In this final episode of CCFM Season 1, we motivate each other to stay the course! Following our dreams takes perserverence, unwavering determination, and a sense of humor. From navigating unexpected obstacles to surviving ridiculous setbacks, we talk about how to stay committed to our goals and dreams while making jokes along the way. Our guest is director Tessa Greenberg!
Guest Bio: Tessa Greenberg is a comedy director, editor, and writer from Brooklyn, NY. She’s been working in the film and television industry since 2007, and has edited for HBO (How To With John Wilson), directed & written original comedy series on IFC, MTV, and Fuse, and directed commercials for Universal Studios Theme Parks, Fresca, Heinz, Flonase, and LEGO among others. Tessa honed her comedic filmmaking sensibilities while working for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and their production department, UCB Comedy & Don’t Think Productions where she was a resident director and editor.
In a past life, Tessa grew up in New Jersey playing with her Dad’s video camera and watching Pee Wee's Playhouse, Beetlejuice, and anything weird that could be recorded from TV onto a VHS. Since then she's spent her time finding ways to capture the joy of eccentricity through filmmaking. Her work has screened at SXSW, NYTVF, The Women in Comedy Fest, and Tribeca Film Festival (2016) where she won the Grand Prize for her Snapchat film, "Hot Dogs Forever". She was the winner of truTV's Comedy Breakout development deal in 2018, and also won the VICE Spammy award for "Best Comedy" on her 1 minute mobile phone short, "How I Lost My Virginity".
Tessa is also a co-founder of the Brooklyn indie filmmaking collective, Video Mass (videomass.tv). Their sci-fi and horror-anthology films have screened around the country in local and national film festivals.
When Tessa’s not making films and television, she enjoys writing synth pop music, community organizing for intersectional feminist and social justice causes, and taking picture of interesting garbage on the street. Prior to her life in film/tv, she studied theatre and performance at Marymount Manhattan College, and also toured in an electro-pop band.
Tessa's personal work has been described as something born out of the cult classic section of an old Blockbuster video store, and also "wrong in a way that feels fun and right". You can find her on Instagram: @tessagee, or on her Website: https://tessagreenberg.com/
Show Notes:
Tessa's Universal Studios Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZezHa3yK3Y and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2nISErNzw
Tessa's Five Below Commercial: https://tessagreenberg.com/commercials/fivebelow
Watch THE SHITTING (NSFW): https://vimeo.com/144126833
Come on down to Chubby's Chicken Cheddar House and get some of Chubby's world famous Secret Nasty Sauce! On Highway 17! Open Late!
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
This week is all about being the solution to life's challenging situations! From problem-solving techniques to moments of unexpected brilliance, we explore the triumphs that arise when we take charge and become the answer. We share stories of taking the lead and leveling up to take up more space in the environments of our dreams. This motivating episode is full of jokes and inspiring stories. Our guest is photographer and director Isaac James!
Guest Bio: Isaac James is a so-cal boy turned New Yorker. He works as a Creative Director, director, and commercial photographer working with brands such as: Puma, westin hotels, and Blue Man Group. Most notably he just ended his biggest project to date, working 9 years as the creative lead overseeing the image expression for health and wellness brand, Peloton. In a past life Isaac worked as a professional vocalist and actor being featured as a voice over actor for Walt Disney Pictures and in the Emmy award winning production of “Live from Lincoln Center: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”. For more information visit: theisaacjames.com. You can find him on Instagram or Twitter: @Theisaacjames;
Show Notes:
Need someone to set up your karaoke night? Call us!! K-Town, here we come!
Blackaroni & Cheese BTS stills - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8508424/mediaindex/?ref_=tt_mv_close
Isaac will be back in 6 Months — the week of Nov 13, 2023
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
In this week's episode we discuss the first time we took chances and tried new things on a whim. We motivate each other (and you!) to take the pressure off and have some fun being a beginner. We share stories about how we consistently throw caution to the wind and follow our dreams and desires, taking the first steps of trying new things. This week's episode is packed with laughs, jokes, tips and tricks. Our guest is actor and writer Ray Cordova.
