The Georgia entertainment industry is one of the most exciting industries, both economically and culturally, to come to our state in a long while. Our industry fosters inclusiveness, adventure, creativity and opportunity to all. Regardless of age, ethnicity, skin color or socio-economic background, the entertainment industry in Georgia is truly an equal opportunity zone. This fabric is why Georgia Entertainment only has one direction to go. Up. We hope you enjoy all that this issue has to offer. In each issue of the magazine and on each episode of Georgia Hollywood Review TV, we will cover the unique tapestry of talent, both above and below the line, that makes the Georgia film, television and music industry vibrant, strong and fascinating.
FREDERICK TAYLOR in Black & White
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Publisher/Founder/Editor-In-Chief: Miles K. Neiman
The Power of Storytelling
Managing Editor: Carol Badaracco Padgett
The entertainment industry is a multi- faceted business. Now, more than ever. Between film, television, music, NFTs, crypto and metaverse development, the intersection of entertainment and tech- nology has never been more prominent. Each medium is an opportunity for sto- rytelling. And each one complements the other in unique ways. This issue of Georgia Hollywood Review is full of the people, places and things that make the entertainment industry special. It’s about the colorful and determined in- dividuals who make up the business. At the end of the day, the industry today is not much different that the industry of
And if it’s exciting, you feel it. It’s about the human experience. The voice of the story is as unique as each of us. With its own DNA. So when you’re starting a new film or show, if it’s done well, it will carry you away, into a new world. A world of someone else’s re- ality and experience. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the power of storytelling. No other medium has the ability to change the way we think, or en- lighten our perspective, or take us for a walk “in another man’s shoes” like film and tele- vision. When done right, it’s an awesome power. Many say content is King. By the same token then, content makers are masters of the universe. They hold both awesome
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1940s Hollywood. Different time and methods. But the ingredients are the same. It’s the Wild West. It’s a new para- digm. New opportunities, new methods and new tools, yet it’s the same celebration of individualism and raw talent that has made the industry so attractive to artists and busi- ness people alike. Entertainment doesn’t preclude political or religious affiliation. It ignores convention. It doesn’t care what shade of skin you have. If it’s funny, it’s funny. If it’s sad, it’s sad.
power and awesome responsibility. We must use that power wisely. Now, more than ever, filmmakers can make a difference in how the world is seen and how society operates. After all, life imitates art.What better way to make the world a better place? Enjoy the pages that follow. You may also find inter- esting stories and interviews on our streaming channel, “Georgia Hollywood Review TV,” on our app on iTunes or on YouTube or Roku.
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Sales Support: Cristina Colomer
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Until next issue, we’ll see ya at the movies.
Videographer: Jason Jones MONUMENTALmedia Contributing Writers: Carol Badaracco Padgett Connor Judson Garrett Echo Montgomery Garrett Tess Farmer Simha Haddad Tracey Hawkins Julie Herron Carson Jessica Holthaus Badour Ellen Howle
Miles Neiman
about the cover Pictured: Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Frederick Taylor
The Georgia Hollywood Review is published every other month by Georgia Hollywood Review, LLC. Repro- ductions in whole or in part, without express written permission of the publisher, are strictly prohibited. The Georgia Hollywood Review is not responsible for the content or claims of any advertising or editorial in this publication. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. Copyright 2022. Send inquiries to 227 Sandy Springs Place, Suite D-288, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. For more informa- tion, contact miles@georgiahollywoodreview.com.
Jerome Jackson Denise K. James
Photography: Julieta Vergini
Jessa Jansen Tierra Jones Chris LeDoux Lydia Martin Autumn Murray Michael J. Pallerino Mary Welch
Visit our webpage: www.GeorgiaHollywoodReview.com
Social Media: FB @gahollywoodreview IG @georgiahollywoodreview
6 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
CONTENTS
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10 la fitness scene Chocolate Channing Tatum 11 stuntwoman Mallory Thompson 12 director/producer Fr3derR1cK Taylor 14 actor/producer
29
Dajour Ashwood 16 producer Andrea Bucko Diego Silva Acevedo 20 lgbtqia+ Bevie Stitch 22 public relations Mandy Rodgers 24 actor Yohann Chopin Aria Brooks 28 on-air Julie Smith 29 film fashion Brandon Franklin 30 screenwriter Kenneth Lemm 32 latino power Georgia Latino Film Alliance 34 location NBCUniversal Studios Production Campus 36 tv series
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RIP The Walking Dead 38 new releases Father of the Bride Top Gun: Maverick Hustle
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THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022 | 7
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol Badaracco Padgett
TraceyM. Hawkins has been a contributing editor and writer for various print publications,
Connor Judson Garrett
Echo Montgomery Garrett has written for more than 100 media outlets, including Delta Sky, Parade,
is an Atlanta-based writer and copywrit- er. Over the past 30 years she has written
was the 2017 Edward Readicker-Henderson Travel Classics Award recipient, honed his
Photo by Kevin Garrett
such as The Thirty-A Review, American Contemporary Art, and Frontier Airlines magazines; as well as award-winning websites, galleries and novelists. She has served as a collegiate Professor of Art History, as well as a collections consultant, curator, and artists’ representative. traceymhawkins.com and skrybes.com
for the Atlanta Business Chronicle , Oz Magazine, National Real Estate Inves- tor, Waste Age, Retail Traffic, and other B2B and B2C publications. She also worked as a copywriter crafting copy for Revlon, Georgia-Pacific, Stainmaster, and Publix. She loves to meet people, find their spark, and share their stories. Reach her at badaracco.carol@gmail.com .
craft as an advertising copywriter in Los Angeles. He is the author of two poetry books, Become The Fool and Life in Lyrics; a novel, Falling Up in The City of Angels; and a co-authored mind-body self-help book, The Longevity Game. His writing has appeared in Private Clubs Magazine, South Magazine, and Hook & Barrel.
