Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry

Colombian writer-director Jose Antonio Negret first made waves when his debut film TOWARDS DARKNESS premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival. It starred America Ferrera, and was distributed by MGM. Negret was subsequently named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of their "Top 10 Latino Directors to Watch.' His follow-up was SECONDS APART, a supernatural thriller released by Lionsgate, which was followed by the action film TRANSIT, produced by Joel Silver and Dark Castle Entertainment. Most recently, Negret directed the car heist action/thriller OVERDRIVE starring Scott Eastwood and Ana de Armas (released by Paramount and produced by TAKEN helmer Pierre Morel).

In addition to his feature film accomplishments, Negret is also a highly in-demand television director. An alumni of the Warner Brothers' Directing Workshop, Negret has directed episodes for series such as THE LINCOLN LAWYER (Netflix), HIGHTOWN (Starz), CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (Netflix), PRODIGAL SON (Fox), NATIONAL TREASURE (Disney+), RIVERDALE (CW), MAGNUM PI (CBS), THE 100 (CW), SUPERGIRL (CW), LETHAL WEAPON (Fox), ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC), THE FLASH (CW), SCORPION (CBS), LA'S FINEST (Spectrum), MACGYVER (CBS), FOREVER (ABC), ARROW (CW), and JUST BEYOND (Disney +).

Synopsis of SHAMAN - A missionary family travels to rural Ecuador to convert the indigenous population. All is going well until their son ventures into a forbidden local cave and comes back with a demonic spirit in tow. Candice (Sarah Canning) believes that an exorcism in the Catholic tradition will free her boy from the evil bonds that bind him. The local shamans know that this spirit is older than her religion and must be dealt with or the demon will take them all.

Adam Finberg's STAR PEOPLE starring actor and recording artist Kat Cunning (The Deuce, On Swift Horses), McCabe Slye (Destroyer, Fear Street Trilogy), Connor Paolo ( The Last Stop in Yuma County, Revenge, Gossip Girl), Eddie Martinez (The Sinner, Night Swim), Bradley Fisher (Westworld), and Adriana Aluna Martinez (Duster) will open in theaters July 25, with a VOD release to follow nationwide on all major platforms on August 12.

Synopsis of STAR PEOPLE - On March 13, 1997, thousands of people in Arizona witnessed the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history—now famously known as The Phoenix Lights. Among them was 10-year-old Claire, who felt as if the lights called to her. Years later, Claire (Kat Cunning), now a photographer, is still chasing that moment, hoping to capture the lights on camera and finally make sense of what she saw.

When a mysterious tip leads her deep into the Arizona desert during a deadly heatwave with her UFO streamer boyfriend (Connor Paolo) and troubled brother (McCabe Slye) in tow,they encounter a vulnerable immigrant family whose plight complicates her mission. As tensions rise, Claire searches for the answers she seeks on terra firma and among the stars.

KAT CUNNING (CLAIRE) is a true multi-hyphenate—actor, writer, singer, songwriter, and director—whose range spans Broadway, immersive theater, film and television. They are known most recently for the role of Gail in ON SWIFT HORSES, (Jacob Elordi, Daisy Edgar Jones), Reina Rein in Rapsh!t (Issa Rae), and the Netflix hits, Purple Hearts (Nicholas Galitizine), and Trinkets. Cunning credits The Deuce (James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal) as their break-out role on screen, but their performance career began in concert dance, for which they hold a BFA from SUNY Purchase.

As a musician, Cunning is known for their traffic stopping voice and LGBTQ advocacy. They areset to tour “Glass Jaw,” (their debut EP) this fall.

CONNOR PAOLO (JUSTIN) can currently be seen in Francis Galluppi's award-winning film: THE LAST STOP INYUMA COUNTY and on the festival circuit in Vivian Kerr's feature: SEANCE and J. Zachary Thurman's: THE DEMON CORE. Upcoming films include Tyler Shields': CHAPTER 51, currentlyshowing in select IMAX screenings, and Kim Caicedo's debut feature: SHEEPWELL.

Select past film work includes: AMBUSH, THE YOUNG WIFE, A CREATURE WAS STIRRING, FLOCK OF FOUR, the STAKE LAND films, SNOW ANGELS, ALEXANDER and MYSTIC RIVER.

Select TV work includes: Revenge, Gossip Girl, Electric Dreams, Fire Country, The Resident and The Brave.Guest:

Jessica Daniels is an Emmy and Artios Award-winning casting director for film and television, with credits including Will Trent, Dying for Sex, The 40-Year-Old Version, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, and 30 Rock. A New York native and former VP of Casting at Walt Disney Television Studios, she has spent over two decades championing talent. Jessica is passionate about storytelling and sees casting as an essential mechanism for shaping culture.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Introduction to Entertainment: Jessica Daniels began her career in the entertainment industry at Backstage Magazine, where she wrote and edited casting notices and conducted interviews.

• Interest in Casting: Her interest in casting was piqued after creating a top 20 list of film casting directors, which led her to pursue a career in casting.

• Career Path: Jessica transitioned from editorial work to becoming a casting assistant, eventually working on notable projects like "Garden State" and "The Carrie Diaries” (the latter she thought of as a breakthrough series for her).

• Casting Philosophy: She emphasizes the importance of matching energies and representation in casting, often advocating for actors she believes in.

• Challenges and Insights: Jessica discusses the fast-paced nature of casting, the importance of being prepared for pitch meetings, and the balance between casting known actors and discovering new talent.

• Current Work: She is currently working on two feature films and preparing for the next season of "Will Trent."

• Advice for Filmmakers: Jessica advises filmmakers to make roles appealing to actors and to consider hiring a casting director to open up the world of possibilities for their projects.

• The High of Casting: When a difficult deal closes or she finds the right person for a role.

• Auditions: The benefits of submitting early and whether it’s a necessity.

• Lightning round: How to Deal, Garden State, Royal Pains, 30 Rock, Coach Carter, Will Trent, Elekra, Ice Princess, Single Drunk Female

Guest: