In this Dances With Films press-junket edition of Below the Line, host Judy Nguyen talks with Matt Schuffler (writer/director of The Traveler) and producers Matt Ruccio and Megan-Michelle German. Set in the Victorian era, The Traveler follows a grieving widow who believes she’s being visited by her late husband, until the presence turns hostile and a twist reframes everything. The team digs into making an ambitious period ghost story on a shoestring: seven years of persistence, nights-and-weekends production, a Kickstarter with 200+ backers, post/VFX miracles, and an editor (Dan Roman) who helped shape the film’s tension and reveal. They also trace the film’s DNA, from childhood hauntings to influences like The Others, and share how this short stands as a true proof-of-concept for a feature or anthology. It’s a conversation about buy-in, creative grit, grief, and the pure thrill of hearing an audience whisper, “Ooh… this is scary.”

At Dances With Films LA, Below the Line host Judy Nguyen sits down with filmmakers Kody Leibowitz and Allison Norlian to talk about their powerful feature documentary Meandering Scars, a raw, real, and deeply human story following wheelchair athlete Erica Bogan as she attempts to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness about suicide within the disability community.What begins as an ambitious physical challenge becomes a profound exploration of mental health, disability rights, trauma, systemic ableism, and resilience. Kody and Allison discuss the origins of the film, their transition from journalism to filmmaking, working with the only U.S. researcher who studies suicide at the intersection of disability, and how society, not disability, is often the greatest barrier disabled individuals face.They also break down the behind-the-scenes journey: filming on Kilimanjaro, documenting unpredictable emotional turns, navigating COVID delays, and shaping the film’s evolving narrative. Ultimately, Meandering Scars becomes a story of advocacy, identity, community, and what it means to feel truly seen.Whether you’re a filmmaker, a mental health advocate, part of the disability community, or simply love meaningful storytelling, this conversation is one you won’t forget.

In this Dances With Films press-junket episode of Below the Line, host Judy Nguyen sits down with writer-director-producer Rio Contrada to talk about his psychological thriller Splinter, a film born from personal experience, five years of development, and a deeply emotional creative journey.

Contrada opens up about the real events that sparked the screenplay, how the “splinter analogy” used in childhood trauma therapy became the backbone of the film, and why making Splinter forced him to confront his own past while shaping a story about healing, pain, and responsibility.

Splinter follows a pill-popping, motorcycle-riding school psychologist whose attempt to help a troubled young girl forces her to face the trauma she’s been outrunning.

Judy and Rio discuss the challenges of indie filmmaking in L.A., the collaborative chaos of a low-budget set, the emotional toll of directing your own catharsis, and what Contrada hopes audiences take away from the film, particularly those dealing with trauma themselves. This conversation digs into craft, empathy, and the humanity behind creating art that matters.

In this Dances With Films Press Junket edition of Below the Line, host Judy Nguyen sits down with filmmaker Beth Curry, writer and director of Lemon. Based on the feature script that earned Curry the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting (2020), Lemon tells the haunting yet hopeful story of a six-year-old girl raised by her agoraphobic mother and what happens when she’s suddenly forced to step outside for the first time.

Curry shares the inspiration behind the story, the emotional depth of seeing the world through a child’s eyes, and the challenges of directing young actress Egypt Brooks, whose performance captures both innocence and resilience. They discuss shooting in a decaying house, the film’s warm, color-saturated cinematography, and how imagination and hope thread through themes of fear, grief, and rebirth.

It’s an intimate look at how one filmmaker turned personal reflection into cinematic storytelling and a reminder that sometimes stepping into the light takes the most courage of all.

In this Dances With Films Press Junket episode of Below the Line, host Judy Nguyen sits down with filmmaker Laurence Cohen, writer and director of Rocket Man a heartfelt short film nearly two decades in the making.

Cohen opens up about his deeply personal creative journey, from the loss that inspired the story to the emotional and technical evolution that spanned 18 years. Rocket Man began as his 2006 film-school thesis, a story about saying goodbye  both through the eyes of a child and the imagination of a storybook hero on a one-way mission to save “Planet Pun Warg.” Now, completed with the benefit of time, perspective, and skill, the film has found its home at Dances With Films.

In this intimate conversation, Cohen and Nguyen explore the intersection of grief, healing, and creativity, the magic of storytelling through music, and the perseverance it takes to finish what you start. It’s a beautiful reflection on filmmaking as both an artistic pursuit and a personal act of closure.

In this Dances With Films Press Junket episode of Below the Line, host Judy Nguyen sits down with filmmaker Olivia Stoker and producer/editor Brooks Yang to talk about their sharp, heartfelt comedy Nona’s Nude,  a short film about art, family, and what happens when grief meets discomfort.

The story follows adult siblings sorting through their late grandmother’s art collection… until they uncover one unexpected piece: a very graphic nude portrait of Nona herself, painted in her 70s. The discovery sparks arguments, revelations, and plenty of laughter as the family grapples with legacy, shame, and beauty.