ABC.com, AARP, The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, and Business Week . She’s the author of 20 books, including multi-award winning My Orange Duf- fel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change. Up next: a book called Unsung about growing up around Nashville’s Music Row with parents in the industry.
Jessica Holthaus Badour
Denise K. James
Jessa Jansen is the founder of J Squared Ven- tures and a regular contributor at The Boom Bap
Tierra Jones is an LA cor-
is an independent writer and editor based in Atlanta with clients across the Southeast. When she isn’t working, you can find her exploring the city or dancing around her apartment —or on another road trip.
respondent for Georgia Holly- wood Review . In addition to being an LA resident, she is an actress, producer, and line producer. Covering film events, happen- ings, and entertainment industry players, she brings LA home to Atlanta and Atlanta back to LA, helping to build a dynamic, creative bridge within these two major cities in the professional film and entertainment industry. @actresstierraj
From veteran com- munications special- ist to preeminent food safety profes-
Hour Podcast Blog, Sociomix, The Borgen Project and more. Connect about writing projects on Medium @jessajansen.
sional, Jessica Holthaus Badour has built a successful and diversified career developing compelling means of shar- ing information while engaging the public on essential issues. She is cur- rently working full-time for the Geor- gia Department of Agriculture while freelancing in her spare time. www. linkedin.com/in/jessicaholthausbadour
Chris LeDoux Alaskan born and bred, Chris earned degrees in both psychology and sociology, but his fascination with cinema and filmmak- ing instead led him
Autumn Murray has written for various print and online publications includ-
Michael J. Pallerino is an award- winning writer who has written for a number of national B2C and
Mary Welch is a veteran writer and editor who has worked for a number of publi- cations, including the Atlanta Busi- ness Chronicle,
ing The Plunge, Divine Lifestyle,
and Simply Amazing Living . Authority Magazine and Thrive Global declared her a “Social Media Impact Hero” for her “Choose Love” campaign to pro- mote acceptance and diversity. She is working on a book about her life and overcoming abuse while inspiring oth- ers to Choose Love in all situations. www.simplyamazingliving.com
B2B publications. When he is not lost in his writing, music and binge watching, Michael can be reached at mpallerino@gmail.com.
to the world of visual effects. Chris’s impressive résumé includes composit- ing and VFX supervision on numerous films and TV shows, including 12 Years A Slave , Doctor Strange , The Greatest Showman , and Better Call Saul . Chris has also directed major music videos and led visual effects teams. craftyapes.com
Travelgirl Magazine, Atlanta Woman, Business to Business, Car Business Today and biography.com . In her spare time she enjoys travel- ing with her son, Grady, and tries to fix up her 100-year-old home in Virginia-Highland. www.marywelchwriter.com
8 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
LA FITNESS SCENE
Chocolate Rocks By Tierra Jones
SINCE VENICE BEACH IS A LEGENDARY FITNESS MECCA THAT DRAWS ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF HISTORY? That all started back with Arnold himself. Arnold Schwarzenegger [was] going down to Gold’s Gym and that kind of became the hub for bodybuilders. It was like Venice Gold’s Gym. And anybody who is anybody who lifts weight goes down to Venice Beach, to Muscle Beach to lift weight there. It’s changed now to kind of be more about influencers, but it used to be just like, tried and true. Just like you’re going there to lift weight. And you’re going to be standing with the great … giants in the industry who’ve been consistently doing it. And what’s so fascinating about the sport of bodybuilding, like I’m not necessarily a bodybuilder, but I appreciate the amount of effort and work that they do. Where you can push your limits on your body, and it becomes a very humbling experience. But there’s a lot of support. Because everyone starts at the beginning. You know, you don’t just miraculously have muscles, so everyone knows what it was like to be a beginner. People are more than willing to be friendly and helpful. And the reason that community keeps growing is because they keep welcoming in new people and encouraging them through. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLES IN THE GYM AND STRUGGLES WITH EATING HEALTHILY? Two things: one, never be afraid to ask for help. No one wants anyone to get hurt. Everyone remembers what it’s like to first start off lifting weight. There is no judgment. Be honest with your priorities. If you genuinely want to get healthier, then you have to prioritize that. And it helps to surround yourself with people who are also like-minded. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? My only goal, in a nutshell, [is] I want to be rich and famous so that I can be a teacher at an inner city school. Growing up, I never had friends, I was always the oddball, I was always a loner. And teachers were my greatest influence [growing] up. My goal is to consistently keep increasing my circle of influence, so that my story can impact and help more and more people. That’s my five- year goal, to grow in influence, so that I can be a voice to so many who can resonate with what I’ve been doing.
