DreamPath Podcast

Naomi Grossman is an Emmy-nominated actress, writer, and producer. Best known for her roles as Pepper and Samantha Crowe on American Horror Story, Naomi has appeared in multiple feature films (Murder RX, Sky Sharks, and 1BR most recently) and also wrote and performed the one-woman show: “Carnival Knowledge: Love, Lust, and Other Human Oddities.”

What you will learn:

• How she is leaning into the solitude and isolation caused by the pandemic to spend more time writing and creating her new one woman show; why she moved from Chicago to Los Angeles and the challenges she faced trying to break into the industry fresh out of Northwestern University. [0:00-14:13]
• What it was like performing in The Groundlings Sunday Company, working with talents like Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Michaela Watkins; why her experience at The Groundlings was not all positive and how she used that experience to blaze her own trail as an actor and performer; what it was like attending the Sundance Film Festival just before the pandemic began. [14:13-26:45]
• Why she has gravitated toward one-woman shows as a creative outlet and has looked to Lily Tomlin as one of her inspirations in this milieu; what improv has taught her in life and in the arts. [26:45-39:41]
• What advice and assurance she has received from friends outside the industry, and the importance of confidence in her work during such uncertain times. [39:41-44:41]
• How Pepper’s character evolved on American Horror Story and what it was like saying goodbye to that character at the end of Season 4; what it was like traveling to Comic-Cons throughout the country as that beloved, fan-favorite character. [44:41-58:38]
• Why Naomi still treasures the art made by her fans depicting her in her role as Pepper, and the connection film and television can provide to audiences; how she struggled for years to find her niche in the industry. [58:38-1:07:53]
• Advice she has for those pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, and why she suggests not having a plan B; why it is crucial to surround yourself with like-minded people and to love the work of acting, even when you are still struggling to find success. [1:07:53-1:20:44]

Resources:

• Naomi Grossman’s: IMDb, Twitter, Instagram, Patreon, and Facebook

Bryan and Jason discuss highlights from 2020, share clips from select interviews, and preview episodes launching in January 2021. Featured guests include director AJ Eaton, musician Mai Leisz, actors and musician Chris Kinkade, director Nick Cassavetes, voice actor Rob Paulsen, artist Stephanie Mercedes, director Jeff Orlowski, musician Kylie Rothfield, rock photographer Neal Preston, and singer/songwriter Don McLean.

Bryan checks in with a short message of gratitude and hope and previews the upcoming, end-of-the-year duocast with Jason, where they recap the top episodes of 2020.

Don McLean is the singer/songwriter behind the iconic songs American Pie (named by the Recording Industry of America as a top 5 song of the century) and Vincent (Starry, Starry Night). Don is also a member of the Songwriter Hall of Fame member, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award winner. In October of 2020, Don released a new album, Still Playing Favorites, and in February 2021 will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

What you will learn:

• Nearing the 50th anniversary of American Pie, Don reflects on the most exciting decade of his life (1960 to 1970), playing small gigs all over the country, creating his first album and the hard work and passion it required. From working children’s birthday parties to nightclubs, all while attending college, Don shares his thoughts on the dedication it takes to succeed. [0:00-10:27]
• Don describes the dangers of becoming highly successful and what he did to stay away from the temptations of drugs and alcohol. He talks about how growing up around affluence, but not being affluent, shaped him as an artist and the choices he made creatively. He also discusses the impact that losing his dad at age 15 had on his outlook on life. [10:27-22:12]
• With candor Don lays out the grind and relentless rejection he had to endure early on in his career, and explains why he has no regrets. [22:12-28:51]
• Don breaks down his songwriting process, how he records and produces the songs, and compares how political environments influenced songs in the 60s and 70s vs today. [28:51-39:51]
• Don discusses the evolution of entertainment, why he embraces but is also wary of recent technological advances, and why he is concerned about our culture losing artistic innovation due to these advances. [39:51-48:34]
• Don’s 2021/2022 touring schedule and what projects he’s currently working on, including a Broadway musical and a documentary about his life. [48:34-1:00:00]

Resources:Don McLean’sWebsite, Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube

Bryan and Jason talk about interviews with screenwriter and director Sean Durkin(who directed The Nest starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon), as well as actor James Healy, Jr., review the documentary Zappa, directed by Alex Winter, and discuss Bob Dylan's sale of his entire song catalog for $300 million. They also preview the upcoming episode with songwriting legend Don McLean, as well as our end-of-the-year recap which launches on December 30.

Sean Durkin is a screenwriter, director, and producer. His film The Nest, starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon, premiered at Sundance and Vanity Fair called it one of the best films of 2020. Sean won the Directing Award at Sundance for his first feature film, Martha Marcy May Marlene, starring Hugh Dancy, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sarah Paulson. Sean also produced The Rental, written and directed by Dave Franco, and starring Dan Stevens and Alison Brie.

