Syd & Mike's Comedy Filmmakers Motivation Monday: The Podcast, w/Carl

Stay The Course w/Tessa Greenberg

In this final episode of CCFM Season 1, we motivate each other to stay the course! Following our dreams takes perserverence, unwavering determination, and a sense of humor. From navigating unexpected obstacles to surviving ridiculous setbacks, we talk about how to stay committed to our goals and dreams while making jokes along the way. Our guest is director Tessa Greenberg!  Guest Bio: Tessa Greenberg is a comedy director, editor, and writer from Brooklyn, NY. She’s been working in the film and television industry since 2007, and has edited for HBO (How To With John Wilson), directed & written original comedy series on IFC, MTV, and Fuse, and directed commercials for Universal Studios Theme Parks, Fresca, Heinz, Flonase, and LEGO among others. Tessa honed her comedic filmmaking sensibilities while working for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and their production department, UCB Comedy & Don’t Think Productions where she was a resident director and editor. In a past life, Tessa grew up in New Jersey playing with her Dad’s video camera and watching Pee Wee's Playhouse, Beetlejuice, and anything weird that could be recorded from TV onto a VHS. Since then she's spent her time finding ways to capture the joy of eccentricity through filmmaking. Her work has screened at SXSW, NYTVF, The Women in Comedy Fest, and Tribeca Film Festival (2016) where she won the Grand Prize for her Snapchat film, "Hot Dogs Forever". She was the winner of truTV's Comedy Breakout development deal in 2018, and also won the VICE Spammy award for "Best Comedy" on her 1 minute mobile phone short, "How I Lost My Virginity".  Tessa is also a co-founder of the Brooklyn indie filmmaking collective, Video Mass (videomass.tv). Their sci-fi and horror-anthology films have screened around the country in local and national film festivals. When Tessa’s not making films and television, she enjoys writing synth pop music, community organizing for intersectional feminist and social justice causes, and taking picture of interesting garbage on the street. Prior to her life in film/tv, she studied theatre and performance at Marymount Manhattan College, and also toured in an electro-pop band.  Tessa's personal work has been described as something born out of the cult classic section of an old Blockbuster video store, and also "wrong in a way that feels fun and right". You can find her on Instagram: @tessagee, or on her Website: https://tessagreenberg.com/ Show Notes: Tessa's Universal Studios Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZezHa3yK3Y [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZezHa3yK3Y] and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2nISErNzw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2nISErNzw] Tessa's Five Below Commercial: https://tessagreenberg.com/commercials/fivebelow [https://tessagreenberg.com/commercials/fivebelow] Watch THE SHITTING (NSFW): https://vimeo.com/144126833 [https://vimeo.com/144126833] Come on down to Chubby's Chicken Cheddar House and get some of Chubby's world famous Secret Nasty Sauce! On Highway 17! Open Late! https://www.sydandmike.com [https://www.sydandmike.com/] sydandmikenyc@gmail.com https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike [https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike]

Be The Answer w/Isaac James

This week is all about being the solution to life's challenging situations! From problem-solving techniques to moments of unexpected brilliance, we explore the triumphs that arise when we take charge and become the answer. We share stories of taking the lead and leveling up to take up more space in the environments of our dreams. This motivating episode is full of jokes and inspiring stories. Our guest is photographer and director Isaac James! Guest Bio: Isaac James is a so-cal boy turned New Yorker. He works as a Creative Director, director, and commercial photographer working with brands such as: Puma, westin hotels, and Blue Man Group. Most notably he just ended his biggest project to date, working 9 years as the creative lead overseeing the image expression for health and wellness brand, Peloton. In a past life Isaac worked as a professional vocalist and actor being featured as a voice over actor for Walt Disney Pictures and in the Emmy award winning production of “Live from Lincoln Center: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”. For more information visit: theisaacjames.com [https://www.theisaacjames.com/]. You can find him on Instagram or Twitter: @Theisaacjames; Show Notes: Need someone to set up your karaoke night? Call us!! K-Town, here we come! Blackaroni & Cheese BTS stills - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8508424/mediaindex/?ref_=tt_mv_close [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8508424/mediaindex/?ref_=tt_mv_close] Isaac will be back in 6 Months — the week of Nov 13, 2023 https://www.sydandmike.com [https://www.sydandmike.com/] sydandmikenyc@gmail.com https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike [https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike]

