Posts tagged with "acting"

Changing the Game in Cannabis

Q&A With Tatev Oganyan of the Oganyan Agency: Changing the Game in Cannabis

The 360 Magazine had the honor of interviewing a woman who is changing the game in the cannabis space as well as luxury consumer goods as one of the top attorneys in California. She is a force to be reckoned with due to her many accolades and talents. Mrs. Oganyan speaks on gender equality, balancing her professional and personal life, her favorite hobbies including her successful “Happy High Hour” events in Orange County, the future of the cannabis industry, and which A-list celebrities are investing in cannabis companies. Read the informative interview below and keep up with Tatev on INSTAGRAM and her website TheOganyanAgency.com

As a powerful female attorney in the cannabis space, do you find being a woman has made it harder for your success? We read all the time about actresses not being paid the same as their male co-stars. Would you say the cannabis industry is similar or not at all?

I think being a woman has its challenges in most industries including acting and cannabis, especially as you move up the corporate ladder. I have seen my fair share of gender inequality, which could be detrimental to cannabis companies. Without a doubt, there are a lot more hurdles for women to overcome but we are stronger because of it in an industry that requires thick skin. You must know your worth and advocate for yourself, negotiate your pay and work hard to get what you want because it will not be handed to you.

How do you balance your professional life and your personal life? 360 read that you work with your husband, what are your tips on leaving work stress at the office?

My husband is of counsel at The Oganyan Agency for corporate and commercial real estate matters so it’s not uncommon to talk business while we brush our teeth.

We just got back from our honeymoon in Croatia, which we had to postpone for eight months due to work deadlines. We powered through and our clients were very grateful. Here are some tips that work for us

Get organized and coordinate scheduling for work and personal time on a regular basis.

Respect professional boundaries and personal space at home and in the office, which is important for privacy and comfort.

Find ways to instill passion in each project and have fun. Your clients will appreciate it.

Make time for nature to unplug and stay active.

Be present.

Our readers would love to know some of your favorite hobbies.

My creative outlet is drawing, painting, and curating unique experiences through experiential marketing. This week, we hosted a Happy High Hour, which was an exclusive taste testing event for industry insiders and influencers to meet Trendi, an indoor premium California flower brand that launched this summer.

Where do you see the Cannabis Industry within the next year?

Without federal legalization, sound regulation, and tax breaks, the market will continue to be volatile as the illicit market thrives. Large operators will continue to buyout challenged operators. Mergers and acquisitions will accelerate as larger companies expand their footprint to boost revenue. The stigma will reduce as education and research improves and more states legalize cannabis. A lot more Americans will be open to using cannabis regularly for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Do you believe cannabis will be legalized on a federal level? If so, when do you see that happening?

I believe cannabis will be legalized but no time soon, unfortunately. I am optimistic about the prospects of full federal legalization in the long run because I believe it has broad popular support from the American people.

Just look at how long progress takes at the federal level with the SAFE Banking Act which was first introduced in 2013. It would be a huge boom to the legitimacy of the cannabis industry if cannabis companies could bank like every other legitimate business.

It’s 2022 and despite the Act’s continued bipartisan support, we see it held up for one reason or another by both Democrats and Republicans. Overall, we believe the momentum is there for the bill to eventually pass, but it is not a priority for this legislative season.

Tell us who inspires you and did they help influence you to pursue your career in the cannabis space?

My cannabis backstory happened largely by chance. I applied for a job on Indeed fall of 2016 and the industry was not disclosed to me until the final interview. I requested time to consider the offer since I was unsure if cannabis was legal at the time. My husband (then boyfriend) helped me research California laws on cannabis and encouraged me to pursue a legal career in cannabis. He also believed in my entrepreneurial spirit since law school and motivated me to start my own business in 2020. Today, we tag team our largest projects together.

What are 3 tips or professional advice you have for our readers who are looking to open a dispensary and have never been in the cannabis industry before?

Only the cream of the crop makes it. Don’t expect to get rich overnight. The heavy tax burdens (up to 40%), ever-changing regulations, and competing illicit markets make it challenging to operate a profitable dispensary.

Know your market. Integrate yourself into the cannabis culture for long-term industry success.

The industry is not for the faint-hearted. Learn to eat bad news for breakfast because you must be relentless to survive when navigating unseen waters.

Since 360 is a lifestyle magazine and also focuses on celebrities, do you see a shift in celebrities being open publicly about using cannabis recreationally?

We are seeing more celebrities openly discuss cannabis or CBD consumption especially celebrities who want to get into the cannabis industry. Fans expect authentic ventures and collabs. Cannabis consumers are very quick to reject cash grabs.

In order to succeed, celebrities must connect with the culture and lifestyle by openly sharing their story and relationship with weed. Otherwise, their involvement will seem merely opportunistic.

