Episode 14 - Jay Alvarez // Director. Writer.
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“Jay Alvarez is someone I spent every day with in high school. We had the same advisory class, which most of you probably know better as homeroom. Over those four years, I really grew to love this dude. On the surface, Jay and I might have seemed like we belonged to different crowds in high school - him, more of the rebellious scholarly type; me, more of the social skateboarder. But the truth is, on the inside I relate to Jay on so many levels. We both come from the same small town, both grew up playing our respective sports, and at 18, we both left that town to move to bigger cities and dive deeper into our creative practices. Jay and I have that kind of friendship where, even if we don’t see or talk to each other for months - or sometimes even years - we always pick up right where we left off. Same old bullshit, same old us. It’s been incredible to watch his filmmaking career blossom, and I can’t wait to see where his work goes from here.

In this episode of BEDROOM™, Jay and I reflect on our shared experience growing up in the small town of Sonoma. Jay talks about his love of writing and how he found his way into filmmaking. He also shares the story of winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival for his feature film “I Play With The Phrase Each Other” - an achievement that led to the legendary Russo Brothers championing him and supporting his career ever since. We discuss our ongoing collaborations through his feature films and we dive into the importance of visual design in filmmaking. Jay also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of his latest feature, “Something’s More Than One Thing”, and gives us a sneak peek into what he’s working on next.

From there, the podcast takes a wild turn as we play "F*ck, Marry, Kill," and Jay tells the story of a staged kidnapping he orchestrated as a teenager. Yes, you read that right - it's a crazy story, and if you're sensitive to that kind of thing, you might want to skip that part. We also get into a heated round of Bedroom Banter, where Jay answers a rapid-fire series of questions, including sharing his absolute hatred for a certain overrated Hollywood writer. It's a doozy of an episode, filled with plenty of laughs, and I can’t wait for a future round two!

Also, a quick heads-up: this episode was recorded earlier in the year, just before Jay was set to debut his latest feature at the Raindance Film Festival in London. Be sure to listen to the end of the episode, where Jay leaves a special audio message to recap about how the festival went, along with some other fun anecdotes.

Big shout outs to Jay for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM™, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Jay Alvarez’s Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @realjayalvarez
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@realJayAlvarez
X ( Twitter ): www.x.com/realjayalvarez
Website: www.jayalvarez.net

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
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Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 13 - Syra McCarthy // Actor. Director.
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“Syra McCarthy is someone whose name I've heard mentioned a lot over the years. Within the Bay Area film industry, she is the definitive multidisciplinary unicorn who stands out from the crowd. Not only is she a highly successful actor who has starred in television shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Hulu’s The Dropout, but she’s also appeared in nearly every major company’s commercial you can think of. On top of all that, she’s a prolific film director as well. Actor and Director? Jeez Syra, are you talented much? She’s acted and directed in short and feature films, music videos, and commercials. We didn’t really get into it on the pod, but Syra is starring in an upcoming film called “Josephine”, written, directed, and produced by Beth de Araújo. Syra will be starring alongside Gemma Chan, Channing Tatum, and Philip Ettinger.

For years, I’ve been hearing about her from friends - “Syra this” and “Syra that” - all this talk about how awesome she is and after finally spending some time with her in the Bedroom Studios, chopping it up, I now finally get the hype as to why she’s so freaking special. She’s a joy to be around and an overall cool, interesting, fascinating, and super fun person. Consider me officially part of the Syra McCarthy fan club! I’m recruiting all y’all to listen to this episode of BEDROOM™ and join in on the club too. Long live Syra!

In this episode of BEDROOM™, Syra and I discuss the induction of AI in the filmmaking process, what it’s like to be an actor in the commercial world, the magical and sparkly power of collaboration in filmmaking, directing the French Cassettes music videos for their tracks “Medium Horny” and “White Noise,” directing a short film for the painter Heather Day, stories from her career in acting and directing, dealing with sexism in the film industry, the unorthodox world of hand modeling, and we wrap up with the longest round ever of Bedroom Banter, where Syra spills all of her secrets and gives a copious amount of shout-outs to her besties.

Before I sign off here, I just wanted to shout out Soft Hold Collective, a Bay Area film directory of women & non-binary freelancers that Syra helped co-found and organize alongside her pal Baily Hopkins. If you’re looking to find community or talent for your next big film project, check out softholdcollective.com.

Big shout outs to Syra for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM™, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Syra McCarthy's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @syranara
Directing Website: www.syramccarthy.com
Acting Website: www.syraacts.com

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 12 - Nico Peña // Musician.
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“Nico Peña is a relatively new friend of mine but I can say without hesitation that I back dude 100%. Although we grew up on opposite sides of the country, we did both grew up skateboarding and it always amazes me how easy it is for people like us to connect and to do so just instantly. We have a world full of relatable references and parallel experiences to speak on. Nico’s a freaking sweetie pie of a dude, a very cool guy with really great taste and is someone that I hope to spend more time with. If you haven’t listened to his music, check out his latest album “Para Ti” by PEÑA. He’s making some really groovy bops.

In this episode of BEDROOM™, Nico and I discuss the significance of embracing and asserting your own creative and personal identity. Nico shares how local San Francisco bands like The Breathing Room and Mild Universe inspired him to form his own band, while also touching on the unfortunate trend of SF bands relocating to LA once they gain a bit of recognition. We reminisce about his early days skateboarding in New Jersey and how he partly discovered his passion for music through playing the video game Guitar Hero.

Nico also gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming Title Fight cover show he’ll be performing at The Warehouse. We discuss the current music industry trend of releasing three singles in advance of an LP and share our thoughts on its impact. Nico reveals the sounds we can expect from the next PEÑA album, and we wrap up with a fun round of Bedroom Banter, where he shares who his favorite Bay Area musicians are. Big shout outs to Nico for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM™, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Nico Peña's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @nico.penya
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/nicopenya
Bandcamp: www.nicopenya.bandcamp.com

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 11 - Jeremy Summer // Film Producer. Co-Founder of Little Moving Pictures.
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“Jeremy Summer is my freaking guy. He is someone I am extremely grateful for - period. I also know that I share this same gratefulness, this same sentiment, etc., with just so many of my peers in the in the Bay Area film industry. You see, in my own creative life, he has been a patron, a creative enabler, a conductor of talent to support my film projects, and an extremely wise professional who has helped me grow, more than he most likely knows. Our relationship began in a professional context in 2018, working on a music video that he produced / I directed, but very quickly blossomed into a friendship. He’s chill, calm, witty, and undeniably good at what he does and I’m beyond proud to have made some projects alongside his company, Little Moving Pictures, that he co-founded the extremely talented film editor, Nathan Petty. Jeremy is the f*cking shit and I’m hyped to share our conversation.

In this episode of BEDROOM™, we dive into the behind-the-scenes magic of the documentary he produced, “FOREVER BROTHERS,” which tells the inspiring story of the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates - the team that made history by fielding the first all-minority starting lineup in Major League Baseball. We chat about his move to New York City in 2001 to attend NYU, where he became a concert junkie on a student budget, and how he landed a quirky job with a karaoke company producing his first commercial. Then there’s his adventurous stint in Costa Rica before he landed in San Francisco in 2007, determined to break into advertising. At just 22, he snagged a Project Manager position at Cutwater, worked some years there and eventually bopped around to different agencies while climbing the ranks to eventually become an Executive Producer. We’ll also celebrate ten years of Little Moving Pictures and speak on the magic that is “LMP” and wrap up with some fun Bedroom Banter! Big shout outs to Jeremy for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM™, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Jeremy Summer's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @littlemovingpictures
Website: www.littlemovingpictures.com

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 10 - Tyler McPherron // Director of Photography
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"Tyler McPherron is someone I look up to. I can almost hear him laughing if he knew I felt this way, but the vibe I get when I’m around him—or even just thinking about him—is like he’s the cool upperclassman art dude I want to hang out with, and I’m the lowly freshman just desperately trying to be as cool as him. He’s clearly very talented and has hit some major career milestones, working with industry giants and becoming one of the most sought-after DPs in the Bay Area, but what really draws me to him are his humanity, grace, and overall demeanor. He’s gentle and smooth, with a genuinely authentic aura. Even though I initially feel nervous around him because I see him as that cool upperclassman, his calmness quickly disarms those feelings. I find myself fully engaged, able to explore and connect on what it’s like to be a professional in the creative industries. In short, I f*ck with Tyler.

In this episode of Bedroom, I’m thrilled to catch up with Tyler and dive into a range of topics. We’ll explore how we handle anxiety on film sets, share our thoughts on perfectionism in the creative process, and discuss his short documentary "Creating Outer Peace," which tracks Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) as he creates his album "Outer Peace." We’ll also cover Tyler’s photography work and his book "Collector’s Edition," and revisit his journey from rural Oregon to San Francisco’s film scene. From his early fascination with filmmaking in a middle school broadcasting class to his rise in the industry, we’ll talk about his experiences and collaborations with Little Moving Pictures, his work on Caleb Stumpfl’s "En Route: A Portrait of Kenny Hurtado," and his recent projects, including "K-Pop Idols" for Apple TV+, Netflix’s “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam,” and the documentary “Who is Michael Jang?” directed by Michael Jacobs. Although Tyler has achieved some remarkable things in his career, I can say without hesitation it’s only up from here. My guy is on the rise. Big shout outs to Tyler for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!" - PSG
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Tyler McPherron's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @tylerturtle
Website: www.tylermcpherron.com

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 9 - Christopher Renfro // Farmer. Community Activist.
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“Have you ever spotted a flyer outside a grocery store featuring someone who makes wine, only to unexpectedly meet that person the following week and forge a friendship? That’s exactly what happened to me with Christopher. From the moment we met, it’s been nothing but good vibes and mutual respect. Christopher is a natural leader and community advocate, making a remarkable impact on the city with his positive influence and ability to drive forward no matter the circumstances. He's also someone I painted for my 2023 art grant project "Legends of the 7x7", commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission, as one of my 49 favorite San Franciscans. He’s a farmer, a community activist, a winemaker, a shop owner, an educator, and a talented dude.

Take a moment to listen as Chris shares his journey: growing up in Germany, his experiences living across the U.S. in places like Colorado, Texas, and Kentucky, his teenage troubles, moving to San Francisco, working his way up at American Apparel, and facing a high-profile legal battle due to racism. Hear about how he reevaluated his life goals, pursued a degree in horticulture, and launched The Two Eighty Project. Chris also delves into the positive impact of sharing resources, his efforts to improve San Francisco, and his wine shop, Friend of a Friend, in North Beach. Christopher’s story is incredibly inspiring and I’m grateful for the chance to connect with him over our shared love for this vibrant city.

On a final note, I’m excited to share that just a couple of weeks ago, Christopher was recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 Tastemakers for 2024. Absolutely insane. I couldn’t think of a better dude that this honor could have been bestowed to. Excuse my language, but Christopher Renfro is a mother f*ckin’ G. Big shout outs to Christopher for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Christopher Renfro's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @280project
Instagram: @friendofafriendsf
Website: www.280project.com

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 8 - Sarah Simka Jaffe // Director of Photography.
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“Sarah Simka Jaffe. You know what she is? She’s a GOAT. She’s a truly inspiring friend of mine who posses this extraordinary blend of warmth, talent, and joy. Her perspective on the world, the way she interacts with others, alongside her boundless creativity are extremely captivating and magnetically alluring. Earlier this year, Sarah and I teamed up for our first major music video project together, with me as Director and her as Cinematographer. Not gonna lie, we crushed it. Sarah and I, alongside our dream team of a crew, made some pretty incredible visuals for our friend, the amazing musician, Mae Powell. I can't wait to share the video with y’all once it's launched and I really just can't wait to continue working with her on new projects in the future. In the meantime, listen in and join us for a conversation about many topics, including her magical short documentary, "Fireworks," which explores the life and working process of artist Jean-Paul Bordier, directing the Salami Rose Joe Louis music video for “Dimcola Reprise,” our thoughts on the future of the film industry, and our collaborative process for our upcoming music video project. Sarah shares her journey from discovering her passion for film to becoming a Director of Photography, giving us an inside look at the role and the magic that unfolds behind the scenes in filmmaking. Big shout outs to Sarah for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Sarah Simka Jafffe's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @sarahsimkajaffe
Website: www.sarahsimkajaffe.com

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com

Episode 7 - Justin Plummer III // Director. Filmmaker.
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“Justin Plummer III - now that’s a freaking name. Whenever I hear names with a touch of grandeur, like that, I can’t help but pause and take notice. And trust me, you’ll want to do the same for today’s episode of BEDROOM™. Justin is a remarkably talented film director, and if you've ever been curious about the creative minds behind television commercials, this is your chance to get an insider’s view on how the magic happens. Sit back and listen as Justin takes us through his fascinating journey: from his formative years working in an Oakland video store to studying film at SF State, and discovering his future directing partner, Martin Strauss. Hear how cold-emailing his favorite commercial directors led to invaluable advice and connections, and how directing spec commercials earned him and Martin some well-deserved recognition. Learn about their pivotal moment signing with the Russo Brothers' production company, and the first Plummer/Strauss international commercial shoot. Justin will also share what it’s like to work as a full-time commercial director and offer a glimpse into the exciting future of his filmmaking career. Big shout outs to Justin for coming onto the pod. Welcome to the BEDROOM, y’all! WORLD WIDE PEACE!” - PSG
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Justin Plummer III's Socials & Websites:
Instagram: @jpthe3
Website: www.plummerstrauss.com

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Support the show

If you want to join Patrick Sean Gibson's Monthly Sticker Club, or support the Bedroom Podcast, check out his Patreon: patreon.com/patrickseangibson
--
Follow Patrick on Instagram: @patrickseangibson
Peep Patrick's Website: patrickseangibson.com