MediaMaker Spotlight

Women in Film and Video (DC)
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The biweekly podcast "MediaMaker Spotlight" features conversations with industry professionals speaking on a wide range of topics of interest to screen-based media makers. The series is a great resource for creators and collaborators who want to learn more about filmmaking, production, and all that goes into bringing projects to life. Our show is a great place to learn, find inspiration, discover communities of support, and celebrate our shared passion for film, television, video and visual storytelling in all formats and mediums. "MediaMaker Spotlight" is produced by the Women in Film & Video Podcast Committee. Learn more at MediaMakerSpotlight.com.

  1. Producer Brandon Gets Out to Final Ebertfest and Likes It

    Jun 21

    Producer Brandon Gets Out to Final Ebertfest and Likes It

    Pack your bags and head to small town Champaign, Illinois with Producer Brandon for one last year of the Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival, affectionately known to movie-lovers as Ebertfest. Brought back for a final year, festival organizers Chaz Ebert and Nate Kohn programmed a lineup of modern classics and under-the-radar films audiences may have missed.  First, Brandon sits down with actress Betty Gabriel following a screening of her film, Get Out (now coming up on its 10-year anniversary). Critically acclaimed for her role as housekeeper-with-a-disturbing-secret Georgina, Betty reflects on being a part of Jordan Peele’s beloved horror-social satire’s legacy. The conversation then pivots to Betty’s current and upcoming projects in television and film.  Get Out is currently available to stream on HBO Max. Next, Brandon is joined by writer-director Tracie Laymon & actor French Stewart of the Barbie Ferreira & John Leguizamo dramedy, Bob Trevino Likes It. The film follows a lonely young woman (Ferreira) who strikes up a relationship online with a stranger (Leguizamo) who shares the name of her own narcissistic father (Stewart). After premiering at the South by Southwest Film Festival, the crowd-pleasing film received both the Narrative Feature Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.  Tapping into her own experience with her own father, Tracie discusses the semiautobiographical nature of her film and how the personal themes and narrative have resonated with audiences from all walks of life. In this joint interview, French Stewart provides insight into his role as an unsupportive father and how he approached playing this antagonistic character with pathos and three-dimensionality.  Tracie then touches on how following the worldwide success of Barbie, Mattel Studios hired her to write and direct a live-action film based on the discontinued 90’s cult toy, Tony The Tattooed Man.  Bob Trevino Likes It is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+ Watch the trailer To read more about Ebertfest ‘The Last Dance,’ visit: ‘The Last Dance’ Ends a Beautiful, Impactful Run for the Long-time Roger Ebert Film Festival In the famous words of Ebertfest founder, Roger Ebert: “the balcony is closed” Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    39 min
  2. Kids Search for Their Donor Sperm Father in Dad Genes Doc

    Jun 7

    Kids Search for Their Donor Sperm Father in Dad Genes Doc

    Would you search for your sperm donor dad? In this episode, host Sandra Abrams interviews the people behind the award winning documentary, DAD GENES. The doc follows Aaron Long, a single guy who was a sperm donor for the money 20 years ago. Fast forward to a few years ago, when several of his “kids” decided to go looking for their biological father. Sandra talks to the film’s director Craig Downing, and its editor, Sara Barger (a past president of WIFV). Sara shares what it was like to make sense of hours of footage sourced from the dad and his new kids, following the story that takes many twists and turns. Dad Genes is the winner of the Best Feature Documentary - Jury Award at the 2026 Atlanta Documentary Film Festival and Best Documentary at the Allentown Film Festival.  Dad Genes Trailer Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    34 min
  3. Host Special: Film Scores & Soundtracks that Resonate (With Us)

    May 24

    Host Special: Film Scores & Soundtracks that Resonate (With Us)

    All of our hosts - Candice, Sandra, and Tara - come together again for another host special. This time they explore the fascinating world of film scores and soundtracks, highlighting the differences between the two, chatting about iconic composers and film scores, and how music shapes our emotional experience of stories on screen. Are there songs that always bring to mind certain movies when you hear them? Which soundtracks struck a chord with our hosts? Tune in to hear more about the music that brings movies to life! Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    36 min
  4. Greenlight Projects Through the Power of Your Community

    May 10

    Greenlight Projects Through the Power of Your Community

    Host Tara Jabbari interviews actress and filmmaker Anna Campbell, who shares her journey from acting to directing and producing her first feature film, 'Nora.' They discuss the importance of community in filmmaking, the creative process, and the unique voice each artist brings to their work. Anna emphasizes the need for collaboration, defining one's uniqueness, and the challenges of distribution in the film industry. The conversation highlights the role of music in storytelling and the significance of art in exploring personal and communal questions. Watch the Trailer Nora Website  Nora on Instagram Anna’s imdb Anna's Instagram Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    38 min
  5. Unmasking Lies and Spies in East Germany: A Documentary