Do you think celebrities will start investing in cannabis companies?

Cannabis is an emerging industry and a hot commodity with strong ties to Hollywood, hip-hop, and reggae cultures. In recent years, more celebrities are investing in cannabis-connected businesses. Many like Mike Tyson, Bella Thorne and Seth Rogen are already creating their own cannabis brands. Brands that exemplify celebrity personas capitalize on an existing fan base, which can help drive retail sales. It’s exciting to see how celebrity-backed products attract new cannabis-curious consumers and audiences.

Lastly, if you could give advice and inspiration to your younger self starting off in law school, what would you say?

I would tell my younger self to enjoy the ride as much as the destination. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun because the work will always be there. Trust your instincts and stop doubting yourself. Use your fear as fuel to learn. Being scared and uncomfortable is a sign of personal growth.

360 MAG: a no-nonsense conversation

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360 MAG: a no-nonsense conversation reports on green design + pop news. Hosted by Vaughn Lowery, Javier Pedroza, Armon Hayes, LaJune Grant.

Lowery called the podcast, “An evocative gallery where everyone can continue to celebrate their singularity.” Pedroza added, “I’d like for people to feel inspired, joyful, creative, and stronger after listening to 360 MAG: A No-Nonsense Conversation.”

In the first episode, Javier Pedroza spoke with Piso 21, a Latin pop group known for hits such as Me Llamas, Besándote, and Déjala Que Vuelva. 360 also interviewed other major figures: singer Carmen DeLeon, disabled TikTok influencer NotLewy, and actor/rapper Young Dylan. Stay tuned. We’ll also chat with representatives from the technology, design, and automotive industries.360 also recently released the Animal Series NFT collection. Four NFTs will be on sale until May 1st. Get yours now by clicking HERE. More information can be found HERE. Find the podcast on Apple, Amazon, Google, and Spotify. Podcasts will be available in both Spanish and English. Additionally, 360 MAG has a dedicated RSS feed and has launched an account on Twitch to increase reach.

EPISODES

ABOUT 360 MAGAZINE

360 MAGAZINE is an edgy fashion, lifestyle and culture magazine, introducing cutting-edge brands, entities and trends to taste makers within their respective communities. Founding members have over 30 years of collective experience both as notable talent and professionals within the realms of fashion, music, art, design and entertainment. 360 is more than just a magazine comprised of journalists, representing a movement of social awareness and change.

360 is a LGBTQIA-friendly publication, officially recognized by the NGLCC. The magazine is contemporary in look and appeal. Quality art content is the constant goal. It will be entertaining, newsworthy and thought-provoking, appealing to a broad entertainment readership. No publication like it is available today, constantly celebrating racial as well as sexual ambiguous talent and artists.

Madame Tussauds × The Rock

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Global entertainment, fitness and entrepreneurial icon Dwayne Johnson revealed his four new wax figures at Madame Tussauds New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas and Orlando—dominating the screen, the ring, and now the wax figure game! One of the world’s most successful male actors and producers Johnson starred in a number of record-breaking box office smash hits, including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level, Hobbs & Shaw, Jungle Cruise, Rampage, Skyscraper, Red Notice, Disney’s Moana and many more. Also widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Johnson first rose to fame reaching global recognition as WWE‘s “The Rock” before transitioning to the big screen. Dwayne Johnson revealed his figures with a video on Instagram giving an exclusive glimpse of the incredible immortalizations of himself up close, styled and themed to align with the spirit of the city in which it’s located.

Madame Tussauds extensive creative team of sculptors, colorists, hairdressers and stylists contributed to all four of Johnson’s figures, representing the celebrity in diverse and prominent poses that capture his recent success. Each figure also offers a unique interactive guest experience.

Madame Tussauds New York

Johnson’s New York figure highlights the actor in a blue suit with a black turtleneck—resembling his red-carpet moment at the premiere of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in 2017. Surrounded by photo flashes and positioned at the front entrance as the first figure guests will see, New York City’s Dwayne Johnson will be the ultimate star-studded welcome at the iconic Times Square attraction.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

In Hollywood, Johnson’s figure will greet guests setting the scene for the ultimate VIP party. The movie star and entrepreneur figure strikes a shaka power pose in an outfit inspired by Johnson’s Hobbs and Shaw press conference look in Beijing.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

The Vegas figure welcomes fans with a cheers as they raise a glass at a Teremana Tequila-themed bar, bringing the Mana exclusively to the Las Vegas attraction. Johnson’s figure in the entertainment capital of the world is posing in attire recreated from his Voss Water campaign in 2019.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

The Orlando figure pays tribute to his action-packed, box-office characters, featuring the action movie icon in rugged attire while scaling a building. Special set effects including lights, sound effects, wind and fog set the scene for an unforgettable movie poster moment. Dwayne Johnson headed to Instagram to say, “The only way I can describe this…So f’in cool.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dwayne Johnson’s four new amazing figures to Madame Tussauds New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Orlando. He’s a humbled icon, and a figure that has been highly requested by our fans. We’re honored to have had the opportunity to represent him at the world’s greatest wax museum,” said Madame Tussauds Head of Marketing, Matthew Clarkson.

Madame Tussauds is the world’s greatest wax museum with no ropes or barriers holding guests back from meeting their favorite celebrities. They continue to highlight well-known idols and icons in mind-blowing accurate detail in a life-like persona.

Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood

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In partnership with Uptown Magazine, Lexus developed the annual pre-Oscar, invitation-only, “Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood” black-tie affair to establish a legacy of recognizing Black Excellence in entertainment by bringing together the industry’s most prolific Black creators, writers, producers, filmmakers and actors to pay tribute to the contributions of Black talent in Hollywood.

On March 23 at the Sunset Room Hollywood, the brands collaborate again to proudly celebrate Black Love in film and television. “There is something special about seeing Black Love on television and in films,” said Len Burnett Jr., co-founder, CEO of Uptown Media Ventures. “Now, more than any other time in Hollywood, Black Love is being embraced and accepted by film studios and audiences of all ages. It is time to remember and celebrate those actors and couples who broke barriers for Black Love to be accepted. At the same time, we also want to celebrate the actors and couples who are displaying Black Love in real life and on the big screen.”

Married Black Hollywood couples Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That) and her husband Boris Kodjoe (Station 19) will be honored along with Salli Richardson Whitfield (The Gilded Age producer/director) and husband Dondre Whitfield (Queen Sugar). Legendary acting and married couple Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis will be honored posthumously, along with actors Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier, for their 1961 movie Paris Blues.

Other honorees include Nicole and Jeff Friday, founders of The American Black Film Festival, and Codie Elaine Oliver and Tommy Oliver, married producers of the Black Love TV series.”

Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood showcases the best aspects of Black life in film and television,” said Mia Phillips, Senior Manager, Lexus Advertising and Media. “We are proud to support an event that is dedicated to consistently displaying positive images of Black culture, including, and most importantly, love.”

Transforming Theatre Kids into Citizen Artists

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By: James Wallert

In April of 2018, I brought five high school students to an early morning event sponsored by the New York State Education Department. 200 educational leaders representing 27 school districts from all across the state were there to begin the process of creating integration plans for their districts. New York State has the most racially and socio-economically segregated schools in the nation and New York City Public Schools are more segregated today than they were before the landmark 1954 U. S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in which the Justices ruled that “Separate but Equal” schools were unconstitutional. These students were invited to perform their original thirty-minute play, Laundry City, an exploration of the effects of educational segregation. A facilitator from the state squawks a few barely audible words of introduction via a microphone plugged into a portable speaker, “Please welcome Epic Theatre Ensemble”. Jeremiah, a high school senior wearing a T-Shirt with the words, “I am Epic” written across the front, steps into the center of the room, without a mic, and speaks directly to the audience:

JEREMIAH

School segregation,

That systematic placement,

Race and class, don’t make me laugh.

That shit goes deeper than thin cloudy glass.

Right past society’s foundation,

Back to America in the making.

The original sin: Race.

The performers weave through the audience performing scene after scene, transforming from character to character. The show culminates in a town hall. The students had done meticulous research to craft a scene that made room for dozens of nuanced perspectives on this complex issue.

LIV

I’m not really sure what we mean by integration. What I’ve seen when we talk about integration, it is about Black and Latino kids going to white schools to become better. That isn’t integration, that’s, in my view, assimilation.

NASHALI

I consider integration when you do the hard work of valuing what each person brings to that setting. Integration is where we learn to understand each other and appreciate each other and nobody’s story or history is more important than another’s.

JEREMIAH

I think that’s racist. I think it’s classist. I don’t believe in the savior complex- that you need to have folks swoop in and save the poor Black and Latino children. I believe that Black and Latino folks have agency and power that have been untapped.

NAKKIA

For me, it’s not that certain communities are less powerful; it’s that certain communities haven’t been given the floor. How do we give people the floor? Segregation was intentional. Integration has to be intentional. Segregation was forced. Integration has to be forced.

DAVION

If integration made money somehow, America would do it.

The five actors portray 18 different characters throughout the course of this last scene, but the final question of the play is delivered by the students as themselves.

ENSEMBLE

Is separate but equal fair?

The five citizen artists join hands and bow. The crowd rises for a standing ovation. After taking in the love, the students gesture for the audience to retake their seats.

JEREMIAH

At Epic, we have a conversation after every performance and we always ask our audience the same first question: Imagine that two weeks from now, one morning you wake up and find yourself thinking about Laundry City. What is it that will be going through your mind? A line, a character, an idea, a question? What do you think will resonate with you over time?

The post-show discussion runs an hour—twice as long as the play that sparked it. The facilitator jumps back on the mic to thank the students and direct the district teams to return to their work sessions. I gather the cast to take them back to their school (it’s a weekday). A superintendent from Upstate comes over and asks the students if they can come by his table to take a look at his district’s integration plan and share their thoughts. They do. We start to head out again when a superintendent from NYC’s Upper West Side asks for some feedback from the students about her district’s plan. The students go over to her table. After several more invitations are proffered, we are eventually invited to stay through lunch so that the cast could review and respond to each of the 27 district integration plans. I make a quick call to their Principal who agrees to excuse them from the rest of their morning classes.

About an hour into this process of consultation, Jeremiah asked if he could speak to me in the hallway. “Jim, I feel like an activist,” he says, “I mean, I feel like I’m in a room full of people who can actually change things and they’re listening to me.”

Since 2015, the plays of Epic’s youth ensemble have received 225 performances (in-person and online) for 56,000 audience members including government employees, policy researchers, and legislators.

Large-scale cultural change is always led by young people and artists, but funding for in-school and after-school arts programs are often the first casualties of state and local budget cuts. We need to invest in arts education to cultivate the next generation of citizen artists. We need to champion the creation of youth art that is relevant, representative, and affordable for everyone. We need to proudly assert the value of art-making by demanding that young artists from historically marginalized communities get paid a reasonable wage for the work they make. We need to challenge oppressive systems by placing youth and their art in front of people with power. And once everyone has had a chance to experience the art, we need to provide the time and space for people to talk to one another about what it means to them and what actions they want to take next.

About the Author James Wallert is a Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble and author of Citizen Artists: A Guide to Helping Young People Make Plays That Change the World.

People’s Choice Awards

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The 2021 “People’s Choice Awards” were held on December 7, 2021, where the best in movies, television, music and pop culture were awarded exclusively by the votes of fans. The “People’s Choice Awards” were hosted by actor and comedian Kenan Thompson, and the award show broadcasted live from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA on both NBC and E! at 9PM ET/PT.

Some performances that took place included a medley of Christina Aguilera’s top hits. The medley concluded with music from her new upcoming awaited Spanish-language album. Blake Shelton, too, performed his latest song “Come Back As A Country Boy,” and H.E.R. gave a melodic tribute to the Motown icon Marvin Gaye.

Honorees of the night included the Academy Award-winning actress, director and producer Halle Berry, who was named “The People’s Icon.” The one and only Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was honored with “The People’s Champion” award, and icon Kim Kardashian West received “The Fashion Icon” award. For the first time, the “Music Icon” award was given out and honored to Aguilera.

The 2021 “People’s Choice Awards” winners are as follows:

THE MOVIE OF 2021

Black Widow

THE COMEDY MOVIE OF 2021

Free Guy

THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2021

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

THE DRAMA MOVIE OF 2021

Cruella

THE FAMILY MOVIE OF 2021

Luca

THE MALE MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Dwayne Johnson

THE FEMALE MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Scarlett Johansson

THE DRAMA MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Kevin Hart

THE COMEDY MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Dwayne Johnson

THE ACTION MOVIE STAR OF 2021

Simu Liu

THE SHOW OF 2021

Loki

THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2021

Grey’s Anatomy

THE COMEDY SHOW OF 2021

Never Have I Ever

THE REALITY SHOW OF 2021

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

THE COMPETITION SHOW OF 2021

The Voice

THE MALE TV STAR OF 2021

Tom Hiddleston

THE FEMALE TV STAR OF 2021

Ellen Pompeo

THE DRAMA TV STAR OF 2021

Chase Stokes

THE COMEDY TV STAR OF 2021

Selena Gomez

THE DAYTIME TALK SHOW OF 2021

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

THE NIGHTTIME TALK SHOW OF 2021

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

THE COMPETITION CONTESTANT OF 2021

JoJo Siwa

THE REALITY TV STAR OF 2021

Khloé Kardashian

THE BINGEWORTHY SHOW OF 2021

Squid Game

THE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW OF 2021

Lucifer

THE MALE ARTIST OF 2021

Lil Nas X

THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2021

Adele

THE GROUP OF 2021

BTS

THE SONG OF 2021

Butter

THE ALBUM OF 2021

Sour

THE COUNTRY ARTIST OF 2021

Blake Shelton

THE LATIN ARTIST OF 2021

Bad Bunny

THE NEW ARTIST OF 2021

Olivia Rodrigo

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021

Butter

THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2021

STAY

THE SOCIAL STAR OF 2021

Britney Spears

THE POP SPECIAL OF 2021

Friends: The Reunion

THE COMEDY ACT OF 2021

Chelsea Handler: Vaccinated and Horny Tour

THE GAME CHANGER OF 2021

Simone Biles

THE POP PODCAST OF 2021

Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain

SPOTLIGHT: CARSON MACCORMAC

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While chasing his dreams of becoming an actor, Canadian actor Carson MacCormac has established himself in the industry, and has plans to only expand his career as we head into 2022.