What you will learn:

• Why Sean chose to set The Nest in the 1980s, just before the financial crash, and how the film encapsulates the ethos of that era. [0:00-9:45]
• How Sean was able to accomplish an intimate approach to storytelling in The Nest. [9:45-14:59]
• How Sean was able to create tension and realistic drama not just through dialogue and action, but with space and stillness on screen, with his film Martha Marcy May Marlene. [14:59-21:40]
• What Sean looks for in actors on his projects, leading him to work with exceptional talent like Dan Stevens, Jude Law, Alison Brie, Sarah Paulson, and Carrie Coon, and how he was able to cast such amazing actors so early in his career. [21:40-32:20]
• How film festivals have been crucial in Sean’s career, but also why festivals are not imperative for all films to be successful; how the screenwriting and director’s labs at Sundance were formative experiences for him as a filmmaker and as a human being. [32:20-37:13]
• Why Sean believes that everything he learned in school and on the job was equally important to his development as a filmmaker, and how his childhood was influential in his choice to become a filmmaker; Finally, Sean gives advice to people aspiring to work in the film industry. [37:13-49:24]

Resources:

• Sean Durkin’s: IMDb, Wikipedia, LinkedIn

James Healy Jr. has worked as a police chief, detective, and SWAT team member, but is also a familiar face in the film industry with a 45 year-long acting career. James has appeared in many beloved television shows of the late 90s and 00s, such as Walker, Texas Ranger, Will & Grace, 24, Even Stevens, and Law and Order: SVU. His film credits includeIda Red and Reagan, starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa Leo, Penelope Ann Miller, Frank Grillo, and Dennis Quaid, among others.

What you will learn:

• James chats about his two recent films Ida Red and Reagan, provides insight into what filming is like during the pandemic, and reflects his recent wave of success which began later in this career. [0:00-11:39]
• Why, despite his close friendships with actors like Lou Diamond Phillips, James chooses not to utilize these friendships and connections to get acting roles. Also, James gives advice to aspiring actors regarding acting “workshops” and how they can help actors make connections to casting agents in the industry. [11:39-17:53]
• How he was able to transition between law enforcement and acting, and how his experience in law enforcement informed some of his roles. [17:53-26:40]
• James’ current ambitions as an actor, why he still gets excited to work consistently, regardless of the role, and the importance of knowing what a casting director is looking for and playing to your strengths. [26:40-35:58]
• What it was like working with actor and screenwriter Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Night At The Museum), in Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, and what went on behind the scenes. Also, how indie film auditions and work differ from studio film auditions and work. [35:58-43:38]; and
• Why the Screen Actors Guild has disappointed James lately, and how well-known actors like William Forsythe, auditioning for smaller roles, make for stiff competition. [43:38-53:37]

Resources:

1. 1. James Healy Jr.’s: Twitter, Instagram, IMDb, YouTube

Bryan and Jason reflect on Bryan's interview with The DJ Sessions founder and producer Darran Bruce from last week, and share their thoughts on why it's easy to reveal the stories of others through conversation, yet so difficult to discover and share our own stories.

Darran Bruce is a producer, live streamer, and podcaster behind The DJ Sessions, a live-stream/podcast series featuring the hottest electronic music DJs with live mixes and interviews streamed live to a global audience. As a Featured Partner on Twitch, The DJ Sessions is Twitch’s only regularly-scheduled, featured, live streaming DJ show. The series has a combined live streaming/podcast audience of over 90,000 viewers per week.

What you will learn:

• Darran’s role in the DJ world, how he developed his innovative style as a video podcast producer, and what the DJ music scene is really like. [0:00-9:28]
• The parallels between live Broadway musicals and DJ performances, and the story behind Darran’s original idea to incorporate video into podcasts. [9:28-20:44]
• The benefits and challenges of streaming on Twitch, how to navigate complicated copyright issues and “fair use”, and the hurdles involved in obtaining music licensing. [20:44-30:06]
• Why the “fair use” doctrine should rarely if ever be invoked by performers, how fair use becomes more difficult to claim as your popularity grows, and how DJs are able to create original content. [30:06-42:17]
• What DJ work will look like in a post-COVID world, and an in-depth breakdown of what a DJ is. [42:17-50:06]
• The power of and necessity for human connections and shared musical experiences in a community, what future projects Darran is working on, and what Broadway Musical Darran and Bryan share a love for. [50:06-1:02:42]

Resources:

• Darran’s: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch
• The DJ Sessions Website
• i AM, i Alternative Media

Bryan and Jason discuss takeaways from last week's interview with singer, songwriter, and guitaristKylie Rothfield, weigh in on the election results, talk about their "comfort content," and preview next week's interview with "DJ Sessions" producer Darran Bruce.