Chocolate Channing Tatum
And so there was nothing physical there, the only thing physical we had was ballet. My doctor was like, you either need to change or you’re going to die. Like, I was too overweight to even play football. So then, basically, I had to start teaching myself about fitness. In college a friend of mine was sexually assaulted. And so I was wanting to learn how to protect her and other people. So I started doing self-defense and teaching women self-defense. THAT’S AN ADMIRABLE INTRODUC -
C hocolate Channing Tatum is one of the top fit- ness trainers at world renowned Barry’s Gym in Venice Beach, California. Georgia Hollywood Review sat down with Chocolate to learn more about his world and the Venice Beach fitness culture. GHR: LET’S JUMP RIGHT IN. TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO THE PINNACLE OF FITNESS TRAINING. CCT: I was morbidly obese as a child, so I was 300 pounds when I was 14. And I went to a performing arts school. oddball, I was always a loner. And teachers were my greatest influence. ” “ Growing up, I never had friends, I was always the
TION TO FITNESS. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIALTY TODAY? My whole brand now is all about working out to look good naked. I don’t play sports, I don’t need to run faster and jump higher. I just want to feel comfortable in my skin, again from being morbidly obese my entire life. But now that I have abs and a six pack … I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. And it’s my goal, what I focus on now is kind of like the concept of bodybuilding. So just working out to shape your body so that you feel comfortable with it aesthetically.
@chocolatechanningtatum
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STUNTWOMAN
Living on the Edge Why Mallory Thompson always takes the road more traveled By Michael J. Pallerino
and all those other things that real actors only get to dream about. “Jumping off buildings and getting hit by cars can be a huge adrenaline rush—and sometimes quite painful. But we methodically plan and prepare the best we can to prevent injury.” Looking ahead, Thompson says she would love to continue stunt coordinating on more films and TV shows, and also eventually become a member of the Di- rectors Guild of America. This would enable her to direct the action sequences, which also is known as second unit directing. And with so much happening here, she is em- bracing the opportunities. “There are so many films and television shows shooting in Georgia that I am finding myself working more and more in this market. I hope I can continue working and stunt coordinating in Georgia as it is a great place to film and I really enjoy the film crews in Georgia.”
“ Jumping off buildings and getting hit by cars can be a huge adrenaline rush—and sometimes quite painful. But we methodically plan and prepare the best we can to prevent injury. ” T he cave’s sheer dimensions are almost incom- prehensible. More than 994 feet wide and 1,200-plus feet deep, the Cave of Swallows in the jungles of Mexico is the largest known cave shaft in the world—like a portal to the center of the Earth, some say. To make things even more mysteriously curious, tens of thousands of birds fly in and out of the entrance every day. And there Mallory Thompson stood—surveying what would be just another day at the office. Her job was to run as fast as she could toward the edge of the cave and let the safety line catch her just as she hit the perimeter. If that is not exhilarating enough, she complemented the cave-edge running exercise with a number of blind jumps off a pyramid, diving over a camera crew filming below. This day at the office was for a role (Warlock) that Thompson was playing in a series of live action commercials for the video game, Destiny. The shoots took place in and around Arizona, Mexico and Utah. If you haven’t caught on yet, Thompson is a stunt- woman, who occasionally takes on acting gigs. Her list of credits is far too long to mention here. To get an idea of where a gig may take her, try films like Tenet , Ram- page , The Greatest Showman , Sully , Ambulance , Django Unchained or TV series such as The Mandalorian , Gaslit , S.W.A.T. , Fear the Walking Dead and Mayans M.C. Oh, and she recently performed stunts for Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming Avatar sequels, to name but a few. “Sometimes, when an action scene is written in a script, it may be a seemingly impossible feat,” Thompson says. “So we work hard to make it something that can be
@fitstuntchick
ONE-ON-ONE WITH MALLORY THOMPSON TV work or film work? Both. I find that with so much content being filmed and the boom of television, I enjoy work- ing on either. So many TV shows are filmed cin- ematically now as well. TV is great because it is a quicker turnaround and you get to see the end- product sooner. Movies sometimes have more time to prepare and shoot so you can really fine- tune the action. Biggest stars you've worked with? Julia Roberts, Zendaya and Jennifer Garner. Favorite on-set experience? Avatar 2 performing as a Na’vi. Best film you worked on? Avatar 2 . Best TV show? Gaslit . Dream role? Second unit directing a female-led action film. In one word, describe what you do. Perform. Advice you would give someone wanting to do stunt work? Train, train, train. Never stop learning, and persist.
