My friends are talented af
And the world should know. Because of that I’ve decided, from short films to commercials, music videos and much more I will be sharing their work, conducting interviews, and talking shop with them. So check back here regularly to see what comes next. The only real plan at this point is to share DOPE work, from DOPE humans, doing their best to bring thoughtful, creative and often innovative art to a world seemingly over run by mindless low energy scribbles.
Director / Writer - Danny LeGare
Danny LeGare- If get shii done was a person Danny would be the poster child. I met Danny more than 15 years ago at the restaurant we both worked in, in West Hollywood, CA. On paper Danny from personality to background it would seem like Danny and I had virtually nothing in common but now all these years later nothing could be further from the truth.
Danny has at this point produced / directed more than a handful of films most with significant distribution. No small feat on it’s own the last several few he has done while raising a family, getting married and living in Connecticut. Not known as the epicenter of film production Danny’s direct, confident and sometimes in your face style doesn’t believe in obstacles. Now a business owner Danny succesfully creates social and traditional marking content for bussiness region wide while continuing to create family friendly, engaging and introspective films he loves.
Spirit of Friendship
Spirit of Friendship is a coming of age story that follows a young man on his journey to making sense of his mother recent passing. Taking cues from iconic 80’s films like “The Goonies” and “Stand by Me” this film takes it’s viewers back to a particular time and place in style and feel. Set against the rural back drop of Connecticut’s breath taking scenic backdrop film maker Danny LeGare was able to capture a distribution worthy feature length film utilizing mostly unknown, and mostly first time child actors with the bulk of principal photography coming on weekends and a couple of hours after school here and there. However…
Because Danny again seemingly doesn’t subscribe to many of the false limitations most of us indie film makers place on ourselves Danny also managed cast genre mainstay Jeremy London in one of the lead roles in this ensemble cast. Check out the trailer above and come check out what Danny is currently working on this Thursday 830pm pst on IG Live @director503
Challenger VII
Moving on Up
Written By: Marvin Telp
Directed / Shot By: Desmond Faison
Moving on Up in a 3 minute trailer / proof of concept project based on the 70’s classic sitcom Good Times. Shot between North Hollywood, CA and downtown in just over one and a half days with no budget and even less crew I couldn’t be happier with what was accomplished. Staring Marvin Telp and Gail Bean (Snowfall / P - Valley) moving on up sets the stage for a budding relationship between Jenny and Lionel. In a modern twist however writer Marvin Telp goes on to completely reimagine the relationship Lionel has with his entrepreneurial father and hood legend George Jefferson. As Lionel learns more about the family cleaning business the stakes are raised and the drama follows.
Desmond Faison
Meet your host: Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check out the CHALLENGERS series page and show.
A little about me: I am the creator and the host of this new IG live series. A series I created to 1 get over my limiting perspective on social media and 2 to promote and celebrate my super talented friends as the enjoy various levels of success in this industry we call Show Business. It was also important to me to peel back some of the mysteries between what “making it” in Hollywood actually means. After now 7 episodes I also quickly realized the need for a community for creators where we discuss the highs, lows and everything in between, above, and below this work.
While I’d thought at first of only doing a handful of episodes to fulfill a commitment I’d made to a friend after the very first one I was hooked and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. So again thank you very much for tunning in to the IG Live (virtual studio audience) portion, thank you for your future support with the more traditional Pod - Cast version as well. Finally this series is all about the community we are building and that community includes YOU. So Please join us Thursday nights at 8:30pm pst on IG Live (@director503) and bring your questions, your comments, exsperiences to this new and growing community of Directors, Photographers, Actors and artist at large. Can’t wait to see who’s next!!!
Writer / Director - Jeanine Daniels
Jeanine Daniels- Is inarguably one of the most outside the box creatives I have ever met. From the moment we met, I, maybe even we knew we were two sides of the same coin. Jeanine or Neen as I like to call her is unapologetically neighborhood, simultaneously always herself and that includes her obsession with Anime.
Now that I am sitting here writing about her I realize Jeanine may be as responsible as anyone for shaping my artistic journey here in LA in so many ways. She was the first producer / writer to ever fire me, but more on that later. For now, from Snowfall, to the Maddening and P-VALLEY and so much more, I am excite to introduce you all to this award winning writer, talented producer and culture shifting creative who also just so happens to be my friend.
THAT GUY
That Guy was one of those rare web series that felt like it was speaking directly to a whole generation. It captured the messiness of relationships, the quiet codes of male friendship, and the everyday contradictions of trying to grow up without losing yourself. Smart, funny, and grounded in real-life nuance, That Guy wasn’t just a standout—it became a cultural marker in the early 2010s internet Black Renaissance.
As one of the creative voices helping shape that era—alongside names like Issa Rae and Lena Waithe—Jeanine used That Guy as a launchpad for a body of work that helped define the tone of digital Black storytelling. She brought a sense of clarity and emotional honesty to everything she touched, setting a standard for what authenticity looked like on screen. Jeanine’s That Guy series wasn’t just a part of a movement-it helped define it! (there might even be a cameo in there)
Challenger V
Steven N. Smith
HOT SUMMER
IT’s that time again folks this weeks featured project is “Hot Hot Summer”. A visually stunning music video from featuring artist / Rapper Mike Taylor and shot by our guest Steven Smith. This video is so cool on so many levels not the least of which being its emphasis on projection and what I imagine has to be the most challenging of lighting techniques.
Even better the video takes on very challenging events and culture shift moment that was the summer of 2020. The song features a powerful nod to the Black Lives Matter movement and americas relationship with confronting black culture and humanity. As you tell from the still image alone this video packs a punch and as strange as it may sound, even the credits are low - Key absolutely fire. Can’t wait to learn more about what it took technically to accomplish such a one of a kind feel and look not to mention the logistical challenges of MAKING anything durring this time and finally the weight and complexity of so poingnently capturing this pivotal moment in time.
A few weeks ago I took the opportunity to continue stretching and getting out beyond my comfort zone. As a result I found myself at a Blackmagic Design day long seminar with a handful of eclectic and various film makers. After a full day of making awkward conversation and trying to figure out what I was doing there (beyond the fact I love their cameras), as always seems to be the case, the magic happened in the parking.
That is where I met Steven. What started with a 30 minute conversation with a few other creatives ended up as a hour and half conversation on everything from family to politics and life in general. By the time we looked up we soon realized we were the only two left. What we also soon knew is that we had just met a new friend, colleague and collaborator.
I am excited to learn more about Steven in real time right along with you, this Thursday at 8:30pm pst on IG Live @director503. Bring your questions and help us create another piece of the realest, most candid interview series on filmmaking around.
Challenger IV
Felicia Manning
THE BUYERS
Is a 8:08 genre defiant short film in which Director Felicia Manning (FEE) gives a master class on how a skilled and thoughtful director builds tension as she seamlessly walks us through this one of a kind, complex and multi layered film.
Adriana is a wife and mother who has recently moved into a new home with her children and husband. While her husband is away for work, she is left to unpack and settle into the new home, and it's a stressful experience since everything has been essentially "shoved into a box" by movers. Her new neighbors, Carol and Felix, come by to introduce themselves. They're eager to help -- almost off-puttingly so -- but Adriana turns them down. Yet Carol and Felix persist in being neighborly, to the point of being intrusive and offensive. When Adriana tries to banish them off her property altogether, it ignites a confrontation that spins out of control.
Felicia Manning is a rare breed of INCREDIBLE film maker and even better person. Her infectious energy, positive outlook and larger that life smile suggest a light hearted approach to life. While this is true what lies beneath all of that is a tenacious beast of a film maker with depth, talent and a very intentional and clear point of view.
The very first time I met FEE she spoke so much life into and demanded so much of me she litterally changed my life, the way I approach my art and how I speak to people about it. I am very excited to share this amazing talent and model of tenacity with you. Tune in THURSDAY- 02/27/25 at 8:30PM pst and see for your self.
Challenger III
Emil Gallardo
SEEDS
In this music video Emil masterfully show cases several of my favorite aspects of art. Creating the perfect, clean, crisp and sharp visuals to accompany Rissi Palmer’s song and powerful call to action. Beyond that in just over 3 minutes Emil takes you on an important journey of what things were, what they are and what we can be if we come together.
Seeds for better or worse is a timeless musical based statement piece that sadly is as, if not more important today than the day it was made. What is perhaps most interesting is how this video puts a new face on a far too old story. Finding a fresh new way to crate dialoug. Check out sees here and let me know what you see.
I met Emil just a little over a year ago in a directing program we were both a part of. And as HOV once said “real recognize real, and you looking familiar”. I say that to say it didn’t take Emil and I long to realize we both look at art from a very particular, shared lens. Something like: F*(& you look at this ugly truth. Look at how we treat each other and look at how we hurt each other. Not because it’s fun all the time but because it’s important to us to lift the veil and let the sun shine in on all the ugly, nasty, dirty parts because that is the only way for healing to start. I certainly don’t want to put words in Emil’s mouth, so join us Thursday 3.17.25 at 8:30pm pst @director503 ig live and ask him yourself.
Challenger II
Rippin Sindher
ZONE
is a gut wrenching 5 minute documentary about California’s agricultural rich, Central Valley. More specifically laying out in an unapologetic but not preachy way, Fresno California’s representative role in it.
The doc does such an incredible job of calling out what almost seem like impossible realities in a very real, approachable and impactful way. ZONE come to us as a master class in how much truth and emotion can be effectively conveyed in 5 minutes. It shows how a skilled film maker with a little time, even less budget but limitless commitment can accomplish. (full disclosure: I worked on ZONE with her)
If the term wake up and hustle had a face, this——> is what it would look like. Hailing from Fresno California (Selma) Ripp has a passionate hart for her home town, for justice and her art. All of which together I am sure is why she has been among my dearest friend for more than a year now. I am very excited to sit down with her this Thursday 03/13/25 at 8:30PM pst, to talk all about this doc, her other projects (I told you she be workin!), Hollywood, life, art and whatever else comes up.
D.P. - CHAMP ROBINSON
Champ Robinson - Like so many of us CHAMP is the definition of a Multihyphenate. Primarily a Director Champ is literally one of the few who from DP to Color to Mixing and rentals can TRULY -
DO IT ALL.
KELLY
a love letter to Black women, explores the transformative power of love. Meet Kelly, gorgeous, confident, and fiercely independent, whose life revolves around her sophisticated and vibrant lifestyle. Her world is rich and fulfilling, with no room for uninvited romance that doesn't align with her queendom. However, when Kelly's path collides with William, a charismatic horticulturist passionate about plants and people, her carefully constructed walls gradually open up. Their chance encounter leads to a unique connection and they become engulfed in the beauty of nurturing each other.