Try It Now w/Ray Cordova

In this week's episode we discuss the first time we took chances and tried new things on a whim. We motivate each other (and you!) to take the pressure off and have some fun being a beginner. We share stories about how we consistently throw caution to the wind and follow our dreams and desires, taking the first steps of trying new things. This week's episode is packed with laughs, jokes, tips and tricks. Our guest is actor and writer Ray Cordova. Guest Bio: Ray Cordova is an Actor/Writer/Producer born and raised in New York City. He can be seen, currently, on the the Netflix series, Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show, in which, he served as an actor, writer and producer. Ray has also appeared on Comedy Central (Alternatino), Starz (Rasing Kanan), Apple TV+ (Helpsters) and much more. When not on-screen, Ray can be seen performing and teaching at theatres like the Upright Citizens Brigade, The PIT, Aslyum NYC, as well as many universities and festivals here and abroad. You can find him on Instagram: @therealraycordova; on Twitter: @complexcordova; or on Astronomy Club on Netflix: ⁠⁠https://www.netflix.com/title/81087498⁠⁠ [https://www.netflix.com/title/81087498] Show Notes: James III - founder of Astronomy Club - ⁠⁠https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzmIYw6Gmt32rBMGAUETtE0yP5NeQrR6NqZDezQsZcLopGCgPB⁠⁠ [https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzmIYw6Gmt32rBMGAUETtE0yP5NeQrR6NqZDezQsZcLopGCgPB] Astronomy Club's Comedy Central Digital Series - ⁠⁠https://www.cc.com/shows/astronomy-club⁠⁠ [https://www.cc.com/shows/astronomy-club] "Every day we are becoming." - Michelle Obama ⁠⁠https://www.sydandmike.com⁠⁠ [https://www.sydandmike.com/] sydandmikenyc@gmail.com ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike]