Guest Bio: Ray Cordova is an Actor/Writer/Producer born and raised in New York City. He can be seen, currently, on the the Netflix series, Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show, in which, he served as an actor, writer and producer. Ray has also appeared on Comedy Central (Alternatino), Starz (Rasing Kanan), Apple TV+ (Helpsters) and much more. When not on-screen, Ray can be seen performing and teaching at theatres like the Upright Citizens Brigade, The PIT, Aslyum NYC, as well as many universities and festivals here and abroad. You can find him on Instagram: @therealraycordova; on Twitter: @complexcordova; or on Astronomy Club on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81087498
Show Notes:
James III - founder of Astronomy Club - https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzmIYw6Gmt32rBMGAUETtE0yP5NeQrR6NqZDezQsZcLopGCgPB
Astronomy Club's Comedy Central Digital Series - https://www.cc.com/shows/astronomy-club
"Every day we are becoming." - Michelle Obama
https://www.sydandmike.com
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
This week we explore the thrilling and often terrifying concept of taking the leap. Whether it's quitting a secure job to pursue a passion or tackling personal fears to unlock a new version of ourselves, we have lived to tell the tales! This episode has laughs and tears, unexpected twists, and triumphant moments. Our guest is actor and writer Aizzah Fatima.
Guest Bio: Aizzah Fatima is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, playwright, comedian, and ex-Google engineer. She has been featured on NPR, The Guardian, Woman’s Hour (BBC), The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time Out, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post. Her feature film Americanish world premiered at CAAMFest in 2021. The film has won 26 awards at festivals including Best Lead Actress, Best Narrative, Best Director, several audience awards, and has been acquired by Sony International for worldwide distribution in 2023. Her award winning short films can be seen on Alaska Airlines and Ruku. Her TV pilot script Muslim Girls DTF: Discuss Their Faith is the winner of the 2020 Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award, 2020 Yes, And...Laughter Lab, and an ISF Film award. Muslim Girls DTF world premiered at SeriesFest 2022, and won the Best Comedy Writer award in addition to the Caz Mathews Fund award that highlights series that tackle social justice issues. She is a 2021-2022 Orchard Project Episodic Lab fellow as well as a 2022 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellow in Fiction from The New York Foundation for the Arts. Her solo play Dirty Paki Lingerie has been produced in NYC, Toronto, Italy, Turkmenistan, Pakistan (four city tour U.S. State Dept.), Edinburgh Fringe Festival, United Kingdom (15 city tour), and at universities across the U.S. The Wall Street Journal says the play “Breaks down stereotypes of Muslim women in America”. She was nominated for an Outstanding Solo Performance award (NYIT 2014), a Broadway World award for Best Play, and a Manchester Theatre Award for Best Production (2016). She is the recipient of The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art grant with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre where she was part of a team that created the first ever children’s musicals with Muslim protagonists. She wrote the book for the musical The 10 Year Test about how Eid became a holiday in NYC public schools. Her play The Scholar was commissioned and published by the Religion & Diversity Project (Canada). She is currently recurring as Medical Examiner Annemarie Mercer on Law & Order (NBC). Other TV acting credits: New Amsterdam (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS), High Maintenance (HBO), The Code (CBS), Mr. Robot (USA Network), The Good Wife (CBS). She received her MFA in Writing for Film & TV from Emerson College, and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. You can find her on Instagram or Twitter: @aizzahfatima
Show Notes:
Series Fest 2022 Winning Show Muslim Girls DTF (Discuss Their Faith) https://www.instagram.com/muslimgirlsdtf https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCBBkwFRlqCw7eYQGPZ2XuQ
A spoonful of sugar will help this flash mob go down: https://youtu.be/7EYAUazLI9k
Dirty Paki Lingerie - https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Paki-Lingerie-Aizzah-Fatima/dp/1312959185
#NepoBabies - they're cute, they're rich, and they definitely got where they are completely on their own! Watch it on Adobe Premiere+, the streaming service where you want us to self-edit. Get it through your Curve app, only $29.99/week probably, or maybe $17.99/month. who knows? Use promo code NEPO2023NOITSNEPOBABIES2023SORRYABOUTTHAT to get one week free!
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
What's the difference between making time and finding time? In this episode we explore the challenges of time management and project execution. We share our own hilarious mishaps and blunders while attempting to "do it all," and provide some outlandish solutions to make the most of every minute. Tune in for motivation-filled conversation about the art of making time in the wacky world of comedy and filmmaking. Our guest is actor, writer, and director David Ebert.
