Story & Craft with Marc Preston Marc Preston

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor, Shohreh Aghdashloo.  We explore Shohreh’s journey from Iran to Hollywood, which is as captivating as her performances.  Shohreh shares her early defiance against cultural norms and her celebrated career milestones, including her Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning roles.  We discuss her parts in "The Expanse," "24," "Star Trek," “Renfield,” “X-Men” and her role as the voice of the dragon in the Netflix movie, “Damsel.”
Shohreh recounts her courageous escape from Iran during the 1978 revolution and the support of her husband in her pursuit of acting.  We explore the societal expectations of Iranian women and the cultural influences that shaped her path, all against the backdrop of political upheaval.  Shohreh brings context and insight to the quiet but persistent movement for change in Iran and the personal experiences that resonate with Shohreh's family, offering a window into the lives of women in a rapidly evolving country.
We discuss the nuances of bringing complex characters to life, as well as the challenges that come with controversial roles, as Shohreh discusses the backlash from her portrayal of a terrorist in "24."  We also touch on her experiences working with Hollywood icons, such as Ben Kingsley, Nicolas Cage and more.  This episode explores a dynamic tapestry of life lessons, laughter, and the simple joys of storytelling, with one of Hollywood’s most intriguing personalities.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:06:21 - Religion and Power in Film
0:09:01 - Escape From Iranian Revolution
0:13:53 - The Influence of Western Films
0:23:58 - Iranian Women's Empowerment and Evolution
0:24:24 - Audition Experience For Academy Award Winning Role
0:29:16 - The Expanse
0:37:27 - Praise for TV Show Characters
0:42:05 - Acting, Stories, and Future Projects
0:43:07 - Portraying Multi-Layered Characters as an Actor
0:49:27 - Exploring The Character Avasarala from The Expanse
0:54:30 - Cooking Show During COVID
1:06:07 - Working With Keanu Reeves and Creativity
1:17:25 - Acting, Imagination, and Life Lessons
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with Actor, Tye Sheridan, whose journey from child actor to seasoned professional unfolds in this enlightening discussion. We discuss Ty's diverse career, from his beginnings in "The Tree of Life", to his recent venture into producing with "Asphalt City." Ty offers a behind-the-scenes look at his transition from teen roles to more complex adult characters, the influence of working with legends like Spielberg and Clooney, and his grounded approach to working in Hollywood.
Ty shares personal stories of growing up in Texas, and how he balanced his life in LA with his roots. He gives us a glimpse into the importance of authenticity, the challenges of navigating a teenage acting career, and the vital role his family and manager played in shaping his path. We also touch on his love for storytelling, his passion for outdoor adventures, and the creative and personal wisdom he's garnered along the way.
Ty discusses his takes on the film industry, from the integration of AI and its potential to revolutionize indie filmmaking, to the adrenaline of preparing for his role in “Asphalt City” by working with paramedics on the streets of New York City. Ty's dedication to his craft is evident as he discusses his move into entrepreneurship and his mission to democratize the art of filmmaking. Whether you're a film aficionado or simply love a good story, this episode promises to be as insightful as it is entertaining.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:02:35 - Small Town Texas Memories
0:04:42 - Transition From Teen Actor to Adult
0:08:03 - Small Town Audition for Film
0:11:37 - Movie Role Impact on Social Life
0:16:16 - Navigating a Teenage Acting Career
0:17:09 - Decision Between School and Acting
0:23:10 - Working With Spielberg and Clooney
0:26:48 - AI in Film Industry and Creativity
0:32:47 - Balancing Acting and Entrepreneurship
0:36:36 - Paramedics in New York City
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with talented actor, Anja Savcic.  She can currently be seen in the new Prime Video movie, "Ricky Stanicky." Listen in as Anya opens up about her experiences on set with John Cena, Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler, as well as Anja’s roots in Vancouver, Canada and Sarajevo. 
We also peek behind the curtain of her experience working on multiple projects with writer, director and comedy legend, Peter Farrelly.  Anja also discusses her experience working on the Netflix show, "Loudermilk", along with comedic and independent film icon, Ron Livingston.  We also touch on the charm and vibe of working with a cast of American actors while shooting “Ricky Stanicky” in Melbourne, Australia.
Finally, we explore Anja’s personal passions and ponder life's simpler pleasures…from dream coffee dates with intellectual icons, to the rejuvenating power of yoga…as well as the NASA discoveries, the space program and our collective appreciation of sci-fi.  Anja Savcic is not only a great comedic storyteller, but she has a unique story of her own…one that we explore on this episode of Story and Craft.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:03:34 - Home in Vancouver (49 Seconds)
0:11:03 - Experiences working on Netflix’s “Loudermilk”
0:18:17 - Filming “Ricky Stanicky” in Melbourne, Australia
0:28:21 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Influence
0:29:40 - Creative Pursuits and Travel Adventures
0:34:39 - Discovering Westerns Through Good Storytelling (28 Seconds)
0:41:21 - Admiration for Alan Watts
0:51:45 - Radio, Yoga, and Dog Talk
0:52:18 - Radio Personalities
01:02:33 - Sci-Fi Nerd Chat
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com.

