The WIFT Austin Podcast
The WIFT Austin Podcast is the podcast for all things women and film and television and media. Bringing you in depth interviews with dynamic women in the film, TV and media industries, plus movie reviews, member spotlights and entertainment news to keep you endlessly entertained and informed. Tune in and subscribe on Spotify!
Produced by Kelly Coffee, Samantha Rae Lopez, Chantelle James, and Christine Hagan Youn.
Edited by Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Miranda Devere.
Movie reviews brought to you by Summer Heart.
For all podcast inquiries, please email podcast@wiftaustin.com.
Produced by Kelly Coffee, Samantha Rae Lopez, Chantelle James, and Christine Hagan Youn.
Edited by Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Miranda Devere.
Movie reviews brought to you by Summer Heart.
For all podcast inquiries, please email podcast@wiftaustin.com.
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EP 119 with Elizabeth AvellanElizabeth is a Venezuelan-born American film producer. Based in Texas, this powerhouse producer is known for producing mega hits like EL MARIACHI, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, THE FACULTY, all four of the SPY KIDS movies, SIN CITY, and GRINDHOUSE.
Tune in as she shares how she began and navigated her successful career, what inspires her to keep creating, and advice for other filmmakers. |
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EP 118 Live! From The Violet CrownWIFT Austin Podcast went LIVE from the Violet Crown Cinema in downtown Austin to interview fellow WIFT Austin Member Olivia Nash, along with the cast & crew of the feature film HI.
Tune in as we discuss all things independent filmmaking. |
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EP 117 with Mona MayMona is a costume designer who has worked on countless movie and television programs. Hailed as "The Queen of 90s Movie Fashion", she is best known for her work on Amy Hackerling's teen-comedy CLUELESS (1995). Additionally, she has worked on other 90s films such as ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (1997), THE WEDDING SINGER (1998), A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY (1998), and NEVER BEEN KISSED Never Been Kissed (1999). In 2008, she was nominated for a Costume Designers Guild Award for her work on Disney's ENCHANTED (2007).
Tune in as she talks about the nuances of transforming actors into the characters they are portraying, and the beauty of bringing characters to life through costumes. |
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EP 116 with Meredith JohnsMeredith is an Emmy-Nominated Makeup and FX artist and founder of Hawgfly Productions, Inc., and is best known for her work on TEETH (2007), TIME TRAP (2017), and MACHETE (2010).
Tune in as she talks about working on her favorite film to date, MACHETE, and as she gives insight into the world of FX Makeup. |
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BONUS EP Lake Travis Film FestivalThis Bonus Episode features reviews from the WIFT Austin team of the 2021 Lake Travis Film Festival.
Tune in as Chantelle James, Paulina Monseau, and Summer Heart give their honest reviews of some of the films that were featured at the festival, as well as their thoughts on attending their first in person film festival in over a year. |
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EP 115 Lake Travis Film Festival Part IIPart two of the live recording from the 2021 Lake Travis Film Festival wraps up our weekend of interviews, screenings, and award ceremonies, highlighting filmmakers from central Texas and around the world.
Plus, we finish with a sit down interview with the festival founder Kat Albert. |
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EP 114 Lake Travis Film Festival Part IPart one of the live recording from the 2021 Lake Travis Film Festival highlights several days of the festival events, starting at the red carpet on opening night to the final day of screenings.
We interview attendees, filmmakers, the founder of LTFF, and even a few of our own WIFT ATX members showcasing their films, while Summer Heart reviews some of the films that showed at the festival. |
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EP 113 with Traci MurdockTraci is an Animal Talent Agent and the founder of Hit the Mark Animal Talent. Hit the Mark Talent provides casting, scouting, and handling services for all species of animal talent across the United States. As a Master Trainer, Canine Behavior Specialist, and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Traci sources, trains, and wrangles dog talent for print, media, live action, and film projects. She also works as an On-Set Animal Trainer to make sure the animal is safe and comfortable on set, and as a professional on set for liability and insurance purposes. Some of Traci's talents' credits include the film BULL, shows QUEEN OF THE SOUTH and DALLAS, and many more.