Mallory Thompson
Photo by Erica Simone
done practically and safely. I want the action to look real and believable, but also impressive and entertaining.” A gymnast from the moment she could walk, Thompson segued into pole vaulting in high school and at Louisiana State University, where upon graduation was introduced to stunts in the then burgeoning Louisiana film industry. After two years of cutting her teeth filming in Louisiana, she moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to pur- sue stunting at a higher level. “I have always been a high- level athlete and stunt work allows me to pursue a physi- cally demanding, creative career that brings in so much excitement. I love being a part of filmmaking and creat- ing stories for people to enjoy. I am excited, as I am now taking the next step in my career as a stunt coordinator, in which I get to be more involved with the creative side of developing the film’s action and working with the di- rector to make his or her vision come to life.” Along with that cave jumping job, Thompson has been hit and thrown off moving vehicles, scaled high-rise buildings above the LA skyline, crashed through windows,
THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022 | 11
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Fr3deR1cK Taylor Stands Strong By Autumn Murray
E mmy Award-winning filmmaker Fr3deR1cK Taylor was born on the South Side of Chicago. From his early childhood, he has held a deep conviction that diversity and inclusion are es- sential to everyone succeeding in their personal lives, in business, and in humanity overall. Taylor’s mission in life is to find the doors of humanity and open them. He looks at the surface of complex issues and inequities and knows the answer to the problem lies deeper. With the lens of a camera, his focus is on the book and not the cover. He first ventured into film education during his time in Temple University’s documentary filmmaking program in Philadelphia. The main reason he got into filmmaking is that he believes that the film industry is the only industry where individuals can freely express themselves and not be edited by others. Throughout his life, he has been judged by the color of his skin. “When I first moved to Atlanta in the 1990s, I was working for white-owned production companies because there weren’t any black-owned production companies then,” Taylor says. “I did what the white people wanted me to do. The only time I could do anything was when there were black clients. They would parade me around the black clients. But when CNN came through the door, suddenly it wasn’t so important for me to be seen. It was at that point that I knew I couldn’t continue to work in that type of environment. Before working for the company, I already knew how to shoot, edit, had a graduate degree, was teaching, and had worked on major film projects such as the Academy Award-winning movie Driving Miss Daisy.” Taylor earned his master’s degree in communications at Georgia State University. Then he went on to teach film and television at Clark Atlanta University, as well as media arts at the Atlanta College of Art. During his time teaching, he took the leap into hip-hop music videos and TV content for legends like Russell Simmons and Outkast. He also directed a one-hit wonder called Da’ Dip that had 15 minutes of fame on MTV and was nominated for awards for its visuals and creative style. Taylor has traveled the world and feels comfortable in any environment, he says, and he has a talent for capturing his traveling adventures as a documentary filmmaker and photographer. His projects have led him to informal settlement villages in Nairobi, Kenya, and Lusaka, Zambia, and hospitals for the underprivileged in Lima, Peru. The filmmaker has documented kids in India and at-risk people in South Central Los Angeles, too. In 1994, Taylor co-developed Tomorrow Pictures with executive producer Ellen Barnard, a production com- pany that has produced projects around the globe. The
company manages and creates content for televi- sion, corporate clients, commercials, and the web, in addition to focusing on telling visual stories with purpose and meaning in Tomorrow Pictures’ documentaries, social justice videos, non-profit projects, and other cause-related content. When asked about his motivation behind creating Tomorrow Pictures, Taylor says, “I created my production company to escape the racism I was experiencing in the industry and to be able to show the world my talents, without restraints.” He actively encourages and demands diversity in staffing and hiring at Tomorrow Pictures, and is committed to training and mentoring young people of color, women and LGBTQ youth. Taylor’s documentary, Counter Histories: Rock Hill, features nine college students in South Carolina who sit-in at a lunch counter and change the history of the civil rights movement. Originally aired nationally on PBS, the film is currently available on Amazon Prime Video. The film continues to win best documentary and audience awards in film festivals around the world and has been screened at Cannes. The documentary After the Fall: HIV Grows Up , by Taylor, was directed and shot on location in Romania, and it features young people who survived the pediatric AIDS epidemic of 1989. The health crisis was recognized by the international community just days after the fall of communism.
Fr3deR1cK Taylor
Taylor’s mission in life is to find the doors of humanity and open them.
Photo by Julieta Vergini
Other films include Boxing Chicks: Women Boxers about a group of female social misfits who find their true selves in the world of boxing, as well as Transmission , a film about a transgender tween coming of age in Los Angeles. Projects currently in production include a Michael Jackson documentary, The Love You Save: The Michael Jackson Story , and Obama , a documentary/web series about former president Barack Obama. Taylor was recently featured at the Atlanta Film Fes- tival for his Emmy Award-winning film, Meet the Team Taking J-Setting from Underground Clubs to the Main Stage . The piece focuses on an Atlanta-based LGBTQ dance troupe, called Dance Champz, founded by Leland Thorpe. The film features a style of dance, J-setting, that originated in Jackson, Mississippi, during the late 1970s with the Jackson State University marching band’s wom- en’s dance line, called the Prancing J-Settes. When asked what he has in store next, Taylor re- sponds, “Stay tuned in and logged on for tomorrowpic- tures.tv. The revolution will be downloaded.” He built
the online network from scratch as a place to showcase his own story content and other interesting content from future-minded artists and policy influencers around the world. His latest Atlanta-based project brings talent from music, theatre and dance together to create a video for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta as part of the official launch of TogetherATL. TogetherATL is working to change systems like voting and afford- able housing, as well as working with residents in three neighborhoods across the metro area to make Dr. King’s beloved community come to life. Taylor and the Tomor- row Pictures’ team produced an original song and music video to showcase the new ethos dedicated to the region, helping it to become a place of equity and shared pros- perity for all.
