Steven C. Smith

5 Joke Mechanisms are between setups and punchlines. https://lnkd.in/gRKz-8Dn

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Terrific opportunity! I’ve put the direct application link in the first comment below. #entertainment #tv #television #directing #firsttimedirecting #disneytv #mentoring #professionaldevelopment #networking #scriptedseries #unscriptedseries #opportunity

🎙️ A behind-the-scenes look at narrating First Contact by Albert Zhang! Here’s how I bring characters to life, from voices to personalities to make the story engaging and immersive for listeners! #audiobook #narrater #narration #voiceactor

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Another round of excitement and rebirths to emerge from #Hollywood as #Paramount, the original producer of #thegodfather seeks to re-create itself as a creative-tech hybrid. I am curious to see what the meat on those bones, given the tendency for large companies to use technology at its edges rather than making it a core operational focus. The fact they have now referenced #directoconsumer, #AI, and even #layoffs suggests that they are looking at the right things and understand the difficult challenges for legacy companies to compete in the new era. The fact that David Ellison's father is CEO of Oracle and is part of the deal makes these claims a little more credible. Expect to see more of these #spins as those left reeling from the #streamingwars find their next footing. #innovation

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Post Two in my series explaining who's who on a film shoot, and ever wonder who oversees the entire production process? Meet the Executive Producer. The Executive Producer, or EP, is more senior than a Producer and is the person behind the scenes ensuring a film gets made on time, on budget, and at the highest quality. Here’s what they do: 1️⃣ Secure Funding The EP’s first mission is often to find the money. Whether it’s from studios, investors, or brands, they make sure the project has the financial backing it needs to get off the ground. 2️⃣ Assemble the Team The EP hires the director, key crew members, and often the main cast. They bring together the right mix of talent to make the film or video shine. 3️⃣ Manage the Budget Once the money is secured, the EP keeps a close eye on the budget. They ensure that every penny is spent wisely and that there are no nasty financial surprises during the production. 4️⃣ Creative Oversight While they might not be involved in the day-to-day creative decisions, EPs have the final say on major creative aspects. They're there to ensure the film stays true to its vision and appeals to its target audience. 5️⃣ Problem Solver in Chief Every production hits a snag or two. The EP is the go-to person for solving problems, smoothing over conflicts, and keeping everything on track. 6️⃣ Marketing and Distribution After the film is made, the EP often plays a role in its marketing and distribution. They work to get the film seen by as many people as possible. Of course, roles and responsibilities can vary due to the type of project. In short though, the Executive Producer is the glue that holds the entire production together. They make tough decisions, manage finances, and ensure the project stays on course. I’m clearly biased (because I am one!), but having a strong EP is key to any successful production. Looking to hire an elite production crew to shoot a video for your business? Drop me a message! #VideoProduction #FilmMaking #ExecutiveProducer #ProductionCrew #BehindTheScenes #208Films

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This is what happens here. 1 – We publish four quarterly magazines, Front Row (focused on Film/Theater/Television and Fashion) – Leap Magazine (focused on everything Dance) – Someday Magazine (a creative collective to help promote artists of all genres) and 101 Christopher St. (focused on the successes and challenges of the LGBTQ+ community). 2 – We offer services – editing and story development for screenplays and manuscripts. Look to the Services tab for details. 3 – We publish and carry all of Christopher Clawson’s books. We do not publish any other authors books. If you’re looking to find some help with a project, that you find interesting and that needs to be seen or read. You’ve come to the right place.

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Now available in audio (as it should be)! THE NARRATOR'S HANDBOOK. For people new in the industry, or established narrators looking to grow their career. This collection of my Substack articles addresses things like performance, what happens in casting, reach outs, business, etiquette, and road blocks. There's a section for writers too, or narrators who are branching out into production. #audiobooks #business #narration #VO #HowTo #career https://lnkd.in/gjshuNMk

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Daniel Bessner’s article in Harper’s Magazine, “The Life and Death of Hollywood,” delves into the profound transformations and challenges facing Hollywood, spotlighting the struggles of film and television writers amidst an evolving industry landscape. The piece highlights how deregulation and corporate consolidation have dramatically altered the business, prioritizing efficiency and profit over creative stability. This shift has left many writers facing precarious working conditions, with diminishing job security and compensation, even as top talent continues to secure lucrative deals. The writers’ guild strikes, while achieving some gains, have not fully countered the deeper systemic issues rooted in the dominance of massive conglomerates and financial firms over the creative aspects of filmmaking. Bessner underscores a significant downturn in the industry’s financial health and a steep decline in employment, suggesting that without substantial intervention, the future of Hollywood and its creative professions could be at risk. The narrative captures a critical moment of crisis and transformation, offering a stark outlook on the sustainability of traditional filmmaking in the face of corporate and financial pressures. But there’s hope… “It seems like buyers are much less adventurous,” one writer said. “Buyers are looking for Friends.” There’s no reason to believe that this type of caution will pay off. The supposed sure shot of IP is currently misfiring: in 2023, Disney’s The Marvels fell more than $64 million short of breaking even, and its Indiana Jones sequel drastically underperformed. The Flash, for Warner Bros. Discovery, lost millions, and the company’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods flopped. (In the case of Barbie—the loudest exception—the writers, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, were given extraordinary free rein.) As Zack Stentz put it, “Hollywood is based on giving audiences what they might not know. Any attempt to drive risk out of that process is sooner or later doomed to failure.” His words played off an old adage by the screenwriter William Goldman. “Nobody knows anything,” he wrote. “Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for certain what’s going to work.” But investments in the alchemy of the creative process do not perform well in quarterly reports.” https://lnkd.in/gW3UnW6W

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After much study, certification and practice... This is one of the most effective techniques I use in interactive drum therapy sessions.

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🌟 Celebrating Hollywood's Commitment to Safety and Justice As the CEO of DripsyDrown Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, California, William Drown is not only a prominent figure in the film and entertainment industries but also a passionate advocate for social causes. Today, we shine a spotlight on his unwavering support for Meagan's Law and Hollywood's commitment to ensuring safety and protection for all. 🔍 About William Drown: - William Drown spent his formative years in Memphis, Tennessee, and Jonesboro, Arkansas. - He served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan,demonstrating courage and resilience. - Now, he channels his energy into the world of film and entertainment, providing access for clients and teams within his company and facilitating placements in other outside projects 🌐 DripsyDrown Films and Meagan's Law: - Meagan's Law is named after Meagan Kanka, a young girl who tragically lost her life due to a sexual predator. The law aims to protect communities by requiring sex offenders to register their information publicly. - DripsyDrown Films, under William Drown's leadership, actively supports the enforcement of Meagan's Law within the Hollywood community. - By raising awareness, advocating for stronger legislation, and fostering a culture of safety, DripsyDrown Films contributes to a safer environment for everyone. 🎬 Taking Action: - DripsyDrown Films collaborates with industry professionals, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to promote awareness and education. - Through powerful storytelling and impactful films, they shed light on the importance of safety measures and the need to prevent sexual offenses. 🙌 Join the Movement: - Let's stand together in support of Hollywood's commitment to safety and justice. - Share this post to spread awareness and encourage positive change. - Remember, safety is everyone's responsibility, both on and off the screen. 📸 Photo:*William Drown, CEO of DripsyDrown Entertainment #SafetyFirst #MeagansLaw #HollywoodSupportsSafety --- Connect with William Drown on [LinkedIn](https://lnkd.in/dxveYb-r Learn more about DripsyDrown Entertainment on [IMDb](https://lnkd.in/dKb2cnH9 --- *Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult legal professionals for specific guidance on Meagan's Law and related matters.  ¹: [William Drown - IMDb](https://lnkd.in/deH9rTi4) Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/7/2024 (1) William Drown - IMDb. https://lnkd.in/deH9rTi4. (2) William Drown - Biography - IMDb. https://lnkd.in/dg6X-bWx. (3) @williamdrown | Linktree. https://lnkd.in/dc87py-Z. (4) DripsyDrown entertainment | Los Angeles CA - Facebook. https://lnkd.in/deARevWv.

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The final component of The Assets is the producer/engineer—the often-unsung hero who translates the artist’s vision into a fully realized sound. Producer/Engineer can range from seasoned veterans like Quincy Jones, Andrew Scheps, Bob Clearmountain, Manny Marroquin and more, to the next generation of rising talents who bring fresh perspectives to mixing, mastering, and production. Every mix, effect, and sonic decision made during production is encoded in session files that define the artistry of the producer and engineer. These files are stored as digital assets, adding extra value to DAAP distribution and monetization. 

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And now, a word about the #HattitudeOfGratitude🎩. It’s taken me two weeks to find the words. I keep coming back to the same three: Thrilled, honored, humbled. Now it’s #NationalVoiceActorDay, & I had to find the words. I am a One Voice Awards nominee. Me. Holy Cardioid Condenser mic, Batman. Reading some the of the other nominees' posts, it's clear we’re all saying these three words: Thrilled. Honored. Humbled. Even when I’m reading synonyms, I’m reading these three concepts. It’s an anonymous submission. You can’t game the system. The nominating committee are also anonymous. They listen to something like 5,000 entries and select the nominees in various categories based on what they HEAR, period. Here comes the backstory. TLDR: This is [personally] epic. Picture it, New York City, August 2019. I'm rehearsing a musical in Manhattan. A lot of things were in place for some very cool career moves… in my little mind. Then one rehearsal injury later, sans supplemental insurance, sans attorney, I’m released from my contract to come home to Minneapolis and try to navigate New York State Unemployment & Workers Comp across state lines. I was still trying to get all the pieces in place by March 2020, when we ALL got shut down in a big hurry. When we opened back up, my access to care had expired, wouldn't be continued. I’m so grateful that I can walk and talk… but the musical theatre life is done. And among other dragons I had to slay was the simple, “Now what?” question. I turned my focus back to voiceover, only to discover that pretty much everyone on earth had bought a Blue Yeti and started podcasting. Then there’s Rachael Naylor, Industry Treasure. I met Rachael at #MAVO22, & worked with her throughout 2022/23. She pulled fire and magic out of me, helped me access all manner of acting values and technique within. So in defiance of conventional wisdom (which is how I roll), rather than start my demo suite refresh with a Commercial demo, I cut a Gaming and Animation demo with Rachael and her fab team at Elements Demos. I was absolutely thrilled with the results, and apparently, it’s a pretty cool audio reel, because now you see that new banner at the top of my profile? I am a One Voice Awards 2024 nominee. I don’t know when I’ve experienced such an uplifting surge of professional peer recognition!!!!! YES I AM SHOUTING!!!!! If you’re not in the industry, just know that this is Thrilling. I am Honored that mine is among the names of heavy hitters and good friends who are also nominated. And this feeling has me 100% Humbled. I better get back to finishing episode 21 of my podcast… it’s about plot twists. To the fine folks at Gravy For The Brain, #OneVoiceUSA, and those who nominated us all, thank you. To Rachael and all at Elements Demos, thank you. Who cares who wins? I’m putting on the #HattitudeOfGratitude and heading back to Texas to celebrate with friends. #VoiceActor #SAGAFTRA #GrannyHasAPodcast

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To Catch a Killer All Secrets Must Come to Light #CrescentCity Official Trailer produced by #Clever_Caboose with #TerritoryStudios for #Grindstone #Lionsgate drops exclusively today on #Collider. (Posted 7/12/24) Have you visited our website? Check out: clever-caboose.com #movietrailers #filmdistribution #filmmarketing #entertainment #entertainmentmarketing #entertainmentindustry #entertainmentnews

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