Michael Ciminna: A Leap of Faith—From Bartending in Hawaii to Atlanta's Film Industry

Michael Ciminna: A Leap of Faith—From Bartending in Hawaii to Atlanta's Film Industry

How do you leap and follow your dreams? What does an assistant director actually do? Join Lalita Gabriela Ballesteros in this episode of Vocal Liberation, where she has an in-depth conversation with Michael Ciminna, an award-winning Assistant Director known for his work on Day Shift (2022), The Black Phone (2022), HBO's "The Outsider" (2020), and Ford v Ferrari (2019). Michael is a member of the DGA and works as an Assistant Director, as well as an independent writer and director. His latest short film, "By The Campfire" was released April of 2022, and won Best Short Film at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival. Mike shares his unconventional journey from aspiring to move to Hawaii to finding his path in the film industry in Georgia. He discusses his early struggles, transitions, and how experimenting with different roles led him to become an Assistant Director. Additionally, they delve into their love for unique films like 'Punch Drunk Love' and the art of filmmaking. Mike shares insights on the responsibilities of an Assistant Director, the importance of organization, delegation, and patience, and his aspirations as a filmmaker. Don't miss the inspiring conversation and discover how Mike navigates the dual paths of a secure career and creative passion. Enjoy! Bravely,  Lalita What we discuss: 00:00 A Life-Changing Decision 01:10 Discovering “Punch-Drunk Love”  03:11 Analyzing the Film's Impact 04:13 From Audience to Creator 08:15 Journey to Becoming an Assistant Director 15:14 Breaking into the Film Industry 17:57 Roles and Responsibilities of an AD 22:51 Creative Management vs. Filmmaking 23:24 Award-Winning Short Films 23:35 Nostalgic Inspirations 24:08 Labyrinth and Childhood Movies 26:39 Finding My Filmmaking Niche 28:51 Musical Improv and Creativity 32:57 Balancing Career and Creativity 34:38 Proof of Concept: A Filmmaker's Tool 39:08 Upcoming Short Film: Jack's Lantern 40:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Episode Resources: * Michael Ciminna | IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8494808/] * Michael Ciminna | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mike.sea/] * “Jack’s Lantern”: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarvespumpkin/] Experience a 60-minute Chaos to Clarity Call (Complimentary) Click the link BELOW to contact us and schedule a complimentary 60-minute from Chaos to Clarity Call. https://linktr.ee/iamlaliita [https://linktr.ee/iamlaliita] "You bring clarity to my chaos," - Client

From Set Crashing Dropout to Successful Hollywood Director of Photography: Justin Aguirre’s Inspiring Film Journey

How do you break into the film industry? What does a Director of Photography actually do? Today, Lalita welcomes LA native, Justin Aguirre, an accomplished Director of Photography (DP) in the film industry. Justin's work has been seen on Netflix, Apple Plus, Tribeca and more.  Justin discusses his unique story of becoming a DP. He addresses everyday DP responsibilities, common misconceptions, and the significance of communication, visual aesthetics, and collaboration in storytelling.  Topics include the challenges of breaking into the industry, renting versus owning gear, and personal anecdotes of career growth and education. Highlights also cover the impactful use of visual interpretation tools like Shot Deck, practical advice for aspiring filmmakers, and the continuous journey of professional development in the cinematic world. Enjoy!  Bravely,  Lalita Gabriella Ballesteros What We discuss:  00:33 The Generosity of Sharing Knowledge 02:18 The Role of a Director of Photography (DP) 02:57 Challenges and Rewards in Narrative Filmmaking 06:46 Building Relationships in the Film Industry 08:43 The Importance of Collaboration and Communication 27:09 Misconceptions About the DP Role 02:13 Introduction to the DP Role 02:28 Responsibilities of a Director of Photography 02:57 Challenges in Narrative Storytelling 04:42 Recent Narrative Projects 08:59 Pre-Production Process 10:52 Production Phase Insights 57:37 Post-Production Involvement 01:01:05 Essential Skills for a DP 01:05:25 Common Misconceptions About DPs 01:07:05 Owning vs. Renting Gear 01:22:49 Personal Journey into Film 01:23:39 Discovering a Passion for Filmmaking 01:24:09 High School Broadcast Journalism 01:24:45 College and Career Beginnings 01:25:47 Craigslist Hustle and Film School Dropout 01:28:38 Working at the Academy Awards 01:29:59 Coping with Loss and Career Growth 01:39:07 Aspirations and Future Goals 02:04:00 Navigating Post-Production Challenges 02:07:32 The Importance of Collaboration and Communication 02:11:35 Misconceptions About the DP Role 01:22:43 The Journey to Becoming a DP 02:45:34 Aspirations for the Future 02:46:44 Current Projects and Film Focus 02:48:19 Social Media and Contact Information 02:57:45 The Journey into Film 03:09:12 Reflections on the Industry 03:18:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Episode Resources: * Justin Aguirre | Website [https://www.justinaguirre.com/] * Justin Aguirre | IMDB [https://m.imdb.com/name/nm3753704/?ref_=fn_al_nm_0] * Justin Aguirre | Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/justins_lens] * Shot Deck: Website [https://shotdeck.com/] Experience a 60-minute Chaos to Clarity Call (Complimentary) Click here [https://tr.ee/IJ5nvDkSkI] to contact us and schedule a complimentary 60-minute from Chaos to Clarity Call. "You bring clarity to my chaos," - Client