@fr3der1ck | fr3der1ck.com | Tomorrowpictures.tv Tomorrowpictuers.com
12 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
ACTOR/PRODUCER
Dajour Ashwood Wastes No Words By Tierra Jones
Ashwood is a true artist who loves filmmaking and being in front of and behind the camera. He has an impressive resume with many acting credits on hit TV series and films, such as Atlanta , Valor , and Watchmen , and has starred in film Harlem Diaries , directed by Johna- than Stockman. The film aired on the Discovery Channel and won the Golden Eagle and Cable Ace film awards. A writer, director and pro- ducer of several short films that have won festival awards around the country (as well as 2022’s 48 Hour Film Project where he took Best Director, Best Actor and Best Line awards), Ashwood loves teaching the craft of acting and conducts weekly acting classes in Atlanta and online. Another venture Ashwood runs is a successful self-taping studio, Aweditions Inc., an actor demo reel production company called 48 Hour Reels and a filmmaking competition called MAFI8H where both aspir- ing and seasoned filmmakers create short films in just eight hours. Outside of acting, Ashwood has a Master’s degree in accounting, is a public speaker, a 5K runner and a novice boxer. Georgia Hollywood Review sat down with Ashwood to learn what’s next on his horizon. GHR: TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY. DA: I started out creating my own content in desperate need to find an agent. I later nailed one, [and] fell in love with creating in the interim of being on set acting. YOU WEAR MANY HATS IN THE
WHAT DREW YOU TO TEACHING AND WHAT TECHNIQUES DO YOU INSTRUCT TO MAKE CHARACTERS BELIEVABLE? I love the look on someone’s face when the lightbulb comes on. Most of my teachings came from the likes of Margie Haber. WHAT HAS INFLUENCED YOUR FILMMAKING STYLE? Honestly, I have been learning as I go. I wanted my style to come organically. I do what makes me happy. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST MENTOR? God! I rely on him whenever I get lost and he has guided me this far. TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR PAST PROJECTS, AND WHICH ONES ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Short film CASE THIRTY , where it was nominated for best actor, supporting actor and best picture. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CURRENT AND UPCOMING PROJECTS? I have three projects that just hit the film festival circuit: Bitter , Write my Wrongs and Late Love . My next upcoming project is a series for CASE THIRTY . TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU EXPERIENCED CHALLENGES AND HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM. I face challenges every day as I push myself to be better. Most of the time, I pray, then put my plan [into action]. I usually prevail. WHAT DO YOU FIND COMPELLING AND SATISFYING ABOUT STORYTELLING? When you can create an emotion out of someone from what was once a thought in your head … WHAT HAVE YOU NOT ACCOMPLISHED YET THAT YOU WISH TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? Becoming a millionaire and starring in a feature film on HBO, Showtime or Netflix. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS? Create as much as you can and have fun no matter what, there’s an audience out there waiting to see your work.
“ I love [my
roles] in this order: acting, teaching and editing. Teaching allows me to give back. ”
Dajour Ashwood
D ajour Ashwood is a gifted actor and filmmak- er who was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Ashwood attended the renowned High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, New York, which has produced other stars, celebri- ties and fashion notables such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and hip hop duo Mobb Deep.
INDUSTRY, BESIDES BEING AN ACTOR, YOU’RE AN EDITOR, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR AND TEACHER. DO YOU GRAVITATE TO ONE MORE THAN THE OTHERS? Surprisingly, I love them in this order: acting, teach- ing and editing. Teaching allows me to give back.
@dajour.ashwood | @48houreels | @mafi8h
14 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
PRODUCER Over the Border and Through the Scenes How Andrea Bucko ventured away from Vancouver and found herself immersed in the cinematic city of dreamers—Los Angeles By Lydia Martin M ost people look back on their life at the age of 23 and can sense the air of uncertainty, insecurity, or indifference that arises from the timeframe of still feeling young, but also the surround- ing pressure to “act older” and more mature in the real world. Andrea (Richardson) as he battles a voice inside his head while making his first film. When a muse in the form of an aspiring actress (Curtis) enters the picture, he’s forced to face a tragic past he is desperate to escape. “The team of producers involved, and the actors, gave so much to this film. I can't wait for everyone to see it,” Bucko says. Andrea Bucko
Bucko is unlike most people. “At 23, I started my first business and ran my own marketing company,” says Bucko. “I ran [it] for three years while auditioning as an actress and absorb- ing as much as I could from all aspects of the industry.” Bucko’s initial drive and excitement for all facets of the entertainment industry ultimately led her on a road trip that would change her world indefinitely. “I always felt compelled to be in the driver’s seat of my life,” notes Bucko. “So I left Canada at 26 and drove my car to LA to pursue film.” She continues her saga with a laugh: “It’s funny... you hear stories of people coming to LA and living out of their cars. I remember my first three months, I was trying to find an affordable place to live and bounced around between living out of my car and staying with three [different] older women who basically became my LA family and momma bears!” The generosity of Bucko’s beloved LA family supporters allowed her to start actively auditioning and vigorously work toward her lifelong goals. After she booked her first national commercial for Suave®, Bucko was able to finally settle down, “get my own place, and really build a life for myself,” she says. According to Bucko, “even though acting was an incredibly special and rewarding part of my journey,” she actually prefers the production side of the entertainment industry. “There is something so magical about reading the words from a screenplay, and as a producer, bringing in the elements necessary to put the words onto the screen. It takes an army to make a movie, and I love the team player aspect of film making, because I am one myself!” It’s that innate team spirit-driven side of Bucko that has propelled her journey throughout Hollywood and beyond. Some of her favorite projects she’s had the opportunity to work on have involved intense teamwork and familial ties.
Bucko is also in partnership with Keith Kjar- val of Unified Pictures as an executive producer on the upcoming action film Tin Soldier , which is currently being filmed in Greece. Directed by Brad Furman, the film features an A-list cast in- cluding Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, and Rita Ora, among other Hollywood stars. “It’s been a rewarding experience,” gleams Bucko. It’s clear that this is just the beginning of exemplary projects Bucko is both proud of and excited to share with the world. Her passion for producing and determination for greatness feels unparalleled. When asked about her biggest pet peeves within the industry, Bucko replies with confi- dent resilience, “I would say having to constant- ly fight to be taken seriously in some situations as a young female producer can be difficult and incredibly disheartening.” While acknowledging the challenges as a young female in the realm of entertainment, Bucko keeps her head high and her heart hope- ful: “If you step into your power, know your worth, and demand the respect you know you deserve, you will always be taken seriously.” In spite of the hardships that come with in- dustry territory, Bucko has built the confidence and drive to continued success thanks (in part) to her marvelous mentors Mary Aloe and Debo- rah Moore, who now double as her partners in
Photo by Paul Smith Photography
One of Bucko’s first favorite projects to work on was On Our Way , starring Micheál Richardson, Keith Powers, James Badge Dale and Jordana Brewster. The surreal indie drama marks the directorial debut of actress Sophie Lane Curtis. Bucko fell in love with the project when she read the script, and recognizing Curtis’ raw talent, she wanted to help bring the filmmaker’s vision to life. Paul Ben-Victor and Ruby Modine also starred in the film, its story following a deeply troubled filmmaker
creating cinematic magic. “They always make me feel like an equal to them,” notes Bucko. “They value my strengths, my insight, and see my potential.” Next up, Bucko is set to produce and finance, under her new company, Sugar Mountain Entertainment, an iconic Janis Joplin biopic.
