Exclusive Interviews

Sevier Crespo’s new film Karen offers a much-needed social critique on everyday racism

Award-winning Puerto Rican-born Sevier Crespo, p.g.a., has been working on producing a social horror film that is certain to make waves with its release on BET. After training with greats like Ridley Scott, Sevier has been changing the industry while leaving his mark with every new piece of work he adds to his portfolio. Through producing Karen, Sevier hopes it creates a social commentary through opening an important discussion. This hyperrealistic thriller is ready to stun audiences with its scathing statement about the reality of everyday aggressions that people face in a society that allows racism to thrive.

Director Ashley Nicole on her journey to be a young filmmaker confronting abuse and climate change themes

Imagination is something that we have when we are children, but once we grow up where does it go? Does it disappear from ourselves or does it hide until the right moment? To indie short filmmaker Ashley Nicole imagination doesn’t stray away from us, it just blossoms and grows. Despite her love and passion for the art form, the road that led her to her passion wasn’t easy. She struggled with her weight after she finished high school in 2019. She also struggled with depression while attending her first year of college.

Kaya Gravitter addresses domestic violence through her novel After She Said Yes

In her debut novel, After She Said Yes, Kaya Gravitter makes a social commentary about the issue of domestic violence. The feminist fiction draws parallels between Aurora, the main character, and what Kaya has faced in her own life as a survivor of domestic abuse. Her trauma and passion for writing led her to pen this poignant story in order to give solace to women left grappling with the consequences on their mental health. Kaya hopes her words help women speaking out against their abusers and for the women who still haven’t by giving a voice to the voiceless.

Movement in the wild: Inspired by nature with dancer Billy Mustapha

Influenced by the nature-rich resources of his Canadian hometown of Calgary, Billy Mustapha has a passion for storytelling in the wild through movement. Using nature and fluid choreography, he creates a poetic fusion. Commanding his body and his mind, he connects emotionally to nature through dance. Through our in-depth conversation we gain insight into Billy's love of nature, how we can all reconnect with Mother Earth, pursuing dance as a first-generation immigrant and finding freedom in a time of isolation.

More than skin deep: Dr. Rada Shakov, MD & Dr. Emil Shakov, MD of The Youth Fountain wellness center

Entering the second year of pandemic-living has left people all around the world wilting under the pressure to adapt to what is now being considered “the new normal.” For most, it feels anything but normal. To combat the virus, countless spaces in the health and wellness world had to be shut down for public safety, leaving many people unable to gain the help and relief they need. These unprecedented times are tough and mentally challenging. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is a deep two-way connection between the brain and skin that can cause issues for both what shows up on our body’s largest organ and how we react to it.

Spreading her wings: Lili Liu on breaking free from her fixed identity as a pianist

We often identify ourselves based on what we do, believing it is our identity. This fixed identity is often tied to the core of our sense of self when defining who we are. Sometimes we are seen as being one thing, when we have more to offer. Renown classical pianist Lili Liu knows this dilemma all too well. Her identity reaches far beyond the practice room or the global stage. Lili is constantly on a mission to reinvent herself, to grow and seek out new ways for self-expression.

Failure is an integral part of any creative person’s life: An interview with Steven D. Lavine

In Steven D. Lavine — Failure is What It’s All About, award-winning German author and journalist Jörn Jacob Rohwer explores the story of the California Institute of the Arts and its legendary twenty-nine year president Dr. Steven D. Lavine. 

“From 1988 until 2017, I served as President of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). During this time, CalArts distinguished itself as a progressive and internationally influential leader in each of the arts taught at the college—art, dance, theater, music, film/video, and writing—and became a pace-setter in domestic diversity, community engagement, international linkage, and in the production and presentation of cutting edge professional work.”

Bokyung Byun​ is pushing boundaries as a female guitarist

In an industry that is typically male-dominated and favors Western music sensibilities, many of today’s finest instrumentalists are women of Asian descent. Artists like Bokyung Byun are changing the game and marching to her own beat.

Bokyung Byun​ is a classical guitarist who enjoys a reputation as one of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation. Born in Seoul, Korea, Bokyung began playing guitar at the age of six. At eleven, she took the stage for her first solo recital, leading to an early start in her teen years performing numerous concert tours around Korea, to enthusiastic response, including millions of views on YouTube.

The dark side: Anis Maknojia on filming horror short “Jack” amidst pandemic

The line crossing art and reality blurred during what felt like a real life horror movie, the pandemic of 2020. Amidst the Coronavirus, in order to relieve anxiety and cope with fears many people gravitated towards watching thrillers. 2011’s Contagion quickly became one of the most streamed films due to the eerie parallels mirrored onscreen with the global virus playing out in real time offscreen. A new subgenre even emerged called ‘quar-horror’ that probed at what is scary about staying home. For Actor and producer Anis Maknojia, he was able to cope with the pandemic through creating the horror short Jack.