The DMF With Justin Younts

Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for part three of our conversation.This one gets into the things actors don't always talk about openly, starting with crying on cue. We get into the different ways actors get there, from external aids like menthol to genuinely tapping into real emotion, and why it's worth being honest with yourself about which one you're actually using.We also talk routines, morning and night, and how much they shape a performance. Meditation, fitness, the small habits that keep you grounded before you step in front of a camera. From there it's special skills and the risk of overstating them on a resume, audition prep, and a detour into the music and movies that shaped us — Taylor Swift, Jack Nicholson, Chinatown, and Uncut Gems.In this episode we discuss:Crying on cue and the techniques actors use to get thereMorning and night routines, meditation, and fitnessSpecial skills and the risk of overstating themAudition preparationJack Nicholson, Chinatown, and Uncut GemsHow to reach Mel Mack Acting StudioMel Mack Acting Studio: https://melmackactingstudio.com/00:00:00 - Crying on Cue 00:01:57 - Daily Routines, Meditation, and Fitness 00:06:26 - Special Skills and the Risks of Exaggerating 00:09:37 - Books, New York, and Audition Preparation 00:11:42 - Music and Taylor Swift's Influence 00:16:10 - What Mel's Watching 00:16:31 - Jack Nicholson, Movie Legends, and Being an Extra 00:19:28 - Chinatown, Marty Supreme, and Uncut Gems 00:20:51 - How to Reach Mel Mack Acting Studio#ActingTips #CryingOnCue #JackNicholson #TaylorSwift #AuditionPrep #ActingPodcast

Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for the complete interview.Mel is an acting coach, casting director, actress, and author of 101 Acting Tips, and coaching is really the thread that runs through everything she does. We start with where she's from — Buffalo and Medina, New York — and how she found acting before making the leap to Hollywood, Florida, and eventually Los Angeles with no map for how the business actually worked.What stuck with me most was Mel's take on boldness and analysis paralysis — how so many actors talk themselves out of the choice that would've booked the room, and how she coaches actors out of that pattern. She's blunt about the gap acting schools leave in actors' training: technique gets taught, the business side almost never does. That gap is exactly why she started her own acting studio — the same instinct that carried her through booking Will & Grace and working with Madonna. We also get into what it actually means to bring your authentic self into a room, why bigger choices are easier for a director to work with, and how she coaches actors to adapt their skills across mediums.If you've ever walked out of an audition knowing something was off but couldn't name it, this conversation is for you.In this episode we discuss:Why she started her own acting studio, and the gap in acting education that led her thereHow she coaches actors out of analysis paralysis and into bolder choicesCoaching actors on bringing their authentic selves into the roomWhy bigger choices are easier for a director to work withCoaching actors to adapt their skills across different mediumsBreaking into Los Angeles and learning the business the hard wayBooking Will & Grace and working with MadonnaGrowing up in Buffalo and Medina, and the move to Hollywood, FloridaGuest: Mel Mack, acting coach and author of 101 Acting Tips Mel Mack Acting Studio: https://melmackactingstudio.com/Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Mel Mack 00:00:41 - Growing Up in Buffalo and Medina 00:02:15 - Discovering Acting and Moving to Hollywood, Florida 00:04:09 - Boldness, Risk-Taking, and Analysis Paralysis 00:11:48 - Breaking into Los Angeles and Learning the Business 00:13:05 - Why Acting Schools Don't Prepare Actors for Auditions 00:16:11 - From Audition Struggles to Starting an Acting Studio 00:17:57 - Booking Will & Grace and Working with Madonna 00:21:03 - Helping Actors Bring Their Authentic Selves 00:23:57 - Adapting Acting Skills for Different Mediums 00:24:28 - Why Bigger Choices Are Easier to Direct#Acting #ActingCoach #ActingTips #AuditionTips #ActingStudio #CastingDirector #WillAndGrace #Madonna #Hollywood #ActingCareer #Podcast

Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux as we explore the power of mindset, perspective, and personal growth — both in life and in the creative journey.During our discussion, I share a pivotal story from my own life that reshaped how I approach challenges. I talk about trying out for the basketball team and not making it — a moment that felt like failure at the time. That experience led me to join the track team, something completely outside my comfort zone.At first, I resisted it. I felt outmatched and overwhelmed. But over time, that discomfort became the very thing that pushed me forward.The turning point came during a crucial race when I realized my biggest obstacle wasn’t physical — it was mental. My perspective had been holding me back. Once I reframed how I saw myself and focused on my strengths, everything shifted — and I ended up winning.Jaze and I use this story as a springboard to discuss how mindset, resilience, and reframing failure are essential tools for filmmakers, actors, and creatives navigating the industry.This episode is packed with insights on perspective, growth, and how shifting your internal narrative can change your external results.Let’s dive in.Check out these links:⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jazebordeaux.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/jazebordeaux/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jazebordeaux/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@jazebordeaux⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jazebordeaux⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/jazebordeaux⁠00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:06 - Discussion on Previous Topics00:00:46 - Personal Story: Track and Field Experience00:09:24 - Lessons Learned from Track and Field Experience00:10:25 - Applying Lessons to Life and Work00:12:04 - Inside the Actors Studio Questions: Morning Routine00:12:50 - Inside the Actors Studio Questions: Nighttime Routine00:13:27 - Inside the Actors Studio Questions: Meditation Practice00:15:07 - Starting Taekwondo and Reading Screenplays00:16:20 - Listening to Music: Hans Zimmer00:16:41 - Discussion on Movie 'Shame' and Favorite Hans Zimmer Track00:18:41 - What are you Watching: TV Series00:21:27 - Last Film Watched in Theater: 'Honey'00:24:07 - Contact Information and Closing

Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to dive into an increasingly important conversation in modern cinema: film ownership in the digital age.If there’s a movie you truly love and know you’ll want to revisit, should you actually own it? With streaming platforms constantly shifting licensing agreements, the risk of losing access to your favorite films is more real than ever. Imagine waking up one day to find your entire digital library gone — removed due to rights expiring or distribution deals changing.Jaze and I explore why taking action now to secure your film collection matters — whether that means investing in Blu-rays, DVDs, or platforms that allow true digital ownership rather than temporary access.In this conversation, we discuss:Physical media vs streamingDigital licensing and film rightsThe fragility of digital librariesFilm preservation and collector cultureThe future of movie ownershipHybrid models of physical + digital accessAs actors, filmmakers, and cinephiles, the way films are stored, distributed, and preserved directly impacts how we study performances and access cinema history. Understanding ownership isn’t just about collecting — it’s about protecting the films that shape us.Join us as we break down the importance of owning the movies you love and what the future may hold for film libraries in an ever-changing industry.Don’t wait until it’s too late — let’s take control of our movie collections together.Check out these links:⁠⁠http://jazebordeaux.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/jazebordeaux/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jazebordeaux/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@jazebordeaux⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@jazebordeaux⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/jazebordeaux00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:06 - Discussion on Media Ownership00:01:45 - Transition to Physical Media00:02:16 - Creating Your Own On-Demand Service00:02:59 - The Role of Plex00:03:36 - Cross-Platform Media Consumption00:04:02 - Transition to Filmmaking00:04:07 - On-Set Experience00:05:04 - Advice for Film Students00:07:05 - The Importance of Acting00:09:47 - The Work of an Actor00:11:48 - Getting On-Set Experience00:12:52 - Inspiration to Get into Film00:15:13 - Communication Between Directors and Actors00:16:21 - Collaboration with Actors00:16:40 - The Role of Actors in Character Development00:19:42 - Transition to Film Naming00:20:06 - The Story Behind Film Naming00:20:14 - The Inception of EFC00:21:03 - Importance of Film Title00:21:21 - Challenges in Film Naming00:27:12 - Marketing and Audience Expectations00:30:09 - The Origin of EFC

Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today I had the pleasure of speaking with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux. In this engaging conversation, we dive deep into Jaze’s journey from growing up in the United States to ultimately finding his true home in Canada. He shares his experiences moving through different states, the cultural diversity he encountered along the way, and how those experiences shaped his perspective as a filmmaker.We also discuss the importance of understanding the business side of filmmaking, especially when it comes to financing projects. Jaze emphasizes that every film is essentially a startup, requiring careful planning, clarity, and a solid financial structure. He encourages aspiring filmmakers to take their time developing their stories and to be precise and realistic about their asks when pitching projects.This episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of film production. Don’t miss these lessons that could save you both time and money on your filmmaking journey.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Presentation00:00:42 - Guest's Early Life and Background00:04:03 - Guest's Perception of American and Canadian Mindsets00:06:36 - Guest's Appreciation for North American Diversity00:09:38 - Guest's Entrepreneurial Journey00:14:02 - Guest's Inspiration in Entrepreneurship00:15:16 - Guest's Approach to Financing and Planning00:20:37 - Guest's Learning Experience and Practical Advice00:21:29 - Guest's Insights on Film Production00:22:19 - Advice for Young Filmmakers00:24:22 - Importance of a Clear Pitch00:29:10 - Changes in the Film IndustryCheck out these links:http://jazebordeaux.com/https://www.facebook.com/jazebordeaux/https://www.instagram.com/jazebordeaux/https://www.threads.net/@jazebordeauxhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jazebordeauxhttps://x.com/jazebordeaux

Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Alexandra Beller takes us deep into the role of movement in acting and how it naturally evolves through collaboration between actors, directors, and designers.Alexandra explains that movement isn’t something imposed on a performance—it emerges from the relationship between body language, text, and the energetic exchange between characters. She talks about recognizing when something feels “off” in a scene and how that friction can actually be used as a creative tool to strengthen performance rather than something to avoid.Drawing from examples in television, Alexandra discusses how shows like Gilmore Girls and This Is Us use timing, rhythm, and dialogue to generate emotional impact. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and stakes, noting how a director’s guidance around movement can deepen narrative clarity and emotional truth.Throughout the conversation, Alexandra highlights how physical choices can reveal character intention and elevate storytelling. She also introduces her upcoming book, The Anatomy of Art, which explores the artistic process and includes practical exercises designed to help creatives grow through embodied practice.If you’re interested in how movement, energy, and intention intersect in performance, this episode offers valuable insight into how physicality can transform acting from the inside out.00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:18 - Collaboration in Art00:01:05 - Analyzing and Understanding Actors00:01:37 - Interpreting and Directing Dialogues00:02:51 - Stylization and Context in Film00:04:39 - Reading Characters and Predicting Outcomes00:06:12 - Understanding Body Language in Acting00:09:14 - Interpreting Non-Verbal Communication00:11:21 - Experiencing Film and Theater00:11:50 - Engagement and Authenticity in Performance00:12:54 - Influence of Global Theater on Work00:13:07 - Working with Directors00:13:55 - Constellatory Thinking in Directing00:15:45 - The Role of Embodiment in Directing00:17:30 - The Art of Choreography00:18:58 - Influence of Global Theater Styles00:21:21 - Praxis Space: An Artistic Community00:21:22 - The Anatomy of Art: A New Book00:21:22 - The Anatomy of Art: A Deeper Dive00:25:47 - The Role of Directing in Acting00:30:00 - Inside the Actor's Studio: Quick Answers00:31:29 - Reading Habits and Preferences00:32:04 - Listening Preferences00:32:04 - Watching Preferences00:33:16 - Discussion on Recent Movies00:33:22 - In-depth Analysis of Superman Reboot00:36:24 - Contact Information and Course Offerings00:37:24 - Closing RemarksCheck out her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.alexandrabellerdances.org/

Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Alexandra Beller, an incredible artist, choreographer, and soon-to-be-published author. In this first part of our conversation, we dive deep into Alexandra's upbringing in Queens during the vibrant 80s, a time that profoundly influenced her artistic journey. She shares how the rich diversity of characters and experiences around her shaped her resilience and creativity. From sneaking into the Metropolitan Museum to sketch Rembrandts to her first dance class at summer camp, Alexandra's story is one of passion and discovery. We explore the importance of embodiment in dance and how it transcends mere movement, allowing for a deeper connection to oneself. Alexandra also discusses her academic journey at the University of Michigan, where she double-majored in dance and English, seeking a balance between technical skill and literary prowess. This conversation is not just about dance; it’s about finding your voice, challenging societal norms, and embracing the complexities of human expression. Join us as we uncover the layers of creativity and the power of asking 'why' in art. Don’t miss out on this inspiring dialogue that encourages you to explore your own artistic potential!00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:29 - Growing Up in Queens, New York00:00:39 - Influence of New York on Career00:02:26 - Early Exposure to Art and Culture00:03:31 - Discovering Dance00:05:08 - College Experience and Majoring in Dance and English00:06:57 - Influence of Literature and Bible Study00:08:42 - Changing Perspectives and Adapting00:09:16 - Challenging Established Norms in Art00:11:11 - Pushing Boundaries in Casting and Directing00:14:01 - Addressing Controversial Content in Older Stories00:15:29 - Questioning Societal Norms in Storytelling00:16:04 - Reimagining Macbeth00:19:17 - The Need for Empathy in Storytelling00:20:00 - Staying True to the Text00:21:52 - The Importance of 'How' in Storytelling00:23:35 - The Role of Improvisation in Creativity00:24:45 - Introduction to Laban and Bartenieff00:25:08 - The Influence of Laban and Bartenieff on Dance00:30:52 - Using Movement for Character Development00:31:30 - Recognizing Non-Neutrality in Acting00:32:04 - Associations and Emotions in Acting00:32:25 - Interpreting Anger in Acting00:34:05 - Understanding Personal Energy in Acting00:34:32 - The Role of Laban's Effort in Acting00:35:57 - Manipulating Energy in Acting00:36:19 - ConclusionCheck out her website: https://www.alexandrabellerdances.org/

I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake. Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine La Monte, who reminds us of the power of one simple word: yes. For Christine, saying yes has opened doors throughout her life and career — from directing plays to embracing unexpected film projects. One such opportunity is tied to her husband’s book, Justice Deferred, which was once optioned by Warner Brothers and has now returned to her control. With screenwriter Laura Curran attached, Christine is actively pushing forward to bring it to life as a feature or series.Christine speaks openly about embracing challenges with purpose. She often reflects on the book The Journey of the Everyday Hero, a philosophy she lives by — that every challenge carries the seed of growth. She believes deeply that experiences, both good and difficult, shape who we are meant to become.Her commitment to self-care and spirituality also fuels her creative work. Through walking meditation, saying the rosary, and carving out moments of quiet connection, Christine finds balance amid a whirlwind of meetings, screenings, and creative responsibilities.Books remain a core source of joy and expansion for her — she belongs to two book clubs and loves the way literature broadens perspective and sparks conversation.Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a writer, or someone simply looking for motivation, Christine’s journey is a reminder to say yes, lean into challenge, and trust that your path is unfolding as it should.Thank you for joining us on this episode of the DMF. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations!00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:09 - Justice Deferred and Future Projects00:00:57 - The Power of Saying Yes00:02:01 - The Journey of the Everyday Hero00:02:56 - Personal Beliefs and Practices00:03:58 - Daily Routine00:05:07 - Film and Television Preferences00:06:18 - Professional Associations and Experiences00:08:25 - Meditation Practices00:10:55 - Physical Activities00:11:54 - Current Reads00:15:23 - Influence of Filmmakers00:16:13 - Working with David Lynch00:16:34 - Lessons from Masters00:16:59 - Music Preferences00:20:02 - Work Ethic00:20:35 - The Role of Producers00:21:34 - Current Watchlist00:22:33 - Contact Information