PODCAST · tv
Uptown Films
by Green Canvas Productions
A podcast created to improve the Uptown NYC cinema landscape, appreciate the craft of filmmaking, and spotlight the array of career paths within the industry.Uptown Films builds strong connections between filmmakers who reside in The Bronx, Washington Heights & Harlem through conversations that cover the journey of the filmmaker. This is a podcast for those who are looking to break into the film industry, increase their networks, receive advice to jumpstart their careers, and listen to anecdotes from new to seasoned filmmakers.
Episodes
-
Episode Clip | Tips for Actors from a Professional Casting Director
In this episode clip, Erica A. Hart shares some crucial tips for actors on sending self-tape auditions.
-
Episode Clip | Favorite part about Casting
In this episode clip, Erica A. Hart, shares the favorite parts of her job in Casting for Film/TV/Stage.
-
Episode Clip | Working in Independent Casting
In this episode clip, Erica A. Hart discusses her transition into Indie Casting.
-
Episode Clip | Getting a job at ABC Primetime Casting
In this episode clip, Erica A. Hart tells the story of how she got her start in Casting at ABC Primetime Casting
-
Episode Clip | Day in the life of a Casting Director
In this episode clip, Erica A. Hart explains what her day-to-day and project-to-project workflow is like,
-
Episode Clip | What does a Casting Director do?
In this clip, Erica A. Hart discusses what Casting Directors do and what's misunderstood about their role and impact within the casting decisions.
-
Episode 58 | Erica A. Hart | Artios Award–winning Casting Director
In this episode Gregory sat down with Erica A. Hart. This episode was recorded in January of 2026. ERICA A. HART, CSA Erica A. Hart is an Artios Award–winning casting director whose work spans film, television, and Broadway. A Washington, DC native and NYU Tisch Film/TV alum, Erica began her…
more -
Episode 57 | Bryan Ribeiro | Mount Vernon Independent Film Festival
This episode was recorded in November 2025. In this episode Gregory sat down with Bryan Ribeiro, the co-founder of the Mount Vernon Independent Film Festival (est 2025) Bryan is a video editor, motion graphics animator, camera operator, and filmmaker. He was born in Queens. He grew up in Brazil…
more -
Episode 56 | Megan Dhawan
In this episode Gregory is joined by Megan Dhawan, a journalist, filmmaker, photographer, cinephile, programmer, poet and future podcast host! You can find her letterboxd here: https://letterboxd.com/megxxn/films/ Please note this episode was recorded July 2025.
-
Episode 55 | For Venida, For Kalief | Sisa Bueno
In this episode we sit down with Sisa Bueno, Deion & Kamal Browder, two brothers of Kalief Browder to discuss the documentary, FOR VENIDA, FOR KALIEF This documentary debuts the poetry of Venida Brodnax Browder, mother of Kalief Browder- an African-American teenager who inspired incarceration...
-
Uptown Films Podcast | Episode 54 | Screencraft Works
Uptown Films Podcast goes international! Guests in this episode include: Elizabeth McIntyre | Co-Founder and Director With a career across conference, exhibition, commissioning and production, Elizabeth’s work includes curation for OKRE, a Wellcome Trust-supported story ideas platform (with a…
more -
Episode 53 | Kazembe Balagun | Maysles Documentary Center
KAZEMBE BALAGUN (he/him), Executive Director For the past twenty years, Kazembe Balagun has been a dynamic force on the NYC’s left intelligentsia scene, bringing together diverse audiences in real time to debate, learn and form solidarity. Kazembe was born in Harlem in 1976, the son of Benjamin…
more -
Best Movie Theater Popcorn in NYC | Bonus Clip | Episode 53
Executive Director Kazembe Balagun of Maysles Documentary Center makes a bold claim as his micro cinema center has the best popcorn of any theater in New York City! Visit Maysles in Harlem today!