How To Make Other People Listen To You

In this episode of Vocal Liberation, host Lalita Gabriela Ballesteros explores the common fear of not being heard or listened to. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and reaching out to those who want and are open to what you have to offer rather than trying to convince those with different value systems. She encourages listeners to focus on self-care and ensuring they are in a place to serve others before reaching out. Finally, she highlights the concept that presenting authentically is not about demanding acceptance but rather about offering service and delivering transformational experiences to the right audience. 00:00 Introduction to Vocal Liberation 00:53 Understanding the Fear of Not Being Heard 01:57 Identifying Your Audience 06:29 The Importance of Self-Care in Effective Communication 08:51 Delivering Transformational Experiences 08:59 Conclusion: The True Meaning of Service ▽ LET'S GROW YOUR IMPACT TOGETHER▽ Apply for a complimentary Vision Call using the LINK BELOW, and let's chat. It will be one of the most valuable conversations of your life. * Are you looking for superior support to grow your impact?  * Curious about what working together would be like?   * Are you ready to free your voice and live your purpose? ⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY VISION CALL ⁠⁠ [https://lalita.as.me/?appointmentType=58081750] ▽ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ▽ * Sign up for our intimate newsletter, ⁠⁠Lalita's Insiders⁠⁠ [https://long-leaf-3333.ck.page/f043942dc4] * IG @⁠⁠iamlaliita⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/iamlaliita/] * TikTok @⁠⁠iamlaliita⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlaliit]

How To Set Boundaries For Real

Learn the top misconceptions surrounding boundary setting. Verbalizing boundaries is not the first step in setting boundaries. Lalita suggests that the key to setting boundaries is correctly identifying the people, places, and things in our environment and making informed decisions about our interactions with them. The True Steps to Effective Boundary Setting Delve into the real essence of boundary setting -- the liberating act of understanding, correctly naming and reacting to the true nature of the people, places, and things in our surroundings.  The episode promises to enrich viewers with a new perspective on how to protect personal peace and well-being and how to prevent the misuse of our voice and energy. We also encourage self-assessment so you can recognize if you repeatedly find yourself in compromising situations and learn how to navigate them—a potentially unpopular opinion, yet transformative if put into practice. 00:00 Introduction to Vocal Liberation and Boundary Setting 01:04 The Misconception about Verbalizing Boundaries 02:05 The Hyena Analogy: Understanding Your Environment 04:19 Reflecting on Your Circumstances and Patterns 04:50 The Importance of Action and Awareness 05:56 Using Your Voice: Two Key Scenarios 06:19 Understanding the Role of Trust and Commitment 07:14 The Danger of Denial and the Power of Self-Listening 07:21 Summation: The Key to Setting Boundaries 08:32 Conclusion: Protecting Your Peace and Thriving ▽ LET'S GROW YOUR IMPACT TOGETHER▽ Apply for a complimentary Vision Call using the LINK BELOW, and let's chat. It will be one of the most valuable conversations of your life. * Are you looking for superior support to grow your impact?  * Curious about what working together would be like?   * Are you ready to free your voice and live your purpose? ⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY VISION CALL ⁠⁠ [https://lalita.as.me/?appointmentType=58081750] ▽ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ▽ * Sign up for our intimate newsletter, ⁠⁠Lalita's Insiders⁠⁠ [https://long-leaf-3333.ck.page/f043942dc4] * IG @⁠⁠iamlaliita⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/iamlaliita/] * TikTok @⁠⁠iamlaliita⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlaliit]

Breaking Through Limitations & Embracing Your Multi-Passionate Identity

Lalita inspires listeners to follow their passions, trust their intuition, and overcome obstacles on their journey to success and fulfillment. Creating Passion Through Commitment: Discovering Your Mission in Life In this inspiring talk, Lalita emphasizes the importance of staying committed to your passions and life goals, despite potential obstacles and financial concerns. She shares insights about the nonlinear journey to success and encourages listeners to embrace their multi-passionate selves rather than suppressing their desires to adhere to societal standards.  Lalita challenges the notion of 'immediate revenue' over pursuing meaningful projects, validating the potential of these ventures as 'million dollar decisions.' She also mentions the empowering perspective gained from overcoming hardships and encourages listeners to leap, trusting in their ability to figure out the 'how' along the way. The talk urges viewers to prioritize their hearts' desires, take actions that align with their identities, and engage with their aspirations without fear, judgment, or shame. Drawing on Anita Moorjani's book Dying to be Me, she uses the metaphor of death and rebirth to illustrate personal transformations and the insights they can yield. Ultimately, Lalita encourages embracing the journey towards self-realization, trusting in personal capabilities, and realizing personal potential. 00:00 Introduction: The Power of Commitment 01:21 The Dilemma: Passion vs Practicality 01:56 The Journey: Embracing the Unpredictability 02:49 The Struggle: Balancing Fun and Responsibility 05:05 The Revelation: Following Your Heart 05:30 The Transition: From Old to New 06:20 The Insight: The Power of Death and Rebirth 08:06 The Conclusion: Embracing Your True Self 10:12 Final Thoughts and Invitation for Discussion ▽ LET'S GROW TOGETHER▽ Apply for a complimentary Vision Call using the LINK BELOW, and let's chat. It will be one of the most valuable conversations of your life. * Are you looking for superior support to grow your impact?  * Curious about what working together would be like?   * Are you ready to free your voice and live your purpose? ⁠CLICK HERE TO BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY VISION CALL ⁠ [https://lalita.as.me/?appointmentType=58081750] ▽ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ▽ Sign up for our intimate newsletter, ⁠Lalita's Insiders⁠ [https://long-leaf-3333.ck.page/f043942dc4] IG @⁠iamlaliita⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/iamlaliita/] TikTok @⁠iamlaliita [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlaliit]