Best in Fest

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Kevin Nicklaus, Head of Production and Partner at Sandstone Artists, a company focused on talent management, literary development, and film/TV production.
With a background in studio development and experience working on major projects, Kevin shares how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what it really takes to finance, package, and produce films outside the traditional Hollywood system.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 🎬 Why the traditional studio system is no longer the primary path for filmmakers
 💰 How independent film financing actually works (equity, tax incentives, and gap funding)
 🧩 How to package a film: attaching talent, IP, and building a financing strategy
 📊 Why building an audience first (via comics, IP, or digital platforms) is critical
 🌍 How global IP—especially from markets like Korea—is reshaping Hollywood development
 🎥 Why more producers are focusing on features instead of television
 🤝 How to find investors and unconventional partners outside traditional studios
 🧠 What managers look for in new writers and creators today
 📱 Why creators must build their own ecosystem and audience to stand out
Kevin also breaks down the realities of today’s production landscape—including why studios are no longer taking the same financial risks, how independent teams are replacing legacy systems, and what filmmakers must do to stay competitive.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Theresa Demarest, an independent documentary filmmaker whose unconventional path to filmmaking includes life as a musician, critical care nurse, and activist storyteller.
Theresa shares how she transitioned into documentary filmmaking while telling the powerful story of Keiko—the orca made famous in Free Willy—and how that project launched her career behind the camera.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎥 How Theresa created her first documentary, Keiko: The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy
🐋 What it was like documenting the real-life story of Keiko the whale and the movement to return him to the wild
🎬 How independent filmmakers can navigate festivals, distribution, and streaming platforms
📺 How documentaries get placed on platforms like Amazon Prime and Vimeo
🎞️ Why aggregators are essential for distributing independent films
🐎 The inspiration behind her latest documentary, Throwaway Horses
📊 The realities of funding and promoting a documentary film without investors
🎟️ How grassroots screenings and nonprofit partnerships help build audiences
🎤 Why filmmakers must actively market their films even after landing distribution
Theresa also explains the behind-the-scenes realities of documentary filmmaking—from rough-cut screenings and festival feedback to building grassroots audiences through advocacy groups and targeted communities.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Amanda Hendon, owner and president of Entertainment 333, a full-service talent management company representing actors in film and television.
With decades of experience working with major agencies, casting offices, and production companies, Amanda shares an insider perspective on how actors build sustainable careers in Hollywood—and how the industry is evolving in the wake of strikes, streaming disruption, and emerging AI technology.
In this episode, we discuss:
🎭 What talent managers actually do for actors and how careers are built
🎬 How actors land representation and what managers look for in new talent
📼 The realities of the self-tape audition era
🌍 Why many actors are now working internationally in places like Ireland and Europe
📉 How the Hollywood slowdown and recent strikes have affected working actors
🤖 How AI tools—from headshots to production tech—are impacting the industry
🎥 Why Amanda is expanding from talent management into film producing
📚 The true-story film project she’s developing about James Dean and Liz Sheridan
💡 Practical advice for actors navigating today’s competitive entertainment industry
Amanda also shares candid insights about the difference between emerging and established talent, the realities of representation in Los Angeles, and why persistence and strong communication remain essential for actors trying to break through.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Laura Sydell, an award-winning journalist, audio producer, and storyteller best known for her work covering digital culture and technology for NPR programs including Planet Money, This American Life, and more.
After two decades reporting from the front lines of Silicon Valley, Laura now brings that insider perspective to narrative storytelling and screenwriting, developing techno-thrillers and sci-fi projects inspired by the real forces shaping our digital world.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎙️ How Laura transitioned from public radio journalism to screenwriting and TV development
💻 What it was like covering the rise of Silicon Valley and the early internet era
📀 How Napster and digital file sharing reshaped the entertainment industry
📺 The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and the transformation of television storytelling
🤖 What artificial intelligence could mean for writers, filmmakers, and creatives
🎬 Why human storytelling still matters in the age of AI
📱 How new technology tools are empowering independent creators
🌍 Why international TV markets are growing while Hollywood faces disruption
🧠 How real-world tech trends inspire speculative fiction and techno-thrillers
Laura also discusses how years of reporting on big tech influence her current writing projects, including stories about data privacy, AI, and the growing power of Silicon Valley companies.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Shawn Bailey, entrepreneur, social media strategist, and founder of the WanderPreneur Agency. Shawn specializes in helping creators, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs understand the TikTok ecosystem and turn their content into a growing digital brand.
As filmmakers increasingly rely on social media to build audiences before distribution, Shawn breaks down how platforms like TikTok can be used strategically to grow visibility, connect with collaborators, and even monetize content through live streaming and creator engagement.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
📱 How filmmakers can use TikTok to build a personal brand and audience
🎥 Why movies are just another form of content in today’s creator economy
🚀 How the TikTok algorithm works and how to reach the “For You Page”
🎙️ Why going live daily can accelerate audience growth
⏱️ Optimal video length for small creators and how watch time affects the algorithm
🤝 How creators collaborate and cross-promote on TikTok
💰 How monetization works through TikTok live gifts and creator engagement
📊 Why analytics matter when choosing when and how often to post
🌍 How filmmakers can use social media to attract producers, casting directors, and collaborators
Shawn also shares practical strategies for creators who are nervous about showing up on camera, explaining why authenticity and consistency are the keys to building trust and growing an online community.