@andreabucko
16 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
PRODUCER
Diego Silva Acevedo Simply Excels By Autumn Murray
A s a rising young star in the film industry in 2016, Diego Silva Acevedo was contemplat- ing moving from Venezuela to live in either Los Angeles or Atlanta. He ultimately decided to make the move to Atlanta due to the rap- idly growing film and entertainment industry in the state of Georgia, in addition to the tax incentives. The Georgia Entertainment Industry Invest- ment Act provides a 20 percent tax credit for companies that spend $500,000 or more on production and post- production in Georgia (the state of Georgia grants an ad- ditional 10 percent tax credit if the finished project in- cludes a promotional logo provided by the state). “Originally, I thought it made sense to move to Atlanta where the film industry was newly developing, and I would be in my comfort zone working with people who were also just starting out,” Acevedo says. “My assumptions about the Georgia film industry turned out to be incorrect, as I quickly found out that there was a host of talent at all levels taking advantage of all that Georgia has to offer to the entertainment industry.” Acevedo was born in Chinácota, Norte de Santander, Colombia. He is an internationally recognized filmmaker with over 12 years of experience. He is also a director, producer, writer, visual effects artist, and cinematogra- pher. And his credits include independent films, music videos, commercial ads, and television productions, in- cluding Hunting Souls, Smile Cam, Guns, Endicott Falls, Por La Sombra, Recuerdos en el Jardín, Helena, Para Que Cojones, Kelly Talk Show , Fanáticos Hispanos en la NFL , as well as several other award-winning productions. It was watching the Jurassic Park movie in his youth that first sparked his fascination with the film industry. As he describes, “I became obsessed with wanting to learn about the behind-the-scenes production, the electronics, and the cinematography involved in creating the film.” At the age of 20, Acevedo received his bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering from Santo Tomas de Aquino University in Bucaramanga, Colombia. At the time, film was moving to digital format, so he made the decision to expand his knowledge of film even more by attending Trazos School in Spain, where he received his master’s degree in animation and modeling 3D. Then later, he attended Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, where he received another master’s degree in digital compositing. When Acevedo first arrived in Atlanta, he spoke very little English. He met his wife, Kelly Young-Silva, on set and she has helped him to learn English over the past six years. Young-Silva is an acting coach and owner of Words in Motion Acting Studio in metro Atlanta. Their
Photo by Miguel Martinez
Diego Silva Acevedo and Kelly Young-Silva
18-month-old son, Oliver, can often be seen on set with his parents. “I am very thankful for Kelly being patient with me,” Acevedo says. “Learning and speaking English has been a process. With a language barrier, it was difficult just getting the actors to move from point A to point B, let alone trying to direct them.” Acevedo is the recipient of five South- east Emmy Awards, has been nominated in
Photos courtesy Kaptura Media
“My passion is to create, design, build and transform audiovisual content of any type, either for movies, televi- sion, or for the internet,” he notes. “I am always inter- ested in learning new techniques and working in a team environment to generate state-of-the-art content offering and experiences.” Ever productive, Acevedo is the creator of Mundo TV a streaming media service of Mundo Hispanico, Cox Media Group’s national and international news digital destination of choice for Hispanics, on Roku. “I want to continue to create and support quality content, not just for the Hispanic community but other minority communities, as well,” he closes. “Diversity and inclusion are important in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. We all succeed when we focus on helping and uplifting one another.”
11 categories (2019 and 2020), and was a finalist at the United States Film Festival (2020). His films have re- ceived numerous awards at a variety of prestigious film festivals around the world. He is also the owner of metro Atlanta’s Seven Studios Productions. Of the studio’s name, he says, “I selected the name Seven Studios Productions as a reference to God creating the world in seven days. We create and produce high-level original cinematographic works and musical productions.” Recently, Acevedo released his first feature film, Hunting Soul s, a suspense horror movie about an American couple who is dealing with the hardships of caring for their sick young daughter. They discover that they are being hunted by a demon that they have to battle in order to keep their child safe. Hunting Souls is now streaming on Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Prime.
