Cathy’s career as a professional actor span over 3 decades. Her strong comedic ability paired with one of the quickest wits has kept her gainfully employed in the entertainment industry. McAuley considers herself a journeyman actor as she has been able to successfully weave theater, television, film, and voiceover into her ever evolving body of work. McAuley also holds an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii. Cathy is blessed with the nicest guy on the planet she calls her husband Kenny and their only Angel of a daughter Remington.

Cathy has appeared in over 150 television commercials. She earned a Clio Award for the Phil Donahue vs Oprah Campaign, as well as starring in Chuck Blore's Emmy Award Washington Weather Commercial. She has worked with some of the biggest directors in the business (who yes, also do direct commercials). McAuley's voice has been featured on radio and television in the following spots for: FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC Television Promos, Nick Jr, E.! Honda, Chevy along with every fast-food restaurant, insurances, and phone carriers, just to name a few.

As President of the Orange County Asperger's Support Group, Judy is driving programming to help individuals and families dealing with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's improve their quality of life. In this role, Judy has uniquely developed the use of Toastmasters to help those with ASD improve communication and enhance social interaction. am a co-chair on the Thompson Policy Institute OC Transition Initiative where I am part of the business outreach group. I am currently focused on expanding employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Judy is a retired high-tech marketing executive, with a “get it done” leadership style that inspires teams, collaborates across cross-functional organizations and motivates a sales force. Develops product and marketing strategies, establish corporate positioning, programs and campaigns integrating impactful collateral to drive market share growth. Computer Science and business education from leading universities complemented by nearly thirty years with both successful start-ups and industry leading corporations.

Three years ago, Cynthia discovered her deep passion for storytelling in the form of screenwriting, and ever since, her stories have focused on empowering and celebrating the human experience and spirit. Cynthia weaves magic into her stories and characters by using her rich, familial heritage, ancestral faith, and generational resilience.

In 2021, Cynthia made her directorial debut with the award-winning film, "Dukkha," a film based on her journey to sobriety that she created as a mentee in the Women of Color Filmmakers Director's Lab. Six months later, Cynthia wrote and directed another award-winning film, "Bilongo," an Afro-Cuban folk story that pays homage to her ancestral roots. Throughout 2022, Cynthia worked on over a dozen sets. She also wrote and directed, "The Bible Thumper and The Bruja," a comedy that ignites the imagination and revels in the power and the vulnerabilities of humankind. Her latest film, "Legend of El Cucuy," was developed as part of the LALIFF Inclusion Fellowship. Cynthia was also chosen as a mentee with both Unlock Her Potential and #Startwith8 . She is in preproduction to co-direct her first feature film, a comedy, "We're Not Married," set to begin filming in October.

The industry has undergone a major shift in Hollywood and the job of Executive Producer and Showrunner is not what it once was. Fortunately, Leslie digs deep with Christian Jean to discuss the state of the industry.

Sam Okun Productions is a film and television development and financing company specializing in the discovery and production of forward thinking content with broad international and multi-generational appeal. In collaboration with other leading production companies, financiers, and film studios, Sam Okun and his team consistently strive to push boundaries with modern adaptations of classic novels by some of the most world renowned best selling authors while also working with young, up and coming authors to bring their visions to the screen. In addition to adaptations, Sam Okun Productions develops original content of all genres with a particular interest in cross-genre works. Sam Okun Productions is committed to innovation, and is heavily involved in pursuing adaptations of video-games and other forms of new media.

Why are you giving away festival rights to distribution companies? Let's discuss. In this episode, Leslie goes deep into the 5 things that are a must know before signing a distribution deal.

Author of Breaking In: Tales from the Screenwriting Trenches from Focal Press and Getting It Write: An Insider’s Guide To A Screenwriting Career published in 2014, Lee Jessup is a career coach for screenwriters, with an exclusive focus on the screenwriter’s professional development. Her clients include working film and television writers including showrunners and A-list studio writers, writers who sold feature specs, original pilots and pitches to major studios and networks, as well as contest winners, television writing program participants, feature film lab participants and fellows, and emerging screenwriters just starting on their screenwriting path.

In addition to Lee's ongoing work with working and emerging screenwriters, she is an adjunct professor for David Lynch’s Graduate School of Cinematic Arts, mentor Final Draft’s Big Break contest winners, and have been a consultant for NBC International’s sales team and a mentor for Universal’s prestigious Universal Writers Program.

Brian Beckmann serves as CFO/COO at Arclight Films, the leading worldwide sales and production company for theatrical, television, and home entertainment media. Beckman’s prolific career includes over 30 years of experience as a CFO/COO, including 13 years at Arclight. He has worked in a variety of industries from film/entertainment, media/advertising, to advanced technology. He is well versed in all aspects of film finance, distribution, tax incentives, and production operations. Beckmann has financed and produced over 25 successful and critically acclaimed films, with financing exceeding $300M. The films he has financed include FIRST REFORMED, HOTEL MUMBAI, PORTABLE DOOR, and POKER FACE.