Tune in as she talks about the joy her job brings and the magic of being on set. |
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EP 112 with Carol HickeyCarol has studied acting with some of the most prestigious institutions and instructors, including HB Studios in New York and with Harry Mastrogeorge in Los Angeles. She has a degree in Theatre from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Some of her credits include GILMORE GIRLS, SIX FEET UNDER, SCRUBS, and ER. She has received awards for her work on stage, developing premiere works in Los Angeles and in New York with The Canyon Theatre Company, along with name actors such as Mark Ruffalo and Kathy Bates.
Tune in as she talks about the benefits of starting an acting career in a smaller market like Austin, TX. |
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EP 111 with Noël WellsNoël is an American actor, comedian, musician, director, and writer. She is known for her television roles as Rachel Silva in Netflix comedy-drama MASTER OF NONE, as the voice of Kelsey Pokoly in the Cartoon Network animated television series CRAIG OF THE CREEK, and as a featured player on the late-night variety series Saturday Night Live, as well as for writing, directing, and starring in the film MR. ROOSEVELT.
Tune in as she talks about the inspiration behind the film MR. ROOSEVELT. |
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EP 110 with Beth SepkoBeth has been casting in her home state of Texas for over 20 years. With credits in film, television, commercials, music videos, and digital media, Beth has hundreds of productions under her belt. She is an active member of the Casting Society of America, a former board member for the Austin Film Society and Reel Women as well as a current participant on the Advisory Board of SXSW.
Tune in as she talks about the benefits of opening up casting calls to include more gender fluid actors, as well as actors with physical or developmental disabilities. |
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EP 109 with Jennifer HutchinsJennifer is the founder of All Entertainment Business networking group. She has been producing hit shows, and distributing film & high-profile branded content for over a decade including over 200 episodes of television for ABC, CBS, CNN, A&E, Spike, TLC, Syfy, Discovery, Speed, and NatGeo.
Tune in as she talks about why she funded All Entertainment Business and about the importance of empowering one another in the industry. |
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EP 108 with Holly HerrickHolly is the Head of Film & Creative Media at Austin Film Society. Since joining AFS in 2012, she has helped establish their first ever 2-screen art house theater, the AFS Cinema, and the expansion of Austin Film Society’s film exhibition and artist services programs.
Tune in as she discusses her passion for fellow artists, film festival grants, and how she came to work at AFS. |
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EP 107 SXSW RecapThe WIFT Austin team reviews their 2021 SXSW virtual experience.
Tune in as Summer Heart, Samantha Rae Lopez and Marisa Mirabal of WIFT Austin give their honest reviews of this year's films and what they really thought of SXSW going virtual this year. |
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EP 106 with Angela MerylAngela is a veteran stuntwoman and actor. She has done stunt work for Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, and Beyoncé. She has also acted in projects such as BONES, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and SUPERGIRL.
Tune in as she talks stunt terms, martial arts, and more. |
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EP 105 with Emily BestEmily is the director, founder and CEO of Seed&Spark.
Tune in as she talks about the similarities between social media and streaming algorithms. |
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EP 104 with Chelsea HernandezChelsea is a Mexican-American filmmaker based in ATX, and an award winning PBS television and documentary producer.
Tune in as she talks about the lack of representation in the Latino community. |
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EP 103 with Meghan RossMeghan is director, writer, producer, comedienne and Head of Creator Success at Seed&Spark. She is the host, writer, and producer of THAT TIME OF THE MONTH, an award-winning late night show with an all-women and non-binary lineup.
Tune in as she discusses inclusivity in film, and how she made sure that her project starred all women and women of color! |
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EP 102 with Kat CandlerKat is an award winning writer, director, producer, and showrunner. She has worked on projects such as 13 REASONS WHY, QUEEN SUGAR, and SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Tune in as she talks about studying film in order to be the best teacher for her students. |
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EP 101 with Melanie YonksMelanie is the Education and Outreach Director for EarthxFilm, an eco-film and media impact festival whose aim is to turn awareness through art and media into action and impact. Melanie has also served as a Board Member for WIFTI, WIFT US, WIF Dallas, and WIFT Austin.
Tune in as she discusses the importance of supporting and encouraging one another, especially as women, and the belief that everyone should be given an opportunity to work in the film, TV, and media industries. |