Carson can be found starring in East of the Middle West in the role of “Chris.” The film follows “Chris” as he navigates his life following his involvement in a fatal accident that leaves a mother and child dead. Through his interpretation of “Chris” in the film, Carson has been honored with the Best Actor award at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. Moreover, East of the Middle West was the closing film at the Chelsea Film Festival and won Best American Indie at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival.

Carson additionally joined the cast of the withstanding Netflix series Locke and Key for both Season 2 and 3. The series follows the three Locke siblings as they work through their father’s peculiar murder. The siblings seek refuge in their mother’s ancestral home, also known as Keyhouse. Carson takes on the role of “Benjamin Locke,” a vague ancestor of the siblings, whose storyline is set in the 1700s. Season 2 of Locke and Key premiered in October 2021, and Season 3 premieres TBD in 2022.

Notorious for his role in DC Comics superhero movie SHAZAM!, Carson plays “Brett Breyer.” Carson can soon be found in the upcoming Netflix and Lionsgate thriller, Luckiest Girl Alive. 360 MAGAZINE had the opportunity to chat with Carson about his acting career, and what we can expect to see for the future of his career.

When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in acting?

Before I realized how much work it would take to become one. When I was a kid, I would sit and watch movies and think “I could totally do that.” Little did I know just how much training goes into becoming an actor with even a basic level of competency. However, I knew I would pursue it for a living near the end of high school. Interestingly enough, it was once I started having to seriously work at the craft that I fell I became obsessed. A career is a kind way of putting what I lovingly refer to as an addiction. Once I fell in love with the work my course was kind of set for me.

What is the process that you go through to prep for a new role?

A lot of writing initially. I have a 5-page cheat sheet I made to ensure I always flesh out my characters, but that is only usually the initial prep. The fun work comes in the imagining of who my character is and why. Writing I find helps me organize my thoughts. It also ensures that any fleeting ideas I have to add depth to a role are jotted down for me to refer to later. Physicality is an important one for me, getting a character into my body as at the end of the day, that physical work is the majority of what the camera picks up. When I get my head around a character, get my body into the role and get my lines down, I just let it all go and have fun with it.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from the acting world?

One of my personal favorites is the reminder to stay curious and imaginative through all assets of life. Curiosity of self, of others and of things is, in my opinion, one of the purest forms of purpose humans can have. Acting has forced me to question everything, oftentimes myself included, and plunge into characters with circumstances and motives far removed from my own. That curiosity I find is a stream to the more pleasant qualities of people such as empathy, perspective, and self-reflection.

What is a bucket list goal that you want to accomplish in your career?

I would love to star in something that I wrote. It would have to come down the line, as I still have a lot to learn as a writer, but to take a page out of Good Will Hunting, I think the chance to build-a-bear a role that I could then portray would be incredibly enjoyable. That, to me, is also one of the most terrifying tasks I can think of for myself, which is why I think it excites me so much.

What is your #1 piece of advice for aspiring actors/ actresses?

Number one is to always ask why. Ask it about everything, as curiosity and a questioning mind is what I found helped me grow the most as an actor. Another important one that I found helped me a lot is to not take yourself too seriously. Actors are asked to play make believe for a living, oftentimes in highly emotional situations. The industry and the world is going to be hard enough on you, and so I find it important to be forgiving and understanding with yourself if the industry starts to wear you down. Your instrument will grow much faster in a healthy mindset than in one that is self-deprecating or judgmental.

What was the biggest takeaway from being a part of “East of Middle West?”

Externally, a lot of friends. I wish I could have taken that whole cast and crew home with me back to Canada but alas, airlines have a baggage limit. Personally, East of Middle West helped me learn to trust myself. Our shooting schedule was incredibly fast paced, with emotional scenes and high stakes. With such little prep time, a large part of my process became just letting go and flowing within scenes and seeing what would happen. It was at first, terrifying, but as filming went along, I found it to be an incredibly freeing experience. It forced me to trust myself as our timing constraints allowed for no other choice.

How was your experience joining a withstanding show/ team on “Locke and Key?”

It helped that I could watch season 1 and get a sense for how I fit into the cast but more than anything, I noticed the benefits in how efficiently everything was running. Even with the added pressure that COVID put on the production, the whole set was one giant, well-oiled machine. Outside of the whole ‘acting; part of my job, I find that being on set can often feel like being a toddler sitting at the parents’ dinner table: don’t interject in the adult conversations you barely understand and make sure you stay in your spot and listen carefully to your parents’ direction. Locke and Key made me feel as if that internal child was being spoiled rotten at every step of the way. It was truly a joy to be part of such a talented team.