Take The Leap w/Aizzah Fatima

This week we explore the thrilling and often terrifying concept of taking the leap. Whether it's quitting a secure job to pursue a passion or tackling personal fears to unlock a new version of ourselves, we have lived to tell the tales! This episode has laughs and tears, unexpected twists, and triumphant moments. Our guest is actor and writer Aizzah Fatima. Guest Bio: Aizzah Fatima is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, playwright, comedian, and ex-Google engineer. She has been featured on NPR, The Guardian, Woman’s Hour (BBC), The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time Out, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post. Her feature film Americanish world premiered at CAAMFest in 2021. The film has won 26 awards at festivals including Best Lead Actress, Best Narrative, Best Director, several audience awards, and has been acquired by Sony International for worldwide distribution in 2023. Her award winning short films can be seen on Alaska Airlines and Ruku. Her TV pilot script Muslim Girls DTF: Discuss Their Faith is the winner of the 2020 Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award, 2020 Yes, And...Laughter Lab, and an ISF Film award. Muslim Girls DTF world premiered at SeriesFest 2022, and won the Best Comedy Writer award in addition to the Caz Mathews Fund award that highlights series that tackle social justice issues. She is a 2021-2022 Orchard Project Episodic Lab fellow as well as a 2022 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellow in Fiction from The New York Foundation for the Arts. Her solo play Dirty Paki Lingerie has been produced in NYC, Toronto, Italy, Turkmenistan, Pakistan (four city tour U.S. State Dept.), Edinburgh Fringe Festival, United Kingdom (15 city tour), and at universities across the U.S. The Wall Street Journal says the play “Breaks down stereotypes of Muslim women in America”. She was nominated for an Outstanding Solo Performance award (NYIT 2014), a Broadway World award for Best Play, and a Manchester Theatre Award for Best Production (2016). She is the recipient of The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art grant with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre where she was part of a team that created the first ever children’s musicals with Muslim protagonists. She wrote the book for the musical The 10 Year Test about how Eid became a holiday in NYC public schools. Her play The Scholar was commissioned and published by the Religion & Diversity Project (Canada). She is currently recurring as Medical Examiner Annemarie Mercer on Law & Order (NBC). Other TV acting credits: New Amsterdam (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS), High Maintenance (HBO), The Code (CBS), Mr. Robot (USA Network), The Good Wife (CBS). She received her MFA in Writing for Film & TV from Emerson College, and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. You can find her on Instagram or Twitter: @aizzahfatima Show Notes: Series Fest 2022 Winning Show Muslim Girls DTF (Discuss Their Faith) https://www.instagram.com/muslimgirlsdtf [https://www.instagram.com/muslimgirlsdtf] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCBBkwFRlqCw7eYQGPZ2XuQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCBBkwFRlqCw7eYQGPZ2XuQ] A spoonful of sugar will help this flash mob go down: https://youtu.be/7EYAUazLI9k [https://youtu.be/7EYAUazLI9k] Dirty Paki Lingerie - https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Paki-Lingerie-Aizzah-Fatima/dp/1312959185 [https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Paki-Lingerie-Aizzah-Fatima/dp/1312959185] #NepoBabies - they're cute, they're rich, and they definitely got where they are completely on their own! Watch it on Adobe Premiere+, the streaming service where you want us to self-edit. Get it through your Curve app, only $29.99/week probably, or maybe $17.99/month. who knows? Use promo code NEPO2023NOITSNEPOBABIES2023SORRYABOUTTHAT to get one week free! https://www.sydandmike.com [https://www.sydandmike.com/] sydandmikenyc@gmail.com https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike [https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike]

Make Time w/David Ebert

What's the difference between making time and finding time? In this episode we explore the challenges of time management and project execution. We share our own hilarious mishaps and blunders while attempting to "do it all," and provide some outlandish solutions to make the most of every minute. Tune in for motivation-filled conversation about the art of making time in the wacky world of comedy and filmmaking. Our guest is actor, writer, and director David Ebert. Guest Bio: David Ebert is an actor, writer, and director whose work spans across television, film, and advertising. He starred in Can You Keep A Secret opposite Alexandria Daddario, cowrote the Emmy nominated Netflix series It’s Bruno! And created the TruTV series Ghost Story Club. He’s been creating his own short films for years including the award winning films It’s Been Too Long and Spaghetter Getter. For the past year he’s specialized in creating content for TikTok including campaigns for Heinz and Hilton which are currently competing against each other for multiple advertising awards. He also wrote this bio himself and is assuming no one will read this far down, so he can say whatever controversial and incendiary thing he wants. Dogs are overrated. Comic book movies are made for children. Dominos is better than most NY pizza. You can find him on Instagram: @davidcebert; Tik Tok: @electronicbert; or on his Website: http://www.davidcharlesebert.com/ [http://www.davidcharlesebert.com/] Show Notes: Have a Peloton? Wanna do a group ride with Mike? Let us know! The Child Without a Godfather, coming soon! But probably not! Don't shit yourself: https://www.tiktok.com/@electronicbert/video/7210591322611207466 [https://www.tiktok.com/@electronicbert/video/7210591322611207466] Get your Peloton Clothesline now! The best way to dry your wet clothes for $2,000! Act now, and we'll throw in the Peloton Washboard attachment for only 200 payments of $10!! Also, if you're looking for a way to tighten up your funny commerical ideas, contact us at the NotGPT Creative Agency. https://www.sydandmike.com [https://www.sydandmike.com/] sydandmikenyc@gmail.com https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike [https://www.patreon.com/sydandmike]