Episodes

Canadian Director David Winning has shot 43 features, and 29 series, and has 180 TV credits overall. And he has yet to turn down a job. Join me in this inspiring conversation about being the master of your creative fate, the importance of running a happy set, and behind-the-scenes tales on those popular Hallmark Movies. Connect with David Winning: IMDb Website Facebook Let’s Connect! Alexia Melocchi - Website The Heart of Show Business - Website Little Studio Films - Website Shop Our Mercha...

My guest Eric Farber, founder of Creators Legal, chats with me today about the creator economy, NFTs, and the importance of IP ownership for artists in all areas including podcasters and influencers. Longtime attorney Eric Farber has launched Creators’ Legal, an online platform that offers contract templates and other dealmaking tools designed for content creators. The website offers a range of industry-standard contracts, as well as the ability to sign and store agreements in a “digital brief...

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW SERIES HOLLYWOOD SCAMS AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT. Let’s Connect! Alexia Melocchi - Website The Heart of Show Business - Website Little Studio Films - Website Shop Our Merchandise! Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

In this episode of The Heart of Show Business, our host Alexia Melocchi talks with actor and producer Sam Humphrey. Sam is known for his roles in movies like The Greatest Showman or Jeremy the Dud and his equality advocating producing style. Originally from New Zealand, Sam has a unique story that has shaped him into who he is today. Tune in if you want to learn more about his journey from New Zealand to Hollywood, how he had pushed through dark moments even when the doctors told him he wouldn’...

In this episode of The Heart of Show Business, our host Alexia Melocchi has a great conversation with Michael Nitti and his daughter Erica Nitti, who have worked together on their latest book, “Mastery.” Michael has been a life and business coach for over three decades and published the best seller “Trophy Effect” a few years ago. Erica is also a coach and has mentored numerous showrunners, celebrities, and business people. Together they talk about the importance of attitude for succeeding in l...

In this episode of The Heart of Show Business our host Alexia Melocchi talks with fellow experienced producer Betsy Sullenger. Betsy has been in the business for decades and has experience as a producer in features such as The Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse or Anaconda and in series such as Disney, Emmy award-winning Liv, and Maddie. She is a freelance producer who often works with acclaimed director Andy Fickman. Tune in if you want to get sucked into a conversation about women in produ...

It is a dream of many best-selling authors to become screenwriters as a means of turning their books into movies. In this episode, you will get a glimpse of the reverse scenario- when a very successful Hollywood screenwriter channels his voice into books, with his latest novel YOU MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE PRICK, a murder mystery with subtle messages about the flaws of our health system. Reuben Leder comes from Hollywood royalty- his sisters Mimi Leder being a DGA and Emmy winning director, and Gerar...

Today’s guest is a writer and producer Craig T. Williams. In recent years, the conversation about inclusion and diversity in storytelling has gotten louder and stronger. For those who have no idea what the term BIPOC means, this episode is for you. It is also for you to about the journeys of the hustle and grind of writers not based on the West Coast as well as an eye-opening conversation about the proven profitability of diverse storytelling. In the end, those who have passion and talent, bus...

The Heart of Show Business was created to celebrate trailblazers and changemakers in Hollywood and beyond. In this Valentine’s Day special solo episode, I bring you into my emotional world of the past month, with the loss of one of my fur family members, and my own journey to self-love. I will also tell you about the 3 things I believe in about Hollywood that keep me grounded and eternally optimistic. Short but sweet, and ALL HEART. Resources: Great Greeks Podcast Hané Saga Creative Screenw...

40 percent of feeling in movies and television is done through music. It is often used to amplify the chemistry between actors or the importance of a scene. And it can also conceal production flaws or poor performances. What’s it like to be a composer in the Entertainment World? Today’s very special guest is accomplished Canadian composer Christopher Nickel. I had the pleasure of working with him on a short film called Pluripotent in what feels like a lifetime ago. He has since then performed ...

Prolific actor Jonathan Silverman indirectly defined my movie business career. His hit movie Weekend At Bernie’s was one of the first films we helped distribute overseas. The son of a Rabbi, Jonathan caught the acting bug early on and was catapulted into Broadway, experiencing fame and fortune in 80’s Los Angeles, a very different Hollywood that today’s. Tune in for a very special and lively discussion on his meeting and working with Meryl Streep, aka GOAT. As we travel back in time he recalls...

New Year’s resolutions do not work. Choices do. In this Season 3 Solo podcast, I go over the 10 things that helped my Business and Life in 2021 and that I am carrying over into 2022. I believe them to be helpful to all creatives out there. This was a hard episode for me to release as it was recorded a few days prior to the untimely passing of a member of our Fur Family, my black Cat CAIRO. If you would like to honor all animal creatures and the ones already who are making your lives joyful, p...

Two words - THANK YOU - if truly heartfelt, can open more doors to happiness and success than ever imagined. There is a saying that goes your NETWORK is your NET WORTH. In this podcast episode, my guests, Erica Gerard Di Bona and Vin Di Bona are taking us on a journey of values, passion, and old-school manners. Erica Gerard di Bona is an accomplished production executive and the author of “ The Power of Thank You: How Writing a Letter can Open Doors, Make Friends and Close Deals”. Together w...

What does an Entertainment Lawyer really do and do creatives really need one? In this episode, we meet one of Hollywood’s top Entertainment Attorneys who truly cares for artists, because he is one. His weekly clubhouse session on entertainment law exposed drives hundreds of people every week to get precious legal advice that you will be paying hundreds if not 1000s of dollars for and he offers that as a gift to the artistic community. David Wienir is a business affairs executive at United tale...

Susan Hum is a thought leader and self-mastery expert specializing in the areas of love and relationship with a specific focus on emotional intelligence. Her own personal journey led Susan to achieve success in all pillars of life, family, career, business, and financial freedom. She is also the host of the podcast Heart of Truth. Susan’s success in helping high achievers open their hearts to love, including yours truly, by the way, and live with more passion, has led her to work with some very ...

Director and writer Jim Fall is my guest today, and you don’t want to miss this conversation. He made his big splash in Hollywood in 1999 with the indie feature TRICK, showcased at Sundance. And then he went on to direct in 2003The Lizzie McGuire movie for Disney. At the time, it came in second after X Men in the box office. He then directed the likes of Zachary Quinto in VH1, and John Stamos in the Wedding Wars at A&E. Jim found his niche in directing niche - from same-sex romcoms to Christmas ...

Artists are storytellers- and When fueled by a sense of purpose, they express that beyond the craft they are most known for. Cerina Vincent -My guest in this episode -is not only a talented and experienced actor - but she is also a mother, an author, and beautiful inside and out. Lean in and listen as she tells us about the tragic event that triggered her latest book, EVERYBODY HAS A BELLY BUTTON, written and created for her son to celebrate diversity and teach our young ones about the beautif...

Can Italian Excellence dominate Hollywood? The Italian Television Festival (ITTV) in its second LIVE year, after the Pandemic Hiatus, is about to kick off in style in Los Angeles and it’s bringing all the Italian movers and shakers in film, music, brands, and food. My guest today is beautiful, smart, and purpose-driven Valentina Martelli. She has a lot to say about the uniqueness of this yearly event, that not only is 100 percent free, but it aims to break boundaries between US television and ...

Can Art be run like a Business? Yes, it can. All artists are deep down entrepreneurs, taking risks and investing in themselves for their “creative startup.” In this very special episode, the Founder of the leading networking and educational platform for creatives around the world, STAGE 32, tells us the story of his own ME, INC, and how the inception of Stage 32 came about. Richard “RB” Botto created his business opportunities for his art, but ultimately for the higher calling of uniting crea...

This heart of showbusiness episode has been brought to you by its sponsor, the Eden magazine. The Eden magazine focuses on awareness and educational articles to promote and emphasize humane living and environmental consciousness for all living beings. The Eden magazine is a nonprofit 501 c three, available online and in print, to take you to the world of living in a healthier, harmonious, and cruelty-free world. Ashley Avis is the director of the much-loved new rendition of the classic BLACK BE...

How do you define yourself in 28 words or less? In today’s very competitive business world, and in Hollywood, you get one shot- to stand out, to make a difference, to get ahead. And if you have a clear knowledge of your personal brand, you have 10x your chances of getting to the finish line. There are always people who say it’s vital to define Who do you help? And how do you help them? But also it can be translated as what do you do and why? And if there's somebody who really has mastered th...

What if we looked at life’s challenges with the lens of curiosity instead of resistance? DeDee Pfeiffer has been doing just that in this new phase of her existence. You all know her from her last name, being the sister of Michelle Pfeiffer, but also for having carved her own path of a very prolific acting career with her most recent starring role in David E. Kelley’s hit show Big Sky. She is back after a 10-year hiatus from Hollywood, where she focused on her well-being, overcoming addiction, ...

Is it possible to sell many scripts and actually see the words on a page turned into movies and shows? Yes, it is. My guest, Kraig Wenman, is the poster child of a busy and prolific writer. He has sold 63 scripts and has 27 produced film credits. And he is also one of those lovely Canadians, eh. His psychological thriller Secret obsession scored 40 million views in 28 days putting in the top 10 most-watched Netflix originals ever. You do not want to miss this conversation. We discuss his ear...

As kids, we all dream of what we can become when we grow up. But not always follow through on that dream. Eva La Rue did. An Emmy winning actress for an outstanding guest performance on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and known for her sassy role of Detective Natalia Boa Vista in CSI MIAMI and many years on ALL MY CHILDREN, plus multiple leading parts in films, this Latina is the complete package: mother, actress, entrepreneur and a good human who wants to make a difference in the world. In an intim...