@diegosilvaace | www.diegosilvaacevedo.com
18 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
LGBTQIA+
Bevie Stitch’s GayTL By Simha Haddad
M eet Bevie Stitch, an openly queer event planner who identified a gaping hole in Atlanta’s event scene early on in her career. “I started doing promo when I was 23 years old,” Stitch says. “I was working with the straight community doing a lot of Latin par- ties. I realized that a lot of my following was actually LGBTQ. Whenever I did go out, it was to a gay club run by men. There was nothing being offered to the women in our community, especially not something that was a Latin night.” And so Stitch’s company, GayTL (which stands for Gay, Transgender, Lesbian), was born. With the help of her day-one partners Erika Martinez, Danny Gallardo and Jose- phine Figueroa, all of whom are long-stand- ing Atlanta-based queer promoters and event planners, GayTL throws a monthly party that caters to what Stitch describes as “a melting pot of culture.” When asked about the vibe at one of her parties, she says, “It’s very friendly. It’s pretty much guaranteed that you will leave with a new friendship made.” She adds, “I try to attract people who are
Stitch was the first person in her “huge family” of over 300 people to come out as queer. She feels that one night, in particular, helped her to begin to realize that her sexual orientation might not fit the rigid mold she was brought up with. “I was 18. I went to a famous gay club here in Atlanta called Chaparral. I realized there was a whole gay community that I didn’t even know existed.” A community that Stitch quickly realized she was a part of. “Honestly, genuinely, I was scared,” Stitch shares. “I thought this was what my parents were talking about. I thought this was some- thing from the devil; this is not Godly. I was terrified. I thought, ‘What have I done?’” With the help of her support system, Stitch was able to overcome her fear, accept herself, “ I try to attract people who are eccentrics and just finding themselves. ”
eccentrics and just finding themselves. We have piñatas filled with candy, and sometimes we throw condoms in there because we feel it’s important to promote safe sex. We always have a food vendor. We employ mostly women DJs because they need more of a platform, so we create that platform for them. The whole night everyone is up dancing and just making connections.” And, to make socializing even easier, everyone at a GayTL party is assigned a wristband to break the ice. “All the events are wristband color coordinated. We go from single, taken, it’s complicated, and polyamorous . This makes it easier for people to conversate and lets people know how to approach each person.” Stitch affectionately calls her hundreds of party- goers “GayTL citizens” or “GayTLiens.” Stitch’s need to facilitate strong bonds within the community is also the reason she chose her surname “Stitch.” “My name is Bevie Stitch. Stitch obviously comes from the movie (Lilo and Stitch). So, one thing I always live by is ‘no one gets left behind or forgotten.’ Which is
why we are creating nights we want to remember with people we never want to forget.” In addition to Stitch’s professional experience, there is also a personal story behind her message of inclusivity. As Stitch candidly shares, her own coming-out journey was far from easy and one wrought with feelings of confusion and immense guilt. “Growing up in the Latin community, we don’t get a lot of support when it comes to freedom of thinking. A lot is already written down about how we are supposed to live our lives and how we are supposed to get married and have kids. It made me sad to think how many people in the Latin community live in the closet because of how strong-minded the parents are and how the religion (Catholicism) is very strong about how God doesn’t love you or you’re not welcome. It’s a lot of mental torture.”
and come out to her parents. While their acceptance of Stitch’s sexual orientation was slow and still an “ongoing conversation”—“My family will probably never come to one of my events,” Stitch admits—she is proud that she chose to be true to herself as it has inspired others in her family to do the same. Hence GayTL’s tagline, “Unapologetically Gay.” “I know that I made a difference. My little sister came out of the closet after me,” she says. “When she finally came out, my mom stopped talking to her for two years. One of my cousins came out a few years ago, and he is transitioning. He did tell me that it was thanks to me being brave. So I feel it is my duty to stand tall and proud of who I am.”
@beviestitch | @gaytl__
20 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Dream Maker In the world of Hollywood star-making, Mandy Rodgers has a front row seat to the whole big dance By Michael J. Pallerino
across theatrical movies, home entertainment re- leases, streaming platforms, independent films, TV series, consumer products, and more. To say her professional life to date has been surreal might be a bit of an understatement. “They have been ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ moments,” Rodg- ers admits. “One of my all-time favorites has to be working on the 30th anniversary of The Little Mermaid. Being my favorite movie since I can re- member, getting to work directly with the voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson, and the amazing Disney team, to bring the film to a new generation was a dream come true.” Those “dream come true” moments have led Rodgers to her next great adventure—one that is more personal and exciting than anything before it. As the founder of Mandy Kay Marketing (MKM), she will continue to help bridge the gap between the two coasts by combining her extensive Hol- lywood experience with her Southeast hometown connections. Based in Atlanta, MKM offers marketing services across all things in the entertainment industry—from film releases and streaming platform launches to experiential events and lifestyle brand promotions. MKM creates, manages and executes publicity, influencer marketing, grassroots, and partnerships/promotional campaigns on a local and national level. “Atlanta is growing all of the time. The evolution of this city across the last decade is huge, and it’s an exciting and dynamic place to be. The growth of the film and television industry here is very exciting—not just for those who want to make movies specifically, but also for those in tons of other industries that benefit from the productions being here. I want to work to be a part of that evolution.” Rodgers, who recently was recognized in Media Play News’ “40 Under 40” list, wants to bring her clients the best solution possible to their campaign needs, which often means assembling the best of the best teams (think The Avengers ) to work together to ensure the client’s vision comes to life. She believes these strategic partnerships are important for agencies and small businesses to scale up and scale down easily. With its launch, MKM’s client roster already includes top studios like Universal Pictures, Warner Bros.
and Netflix, as well as the Atlanta-based events company Imagine Exhibitions, which she first worked with on Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, when it opened in Atlanta last year. “I am not an expert in everything, but I am lucky to have an amazing network of past colleagues, partners, vendors, friends, etc., who have other skill sets including graphic design, market research, experiential events, paid advertising and more.” If Rodgers’ future is anything like her past, the Georgia entertainment community is in for its share of “once-in-a-lifetime” moments.
