CINEMACTIVIST John C. Lyons | CINEMACTIVIST

From an extra on Phone Booth, to Cannes in her 20’s and breaking out on her own, meet Priscilla Smith the domestic sales agent for Unearth and owner of The Coven and Foxglove Entertainment. This is Part 1 of our conversation. Part 2 releases next week.

00:00 - The Road to France

03:43 - Heading to Hollywood and Finding her way to Film Sales

10:55 - The Cannes Experience in your 20’s and the Social Aspects

15:53 - How a Sales Agent can help you and your Film and the Importance of Pacing

20:23 - What happens when you are selected by a recognizable festival and why she started her own company

24:20 - Cut a Trailer first, if you can…

| Published on June 22, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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In episode 28 you met writer, Shiara Pettis. In this episode we introduce you to our remote writing process over the past 12 months and tease some Unleash script details. 

00:00 - The Big Ask

05:24 - Writing and Eco Horror Film

09:04 - Meet Unleash’s characters

13:40 - Our Process and Timeline

17:38 - Reader Feedback after Year 1

22:18 - Differences from Unearth’s development process

24:11 - Next steps

| Published on June 8, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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Writer, Shiara Pettis, received her Masters of Arts in Creative Writing - Poetry at Southern New Hampshire University and her Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Journalism at Slippery Rock University. When John was ready to further explore a sequel to Unearth, he was sent her name. That was a year ago. In this episode, get to know Shiara. And in next week’s Part 2, learn about our process for writing a script with a partner.

00:00 - Meeting Shiara

04:25 - School & Early Interests

10:14 - Writing a Poetry Book

14:23 - Therapeutic or Cathartic?

16:24 - Going to College and 11th Hour Change

21:15 - Creative Writing and Reading in front of People

27:47 - Grad School with a Baby

| Published on June 1, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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COMING SOON!

Season 2 of CINEMACTIVIST

Featuring:

UNLEASH - the sequel to UNEARTH, co-written by Shiara Pettis

LAKE ERIE, OUR KIN - two-part documentary collaboration with Melissa Troutman

and more!

| Published on May 25, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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In this episode, I am joined by educator, Dr. Rhonda Matthews. Dr. Matthews has been a university professor of Sociology & Politics in Higher Ed since 1992 and was the perfect guest to dive into Mariama Diallo's Sundance film, Master. Beyond the film, we talk about how truth-telling media is dangerous, Incrementalism in storytelling and representation, Individual Work vs Institutional Change and much more. Master is available on Amazon Prime and stars Regina Hall, Zoe Renee and Amber Gray.


[00:00] Dr. Rhonda Matthews’ education background and working at a wide variety of Educational institutions

[07:48] Intro on Master by writer/director Mariama Diallo

[12:15] The Intended Audience of a Film and Incrementalism in Representation

[20:11] General Impressions of Master

[27:57] Who is being skewered in Master and who do you feel is the intended audience?

[33:00] The theme of Rotting in Higher Education and empty signaling

[39:50] The Liv character, How Identity can be commodified and Individual Work vs Institutional Change

[49:19] Freedom of speech or Privileged speech and Cancel Culture

[58:01] Studying Popular Culture and recognizing its power

[01:04:49] The “Horror” and “Scary” definition debate and the Horror of the Mundane, and diversifying critic commentary

[01:15:09] Jordan Peele comparisons

[01:19:58] Eerie Horror Fest presents… with Dr. Rhonda Matthews


| Published on April 27, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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Today, April 19 2022, we are self-releasing the UNEARTH Ultimate Edition Blu-ray. You can purchase the film through all the major online retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, you name it. We’re there. You can also order through www.unearthmovie.com.

On today’s episode, I wanted to give you a preview of a couple of the new extra features on the Blu-ray. First, you’ll hear some comments from Marc Blucas, Allison McAtee, PJ Marshall, Monica Wyche and Rachel McKeon from last year’s cast reunion Q&A at the Eerie Horror Fest. Second, we will have film critic, Michael Guillen’s commentary from a scene in the film where Kathryn (Adrienne Barbeau) and Christina (Allison McAtee) get ready to go fishing, and Kathryn confronts Christina about the importance of protecting the land and the concept of querencia.

[00:00] Unearth Blu-ray Release Day Intro

[02:29] 2021 Eerie Horror Fest Cast Reunion Q&A

[12:37] Film critic, Michael Guillen’s, Querencia scene breakdown

[14:53] Unearth Blu-ray Promo

| Published on April 19, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions


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