Life Beyond The Lens – Details, episodes & analysis

It was a complete honor to have writer, director, and producer Mark Harris on the podcast. Mark has an amazing catalog of 22 independent films. His films have been distributed to platforms like BET, TV One, All Black, and most recently his film, Black & Privileged was trending on Netflix. Mark has a new film out called, White People Money, starring Barton Fitzpatrick from Showtimes, The Chi, and Drew Sidora from Step Up. 

Mark is an inspiration for aspiring indie filmmakers. He's self-made and self-taught. He built his career off a $1000 feature film. He's sold over 10,000 DVDs of his earlier films on the streets of Chicago. He sold out several screenings of his films. Mark has hustled and worked his way up the filmmaking ladder and has a remarkable story. He is also one of the only filmmakers that are so open about filmmaking from a business perspective. He shares so much with the filmmaking community and he does not disappoint in this episode. Mark shares some major gems on how many low-budget filmmakers are getting films made. This isn't fluff. He shares information that you can apply IMMEDIATELY! So get ready to go to the next level!! 

Pre-Order: White People Money

Follow Mark Harris Here: 

FB: Mark on Facebook 

IG: Mark on Instagram

Albert Einstein once said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." This week’s guest, Travis Wolfe Sr., was born into poverty to parents addicted to crack. At 8 years old he was placed in foster care, where he was starved, beaten, raped, and molested. 

A runaway at 15, homeless by 16; his life looked hopeless. He was told that he would end up dead or in jail, but one day Travis took responsibility for his actions and stopped playing the victim!  

Today, Travis is an Actor, Temple University grad, Army veteran, retired police sergeant, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and leader of a successful entertainment industry family. His son, Travis Wolfe Jr., can be seen on the hit CBS sitcom, Bob Hearts Abishola. His daughter, Aniya Wolfe, is a visionary up-and-coming filmmaker. His wife Diana Ivelis Cherubin-Wolfe, is an author of a book called, Raising a Child Star, as well as an executive director of a talent agency for youth. His youngest daughter, Sky Wolfe, is an up-and-coming child actress.  Travis is the embodiment of what this podcast represents. He shares the tactics he used to literally change the trajectory of his family's life and manifest the dreams he had as a 7-year-old. Grab a pen and paper and take notes!!!  

Follow Travis: 

https://wolfempowerment.com/

IG: @Traviswolfesr

FB: @Travis T Wolfe

Twitter: @Travis Wolfe Sr. 

Linkedin: @Travis Wolfe Sr. 

Follow the Wolfe Family: 

IG: @dianawolfe

IG: @traviswolfejr

IG: @aniyawolfe

IG: @iamskywolfe

In this recap, we go back to episode #25 with Al Martin.  We discuss the one thing that stops people from pursuing their dreams. This is a big one because many people stop pursuing their dreams too quickly. WHY? Check out this recap!  Subscribe, review and share the podcast.  Listen to the full episode ---> #25 - Al Martin  

The indie filmmaking landscape has become increasingly difficult for indie filmmakers to make money with their films alone. Many indie-filmmakers still have a traditional mindset, which doesn't work anymore. Filmmakers must understand marketing, budgeting, fundraising, audience building, product creation, and much more. 

I'm excited to sit down with the Creative Activist of Art & Storytelling, and Chicago native, Edwin Walker. Edwin is an entrepreneurial filmmaker who has found creative ways to monetize his films, even during the pandemic, not only for himself but for other filmmakers and artists. Edwin is a producer of a film, Caged Birds which he helped raise $250,000 to produce. He also started a creative space, called Colour Reserve which is a collective space that does pop-up events and cultural exchange ideas for the community and artists.

Edwin's mission as a creative activist of art and storytelling is to truly build an independent creative community in Chicago and curate and facilitate experiences that showcase the evolution of black people. Enjoy this episode and take notes. Remember to subscribe and review the podcast. 

Follow Edwin: 

IG: @theedwinwalker, @iamemicheaux

IG: @edclusiveent

FB: @EdwinWalker

Sponsors: 

Ungrateful Novel: ON SALE HERE 

Watch Sincerely, Brenda: AVAILABLE HERE

In my first ever LIVE episode, I sit down with the Detroit filmmakers, actors, and producers behind the new film, In A Sentimental Mood on Facebook Live. We talk about the stories behind the making of the film, the meaning of the film and so much more. Check out this podcast and order the film below:  Watch the film: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/moodmovie Follow the Team:  Zachary Cunningham:  IG: @z.c.cunninggham FB: @mythreeinitials  Deborah Lane Spencer:  FB: @debbie.spencer.921 IG: @deborahslane Don Snipes:  FB: @don.snipes.7 IG: @don_snipes Charles Kennedy:  FB: @ckennedyjr IG: @ckennedyjr

Your  Mindset can be your greatest asset or your worst liability. In this episode, I sit down with Filmmaker and Entrepreneur, Dellguan Coleman. Dellguan is from Memphis, TN and his story is inspiring to say the least. He didn’t let getting shot and serving time in prison stop him. After being released from prison, he built multiple businesses. His film business, Movie Go, is only a year old and has been a success. Movie Go gives indie filmmakers a platform to make a profit and get their films seen. He's built a couture clothing line, as well as a lawn care company that creates profitable opportunities for the youth and ex-convicts. This is an informative and fascinating conversation. We talk about: * Marketing your Film * Growing a business * How to find your niche audience Grab your pen and paper and get ready to learn!

In this episode, I sit down with self-taught Detroit filmmaker, Anthony Cuffie. Anthony has been making waves in the film industry from being a finalist in an Ava Duvernay/Array sponsored screenwriting competition, to completing a fan tribute short film using original music about the legendary singer, Donny Hathaway. In this interview, Anthony discusses how he learned the craft of filmmaking, what he learned from film mentors, his creative process and why it's so important to understand story structure as a filmmaker. We also discuss his highly anticipated short film, DHATH, and his inspiration behind the project. This is an exciting and inspiring episode you don't want to miss!! Watch the DHATH Teaser: https://youtu.be/XUz9gsqty_w Watch the SELFISH short film: https://youtu.be/AyVDD6uwSQI Follow Anthony: FB: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.cuffie IG: https://www.instagram.com/cuffiefilms/

Eugene Wilson, Filmmaker, and owner of 5th Media, a film and video production company, was hit hard during 2020. At the beginning of 2020, Eugene was preparing for his best year yet when the pandemic hit. He lost all of his projects and was sitting at home wondering how he would survive. At the suggestion of one of his closest friends, Eugene decided to venture into stock market trading and investing. He focused all his energy on learning the stock market and now he's created another revenue stream and second business in less than a year. Check out this episode to learn how Eugene became a stock market investor and how it's making him a better filmmaker! Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast. Follow Eugene here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/5thmediallc/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/5thinvestmentsllc/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/eugene.wilson.56

In the final episode of 2020, I sit down with actress and model, Latisha Thomas. Latisha has had a great 2020 despite the pandemic. She started a TikTok account in March 2020 to promote her first series, I Vow, and has built a following of over 70k in nine months! In this episode, we talk about how she built her following so quickly; her role in my film, I Vow; and how she successfully juggles her family and rising acting career.

Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast. 

Follow Latisha Here: IG: @luvlylatisha 

FB: @LatishaThomas

TikTok: @luvly_latisha 

This episode is for my aspiring producers and directors!! David Williams (Writer/Director/Actor) and Mia Francois (Executive Producer) stopped by the show to talk about their new YouTube web series, Little David. After raising $35K, David and Mia shot this 5-episode series in 5 days in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was their first time creating a series and it's being compared to HBO's Insecure. During our conversation, Mia shared how they successfully shot their series on a tight budget and schedule! Tune in to find out how they maximized every resource at their disposal to pull this off! Remember, subscribe & rate the podcast Watch Little David Here: LITTLE DAVID SERIES Instagram - @littledavidshow Facebook - The Little David Show David Williams: @adavidwilliamsfilm Mia Francois: @siocnarf_aim