mandykaymarketing.com | ig: mandykayrodgers | t: Mkr512 www.linkedin.com/in/mandyrodgers | fb: MandyKayMarketing
ONE-ON-ONE WITH MANDY RODGERS Favorite movie? I have a Top 4 that I always reference (although I could go on and on …): The Little Mermaid, Speed, Pretty Woman and When Harry Met Sally . Favorite TV show? Breaking Bad and Friends . The biggest star you’ve ever worked with? Biggest I’ve met would be either Tom Hanks or Ryan Reynolds. Best part about your job? Getting paid to watch movies and meeting amazing people every day. Best Fast & Furious movie? Fast 5 —although I still have a huge soft spot for the OG Fast & Furious , too. The Rock or Vin Diesel? I’m #TeamRock all the way. The way Game of Thrones should have ended? I had so many theories and things I wanted to see happen, and I honestly don’t even remember them now, but I think the biggest thing that disappointed me was how it felt rushed at the end after so much groundwork and character building. Best streaming service? It honestly depends on my mood, but my Top 3 right now are HBO Max, Hulu and Netflix.
Mandy Rodgers
A sk Mandy Rodgers about her favorite Hol- lywood moment and you run smack dab into one of those “where-do-I-start” moments. Dancing on the beach of Skopelos, Greece, for Mamma Mia! Racing Aston Martins. Travel- ing around the world with the famed Chucky doll as your sidekick. Sitting on the iconic Iron Throne. Organizing a sleepover in a penguin exhibit. And the list, she says, goes on and on. With more than 15 years of experience under her belt as a digital marketing executive, Rodgers has seem- ingly seen and done it all. The University of Georgia graduate spent 11 years in Los Angeles working along- side major studios, including NBCUniversal, Sony Pic- tures, WarnerMedia, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios, where she played a marketing role in such iconic brands as Game of Thrones, Fast & Furi- ous saga, Spider-Man, X-Men, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Sonic the Hedgehog and Frozen. She recently was vice president of client services in Los Angeles at the London-based entertainment agency Think Jam, where she oversaw 500+ marketing campaigns
22 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
ACTOR
Full Speed with Actor Yohann Chopin Interview by Tierra Jones
GHR: WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST SATISFYING ABOUT ACTING? YC: The transformation, the dis- covery of a new character, the journey to take it from a script onto the screen or a stage, to make it your own. There is always something new to learn. The feel- ing of being part of a cast in and out of the stage or a film set. The interactions you have with them. When you get along with your scene partner, creation has no end and it’s so much fun. That’s why we say “we play,” we don’t work. It works in French too, “je joue.” WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU MOST AS AN ARTIST, AND WHY? I don’t think I can summarize all my influences and [do] them justice. The movie Elephant by Gus Van Sant had a huge impact. I physically couldn’t leave my seat. The poetry, the subtle details, the cinematography. I’m easily moved by words. I can’t tell you how many times I read Pride and Prejudice or watched the film with Keira Knightley. The works of Maupassant, Truffaut, François Ozon, Chopin or painters like Monet, Gustave Courbet or Jansson, etc. They all made me feel something strong and pushed me to surpass myself. The very first person who helped me create [as] the artist I am today is my grandmother. She is a painter
the end of season three so I could take a bigger place in season four. But, as you may know, there is no season four. The part was cut down but not completely and luckily, I still had my fun. The costumes were exquisite. I got my own horse. I was like a child at Christmas. DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY STORIES ABOUT WORKING ON SET OR IN THEATRE? On my very first day on the set of Versailles, for a scene, I had to gallop full speed in a forest because my character was ordered by the king to go back to Versailles from Paris. I love horses so much and the ones on the set were like Ferraris, beautiful, strong and elegant. I don’t know who was more excited for that scene, the horse or me. After the first take, the director called me so I could see what I did. He said “We are happy to have you on set, Yohann. You give a great energy, but remember you’re an evil character. You can’t smile like that. It looks like you’re flea flossing. We all had a good laugh. I needed a couple of minutes to get back on my horse and concentrate. CAN YOU SHARE ANY WORD OF WISDOM FOR ASPIRING ACTORS? It’s a tough business. Surround yourself with good people you can count on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Rome was not made in a day! TELL US MORE ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE SET FOR THIS PHOTOSHOOT. WE HEARD IT WAS YOUR FIRST FASHION PHOTOSHOOT. I discovered Alessio Filippelli on Instagram. He is a PR manager. The set was in the green fields of a huge stable in the south of Rome. All the clothes I’m wear- ing are made by female Roman designers. It was impor- tant for me because Italy has been the place where I did my first film and this country is famous for its fashion. I wanted to honor that. I also wanted to play on that femi- nine side of me that I almost never display. I am totally fine with it in my personal life but it wasn’t reflected in the pictures you could find of me on the internet or on my socials. I have always been jealous of women that can play so much more with clothes than men. Red carpets can be very boring from a men’s perspective. Who better than women designers to help me play with that? Some artists have and are challenging that; I am counting to be one of those.
Yohann Chopin
Photo by Salvo Pavone
and a true artist at heart, but she lived in a different time where she couldn’t express herself. She gave me that spark. I am ready to turn it into a fire. TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ROLES TO DATE. One of my favorites was “Jaubert” in Versailles, the evil musketeer. I was so pleased to be an evil character. I had always played nice and soft characters. The way I was introduced to the part is that I had to appear towards
“ When you get along with your scene partner, creation has no end … ”
@Chopinyohann
24 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
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