Stoker shares the film’s hilarious real-life origin, inheriting a nude photograph of her great aunt and how that moment inspired a story about empowerment, body image, and the line between art and taboo. Together with Yang, she discusses producing and acting in the film, collaborating with director Courtney Ulrich.

Nona’s Nude proves that sometimes the most revealing art isn’t about nudity, it’s about honesty.

We sat down with two of Dances With Films Festival’s official selections: “Fast” by Clayton Anderson and “Chooch” by Peter Horgan, for a conversation about creative inspiration, challenges, and how their personal stories shaped their films.🎬 About the Films:“Fast” - A dark comedy thriller following a man on a strict bone-broth-only fast, spiraling into madness and self-discovery. Writer/Director Clayton Anderson shares how his own fasting journey inspired the story, how humor meets discomfort, and the film’s ultimate message about taking care of yourself.“Chooch” - A gritty Boston gangster short from writer/director/producer Peter Hogan, exploring loyalty, friendship, and morality. Hogan reveals the personal roots of the story, how real-life friendships shaped the cast, and how he brought emotional depth and humanity to a familiar genre.💬 In this interview:We dive into the creative process, character development, and lessons learned from indie filmmaking, plus a few behind-the-scenes details from set.

In this exclusive interview from the Dances With Films 2025 press junket, director Hariharasudhen Nagagajan sits down with Hannah to discuss his debut narrative feature Tether.

Tether is a deeply personal and emotionally complex film that explores trauma, grief, and healing through multiple perspectives, including those rarely shown on screen. Hari shares the inspiration behind the film, the collaborative process with writer Anghus Houvouras, and the challenges of crafting layered performances from his cast.

Shot in just 10 days, Tether is both an impressive production feat and a powerful reminder of the stories that often go untold in the aftermath of tragedy.

🎥 This episode is part of our Below the Line coverage of Dances With Films Los Angeles, a celebration of independent voices pushing the boundaries of cinema.

In this episode of Below the Line, filmed during the Dances With Films Press Junket, host Hannah sits down with Luke Steinborn and Chris Leary, the creative minds behind the mockumentary comedy Formally Known As. The duo shares the origin of their offbeat pilot, centered on a washed-up rockstar played by a purple Muppet making his comeback and how the absurdity never breaks the world they’ve built. From COVID-era puppet shows to Bojack Horseman and Spinal Tap influences, they dive into the mockumentary format, improv-heavy performances, and how they got serious actors to treat a puppet like a rock legend. With honest insight, humor, and infectious passion, this interview captures why this show is one to watch.

In this special episode of Below the Line, host Hannah sits down with director Lain Ewing and actor Brittany Young to discuss their hilarious and heartfelt short film Performance Review at the Dances with Films Festival. The story follows Maggie, a Hollywood assistant who accidentally consumes a pot brownie right before her big performance review, cue chaos, crickets, and a tree frog. Lane opens up about pulling from personal assistant-life experiences to craft this comedic tale, while Brittany shares her method for bringing Maggie’s anxiety and professionalism to life, all without traditional scene partners. The two dive into Lucille Ball-inspired facial comedy, the logistics of feeding fake crickets on set, and the joy of building a truly inclusive, body-positive, and collaborative indie film environment. They also tease future projects together, including rom-coms that explore nontraditional beauties and relationship roadblocks, like, literally, LA parking.

In this special Dances With Films edition of Below the Line, host Hannah sits down with filmmakers Siri Miller and Lauren Hoover to talk about their gripping proof-of-concept short, Slice, a haunting and poetic exploration of grief, fate, trauma, and parallel realities. Set in an eerie desert diner at the edge of the world, the short film acts as a pilot for a potential series where characters drift into a mysterious place that feels part Twilight Zone, part Bermuda Triangle.Inspired by real-life religious experiences, philosophical questions about destiny, and an uncanny coincidence involving strawberry and cherry pies, Siri and Lauren reveal the strange origin of their collaboration and how two separate scripts merged into one surreal, shared universe. From cults to apocalypse, Hitchcockian tension to bloody desserts, they discuss how symbolism, music, and grounded performances shaped the emotional core of the film.The team shares how their creative friendship, guerilla-style filmmaking roots, and passion for underrepresented stories fueled a project that lingers long after the final scene. With Slice, the duo asks: are we doomed to our past, or is there a way to break free before it breaks us?

In this episode of Below the Line, host Hannah Satterlee interviews Wendy and Carrie, co-creators of the beautifully understated short film Composure, during the Dances With Films 2025 press junket at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre.Composure follows an engagement photographer left alone with a bride when the groom doesn’t show up. What begins as a day of awkward waiting slowly evolves into a tender, unexpected connection. Filmed guerrilla-style over just two days in New York City, the duo dive into their micro-budget approach, from dodging boom mics to being kicked out of grocery stores and bribing strangers for silence.They talk about channeling their creative malaise into storytelling, how shooting scrappy helped shape their distinct cinematic voice, and how their real-life friendship brought honesty to the screen.

n this episode of Below the Line, host Hannah Satterlee sits down with writer-director Carianne King during the Dances With Films press junket to talk about her hilarious and heartfelt pilot Broadway Books, a comedy set in a struggling independent bookstore in New York City.Carianne shares the inspiration behind the show, rooted in her own experiences working at a bookstore after moving to NYC to become a writer. Together, they dive into how the pilot tackles gentrification, Amazon, literary snobbery, and the absurd hustle of staying open in a digital age, all through sharp wit and a love of indie culture. She also reveals how shooting overnight for four straight days brought the team together and how the show aims to make book lovers feel truly seen.Filmed inside an actual bookstore where Carianne once worked, Broadway Books is full of specificity, character-driven chaos, and laugh-out-loud moments with a cast of talented NYC comedians. It’s a love letter to independent bookstores, literary underdogs, and anyone who's ever faked reading Ulysses.Whether you're a bookworm, writer, or comedy fan, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Below the Line, host Ryan Burke sits down with director Justin Monroe, the creative force behind the award-winning documentary Holy Frit. What begins as a chat about the biggest stained glass window in the world evolves into a deep-dive on documentary filmmaking — the chaos, the choices, and the unshakable belief that the story is worth telling.Monroe shares how a neighborly encounter turned into a 7-year filmmaking journey full of false starts, complex characters, creative instincts, and ingenious indie financing. From balancing real-time story development with long-haul editing, to managing goodwill, equity, and human capital, this conversation is a masterclass in how a filmmaker survives and thrives in the independent documentary world.Whether you're a filmmaker, film lover, or just curious how one man turned a "nobody-will-watch-this" subject into a critically acclaimed documentary — this episode is for you.✨ Holy Frit premiered at Slamdance 2021, won 10 festival awards during it's festival run, had a limited theatrical release and qualified for Oscar consideration — and now you’ll hear the story behind the camera.👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment with your favorite documentary or moment from this episode.

On this episode of Below the Line, host Taylor Mackenzie sits down with multi-hyphenate filmmaker Tom Malloy! With over two decades in the industry, Malloy has worn many hats—actor, writer, producer, director—and has raised millions for independent films while producing over 20 movies. Tom’s journey is a masterclass in indie filmmaking, film finance, and creative persistence.

In this episode, we dive into:🔥 How Tom built his career in acting, writing, and producing💰 His expertise in independent film financing🎥 The challenges and triumphs of bringing films to life📖 His book Bankroll, which became the gold standard in film finance.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a cinephile, or just love behind-the-scenes stories, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and industry secrets. Don’t miss it! 🎬✨

In this episode of "Below the Line" we’re joined film director John Lechago, the current Vice President of Creative Development at Platinum Studios Inc., as he delves into the world of filmmaking. Lechago, known for directing several films for Full Moon Features, including Killjoy 3 and Killjoy Goes to Hell. He brings a unique perspective shaped by his extensive experience as a filmmaker and visual effects artist. In this Episode, we explore Lechago's career in the film industry, from his early beginnings to his notable successes and learning moments. He shares invaluable advice for aspiring filmmakers and offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of his journey.

Whether you're a horror enthusiast, a cinema lover, or someone dreaming of directing your own films, this episode of "Below the Line” is a must-listen. Gain insights, inspiration, and practical tips from a seasoned filmmaker who has navigated the highs and lows of the industry.

Documentarian Justin Monroe joins us again, his film, Holy Frit, follows the creation of the largest stainless window in the world. Currently it’s rated 100% on rotten tomatoes and opens today for streaming on VOD platforms. Joining him is the subject of his movie fused glass artist Tim Carey. They sit down with host Tess Sullivan and have a conversation about inspiration, creativity, and the making Holy Frit.

There are so many amazingly talented filmmakers that have worked on some of your favorite movies, and you don't know who they are. Cinematographer and Director David R Hardberger has had an amazing career working on major films. Join today’s host Ryan Burke as the two of them talk about his work in the industry on Star Trek the Motion Picture, Star Trek Wrath of Khan, Return of the Jedi, Willow, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, Lord of the Rings and so many others. Ryan Burke - Host https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3827685/?... David R. Hardberger - Subject https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362046/?... Instagram @davidhardberger Sean Williams - Director/ Editor Produced by Annie Valenti Wait For Me Media www.waitformemedia.com Instagram @waitformemedia TikTok @wait.for.me.media

Self-taught special effects makeup artist and director, Todd Tucker has been on a lot of incredible and iconic sets. Join today’s host Tess Rianne Sullivan learns how he got his start and the rest of his career as they talk about practical effects, horror, directing, and how movies have changed since the eighties.

Below the Line took LA Comic Con by storm on December 4th, 2022. Join director John Lechago, SFX makeup artist Lee Joyner, makeup artist and director Todd Tucker, Emmy award-winning animation director, comic book and storyboard artist Chuck Patton, and moderator Ryan Burke as they chat about their experiences being a concept to life.

*Note: The audio of this panel was recorded LIVE at the Los Angeles Convention Center during LA Comic Con. Please excuse our background noise.