What role, would you say, pushed you out of your comfort zone the most thus far?

Maybe because it’s still fresh in my memory, but my upcoming role in Luckiest Girl Alive. It is such a far cry from anything I have played before, with stakes higher and more brutal than a lot of my previous work. Not to mention the director, Mike Barker, was incredibly gracious in allowing me to experiment with improvisation in my scenes. Scary at first, but with time thinking about ‘what can I throw into this scene?’ became something I looked forward to every day.

What can we expect from Carson MacCormac in the future?

Luckiest Girl Alive, as I mentioned, is coming out sometime in 2022 and I couldn’t be more excited for audiences to see it. I think this film is necessary, timely, and pushes the industry as a whole in an important direction. It also just happens to be one entertaining ride. I worked on a show premiering in January called Astrid and Lily Save the World and boy oh boy, is it crazy. The show is outrageous, wild, and I’m thrilled to be part of it. I have a few projects coming out in 2022 that I can’t quite talk about just yet… and another feature film being released in 2023 that I am very excited to share…. Stay tuned!

Tyler Posey

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By: Ally Brewster

Tyler Posey is a Santa Monica born, Santa Clarita raised actor and pop-punk/rock musician best known for his roles as Scott McCall on Teen Wolf and the lead role of Aidan the zombie-horror movie Alone (2020). In addition to his successful acting career, he’s been striving for an equally successful music career.

Throughout the last decade Posey has been in multiple bands, including Lost in Kostko (You’re Gonna Need A Towel [EP] 2011), PVMNTS (Better Days [EP] 2018), and Five North (Scumbag [EP] 2020). During the pandemic he made the decision to go solo with his next EP, enjoying the artistic freedom that came from being on your own. Posey has been working alongside the record label Big Noise Music Group, the same label his band Five North (Tyler Posey and Kyle Murphy) worked with, for his debut solo EP titled DRUGS.

Before those two singles for his debut EP, Tyler released the single “This Luv Sux” with artist’s Phem and Audio Chateau. “This Luv Sux” was his introduction to solo music, a song about a bad relationship, the alternative punk sound heard throughout the rest of his music.

DRUGS, to be released later this year, is the EP that is home to the two singles Posey has released so far this year, “Happy” and “Shut Up” (feat. Phem and Travis Barker). The two singles set up the tone and theme of the EP, which is a raw, honest story about Posey’s struggle with drugs and becoming sober in the form of pop-punk songs.

In the single “Happy,” during the second verse he sings, “Yeah, I know how to nod / Nodding, I’m half awake / With my eyes rolling back, can’t you tеll I’m okay?” Posey told NME that this is a reference to the “drug term called nodding out,” stating the verse is, “a very violent visual of somebody [who’s] really fucked up on drugs.” These types of experiences and feelings are what Posey is bringing to his debut EP, using as a way to explain his struggles and emotions.

Watch the “Happy” music video here.

This Fall Posey will join his fellow Big Noise artists Mod Sun and girlfriends on the Internet Killed the Rockstar Tour. The tour will travel to 15 cities around the US beginning September 5, 2021.

Internet Killed the Rockstar Tour Dates

Sun, SEP 5 – BottleRock Napa Valley 2021 – Napa County, CA [SOLD OUT]

Thu, SEP 9 – The Roxy Theatre – Los Angeles, CA [SOLD OUT]

Fri, SEP 10 – The Roxy Theatre – Los Angeles, CA [SOLD OUT]

Sat, SEP 11 – Popcon Retreat Festival 2021 – Las Vegas, NV

Tue, SEP 14 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN [SOLD OUT]

Thu, SEP 16 – House of Blues Cleveland – Cleveland, OH

Fri, SEP 17 – Park West – Chicago, IL

Sun, SEP 19 – Saint Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI

Tue, SEP 21 – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA [SOLD OUT]

Wed, SEP 22 – Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA [SOLD OUT]

Thu, SEP 23 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY [SOLD OUT]

Sat, SEP 25 – Black Cat -Washington DC

Sun, SEP 26 – The Underground – Fillmore Charlotte – Charlotte, NC

Thu, SEP 30 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA

Sun, OCT 3 – South Side Music Hall – Dallas, TX

Buy tickets here.

Be on the lookout for Tyler Posey’s EP DRUGS that will be released later this year!

Billy Ray Cyrus Signed by UTA

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Leading global talent, entertainment and sports company UTA has signed entertainment icon Billy Ray Cyrus for worldwide representation in all areas. Throughout his nearly three-decade career of Billboard chart success that put him in the same company as Carlos Santana and Louis Armstrong, Cyrus has achieved global success as a singer, songwriter, actor, producer and philanthropist.