    Apr 26

    Unmasking Lies and Spies in East Germany: A Documentary

    In this episode, host Sandra Abrams talks to Jamie Coughlin Silverman and Gabriel Silverman about the making of their feature documentary, THE SPIES AMONG US and how a German-American journalism program known as RIAS helped them meet Peter Keup, the subject of their film. The husband and wife duo, who run SideXSide Studios, filmed Keup’s personal journey and the actions he took after reading his secret police file created by the East German government. The secret police, or Stasi, had a data surveillance program on its citizens. From returning to the prison cell he was in, to the actual building where the program was run, Keup confronts high level officials who ran the program in rare one-on-one interviews. The film shows Keup, who was blindsided when he learns his brother was an informant for the secret police, piece his life back together and heal through the process. During their conversation, Jamie also shares what it was like to be a first time director and pregnant during filming. Learn more about the doc and SideXSide Studios: thespiesamongus.film sidexsidestudios.com Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    33 min
  6. Intimacy Coordination Unveiled: Safety, Consent, and Creativity

    Apr 12

    Intimacy Coordination Unveiled: Safety, Consent, and Creativity

    Jessica Steinrock, a pioneering intimacy coordinator, joins host Candice Bloch to discuss the value and particulars of intimacy coordination. Jessica shares her journey from theater to film, emphasizing the importance of consent, safety, and professionalism in intimate scenes. In their conversation, they explore the significance of intimacy coordination, the range of situations that require it, terminology, equipment, and common misconceptions surrounding the role. Intimacy coordination is more than just guidance for “spicy” sex scenes - it’s about ensuring safety and consent in all types of intimate moments on screen. From shower scenes to intense makeouts, these professionals support actors' well-being on sets and create a space where they can explore their craft without fear, thereby focusing on the artistry of their performances.  Jessica is also the CEO of Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (or IDC), a SAG-AFTRA accredited training organization for intimacy coordinators. She shares how IDC is helping educate, train, and certify intimacy coordinators and discusses their resources and offerings, including a two-day virtual Summit on May 2-3, 2026. Follow Jessica on Instagram @intimacy_coordinator_ Learn more about Jessica here: jessicasteinrock.com Learn more about IDC here: www.idcprofessionals.com And their upcoming 2026 Summit Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    35 min
  7. How to Bring Personality and Fun to Celebrity Interviews

    Mar 29

    How to Bring Personality and Fun to Celebrity Interviews

    Host Tara Jabari interviews Grae Drake, a renowned journalist and film critic known for her vibrant personality and insightful commentary on the entertainment industry. Grae reflects on the challenges and joys of being a critic. She highlights the importance of empathy and understanding the filmmaking process. The conversation also touches on Grae's unique approach to interviews, where she balances humor and respect for the subject matter, ensuring that her interactions are engaging and memorable.  Grae’s website: https://www.graedrake.com/ Connect with her: https://www.instagram.com/graedrake/ Read about the panel where Tara met Grae: https://thegameofnerds.com/2026/01/10/how-to-interview-like-a-pro-a-talk-by-josh-horowitz-guests/  Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    28 min
  8. Iconic Artist Georgia O'Keeffe on the Big Screen

    Mar 15

    Iconic Artist Georgia O'Keeffe on the Big Screen

    In this episode, host Sandra Abrams talks to documentary filmmakers, Oscar winner Paul Wagner and his wife, Ellen Wagner, about their movie, Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light. With actress Clarie Danes serving as the voice of O’Keeffe and Hugh Dancy doing the narration, the feature documentary uncovers new material about the life of the iconic artist known as the Mother of American Modernism. During the episode, the Wagners share how the project came to life and behind the scenes working with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Sante Fe. They explained the unique input from the O’Keeffe scholars who reviewed over 25,000 letters written between the artist and her husband, Alfred Stieglitz as a story telling tool.  To learn more about this film visit - Website: georgiaokeeffefilm.com   Instagram: @georgiaokeeffefilm  Discover more of Georgia O'Keeffe's Art: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum  Support the show --- Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain! We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

    36 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The biweekly podcast "MediaMaker Spotlight" features conversations with industry professionals speaking on a wide range of topics of interest to screen-based media makers. The series is a great resource for creators and collaborators who want to learn more about filmmaking, production, and all that goes into bringing projects to life. Our show is a great place to learn, find inspiration, discover communities of support, and celebrate our shared passion for film, television, video and visual storytelling in all formats and mediums. "MediaMaker Spotlight" is produced by the Women in Film & Video Podcast Committee. Learn more at MediaMakerSpotlight.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Women in Film and Video (DC)
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    163
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Women in Film and Video
  • Show Website
    MediaMaker Spotlight