Guest Bio: David Ebert is an actor, writer, and director whose work spans across television, film, and advertising. He starred in Can You Keep A Secret opposite Alexandria Daddario, cowrote the Emmy nominated Netflix series It’s Bruno! And created the TruTV series Ghost Story Club. He’s been creating his own short films for years including the award winning films It’s Been Too Long and Spaghetter Getter. For the past year he’s specialized in creating content for TikTok including campaigns for Heinz and Hilton which are currently competing against each other for multiple advertising awards. He also wrote this bio himself and is assuming no one will read this far down, so he can say whatever controversial and incendiary thing he wants. Dogs are overrated. Comic book movies are made for children. Dominos is better than most NY pizza. You can find him on Instagram: @davidcebert; Tik Tok: @electronicbert; or on his Website: http://www.davidcharlesebert.com/
Show Notes:
Have a Peloton? Wanna do a group ride with Mike? Let us know!
The Child Without a Godfather, coming soon! But probably not!
Don't shit yourself: https://www.tiktok.com/@electronicbert/video/7210591322611207466
Get your Peloton Clothesline now! The best way to dry your wet clothes for $2,000! Act now, and we'll throw in the Peloton Washboard attachment for only 200 payments of $10!!
Also, if you're looking for a way to tighten up your funny commerical ideas, contact us at the NotGPT Creative Agency.
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
In this episode, we delve into the art of finding comfort in the discomfort of life. We explore how to navigate those awkward, difficult moments with humor and grace, and how to turn those experiences into comedic gold. Join us as we provide tips on how to make light of even the most cringe-worthy situations. Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh your way through life's uncomfortable moments with us. Our guest is actor and artist, Tessa John-Connor.
Guest Bio: Tessa John-Connor's love for Life through the Arts began at a young age. Born & raised in NYC, she wrote and produced her first play at the age of eight years old with The 52nd St Project, where she nurtured her acting & writing career. She has since shifted gears from stage to film! Entertaining the masses - while providing a message of self empowerment - is the bases of her brand, Afroista. You can find her on Instagram: @afroista
Show Notes:
The 52nd Street Project - https://www.52project.org/
You can find us at 123 Yo Mamma St. every Monday!
Get your NYC Cocaine Bars—For Runners! All the speed you need.
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
In this episode, we tackle the serious issue of burnout. We share our own tips and tricks for avoiding burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. From finding humor in stressful situations to taking time to recharge and relax, we'll cover it all with plenty of laughter along the way. So tune in and learn how to avoid burning out while still achieving your goals and making time for the things that matter most. After all, laughter is the best medicine for stress! Our guest is writer and director, Ryan Garretson.
Guest Bio: Ryan Garretson is a lifelong devotee of the art of the moving image. As a writer, director, cinematographer and editor he has worked on a wide range of short films, music videos, and documentaries. He is a founding member of the New York-based DIY filmmaking collective known as Video Mass. Currently, he is writing and developing a feature-length screenplay for an original work of modern horror cinema. You can find him on Instagram: @ryangarretson, or on his Website: https://www.ryang.work/
Show Notes:
Wanna be an intern? Email us! *College credit required!
Mike Holt 4Ever - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC3T_s6vc5Y&t=88s
Preparing To Lose - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLC5Wmtrd4k
Syrah - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDiDSXr2HHo&ab_channel=Syd%26Mike
Sluggo the Skullcrusher - https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/251050161/f706e79794
STOP! And eat the orange
Tired of all the Chat GPT stuff? Well it's time for NOTGPT!! https://notgpt.com
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
Whether it's taking a break to reflect, finding gratitude in what we've accomplished, or finding the humor in our shortcomings, in this episode we explore all the ways in which taking stock can help us grow and thrive. Join us as we discuss the importance of taking stock and how it helped motivate us to move forward with refreshed perspective. Our guest is writer and director Steve Pink.
Guest Bio: Steve Pink wrote and co-produced Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity. He directed Hot Tub Time Machine 1 & 2, (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke), About Last Night (Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Michael Ealy, Joy Bryant), and Accepted (Justin Long, Jonah Hill, and Blake Lively). Most recently, Steve directed the critically acclaimed film The Wheel, which premiered at TIFF 2021. Steve has also written and directed multiple television pilots and directed a plethora of television episodes, including Santa Clarita Diet, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. You can find him on Instagram: @alsostevepink.