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with Actor & Director, Jennifer Morrison.  We chat about her journey from the theater stage in Chicago, to the dynamic world of television…both in front of and behind the camera.  Jennifer shares her early experiences in directing community theater and how her acting roles, especially on hit shows like "House", served as an education for her work as a director.
Jennifer discusses the often overlooked aspects of filmmaking, from the demands of filming schedules to the creative process that continues to drive her passion. She reflects on the informal film education she received on sets, fueled by her curiosity and eagerness to learn from the crew on her various projects. Our chat is not just about her transition from actor to director, but also about the deliberate steps she took to ensure her path was marked with integrity…steering clear of potential industry stigmas and focusing on a diverse portfolio that includes everything from musicals to thrillers.
We chat about her new directorial project, Peacock’s "Dr. Death" and the creative collaboration required for the anthology series. Jennifer also gives us a sneak peek into her current and future projects, as well as her love for the art of storytelling.  This episode offers an intriguing look at her career, in addition to nuggets of wisdom and insight into the continuous evolution of a dedicated artist in the entertainment industry. 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:01:49 - Jennifer Morrison's Career and Directing Journey
0:09:26 - Working on House
0:11:25 - Balancing Work and Filmmaking Passion
0:14:17 - Directors' Influence and Career Path
0:17:11 - Directing and Acting in Various Genres
0:27:16 - An Insightful Conversation on TV Directing
0:32:47 - Current and Future Projects and Preferences
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com.
Story & Craft is available wherever you get your podcasts.  

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor, Kylie Rogers. Listen in as Kylie, a child actor turned accomplished actress, shares her unique experiences and insights from her career. With notable roles in "Fathers and Daughters", "Bo is Afraid" and "Yellowstone", she discusses her latest leading role in the movie "Landscape with Invisible Hand." 
We also touch on the experience of playing younger versions of characters and the preparation it entails. Kylie shares her love for acting, sparked by her childhood fascination with shows like "iCarly" and Disney. We also discuss her personal journey with K-pop, her encounter with the famous K-pop group BTS, and her work with well-known actors in the movie "Collateral Beauty." 
Finally, we chat about her experiences as a young actress in L.A. and New York.  We touch on her future plans and her love for character-driven films. We talk about her admiration for stars like Seth Rogen, Joaquin Phoenix, and Selena Gomez, her dream coffee dates, and her perfect day scenario. Tune in for a fun episode with a charming young actor you’ll be seeing a lot more of very soon!
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:05:05 - Family Dynamics in Hollywood Acting
0:10:10 - Acting and Emotional Experiences
0:14:55 - Influences on TV and Film Preferences
0:16:59 - Discovering K-Pop and Acting Experiences
0:20:20 - Working With Big Actors as Young
0:29:20 - Childhood Auditions
0:37:14 - Learning to drive LA
0:46:00 - Movie Premieres and Parental Support
0:50:34 - Exploring Different Roles in Acting
1:00:49 - Current TV Show Recommendations
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com.
Story & Craft is available wherever you get your podcasts.  We just rolled out on YouTube.  Please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! https://www.youtube.com/@storyandcraft 

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with legendary Sports Agent, Leigh Steinberg.  We discuss some of the secrets of peak performance, athlete representation, and the economics of professional sports. Leigh has represented, and continues to represent, some of the biggest and most influential names in professional sports. Leigh shares the core principles that have shaped his career, offers insights into the revolutionary methods he's exploring to rehabilitate injured athletes, and opens up about his projects designed to enhance performance and productivity. We also get an exclusive look into his passions and philanthropies outside of his work as an iconic sports agent.
We explore the values Leigh learned from his family…values he continues to apply to his business and personal life.  Leigh shares his unique approach to representation. We discuss the rise of professional athletes as celebrities, and discuss the navigation of television contracts, endorsements, popular culture…and how these elements impact a professional athlete’s life and career. This eye-opening conversation also delves into how athletes can leverage their platforms for positive change…a topic close to Leigh’s heart.
Leigh breaks down the financial split between owners and players, explains how ticket prices are determined, and discusses the often overlooked physical and mental toll of playing professional sports.  This episode offers a unique look into the world of professional sports that only a legend in the industry can provide.  It was a pleasure to bring you this intriguing chat with the iconic Leigh Steinberg.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
0:12:08 - Jewish Values Impacting Sports Careers
0:16:18 - The Rise of Athlete Salaries
0:19:30 - Sports Representation
0:22:45 - Responsibilities and Expectations in Professional Sports
0:25:29 - Building Careers and Networking in Sports
0:31:14 - Screen Life and Real Sports Connections
0:36:19 - Celebrity and Salaries in Professional Sports
0:44:18 - Actors' Immersive Role Transformations
0:53:43 - Books and Audiobooks
Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com.
Story & Craft is available wherever you get your podcasts.  We just rolled out on YouTube.  Please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! https://www.youtube.com/@storyandcraft  
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