Category: Uncategorized

Gregory Hernandez is a filmmaker and video producer. Since 2017, he has worked on a feature length documentary called “1.5 million” which centers around the literacy crisis in The Bronx.

He is the founder and owner of “Green Canvas Productions,” a video production company that produces commercials and explainer videos, and is the co-host of “Uptown Films,” a 30-40 minute weekly podcast created to: improve the Uptown NYC cinema landscape, appreciate the craft of filmmaking, and spotlight the array of career paths within the industry.

In addition, Gregory is the Executive Director and President of the “Bronx Independent Cinema Center,” a movie theater and incubator coming soon to the Bronx! Follow at @1.5million_documentary

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:04 — 5.0MB)

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Suzanne Russo is a NYC based artist and illustrator. She is inspired by her love of the city & walks around her neighborhood, Washington Heights. Influenced by working 20 years as a fashion designer, she is drawn to interesting mixes of color, pattern, and texture. She looks to capture the beauty of her neighborhood & surroundings in a real way using primarily marker & inks. Follow on instagram @sketchingtheheights

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:09 — 5.0MB)

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Josh Liveright is a writer, director, and producer. In 1991 he co-founded Zena Group, a not-for-profit theater and film collective based in New York City. As Zena Group’s artistic director Josh produced New York premieres of plays by Mark O’Donnell, Jose Rivera, Neena Beber, Steven Dietz, among many others. As a filmmaker, Josh has produced several short films including Let Go, nominated for best short at the 1997 Hamptons International Film Festival and the US Comedy Arts Film Festival, American Falls, Matt Higgins: The Improvisor, and the three “What if?” Shorts. In addition to his own work, he curates performing arts space at Buunni Coffee in Inwood.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:58 — 5.0MB)

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Martyna Majok was born in Bytom, Poland and raised in Jersey and Chicago. She was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, Cost of Living, which debuted this past fall on Broadway. Other plays include Sanctuary City, Queens, and Ironbound, which have been produced across American and international stages. Keep up with her projects at www.martynamajok.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:08 — 5.0MB)

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Emmanuel Abreu is a New York City based photographer who has been collaborating with his Uptown community of Washington Heights/Inwood since the start of his career. His images tend to capture the raw joy in almost any situation, and this is why his work led him to become a professional wedding photographer. His travel photography focuses on landscape, street, and sometimes portraiture, just like in his neighborhood. Some of his work has been featured on media outlets like the local Manhattan Times, New York Times, and Local Blogs, as well as sites like HuffPost and Gothamist. He hopes to continue capturing the love and beauty of his community for years to come. Check out more of his work at www.eabreuvisuals.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:55 — 31.1MB)

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Max Pollak is pictured on the US Postage Stamp honoring Tap Dance and has recently been awarded a NY State Artist Grant for his musical compositions and choreography. Seamlessly combining body percussion, tap dance and singing, he has performed worldwide with top artists in jazz, Latin, and classical music. He spent his formative years learning from and working with his mentors Carnell Lyons, Heather Cornell, Buster Brown, Jimmy Slyde, Cyro Baptista, and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. He is also recognized for playing in prestigious international classical music venues and festivals, and for his pioneering work with the visually and hearing impaired, and people with cognitive disorders. As an award-winning choreographer and composer, he is a co-creator of the Off-Broadway hit show Carmen – To Havana and Back, and a sought-after educator, writer, and recording artist. In addition, in 2015, he released his first CD entitled “RumbaTap.” Find out more at www.mxpllk.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:28 — 27.0MB)

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Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Hayley Podchun has been working consistently as a professional actor since the age of 10 and on Broadway since the age of 12. With eight Broadway shows, two national tours, film/television/voiceover work, and a guest host on QVC, she is a true triple threat. From 2013-2014 she was seen touring the country by bubble in the smash hit musical, Wicked, where she played her dream role of Glinda and even earned a “Best Actress in a Touring Production” win from BroadwayWorld.com (Austin, TX). She was also on the National Tour of Hairspray where she played one of the “nicest kids”, Tammy, and closed the tour as Penny Pingleton. Broadway credits include: Hello, Dolly, Something Rotten!, Chaplin, Anything Goes, Pal Joey, Sunday in the Park With George, Hairspray, and The Sound of Music. She has numerous regional and New York credits, including originating the title role of Julianne Moore’s Freckleface Strawberry Off Broadway. Keep up with her at www.hayleypodschun.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:13 — 15.8MB)

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Louis Carrasco is a filmmaker and photographer from the Bronx, NY. He has worked in the media industry for close to 10 years. Having graduated from CUNY-Lehman College with a BA in media studies. He recently moved back from LA, working on many settings. His last directed short was a two episode series title Famished Artists. He is also a recipient of the Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund Award for his project The Puerto Rican Jew. Follow on instagram @loucarrproductions

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:24 — 13.2MB)

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Daniel Bonilla is an artist that lives in Washington Heights/Inwood. Through his art, her “strives to reflect the movement of the times in a bright and impactful way.”  During the early days of the pandemic, he had the opportunity to bring the neighborhood to life with vivid and compelling street art. Through his handle “Art Man Dan” he continues to display his talent on window panels during the various holiday season, which brings a lot of joy to the community. Follow on instagram @artmandan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:38 — 26.2MB)

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Hillary Carrigan is an award-winning Producer/Editor known for her contributions in post-production for feature-length film (You Hurt My Feelings, Jerry and Marge Go Large, Marriage Story, among others). She values projects that are uniquely human and foster creativity, a love of storytelling, equality and change. Her digital work for politics and nonprofits has been viewed online over fifty-million times across platforms, notably for International Planned Parenthood Federation, Hillary For America, and Biden/Harris. Hillary’s creative work has been officially selected for film festivals including: The Master of Art Film Festival, Mediawave, Slate Open 5.0 Chicago. She was a member of the jury for Split Video Art Festival 2021.  In addition, she is a recipient of the Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund grant for her upcoming short, NANA.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:59 — 22.9MB)

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