Show Notes:
CFMM Drinking Game Rules:
Take a shot when Syd says, "honestly."
Take a drink when Carl says, "folks."
Finish your beer when Mike talks about being an actor.
Carl's Crocs - https://tinyurl.com/5n76u245
Steve's previous comedy duos:
Tammy & Dave
Marcia & Rick
https://www.dancingpenguins.com
Ambient sci-fi noise source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9a1EQS_9Wo
When you need a good ride, make Plan B your plan A!
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
This week, we dive into an early stage of the creative process, one so early that technically happens before the process even begins: Picking a project. We've got so many great ideas! How do we decide which ones to pursue? The answer to that question might just surprise you. Our guest is actor and writer, Dana Kreitz.
Guest Bio: Dana Kreitz is an actor-producer-writer-filmmaker who loves being a multihyphenate. You've maybe seen her on HBO, The CW, CBS, Amazon, Netflix, or performing Shakespeare and musical theatre Off-Broadway and in regional theatres around the country. She's a proud union member based in NYC, repped by FP Artists & DDO Artists Agency, and is currently writing her first feature film. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter: @danakreitz; or on her website: http://danakreitz.com/
Show Notes:
We're selling our gear! Here's a gear list and price guide: https://r.mtdv.me/9y07Ig9bPc
HATERS! What's your shirt size? Tell us in the comments on YouTube!
Jack or Jackie of Trades? Email us your thoughts!
Want Syd to be the reader for your self-tape? Like, rate, and subscribe, and then let us know in the comments on Instagram.
Our audience is pitching in to buy Dana a blue check mark on Twitter! Venmo @sydandmike in all your donations now (be sure to specify: Dana's Verification Fund!)
Dana's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4233981/
Come to MOVEMENT LOVE, Bushwick's premiere dance peace orgy music party which will probably be held at House of Yes every week, or maybe it won't, and tickets will either be $100 or free.
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
In this episode we discuss practical tips for starting the writing process. From finding inspiration to developing a writing routine, we share strategies for getting the creative juices flowing and finally putting pen to paper... or fingers to keyboard. Our guest is writer, Alexander Hacker.
Guest Bio: Alexander Hacker is a writer based in New York City. After graduating from Bard College in 2016, Alex worked in development at Olive Productions before becoming director Derek Cianfrance’s assistant on the HBO miniseries “I Know This Much is True”. He has written and produced a number of short films with Ideal Glass Productions and Bowery Poetry Studios, and most recently made his directorial debut with his short film “Play.” He is currently hunched over his keyboard and lives in constant fear of being perceived. You can find him on Instagram: @petty_crocker.
Show Notes:
"When you sit down to write it's just dictation." - Alexander Hacker
Stand on the World by The Joubert Singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9UV58U9DyU, or if you prefer spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6TOhXLevQUI4fjrxLL1nJE
Internet Movie Script Database: https://imsdb.com
The Vietname war movie with Michael J. Fox was Casualties of War (1989) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097027/
Remember that Mark Ruffalo loves Syd & Mike and we have photographic proof - https://www.sydandmike.com/mark-mike
"Chronikkah" a Syd & Mike sketch written by Alexander Hacker: https://youtu.be/0tH6vhgxOVA
Get your YouTube U YouTube You now! Promo Code: YOUMEMEYOU2023
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
What triggers the motivators? We explore the age old piece of advice, "keep doing what you're doing." What does it mean? How many more pitch decks is it gonna take? Getting started in this industry is brutal. Let's talk about it! Our guest is comedian and sketch performer Winnie Stack.
Guest Bio: Winnie Stack moved from LA to NYC in 2019 to pursue comedy and acting and has found that subway rats love her impressions. Shortly after moving she was cast in the Upright Citizens Brigade Maude team "Peaches," and now collaborates with two comedy sketch groups: "One Bad Egg" and "Sleepover." While she isn't performing sketch comedy, she is performing her one woman show "@Jenna" to sold out crowds in NY and LA. You can find her on Intagram: @winniestack2.0.
