The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

Tag: Norman Page 11 of 16

A Discussion on Filmmaking

Art & Victory is a free monthly panel discussion series designed for creative entrepreneurs. Ran by The Show Starts Now Studios in collaboration with the Norman Arts CouncilThe DepotNorman Film Fest, and OkSessions, the topic for September’s panel was Making Short Films, in honor of the Norman Film Festival. Christian Pearson from OkSessions hosted for this panel discussion. 

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Laron M. Chapman is an actor, screenwriter, director and co-producer from Oklahoma with a BA in Film and Media Studies and a background in journalism and film production. A passionate screenwriter/filmmaker, his work spans from reality TV featured on the Food Network, FOX, Discovery Channel, and the Oklahoma-filmed, Academy Award nominated film August: Osage County (starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts). Laron made his directorial debut in 2017 with his now multi-award winning feature film, “You People.” He has since co-directed the five-part anthology film “Mono” and is currently working on his second sure fire-hit feature, Freaky AF.

Alyx Picard Davis is the Director of Festival and Operations for deadCenter Film Festival. Originally a long-time volunteer in host, events, transportation, and programming, she came on board full-time in 2013. She worked with budding rock stars at ACM@UCO and served on UCO’s Alumni Board. Alyx worked in the production office on The Killer Inside Me, the star-filled serial killer film made all over Oklahoma. She co-produced Lance McDaniel’s award-winning film Swirl, 2017 OKC48 film Previously on Alley Cats…, directed the 2018 OKC48 film Escape, and tries to produce a couple of short films every year, including the award-winning The Stand-In. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Film Festival Alliance, creating a collaborative global community for mission-driven film festivals.

Kyle Roberts is an Emmy Award-winning director with over 10 years of experience. Roberts specializes in film projects including stop motion animation and music videos. He serves as the Founder/ Creative Director of Reckless Abandonment Pictures LLC, an independent motion picture company based in Oklahoma City, OK. Roberts worked at NewsOK.com for 7 years where he produced a local music show ‘Static’. After obtaining millions of views on Roberts personal youtube channel, he was selected to compete on Syfy’s first season of ‘Viral Video Showdown’.

In 2017 Roberts directed two stop motion animated series for Mattel’s Thomas & Friends. In 2018 Roberts directed a stop motion animated series for DreamWorks Trolls and a national commercial for LEGO.


Art & Victory could use your support! Join the show on Patreon with The Show Starts Now Studios. As a patron supporter, you can get early access to new videos, bonus content, ad-free podcasts, and more. 

Art & Victory is available as an audio podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle PlaySpotifyStitcher, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Acting with Kristy K. Boone

In this intimate Art & Victory fireside chat with actress Kristy K. Boone, Kirsty shares her story about her acting career along with advice for severing the vision of the project, perusing SAG status, differences between acting on stage vs film, and more. 

Art & Victory is produced by me at The Show Starts Now Studios in collaboration with the Norman Arts Council, MAINSITE, and hosted by Christian Pearson from OkSessions.

Making Money as a Visual Artist

The Show Starts Now Studios in collaboration with the Norman Arts CouncilResonator, and OkSessions presents Art & Victory, a free monthly panel discussion series designed for creative entrepreneurs. The theme for July’s panel was Making Money as a Visual Artist, which included topics on becoming successful, how to get your art displayed in galleries/businesses, working art festivals, pricing your work, pitfalls to avoid, and hustle tips.

Christian Pearson from OkSessions hosted this panel discussion with artists, Jessica Legako and Jason Wilson. 

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Jessica Legako – Jessica Legako is a painter who primarily works in oils; her work often involves texture and gestural movement. Her current work involves a focus on distance and depth involved with landscapes. She has earned her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. Born and raised to a farmer and a teacher, she was enriched with an outdoor lifestyle. This allowed undisrupted observation, which fed her imagery. She currently lives and maintains her studio in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jason Wilson – Forty years ago, a young boy watched his Native American grandmother design, assemble and sew his family’s quilts. Today, contemporary Perceptual artist, Jason Wilson, influenced by his grandmother’s quilts, gives new life to old concepts. Jason says his designs are about building the painting as much as painting the painting, involving hours of construction. To this end, Wilson developed his own unique acrylic paint formula to hand paint his canvas. The result is a technically perfect, remarkably flawless finished canvas. By bringing his designs to life, Jason Wilson hopes to delight and inspire others.


It was our biggest crowd yet! What was really fun was we some people sketching the panelists and making art during the show. I do have plans for the next three Art & Victory sessions. August is Intro to Acting, September we’re talking about making short films, and in October we’ll discuss starting your own podcast.

Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen

I visited Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen in Downtown Norman on Tuesday where they bring a unique pizza experience to the metro with their coal-fired oven and specialty pizzas with their own taste profile. Fred Auletta and Tina Adkins discuss in this Uncovering Oklahoma video how their coal-fired oven works, what makes their pizza different, their vegan options, how they’re great for a date night, and what else guests can expect.

Visit Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen at 123 West Main Street in Downtown Norman or their website at PryorsPizzaKitchen.com

Press & Plow

Growing from a passion for tea, coffee, meats, and other unique groceries, Press & Plow in Norman brings all those together. Anthony Compagni shares his story about what visitors can expect to find at Press & Plow.

I shot this interview yesterday evening and went back this morning to get more b-roll of various things. It’s a great coffee shop worth checking out. Another thing I like about them is they are away from the college, so it’s a little secluded.

Page 11 of 16

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén