine Gear Expo, the Best Short Awards from the Las Vegas International Film Festival and the Los Cortos International Film Festival, as well as nominations for Best Overall Short Film at the Calgary International Film Festival, the German Independence Award for Best Short Film at the 2014 Oldenburg Film Festival, and Best Narrative Short at the world-renowned Tribeca Film Festival.

Harwood’s mastery of his craft is the result of his incredible training, extensive experience and raw, innate talent. He possesses the rare skill to find the exact crossroads between technical genius and creative visionary. His work is certain to leave viewers not just satisfied with the cinematic experience, but contemplating some of the most serious issues facing the world today. And that, after all, is the difference between a good story, and a great story.

Director, Documentary Filmmaker, Journalist, TV Journalist

Documentary Filmmaker Liliya Anisimova!

March 22, 2015 Steph Mitchell Leave a comment

Director and TV Journalist Liliya Anisimova

Liliya Anisomova is a driven journalist who has always known what she wanted. As a young girl she would climb inside the cardboard box turned TV set, created by her grandparents, and drift away into her fantasy. For years she would play pretend, imagining herself as a news anchor; but she wouldn’t have to pretend much longer, as her ambition would soon make her dream a reality.

Even though she had been freelancing since the age of 13 it wasn’t until age 16 that Liliya kicked her goals into overdrive. Not one to wait around for things to come to her, Liliya moved from her hometown of Volgograd, Russia to Moscow to become a TV Journalist. Her forward thinking and direct approach has lead her to many opportunities. When she felt like she wasn’t getting the experience she needed she didn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself, she got up and did something about it.

When Liliya, a self confessed travel junkie, stumbled across the Russian Travel Guide one afternoon it was love at first site. After contacting RTG TV, she was a part of the team in less than 24 hours. Through her role at RTG, she was lucky enough to work with a range of talented directors, which planted the seed for her next move.

She says, “The more I was watching experienced directors working on documentaries for Russian Travel Guide the more I wanted to try it myself. I learned a lot while working there, but I knew it was time I did it myself.”

Watching directors work their magic sparked something within Liliya. She wanted to share her vision and help others share their stories; and, ever since she began her directing journey, she has continued to produce compelling documentaries.

She moved to New York soon after where she began directing her first documentary, Magic of the Underground. The film details the life of Steve, a generous New York Subway magician who not only got people to notice him, but also brought laughter to his audience. As this was her first documentary, Liliya learned a lot about the relationship between a director and their subject– something that would serve as an important lesson for all of her future film projects.

About working with Steve, Liliya explains, “He let me into his life. Sometimes it was even overwhelming, as he would call me in the middle of the night crying and complaining about depression, or other personal problems.”

Liliya’s more recent film Love is the Highest Law, which was released at the end of 2014, is just as touching, but this time she chose to take on the politically charged and controversial topic of gay rights in Russia. As an Official Selection of the Queer Film Festival, Liliya’s film screened at the University of Oregon where she was invited to talk about gay rights and her experience making the film.

Something that comes across in all of Liliya’s work is her incessant bravery. She is not afraid to be honest, share tough stories and speak up for what she believes in, characteristics that make all of her projects as informative as they are groundbreaking.

Director, Documentary Filmmaker, Film, Writer

Nuh Omar uses his Imagination to Create Powerful Stories

March 17, 2015 Seth Perlstein Leave a comment

The clear-plastic cup of water trembled more intensely with every step. The once-extinct Tyrannosaurus reached the pair of SUVs, came face-to-face with their inhabitants and let out a thunderous roar.

Pakistan-born Nuh Omar watched the genre-defining, blockbuster film Jurassic Park in the theater as a five-year-old and knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life – direct films. Though it wasn’t the first movie he’d seen, it was the first time it really clicked that he was watching the creative work of another person. He immediately set his sights on filmmaking, and continued to develop his talents as a screenwriter in his teens.

Omar’s first feature film as writer and director, tentatively called Untitled Imaginary Friends Project, is set for release in 2017. The film’s groundbreaking plot is about the journey of an imaginary friend, and what happens to imaginary friends when children are finished with them.

“It’s a fun, journey movie, a fantasy drama, inspired by Pixar films and E.T.,” Omar said.

Monster in the Closet, one of Omar’s earlier films, was also inspired by Pixar. Omar wrote and co-directed the live-action fantasy film about a boy fighting a monster in his closet with Rebecca Hodges (Rust, Loves Me Not, The Usual Stuff).

Omar, a toy collector, was overjoyed to see his “toy characters” come to life as humans on-screen.

