Episode 15: From Child Actor to Award Winning Indie Filmmaker (With Jess McLeod)

Episode 16: From Law & Order Star to Gripping True Crime Director/Producer (With Elisabeth Rohm)

One of my fave episodes yet! In this episode of the Booked and Busy Filmmaking podcast we chat with actor, director and producer Elisabeth Rohm. We learn about Elisabeth's journey from writer to actress, her experience on soap operas, and her iconic role on Law & Order. Elisabeth shares insights on transitioning to directing, and the importance of preparation and collaboration in filmmaking.  We also chat about the power of storytelling, especially in true crime adaptations. Elisabeth also discusses the production company that she and the amazing Kara Feifer started together and we hear all about Rohm Feifer Entertainment's upcoming projects! Elisabeth Rohm is an acclaimed actress, director, and producer, best known for her role in LAW & ORDER (Emmy and SAG nominee). Her collaboration with David O. Russell in the Oscar-nominated AMERICAN HUSTLE earned her a SAG Award for Best Ensemble. She also starred in Russell's JOY as well as Jay Roach's Oscar-nominated BOMBSHELL. Beginning with her directorial debut, GIRL IN THE BASEMENT, Rohm gravitates towards thrilling, woman-centered stories. Other films include SWITCHED BEFORE BIRTH; GIRL IN ROOM 13; DEVIL ON CAMPUS: THE LARRY RAY STORY, starring Billy Zane; HUSBAND/ FATHER/KILLER; and most recently WIFE STALKER. 00:00 The Early Influences of Elisabeth Rohm 04:46 Transitioning from Writing to Acting 07:48 The Soap Opera Experience 10:44 Law and Order: A Career Milestone 13:42 The Journey into Directing 19:19 Building a Production Company 23:16 Acquiring and Adapting True Crime Stories 26:29 The Journey of Filmmaking and Collaboration 29:05 Navigating Established Shows as a Guest Director 31:00 Preparation: The Key to Directing Success 32:55 The Impact of Great Directors on Actors 35:53 Creating a Supportive and Empowering Set Environment 39:05 Current Projects and Future Aspirations 43:55 Empowering Women in Filmmaking 46:46 THIS ONE TIME Resilience and the Importance of Second Chances 50:22 PODCAST OUTRO.wav

Episode 15: From Child Actor to Award Winning Indie Filmmaker (With Jess McLeod)

I loved chatting with Jess for this episode of the Booked and Busy Filmmaking Podcast!   We talk about their journey from child actor to indie filmmaker, navigating identity in the film industry, the importance of collaboration, and the creative process behind Jess's projects. Jess shares insights on the importance of specificity in writing to enhance the final product, the indie film landscape, and their aspirations for future projects, emphasizing the need for authentic representation in storytelling. Jess McLeod is a trans non-binary filmmaker and actor. Their first short, 'DTF?', premiered at the Oscar-qualifying 2024 Out On Film festival, and has picked up several awards thus far, including Best Director (2024 Chilliwack Independent Film Festival), and Best Screenwriting (2025 Leo Awards). Their next short film, 'She’s Nonbinary', will have its festival premiere early 2026.  Upcoming acting credits include Bob Odenkirk’s new action film 'Normal', and AMC’s new series 'The Audacity', starring Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen.

Episode 14: Comedy, Community and Courage (With Breanne Williamson)

This episode is SO INSPIRING!!!! In conversation, Breanne Williamson shares her journey as a multi-hyphenate creative, we discuss the magic of the incredible community she's built around her identity as a queer artist, the power of vulnerability in storytelling and the importance of representation in her work. She reflects on her experiences in filmmaking, from creating her first short film 'Coming Out' to her feature-length sequel 'Aging Out' while reminiscing about the lessons learned along the way.  Breanne also talks about her journey in  stand-up comedy and the creative process and aspirations for her new web series, Basement 51. Breanne Williamson (She/Her) is a lesbian identifying actor, writer, comedian and director whose work celebrates queer identity with humour, heart, and authenticity. She has cultivated a dedicated following through her YouTube channel and social media platforms, amassing millions of views, where she shares comedic sketches, personal stories, and queer lifestyle content for a global audience Breanne wrote, directed, produced and stars in the 6-episode indie web series titled Basement 51, which launched Friday, October 3 2025. This is Breanne’s third crowd-funded indie project after Coming Out (2.2. Million Views) & Aging Out (1.4 Million Views). Breanne’s acting credits extend beyond her own projects. She has appeared in television series including Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform), Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (AppleTV+), The Good Doctor (ABC), Blockbuster (Netflix), and Family Law (The CW/Global), showcasing her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to her work on screen, Breanne has built a strong presence as a stand up comedian and content creator. She also co-hosts the popular LGBTQ+ podcast I Can Explain, where she and fellow comedian Sean Lusk answer listeners’ questions in a hilariously candid format. Chapters 00:00 Breanne's Creative Journey Begins 02:37 Navigating the Business World 05:33 Coming Out: A Personal Revelation 08:28 The Impact of Vulnerability 11:16 Family Dynamics and Acceptance 14:16 Creating the Short Film 'Coming Out' 17:11 Lessons Learned in Filmmaking 23:52 Empowering Others Through Collaboration 26:17 Creative Funding Strategies 27:48 Building a Community Through Content 29:43 Finding Your Creative Purpose 33:37 The Journey of Aging Out 37:34 Casting for Authenticity 42:17 The Transition to Stand-Up Comedy 44:40 The Impact of Stand-Up Comedy on Life 47:27 Creating Basement 51: A Web Series Journey 50:33 Community Engagement and Premiere Experience 54:11 The Importance of Fun in Creativity 57:59 Aspirations and Future Success 59:44 This One Time: Life Lessons from Stand-Up Comedy