Show Notes:
One Bad Egg Skits & Sketches at Caveat on 4/18 (w/Will Braithwaite & Carson Smith): https://caveat.nyc/events/one-bad-egg-sketch-show-4-18-2023
Winnie's SNL audition: https://youtu.be/UfJVn_oxPJ0
Honey Badger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
Check out the brand new NYFD Podcast, "Little Firemen Everywhere", brought to you by Vornado
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
This week it’s all about knowing our worth and valuing ourselves. No matter the situation, it can be hard to ask for and receive what we deserve. It’s time to uphold our standards and improve conditions for all of us! Our guest is make-up artist and stylist, Lynsey Buckelew.
Guest Bio: Lynsey Buckelew is a professional makeup artist, hair stylist, and fashion stylist. Her mastery of all three skills has led her to style direct brand campaigns for Adidas, Reebok, Peloton and more. You can find her on Instagram: @lynseybuckelew; or on her website: https://www.lynseybuckelew.com
Show Notes:
Curve—The Everything App! Get your boomerang phone now! Promo Code: BigSmiles41TakeUsHome
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
Join us this week as we discuss DIY Filmmaking. We explore our history as self-financed creators and explain Video Mass, the Brooklyn indie filmmaking collective that brought us together. We also dig into various methods of self-production and talk about strategies we use to start new projects with limited resources. Our guest is actor and writer Jarrod Zayas, a founding member Video Mass.
Guest Bio: Jarrod Zayas is an actor, writer, textbook editor, and vinyl collector from Alabama. Favorite NY acting credits include Hurricane (Columbia University), Deliverance (Godlight Theatre Company), Dark of the Night (A. Meyers & E. Yearwood), American Juggalo (Unattended Baggage), Apocalypse Neo (NY Neo-Futurists), “Black City Parade” (dir. Richard Kern), and “Roombuds” (Sunny Day Production). You can find him hosting pub trivia each Tuesday at 8:00pm at Farewell in Brooklyn, or on Instagram: @punchdrunkard. https://www.jarrodzayas.com
Show Notes:
Carl's editing reel: https://vimeo.com/793512648
Higher Channels full show: https://vimeo.com/409387190/2b5f5b835c
Pub Trivia at Farewell Bar in Brooklyn every Tuesday night at 8! More info: https://www.geekswhodrink.com/venues/1696269592/
Everything you ever wanted to know about Segways: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segway
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
Join us as we discuss survival mode in the Entertainment Industry. We talk about what we do when we're at the end of our rope and how we go from surviving to thriving. We also manage to offend an entire country. Our guest is actress Dionne Neish.
Guest Bio: Dionne is a graduate with a BA Honors in theatre from Drama Center, London, England. While in Los Angeles she’s racked up credits in Starz Blindspotting; Counterpart; Netflix’s Hollywood, and Peabody award-winning FX show Better Things among other appearances. Her stage work includes; Titus Andronicus with Shakespeare by the Sea, Aida, Merchant of Venice as well as new plays. You can find her on Instagram: @bustybloom.
Show Notes:
Dionne Neish IMDB page - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2461397/
Amnasty International and British Pride T-Shirts inspired by Dionne now available in our store! All proceeds go to Amnesty International (the real one). Order now: https://sydandmike.com/store
Feeling like a little bitch and looking for a change? Visit dontbealittlebitch.com
www.sydandmike.com
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
Join us as we discuss the dark side of pitching—the dreaded "no". We talk about what rejection looks like, how we deal with it, and what to do (or not do) to lessen the likelihood of rejection. Our guest is Syd & Mike producer, Sasha Nonas-Barnes.
Guest Bio: A former development exec, Sasha started Dark Matter Entertainment to help bring fresh and thoughtful stories to life. His credits include films such as NEIGHBORS and THE LATE BLOOMER and he has worked with talented filmmakers and performers like Kevin Pollack, Kumail Nanjiani, Ginger Gonzaga, and Rose Byrne. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, but grew up in New York City. You can find him on Instagram or TikTok: @thecatinthetie; or on his website: darkmatterent.com.
Show Notes:
Carl Conway Maguire | editing reel (long remix - lo-fi beats to relax/study to) https://vimeo.com/797868926
Get your NYPL card today! https://www.nypl.org/library-card
www.sydandmike.com
sydandmikenyc@gmail.com
Check out Syd & Mike's Comedy Filmmaker's Motivation Monday: The Podcast, w/Carl. New episodes every Monday starting March 6th!