But Omar’s talents have stretched well beyond the childhood-inspired portion of his deep imagination. He directed Lazy Accident, a THX 1138 and 2001: A Space Odyssey-inspired dark comedy, with Justin Graniero (A.C.O.D.) and Michael Robertson (A Measure of Faith).

“The setup for the punchline was important,” Omar said. “We knew we had to approach the film with the mindset that this was satire.”

Thematic elements have always been Omar’s key to success.

“They are fantastical, surreal and aberrant,” Omar said. “My style takes the real world and mixes in the abnormal as if it was something ordinary.”

Omar’s use of nostalgia is another way the skilled director has hooked his audiences.

“I try to make each one reach out and connect with something in the audience’s past, something we all have in common,” Omar said. “That varies from project to project, but the sense of it remains the same across.”

Omar is undoubtedly a masterful director, but he hasn’t limited his talent to just the silver screen. He also developed a comic book series called I’m Here, which is a 12-issue project about a crypto-journalist named Jonas who tells the stories of urban myths and legends from their perspective.

Thematically, the comic book is about the disappearance of American values told through the eyes of an observer who is merely a part of a larger story arc.

“It’s a scary step,” Omar said. “I’m a comic book fan, but attempting to do one is surreal. It’s a very difficult feeling. I’ve never written a comic script, so the experience was enlightening.”

Like the Tyrannosaurus in Jurassic Park, Omar learned to thrive in a new, unfamiliar world. The multi-talented director and writer has undoubtedly earned his stripes on the big screen and in the world of comics.

“I hope that someone out there gets to enjoy a story, and become inspired to do something different as I was,” Omar said.

Omar’s forthcoming Untitled Imaginary Friends Project will release in 2017, and will unquestionably break new storytelling ground with its fresh spin on the classic concept of imaginary friends.

Actors, Model, Russian Talents, TV Host

Russian Television’s Leading Lady, Yana GoodDay!

March 11, 2015 Scott Prewitt Leave a comment

The name of supremely talented Russian celebrity Yana GoodDay has become synonymous with entertainment. An inimitable radio personality, charismatic television host, mercurial actress and a drop-dead gorgeous model, GoodDay first began laying the foundation for her career in the late 90s when she accepted an offer to tour the South of Russia as a podium model with “Prestige,” a company known for it’s unique theatrical fashion performances.

For GoodDay, this was only the start of the incredibly fruitful career she has created for herself today. Her initial success in the entertainment field came at the start of the new millennium when she was offered a job as a radio host for the show “Formula of Luck,” which featured a number of Russian celebrities.

She recalls, “I started my work as a radio host in 2000, at the age of 16. I got an offer to do so right away after winning the beauty contest “Miss Russian Radio 1999″ in Pyatigorsk.”

As the host of “Formula of Luck,” which aired on the massively popular Russian Radio, GoodDay travelled around the city streets in a car specially-outfitted with mobile broadcasting equipment while interviewing drivers.

In 2006, GoodDay made her debut leap into television when she was invited to host Success Stories, which aired on the TDK Channel. By then, the talented young beauty had already earned her stripes in the industry having won two beauty contests, and being chosen to model for several high-profile companies including Ro-Color and Revlon.

Her instant popularity on Success Stories led her to be offered the position of host on the live show Sexual Revolution, which she still hosts today. GoodDay was able to help uncover some of the most groundbreaking findings in the world of sexuality and sexual health through her interviews with some of the foremost experts in the field. A testament to GoodDay’s talents as a host and the overall success of Sexual Revolution, the show received Best Erotic TV Show of the Year from the International Erotic Arts Festival from 2010 to 2012.

GoodDay also worked as the director, scriptwriter, reporter and host on Reports about Egypt, a series promoting tourism destinations and lodgings in Egypt.

“We had to cover about 10 hotels in different areas along the Egyptian Red Sea coast within a week, so we had to film one or two hotels per day,” says GoodDay. “We had to work fast and be creative.”

As a result of her work as the host of the show, GoodDay adds, “I’ve learned a lot about hotel design, architecture, art directing, tourism business and Egyptian antiquities.”

GoodDay was also asked to host the state lottery program Gosloto, a popular news and variety program featuring celebrity guests, musical acts and of course, the lottery. Being chosen to host such a highly watched program puts GoodDay in league with Vanna White, the leading lady from the popular American show Wheel of Fortune.

Quickly becoming a staple of the show, GoodDay was not only broadcast on live television as a Gosloto host, but the position also gave her an opportunity to work with one of her longtime idols, Tina Kandelaki.

“As one of the hosts of Gosloto (State Lottery), I was honored to work with Tina Kandelaki, one of the most successful and popular TV host/journalist/producers in Russia,” explains GoodDay. “She was always a role model for me.”

The diverse nature of Kandelaki’s successful career in the entertainment industry easily made her the perfect inspiration for GoodDay in her youth. The co-owner of Apostol Media, the production company behind Gosloto, Kandelaki has been honored with three TEFI Awards, an annual award given by the Russian television industry, and an Astra Award for “The Most Stylish TV-hostess,” among others.

Like Kandelaki, GoodDay has also found remarkable success in the industry thanks to her diverse talents. As an actress, she has landed a lengthy list of starring roles including the role of Liza in the hit sitcom Kids in the Cage.

“It’s a backstage parody of modern music shows,” says GoodDay. “My character Liza was a ‘golden kid’ and was chosen to participate in the show because of her father who is one of the investors.”

Aside from Kids in the Cage, Yana GoodDay played the role of Olga Radosteva in the series The Fortune Teller, Dasha in Detectives, Alla in Understand and Forgive, Angela in Daddy’s Daughters, as well as several roles in the show Sled, and many more.

Additionally, GoodDay displayed her raw talent as an actress in the lead role of Katya in the film The Waiting, which she co-wrote and produced as well.

Actor, writer, director, producer, hostess, model – whatever hat this astounding young talent decides to wear, she is all business… and business is good.

In addition to hosting Gosloto, Yana GoodDay also hosted several episodes of Bingo-Boom Lottery, which you can check out above.

Guitarist, Music, Musicians, Songwriters

Guitarist Jonas Blomqvist Impresses Fans of Every Genre

March 8, 2015 Lorraine Wilder Leave a comment

Sweden, home of some of the most talented classical musicians such as Wilhelm Stenhammar has also birthed many of the most recognizable names in heavy metal, electronic and pop today, including The Knife, The Cardigans, In Flames, Peter Bjorn and John, The Hives, José González, Fever Ray and others.

Among these talented musicians is Jonas Blomqvist, the highly skilled guitarist from the bands Everwhere, Superfix, Bhavana Reddy, Rachelle and The Rising, Suns of Defiance and the recently established rock group Second Nature, which is slated to release their self-titled debut album later this year.

A true prodigy, Jonas found his talents at an early age, mastering the trombone, piano and drums at age 9. With a classical pianist for a father, music seems to be encoded in Jonas’s DNA. He recalls, “My parents played music for me while I was still in my mother’s belly by putting headphones on it.”

Upon discovering his innate talents on guitar at 14, the now highly sought after musician found the instrument that would later become his fated tool for expression.

”I have been playing guitar for 14 years now and during this time have been most influenced by the music of Guthrie Govan, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert and Marty Friedman,” says Blomqvist. “ I have played a variety of instruments and can use all of these experiences on the guitar and with the people I play with.”

For someone as well-versed in music as he is, it is not surprising that his skill in the art form extend beyond his ability to simply play instruments with precision, for he is an accomplished songwriter as well.

His creative expertise in the realm of songwriting is proven by the recent success as the co-writer of renowned artist Bhavana Reddy’s hit single “Smells Like Rain,” which made it to the top 1% (out of 19,000) in the International Songwriting Competition last year.

After being raised in Stockholm, Sweden in the late 1980’s and 90’s Jonas left for the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. The melting pot of cultural influences present in the Los Angeles music industry is now his home and incubator for a multitude of new projects and collaborations.

Some of Blomqvist’s most recent success has been with supercharged alternative rock band Superfix, led by KoRn’s Kalen Chase. This past year the group released their debut album “Never Change.”

Jonas’s aptitude for playing heaving hitting fast-paced guitar riffs is recognized throughout the album. Last year Superfix released the music video for their hit song “Invasion,” which you can check out below. Jonas carries the song with an impressive and mesmerizing riff that is impossible to miss.

This musician brings the same head banging high-energy to the video that he is known for on stage. Acclaimed for his mesmerizing stage presence, and his ability to play virtually any style of music, Jonas has also been tapped to lend his talents to an impressive range of bands and solo artists including Elaine DaSilva, Flymore, Sarah Edan, Ayin Aleph, Urvah Kahn, Only on Tuesdays and many more. He was even asked to perform on the CBS Studios lot with the CBS Band in Studio City, California in 2013.

As of February 2015 Jonas is ‘fresh off the boat’ from a 10 date tour in India with world-renowned Indian singer and Kuchipudi dancer Bhavana Reddy. Together they started the year busily promoting Bhavana’s debut album “Tangled in Emotions,” which you can check out at: http://iamreddy.bandcamp.com/

The diversity that this young musician has shown puts him in league with the greats. Keep your eyes and ears open for Jonas’ next release through his personal commercial rock project ‘Second Nature’.