Mission Matters Entertainment with Adam Torres

J. M. Stelly on AFM, Within Madness, and Making Feature Films Without Permission

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] interviews ⁠J. M. Stelly⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-m-stelly-61810561/], Writer, Director & Producer at Anatomica Films, about premiering Within Madness at AFM, his rapid-fire DIY production process, and how he’s shot three feature films since September. JM shares lessons on staying authentic, building community and industry fans, and why filmmakers must stop waiting for permission and start delivering finished work. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ [https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/] Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ [https://missionmatters.com/] More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ [https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Dr. Gary Mason II on AFM, Oral History, and Building Film Projects With Purpose

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] interviews Dr. Gary Mason II [https://www.instagram.com/author.gary.mason/], Author, Veteran, and Filmmaker at Media 1st Creations, about attending AFM for the first time, what he learned from industry panels and deal-making environments, and why oral history is the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Dr. Mason also discusses his book-to-screen projects, including Persecuted to Love and Unconditional Love, and his mission to create media that drives healing, truth, and connection. About Dr. Gary Mason II [https://www.instagram.com/author.gary.mason/] Gary Mason, II, was born in Washington, DC and graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School. Before entering the US Army in 2000, he received a BA in communications from Howard University. While serving in the US Army, he earned an MA in Film Production from American University and an MA in Practical Theology from Regent University. After his forced retirement, he then earned a Doctorate in Military Ministry from Regent University. Dr. Mason is also an aspiring filmmaker who co-wrote the screenplay, PVT William Cathay - Slave to Buffalo Soldier, with his wife. He is also an expert communicator in military affairs, media planning, and military ministry. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-film-market/] ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/] Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.com/] More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Michael Greene on AFM Strategy, Documentary Distribution, and AI in Screenwriting

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] interviews Michael Greene, Founding Partner at Armington-Greene Productions, about lessons from AFM—why preparation, targeting, and proper materials matter—and how his documentary work achieved distribution across 13 streamers. Michael also shares how he’s developing a feature screenplay and using AI as a practical tool to strengthen script cohesion. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-film-market/] ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/] Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.com/] More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

DeAnna Charett on AFM Pitching and Building a Veteran-Led Film Slate

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] interviews DeAnna Charett [https://www.facebook.com/DeAnnaCharettActress/], Founder & Producer at Bad Habitz Productions, LLC, about her first AFM experience, live pitching, and her veteran-first production model—staffing at least 60% of cast and crew with military veterans while developing projects including Dealer’s Choice, The Cairo, and DEFCON 4: Land of the Morning Calm. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-film-market/] ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/] Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.com/] More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

From Stuntman to Director: Nicholas deKay on AFM Pitches and Bold Storytelling

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] interviews ⁠Nicholas deKay⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nickdekay/?hl=en], Director at Athlaoch Pictures, about attending AFM for the first time, transitioning from stunt work into directing, and pitching new projects including Eat the Rich Day and a Muay Thai documentary—plus insights from his distributed film The Arc of Lilburn. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-film-market/] ! Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/] for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/] Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://missionmatters.com/] More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]