-
Episode 52 | Solomon West | Trailer Scope | Full Interview
Solomon West is a dynamic professional with a Mechanical Engineering background and a multifaceted career spanning cloud infrastructure, software integration, and community health. Certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner, Solomon is fluent in technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, React, and…
more -
Episode 52 | Current Events + Solomon West | Trailer Scope
Current Episodes from December 2025 - Rob Reiner - Warner Brothers Discovery + Netflix Deal - Paramount - Casinos in NYC - Repertory Theatres Interview Segment with Solomon West | Founder of TrailerScope Solomon West is a dynamic professional with a Mechanical Engineering background and a...
-
Uptown Films | Episode 51 | Kendra Monet | Harlem Filmmaker
Episode #51 with Kendra Monet, a filmmaker from Harlem. Kendra Monet is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied Film & TV. She creates personal narratives about individuals that dare to use their voices and imaginations to discover themselves. Her student short films have...
-
Uptown Films Podcast | Episode 50 Emelyn Stuart | Stuart Cinema
Welcome to episode 50! We made it! In this episode, Emelyn Stuart shares what its like to run an indie cinema in Brooklyn, NY! Emelyn Stuart bio:Emelyn embodies all things are possible when you marry purpose, passion, serious work ethic and commitment. Producing wasn’t an obvious path for this...
-
Episode 49 | Bonus Clip | Current Movie Watches
In this bonus clips, Gordon& Bernadette discuss films they recently watched.
-
Episode 49 | Current Events | Netflix | Monopolization, Anti-trust & Threat to Cinema
In this episode, contributors, Gordon Taft & Bernadette Mahoney discuss the movies they've watched recently and current events like the inevitability of the monopolization in the Streaming Wars: Netflix, Warner Bros, HBO and Paramount back-and-forth, Saudi Arabian money going into entertainment.
-
Episode 48 | Rapid Fire Segment | Eileen Level
Enjoy this rapid fire segment with Eileen Level, founder of PaleFO Cinema! I’m a high-energy cinema professional who’s been working in the film festival industry since 2014. I have experience as a media events manager and short film programmer. I am passionate about teaching the next generation…
more -
Episode 48 | Eileen Level | PaleFO Cinema
In this episode, Gregory Hernandez interviews Eileen Level, the founder of PaleFO Cinema. Eileen Level, a champion of the cinema-going experience, has been working in the film festival industry since 2014 and since then has launched PaleFO Cinema, amplifying voices through the cinematic arena…
more -
Episode 46 | Matt Greenberg | Quality Control Specialist HBO & Warner Bros
Interview with Matt Greenberg (quality control specialist at HBO and Warner Bros) stops by to chat about his career, pathways others can follow to do what he does, and some of his favorite movies! Matt also serves as a board member for the nonprofit Bronx Independent Cinema Center.Make sure you...
-
Episode 47 - Current Events, Diane Keaton, NYC Mayoral Election, Paramount, OBAA and More
Recorded in October of 2025, our trio of contributors Max De Mazza, Gordon Taft & Bernadette Mahoney discuss Current Events such as Diane Keaton, Paramount/CBS, NYC Mayoral Election, One Battle After Another and More!
-
Episode 45 - Current Events Redford, Tariffs, Mergers, Boycotts, and More
Recorded in September of 2025, our trio of contributors Max De Mazza, Gordon Taft & Bernadette Mahoney discuss Current Events such as Robert Redford, Tariffs, Mergers, Boycotts, and More!
-
Auditioning for Highest 2 Lowest
In this short clip, Actress Allison Worrell shares her experience during the audition process for Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest.
-
Current Events Segment | Robert Redford Favorite Films
In this short clip, contributors, Gordon Taft, Max De Mazza, Bernadette Mahoney discuss their favorite Robert Redford films. Let us know which Robert Redford film is your favorite in the comments!
-
Episode 44 | Allison Worrell | Highest 2 Lowest
We welcome back Allison Worrell to discuss her work on Spike Lee's latest film, "Highest 2 Loweest" Allison Worrell is a New York City-based actor who you can see in Spike Lee’s newest film, “Highest 2 Lowest”. In the Denzel Washington crime thriller, she plays a police technician. It was…
more -
Episode 42 | Inwood Arts Works | Short Clip
Aaron Simms is the founder and executive producer of Inwood Art Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and curating professional performing and visual arts in the Inwood neighborhood and surrounding communities of Northern Manhattan. Simms established Inwood Art Works to serve as a...
-
Episode 42 | Aaron Simms | Inwood Film Festival
This episode was recorded in April of 2025 at a studio in Port Morris, run by Green Canvas Productions LLC. Aaron Simms is the founder and executive producer of Inwood Art Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and curating professional performing and visual arts in the Inwood...
-
Episode 42 | Be Good To The People | Short Clip
Aaron Simms is the founder and executive producer of Inwood Art Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and curating professional performing and visual arts in the Inwood neighborhood and surrounding communities of Northern Manhattan. Simms established Inwood Art Works to serve as a...
-
Episode 43 | Short Clip | Media Power Couple
April Hernandez Castillo & Zalo Castillo are a media power couple!
-
Episode 43 | Short Clip | 2 Decades in the business
In this short clip, April shares wisdom of understanding your value as in the entertainment business. She boasts over 2 decades of experience as an actor and producer.
-
Episode 43 | Short Clip #2 | Born in The Bronx: The Joe Conzo Story
In this live podcast short clip, Zalo Castillo discusses the documentary project by Lion Chaser Media about Joe Conzo Born and raised in the Bronx, Joe Conzo Jr. acquired a passion for photography as a young boy attending the Agnes Russell School on the campus of Columbia University. He continued...
-
Episode 43 | Full | April Hernandez Castillo & Zalo Castillo
This live podcast was recorded at the Dugout Bar in The Bronx near Yankee Stadium. April Hernandez Castillo & Zalo Castillo are the founders of LionChaser Media LionChaser Media specializes in creating promotional media assets for businesses looking to elevate their online presence and increase...
-
Episode 43 | Short Clip | April Hernandez Castillo & Zalo Castillo
Check out this short clip for Episode 43 April Hernandez Castillo: As an actress, April reached critical heights in her portrayal of Eva Benitez in the award-winning movie, Freedom Writers. She has garnered roles in Showtime's Nurse Jackie, Person of Interest, ER, 30 Rock, Elementary, Law&Order...
-
Episode 41 | Kyra Peters | Bronx Filmmaker on the West Coast
Chapters: 00:00:48:18 About Kyra Peters 00:00:00:00 - 00:00:09:29 Intro 00:14:52:01 - 00:15:18:29 Mid-break promo 00:18:20:02 - 00:19:55:20 Kyra's Inspiration for "If My Voice Rang Louder Than My Skin" 00:31:45:03 Outro Full episode featuring Kyra Peters Kyra is a Writer/ Director born and raised...
-
Episode 41 | Kyra Peters | Short Clip 2: Educational Dreams
In this clip, Kyra Peters discusses NYU not being her first choice of school after graduation from the Cinema School and taking part in the Ghetto Film School. Kyra Peters is a Writer/ Director born and raised in The Bronx, New York. Raised in a 3 generation Caribbean household, she spent most of...
-
Episode 41 | Kyra Peters | Short Clip: Beauty of The Bronx
In this clip, Kyra Peters the importance of visual imagery of the Bronx, where she grew up in her film work. Her approach is to treat the Bronx like a character. Kyra Peters is a Writer/ Director born and raised in The Bronx, New York. Raised in a 3 generation Caribbean household, she spent most…
more -
Episode 40 | Wilfred La Salle | "Security Guard"
Here's the full episode featuring Wilfred La Salle Director’s Statement: The Security Guard was made to unite America, not divide it further. No politics. No sides. Just truth, heart, and humanity. Director Bio: Wilfred La Salle is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter...
-
Episode 40 | Wilfred La Salle | Short Clip
In this short clip Wilfred La Salle sits down with Gregory Hernandez to discuss his process of finishing feature films each year. Director’s Statement: The Security Guard was made to unite America, not divide it further. No politics. No sides. Just truth, heart, and humanity. Director Bio…
more -
Episode 39 | Nicholas Bruckman | The Price of Milk
In this full episode, Gregory Hernandez interviews Nicholas Bruckman. Nicholas is an Emmy-nominated director and the CEO of People’s Television, a NYC and DC-based creative studio that produces award-winning independent films as well as video storytelling for the world’s leading brands,...
-
Short Clip | Film Rights/Distribution Models
Do you know about SVOD, TVOD, Airline, Educations Rights for movies?
-
Episode 39 | Nicholas Bruckman | Short Clip | Distribution Part 1.
In this clip, Nicholas discusses the importance of working backwards on distribution and what are the three C's that Netflix purchases. Nicholas Bruckman is an Emmy-nominated director and the CEO of People’s Television, a NYC and DC-based creative studio that produces award-winning independent...
-
Episode Clip | Jade Nwachukwu | What makes a Costume Design Powerful
In this short clip, Jade Nwachukwu discusses what makes a Costume Design powerful and iconic.
-
Episode 38 | Jade Nwachukwu | Founder of Aforieke
In this full episode, new contributor Bernadette Mahoney, interviews Jade Nwachukwu, the founder of Aforieke. Jade was born and raised in the Bronx to a mother from Ghana and a father from Nigeria. The former model and FIT Fashion Business graduate decided to create a brand that will pay homage…
more -
Episode 38 | Short Clip | Fashion & Film
In this short clip, new contributor, Bernadette Mahoney interviews Jade Nwachukwu about the connection between Fashion, Costume Design & Film. Aforieke (Ah-fo-ree-kay) is a sustainable West African-Caribbean inspired women's resortwear brand. Experience vibrant colors richer than each cultures'...
-
Episode 37 | Ninoska Carolina | Mott Haven Film Festival
In this episode, we interviewed Ninoska Carolina, the founder of Mott Haven Film Festival and Bronx Film Festival. Ninoska Carolina grew up in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx. She graduated from the City College of New York (CCNY-CUNY) with a degree in Communications specializing in…
more -
Short Clip | Ninoska Carolina
In this short clip, Ninoska shares her desire to screen a film from the Bronx at the Mott Haven Film Festival that earns an Oscar nod. Additionally Ninoska shares the process and joy of winning a Proclamation from the Borough President's Office for "Mott Haven Film Festival Day" The Mott Haven…
more -
Short Clip | Jerry Landi | Cinema Inspirations
We're featuring Jerry Landi, @landijerry the co-founder of "Cinema On The Sound"@cinemaonthesound In this clip, we discussed past cinemas in the Bronx that Jerry frequented and later inspired him to start Cinema on the Sound. Cinema on the Sound is located on City Island City Island Avenue thanks...
-
Episode 36 | Jerry Landi | Cinema On The Sound
In this episode we interviewed Jerry Landi, the co-founder of Cinema on the Sound, an independent movie theater on City Island in The Bronx. We discusses classic films, restoration films, the old cinemas in the Bronx, horror films and meeting giants in our industry. Follow @cinemaonthesound on...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast created to improve the Uptown NYC cinema landscape, appreciate the craft of filmmaking, and spotlight the array of career paths within the industry.Uptown Films builds strong connections between filmmakers who reside in The Bronx, Washington Heights & Harlem through conversations that cover the journey of the filmmaker. This is a podcast for those who are looking to break into the film industry, increase their networks, receive advice to jumpstart their careers, and listen to anecdotes from new to seasoned filmmakers.
HOSTED BY
Green Canvas Productions
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Uptown Films have?
Uptown Films currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Uptown Films about?
A podcast created to improve the Uptown NYC cinema landscape, appreciate the craft of filmmaking, and spotlight the array of career paths within the industry.Uptown Films builds strong connections between filmmakers who reside in The Bronx, Washington Heights & Harlem through conversations that...
How often does Uptown Films release new episodes?
Uptown Films has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Uptown Films?
You can listen to Uptown Films on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Uptown Films?
Uptown Films is created and hosted by Green Canvas Productions.
URL copied to clipboard!