Most recently, he celebrated the highest RIAA® 14x Diamond-certified song in recorded music history with Lil Nas X on the worldwide smash, “Old Town Road.”

When asked about his genre-bending approach to music, Cyrus recently shared, “My philosophy to making music is no limitations. No rules, no limits, no preconceived notions. Don’t try to think inside the box or outside the box, just think like there is no box.”

The critically and commercially acclaimed superstar has established himself as a household name across multiple areas of the entertainment landscape, including music, television, theater and more.

When one scopes out Cyrus’ trophy case, the awards are represented across all genres: GRAMMY® Awards, Billboard Music Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, MTV VMA Moonmen, Country Music Association Awards, American Music Awards and Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Juno Awards, among many other accolades.

The Flatwoods, KY native exploded onto the music scene when his first album, Some Gave All, debuted on the all-genre Billboard album chart at No. 1 and stayed there for a record-breaking 17 weeks in 1992. The lead single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” became a phenomenon and went multi-platinum. After “Achy Breaky Heart,” Cyrus followed up with back-to-back hits “It Could’ve Been Me,” “She’s Not Crying Anymore,” “Wher’m I Gonna Live When I Get Home?” and “Some Gave All.” Cyrus knocked himself out of the top Billboard position with his second No. 1 album, It Won’t Be The Last, featuring smash hits “In the Heart of a Woman,” “Words By Heart” and “Somebody New.” His success continued with dozens more singles that redefined country music.

Jeff Chen To Star in Plum Town

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Talented Young Actor Jeff Chen Announces His Latest Staring Role in the Short Film “Plum Town.”

Talented young actor, Jeff Chen, is scheduled to star in the film short “Plum Town.” “Plum Town: is on *The Blacklist. Shooting is to begin in May 2021. “Plum Town” is a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. Jeff loves his craft and always delivers amazing performances. He is super excited about this upcoming opportunity.

Jeff Chen hails from China. He moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue his acting career. Since, he has made worked in film, television, and commercials. Jeff Chen comes many goodies in his acting tool-box– he is fluent in both English and Mandarin, has a bachelor’s degree from American University, and has a master’s degree from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Jeff Chen has done scene study with The Ivana Chubbuck Studio. He has studied audition technique with the world-renowned Margie Haber, as well as Chris Holder.

Jeff Chen’s acting credits include commercials for NBA Chinese New Year, and Chevrolet. His film credits include “Kiss of the Rabbit God,” a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god. This god leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people. In this production, Chen played Shen. This film was directed by Andrew Thomas Huang.

In “Shanghai Sole”, Chen played a lawyer. “Shanghai Sole” presents a story about an American businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai. This production is directed by Eli Stern.

In “I for I,” Chen played Jeremy, directed by Ash Coffelt. In “White Collar Lie,” Chen played Troy, directed by Rong Hou. “Almost American,” features Chen as Bruce, directed by Kunyou Lai, In “Home for Dinner”, as directed by Jiayu Liu, Chen he played Ken.

All of his various characters are thoroughly researched, and Chen brings a certain charismatic portrayal to everything he touches. Jeff says, “I find the character through the writing, every time I get a script, I look at something in my own experience that is relatable to the character, but each one has a large part of me wrapped up in it, you have to find it inside yourself, it’s a process”.

Jeff Chen has a huge heart, and he covets many charities. These charities include an NGO called Saving Promise which helps raise awareness for domestic violence. Chen feels strongly about the mission of Doctors without Borders, which he consistently supports. He is always thinking about giving back and wants to help anyone who is not as lucky as him.

Jeff Chen’s family means a lot to him. His beloved mother, a super successful businesswoman, carved the way for him to be confident, and to brush off any doubts and keep striving to the top.

Jeff Chen has got all of the goods, he is one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood. Jeff Chen’s time is now– don’t you want to be part of this phenomenon?

* The Black List is an annual survey of the “most-liked” motion picture screenplays not yet produced. The Black List comes out in December and has been released since 2005, by Franklin Leonard, a development executive who subsequently worked at Universal Pictures and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment.

Jeff Chen spoke about this acting career:

How has your family inspired you and your acting?

My family actually discouraged me from pursuing acting. They are the typical Chinese parents, which means they want me to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. But since I was a kid, I loved entertaining them and make them laugh. The idea of being seen and heard inspired me to pursue this career.

Where do you see your career going in five years?

I want to have more on-screen presence in general. I want to do more films and explore roles that I haven’t gotten to play before. Also, I have always wanted to do a fun show that requires extremely good chemistry, like Friends or Modern Family. Doesn’t every actor want that though?

[Can you] talk about any directors you have worked with?

I had the honor to work with Andrew Thomas Huang. He is known for his iconic visual style. Working with him on set is an eye-opening experience. He has a clear picture in his head and he communicates with me with trust. I enjoy[ed] every minute of working with him.

Where do you get your ideas for character development?

Art imitates life. Observing people in real life just gives me so many resources to work with. I like observing people: watching how they walk, how they behave, how they talk. I also like to play with my imagination. I like to read the scripts and have the word stimulate my imagination. There are no rules of how to approach something. Usually, my instincts tell me what to do and I follow them.

What charities are you aligned with, and why?

Years ago I worked for an NGO called Saving Promise. We helped raise awareness for Domestic Violence. I also donate to Doctors without Borders through my Amazon purchases. It’s not much, but every bit counts.

What acting projects will you be involved with in the future?

I just finished working on a short film that’s adapted from a Black List script. I am also talking to Andrew for a possible collaboration on a feature film in the future.

Who are your biggest influences?

So many people have influenced me and it’s impossible to just pick out one. Great movies are the reason that I want to pursue an on-screen career. I admire directors such as Pedro Almodovar, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Wong Kai Wei, Ang Lee, etc. I look up to their work so much.

What advice would you give to a young actor starting out?

Listen and learn from all the teachers, and challenge what you’ve learned. You have to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Most importantly, dare to fail.

Talk about your acting training–who have you trained with and why?

I am currently training under Margie Haber and Chris Holder at Ivana Chubbuck’s studio. Margie teaches me to use my imagination, and Chris teaches me to draw inspiration from my personal life.

How do you take care of yourself? [What’s] your health regime?

Well I try to exercise as much as possible. I need physical activities to calm my mind.

If you could collaborate with another actor, who would it be?

Anya Taylor-Joy. I am a huge fan of Queen’s Gambit and her performance is hard to forget. I also love her work in the VVITCH and Split. Timothee Chalamet is another actor that I really want to work with.

What shows are on your DVR right now, and why?

I am finishing up Six Feet Under. The Sopranos and Handmaid’s Tale are also on my list.

Who are your favorite actors right now and why?

Well, there are just too many. Olivia Colman, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino…All these great actors just inspire me to be better. I love actors.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

About when I was one years old, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I just loved to watch movies and I knew this is what I wanted to do.

What actor/actress did you admire as a child?

I didn’t really admire any actors or actresses when I was a kid but I did want to be friends with Emma Watson and the entire Harry Potter gang. I was such a fan of Harry Potter.

What types of characters would you like to play in the future?

I want to play a really bad, sexy villain. That could be really fun. I also want to play a young artist, a poet, a loner, rebel without cause. These are characters I would love to dive into.

What’s your fashion style?

I honestly don’t know what my fashion style is. I do care about what I wear, but I don’t know how to label it. I know what vibes or feelings I want to give out, and I dress accordingly.

What do you do to relax?

I do yoga and rock climb. I also love hanging out with my friends.

What other businesses do you plan on starting to promote your brand?

Right now I am just focusing on my acting.

What’s the one thing you think everyone could do to make the world a more positive place?

Put yourself in others’ shoes more.

What would you be doing if you were not acting?

I think I would go to law school and be a lawyer. Or go back home to help my mom with her business.

What was your first memory of seeing great acting?

I remember watching “Cold Mountain” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” in high school. Renee Zellweger brought me into tears and Mr. Brando presented so much power through his performance.

What’s your favorite film, and why?

It’s impossible for me to pick one favorite film. Right off my head I can think of Chungking Express, Little Miss Sunshine, Brokeback Mountain, Toni Erdmann, Kill Bill, Amelie.

What are your first steps in taking on a new role?

I put on my detective’s glasses and look for all the information I could possibly find to help me live truthfully as the character. I want to know everything about them: social class, where did they grow up, what’s their physicality, etc.

What do you want to leave as your legacy?

Hopefully 50 years after I left this world, somebody will still watch my movies and go “hmm, I really believe him.”

Talk about your last 3 acting projects.

I just finished shooting for a short film called “The Plum Town”. It’s a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. It’s adapted from the feature film script that was on the Black List.

“Kiss of the Rabbit God” is a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god. This god leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people.

“Shanghai Sole” is a story about an American businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai.

How do you overcome challenges in your career?

Certainly there have been difficult times on this journey. At the end of the day, the love and passion for cinema just moves you forward. So you pick yourself up, dust off your shoulders, and move on.

Is there anything in your career that you wish you could do again?

I don’t really have any regrets. I do wish I could of come to LA earlier and had started this experience earlier.

What are your hobbies?

I like bouldering, hiking, and working out. I also love traveling. Karaoke is a big part of my life.

Fondest memory as a child with your family?

My mom is a strong businesswoman who has been busy with her business for the past 15 years. I don’t really get to spend a lot of time with her. When I was about 10 years old, she actually planned a one-day vacation for our family. We went to this amusement park for a day. I still smile every time I think about that trip.