Episode 13: The Life of an Intimacy Coordinator/Actor/Author (with Aryn Mott)

I learned SO MUCH durning this chat wiht the incredible Aryn Mott! We talk all about their artistic journey from performing arts school to becoming an intimacy coordinator. They discuss the importance of a supportive environment on set and the significance of mental health and consent in performance.  Aryn also reflects on their experiences working on the Emmy-winning series Shogun, highlighting the need for emotional safety and the unique experience of exploring the work through the leans of a culture new to them.  In this conversation, we discuss their journey as an intimacy coordinator and actor and Aryn shares insights on the tools and techniques used in intimacy coordination, the balance between acting and coordinating, and their experience becoming a published author. Throughout this chat, Aryn also reflects on the lessons learned from auditions and the significance of collaboration and curiosity in storytelling. Chapters 00:00 Artistic Beginnings and Early Influences 02:53 Navigating Education and Personal Growth 05:55 The Gap Year: Travel and Self-Discovery 08:52 Lessons from Academia: Finding One's Voice 11:51 Transitioning to Intimacy Coordination 14:48 Understanding the Role of an Intimacy Coordinator 22:19 The Role of Intimacy Coordination 27:02 Importance of Intimacy Coordination on Set 31:55 Mental Health in Performance 39:18 Insights from Shogun Production 45:22 Diving into Language and Culture 50:40 What's in the Intimacy Coordinator's Kit? 57:29 Mental Health Toolkit for Performers 01:00:26 Balancing Acting and Intimacy Coordination 01:05:46 The Importance of Curiosity in Collaboration 01:06:50 Understanding the Psychological Impact of Performance 01:08:02 Regulatory Tools for Actors on Set 01:09:30 Aryn's Social Media and Sharing Knowledge 01:13:24 Introducing Aryn's Book - 'Performing with Resilience'  01:19:47 This One Time: A Transformative Audition Experience

Episode 12: Akashi And Beyond ( With Mayumi Yoshida)

This is such a fabulous episode!  Mayumi Yoshida shares her journey from a multicultural upbringing to becoming a filmmaker. She discusses the challenges she faced in the acting industry, particularly regarding representation, and how these experiences motivated her to create her own opportunities in theatre and film. Mayumi reflects on the impact of her grandmother's stories on her creative work, particularly in her film 'Akashi', which explores themes of love, commitment, and cultural identity. She emphasizes the importance of personal narratives in filmmaking and the support of her community in navigating the industry as an independent filmmaker.  You can catch screenings of 'Akashi' at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival on Sunday November 9th at TIFF Lightbox and also coming up in Vancouver at Vancouver Asian Film Festival on November 15th at 9pm at Scotia Bank Theatre as the festival's closing film! Mayumi Yoshida is a Japanese-born, Vancouver-based actor, writer, and director whose work bridges cultures and generations. Raised across Japan, Belgium, and the U.S., her international upbringing informs her storytelling—intimate, emotionally layered, and often exploring identity, intergenerational trauma, and the quiet ache of belonging. A TIFF Writer’s Studio alum and participant in WBD Access x Canadian Academy, and Beyond Japan Filmmakers Program (mentored by Hirokazu Koreeda). Yoshida crafts character-driven narratives with understated emotional power. Her directorial debut short, AKASHI, which she also wrote and starred in, won Outstanding Writer out of 4500 films at the NBCUniversal Short Film Festival and Best Female Director at the Vancouver Short Film Festival. Her SXSW Jury Award-winning music video Different Than Before was also nominated for a JUNO. She recently served as Associate Producer on the A24/Apple TV+ series SUNNY. Her debut feature, AKASHI just had it's award winning premiere at VIFF! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:47 Journey into Filmmaking 09:19 Theater to Film Transition 12:11 Creating Akashi: The Play 17:52 Inspiration Behind Akashi: A Personal Story 23:01 Exploring Themes of Love and Commitment 28:06 The Influence of Family Stories 30:27 Navigating Personal Loss and Creative Expression 34:20 The Journey of a First-Time Filmmaker 36:16 Funding and Community Support in Filmmaking 37:59 Unexpected Success and Recognition 40:48 Embracing Identity and Ownership in Filmmaking 44:15 The Transition from Short Film to Feature 45:39 Building Experience Through Diverse Projects 49:42 The Importance of Story in Creative Choices 53:57 Visual Storytelling Beyond Dialogue 55:17 Symbolism and Juxtaposition in Film 57:36 Exploring Minimal Dialogue in Cinema 59:02 Shooting in Japan: Challenges and Creativity 01:01:12 Collaborative Filmmaking: The Importance of Team 01:03:20 Balancing Budget and Creative Control 01:07:00 The Casting Process: Building Connections 01:09:50 THIS ONE TIME: Community Impact in Filmmaking