Tag Archive for: award-winning

12: Cory Taylor Bryant – Award-Winning Professional Makeup Artist

Summary

Cory Taylor Bryant is an award-winning professional Makeup Artist based in Denver, Colorado.  Cory has been a member of IATSE since 2014 and has over 20 yrs. experience. She has trained with several of the industry’s top award-winning makeup artist including Ve Neill, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Neill Gorton, and Todd Debreceni.

Cory has worked on projects in film, television, music videos, commercials, live stage events, and print and editorial.  She’s worked with celebrities, politicians, professional athletes, and music artists. Cory specializes in Beauty Makeup, Male Grooming, Special Makeup Effects, Character Makeup, Practical Makeup Effects, and Hairstyling.

Show Notes

[02:22] Curt asks about Cory’s background, where she is from, her background, and how she got out to Denver.

[05:25] After graduating high school in three years, she attended the University of Texas in Denton. At the time, was second only to Julliard as the top music school in the country, had a great tv/radio/film program.

[6:36] Cory attended makeup school after graduating with a dual degree in British Literature and Cultural Anthropology.

[08:39]  At the age of 38, after a long stint at IBM, medical issues prompted an epiphany that ultimately changed her direction in life.

[13:00] Cory talks about some of the artists she has met through IMATS (International Makeup Artists Tradeshow).

[14:47] After six spinal fusions and facing possible chronic pain and complications, Cory discusses a spiritual awakening she experienced that lead her to take the leap and become a makeup artist.

[18:36] After much agonizing over favorite names that might not have done as well with her target audience, Makeup by Cory became her primary business.

[23:44] In order to become a makeup artist, the licenses required can vary wildly from state to state.

[26:07] Although no certificate is required to be a production makeup artist, she recommends hiring someone with production experience and/or training.

[29:12] The difference between special effects makeup and special makeup effects are difficult to distinguish unless you work in the industry.

[42:44] Often, people do not understand how much it costs to do quality work.

[44:31] What does it cost to retain a makeup artist or stylist or special effects makeup artist?

[51:20] What kind of percentage does the makeup department generally receive for a film in the Denver market?

[54:49] What kind of things should someone look for in a great makeup artist?

[01:00:08] What is IATSE, and what are the benefits?

[01:04:22] What do you think could be done to create a more thriving film industry in Colorado?

[01:07:51] What is it that you love most about what you do?

[01:11:21] What are some of your more well-known makeups?

[01:15:17] Do you have any bucket lists of events or clients that you would like to experience in your career?

[01:15:17] How do you make your money as a makeup artist? How many gigs a week do you need to do a week or a year? How do you figure that out?

[01:15:17] Upcoming projects: An Eye for an Eye with Adam Bearly, A Girl Like Me with Yaritza Figueroa and Carrie Gomez (Scy Pictures), and A Great Divide (shot and takes place in Colorado)

 

Links and Resources

 

Be sure to check out podcasts with other great guests in the film and media industry on our DMP Podcast Page!

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13: Alex Ferrari – Founder of Indie Film Hustle, Bulletproof Screenplay, and Ask Alex

Summary

A true renaissance man of film, Alex Ferrari worked his way up through the ranks from the bottom to become an award-winning director and writer, as well as a producer, editor, colorist, cinematographer, podcast host, consultant, and all-around indie film guru. His commitment to making the art of indie filmmaking accessible and relatively inexpensive to the masses has garnered a massive following of dedicated fans worldwide. He can often be found on the guest list as a speaker at any number of film and media events, and his films have screened at festivals around the globe.

In addition, Alex Ferrari is the creator of the Indie Film Hustle website and podcast. He has also created the podcasts Bulletproof Screenplay and Ask Alex, and has recently launched Indie Film Hustle TV, which is a fantastic resource for filmmakers on the internet.

Show Notes

[2:06] Alex’s background

  • Born in Fort Lauderdale, FL, raised in NY, living in L.A. for the past ten years
  • Full Sail Film School
  • Inspired to create a guerilla film school on DVD to make it affordable for lower-budget filmmakers in order to give back to the film community  

[6:42] Alex’s take on the value of film school, then and now

[11:11] Connections that filmmakers make and their value

[12:27] Alex’s experience with his first job as a tape vault operator, and how he got it

[13:50] Building his first demo reel

[17:06] How Alex discovered that he was meant to be his own boss

[18:05] How Alex made his first director’s demo reel

[19:15] Going into business for himself

[20:06] How Alex got into color correction and a brief history

[21:52] Jumping on the Red bandwagon, and adding more tools to the toolbox

[23:13] “You always ask for forgiveness, not permission… you just gotta hustle, you gotta be bold.”

[24:20] The highs and lows of Alex’s career

[26:49] Alex’s take on the allure of the film industry

  • The sizzle of the American media industry
  • Discussing the Indie Film Boom
  • Advances in technology and the next generation of filmmakers

[36:21] Building your entire business on someone else’s platform

[37:25] The history of Indiefilm Hustle and Alex’s olive oil “odyssey”

[45:43] Alex’s initial motivation and plan for developing Indie Film Hustle

[51:31] The benefits of having your own podcast

[54:02] How Bulletproof Screenplay was born

[58:27] The art of curating guests according to Alex Ferrari

[59:40] The exploits of Faith Granger

[1:05:02] Alex’s favorite podcast episodes:

[1:09:44] Indie Film Hustle TV and how people can get involved

[1:12:28] Alex’s typical work day

[1:19:06] The top ten books that will change your life… (see Links & Resources)

[1:13:32] Maintaining a balanced life

[1:21:35] Who would benefit from watching Indie Film Hustle TV? What kind of content is available?

[1:25:08] The best piece of advice Alex has ever received…

[1:32:35] ”I’m super happy making small, little independent films that mean something to me, mean something to my audience.”

Links and Resources

Be sure to check out podcasts with other great guests in the film and media industry on our DMP Podcast Page!

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17: Jeanne Kopeck – Emmy-Winning Commercial Director

Summary

As a youth, Jeanne grew up in New York.  Then, as a young adult, she made her way out to Colorado studied art at the University of Colorado.

Over the next few years, Jeanne worked as a graphic designer and then art director for the KUSA television station.  Early on, she started requesting opportunities for creative direction on set. People took notice of her passion and talent, and she was recognized with 12 Emmys during her time at the station.

Jeanne then moved on to Colorado Production Group, which eventually became Citizen Pictures, and that’s where her career as a director really took off.

About 10 years ago, Jeanne and her husband started Mrs. K, which is based in Boulder, CO and focuses on creating branded content for networks.  Jeanne has worked with clients such as ABC, Animal Planet, the Cooking Channel and many more.  She’s worked with talent such as Oprah Winfrey, Anthony Bourdain, Mike Tyson, and on and on.  The list is very large.

Jeanne is known for a calm directing style with celebrity talent and for her ability to draw out performances not only from actors but also from “real” people.

Jeanne Kopeck On Set With Anthony Bourdain

Show Notes

[1:23] Jeanne’s background

[12:30] The value of formal education vs. on-the-job training

[15:12] Learning how to learn

[15:53] The value of networking during film school

[16:47] How Jeanne got started with KUSA

[18:26] What is art direction in television?

[19:45] The pace of production working on a news program

[21:34] Growing up in the industry, and finding local support to blow up buildings

[27:38] All about Mrs. K

[30:43] Work outside Colorado vs. in-state

[31:45] Dealing with gear and traveling remotely

[35:20] Why Jeanne resides in Colorado

Jeanne Kopeck on the Set[37:42] Growing a network of clients

[38:57] Marketing then and now

[41:53] Dealing with the competition

[43:49] Advice for someone just starting out

[48:18] The advantages of becoming the lowly PA

[50:29] Dealing with the ups and downs of freelancing

[51:59] How Jeanne learns and keeps up with the times

[52:45] The value of downtime

[55:20] Things that can help keep the creative juices going

[58:56] Remembering that working in media is a group endeavor

[59:57] Current projects

Jeanne Kopeck's Epic Work

[1:09:07] Working for Disney+

[1:11:48] Typical budget ranges for productions for Mrs. K

[1:13:18] Determining how much to charge for a project

[1:16:32] Good projects, bad clients, and how to deal with it all

[1:20:57] The reality of life vs. art

[1:25:42] Being a working woman in what has historically been a “man’s world”

[1:30:23] The best book Jeanne has ever read

[1:33:13] Words of wisdom that made an impact

[1:35:45] “Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness”

[1:36:41] The greatest lesson ever learned

Links and resources

 

Be sure to check out podcasts with other great guests in the film and media industry on our DMP Podcast Page!

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