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elcome to the 6th edition of the Networking Magazine. Bringing something new to providing social media content, we specialise in writing stories about professional and personal journeys.
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Contents
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THE REEL MAX REEVES Work in progress
Max Reeves's story has an overwhelming desire to leave a lasting memory. She is proud of her past, makes the most of the present and has a passion for embracing the future.
90k Instagram followers 600k YouTube views
IN THE LINE OF SIGHT Chris Levine Breaking away from the chains of 9-5 is commonplace today, but some eight years ago, it was brave for want of a better word. That's where Chris Levine's story takes place; that want and need to break away from routine would become the catalyst into entering the acting profession.
10k Instagram followers
Editor - Sanj Saigal
Cover model - Max Reeves Cover photography - Alex F Buchholz
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THE VISUAL ARTIST Anthony Cally
If you haven't heard of Anthony Cally on this side of the pond, his name is connected to some of the most iconic action movies such as See (starring Jason Momoa) and Fast and furious 9 (Vin Diesel) for visual effects.
1k Instagram followers
THE LONDON CONNECTION Francesca De Luca Francesca auditioned for Francis Ford Coppola and was cast in "Distant Vision" lm. A notable achievement that I personally believe made her mark in Hollywood. A photo at the premiere of The Unforgivable at the DGA Hollywood caught my eye. I wanted to learn more about the Londoner from my neck of the woods.
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1.5k Instagram followers
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DIGITAL DIALOGUE IMPACT Javier Jiménez Sacristán He was the CEO and Vice President for Córdoba Football Club in Spain. Always embracing technology, he now has his eyes on a new challenge. We speak to Javier Jiménez Sacristán about his return to professional football, the recent appointment to a Spanish second division club and his vision for the future.
THE CREATIVE MIND Jamila Khalifa
34.6k Instagram followers 122.2k Twitter followers 19k Facebook followers 2.3k YouTube subscribers
Jamila Khalifa is only 14, but her urban sketches are intriguing, colourful and reflect emotion. Look out for this young urban sketcher as she hopes to follow her dream of becoming an artist.
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INFLUENCER ANGEL GRACE God’s Plan Her story is one of overcoming resistance for her chosen professional path and how she has turned a social media following into a fan base that appreciates and embraces both her creative art forms.
26.2k Instagram followers
MICHELLE LOVETT On Air
3 x Bestselling Author. Publisher and Curator Coach. Executive Producer, Owner of; NOW TV network channel. (Meme all over productions channel) Owner of a health, wellness and beauty online business.
88.4k Instagram followers
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STORM IN A TEACUP Anam Anwer
Brewing her own little storm in a teacup, Birmingham born and bred Anam Anwer shares her story of becoming a self-taught Photographer and Videographer.
Our new podcast series promotes product reviews, services and life stories. Used as an editorial bolt-on or as a standalone feature, we aim to bring something very unique to the table. Using the latest technology, it doesn't matter where you are located worldwide; all you need is our app, and you can be brought in as a guest. Contact us for more information on how to feature.
"Tell the world what you do and how you do it".
Max Reeves W O R K
I N
P R O G R E S S By Sanj Saigal
Max Reeves's story has an overwhelming desire to leave a lasting memory. She is proud of her past, makes the most of the present and has a passion for embracing the future.
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ax Reeves's story has an overwhelming desire to leave a lasting memory in this world. She is proud of her past, makes the most of the present and has a passion for embracing the future. Something is intriguing about her strong work ethic and her relentless drive to succeed. A natural calling towards the entertainment sector would see her leave Russia to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. Known for My Alien Girlfriend (2019) on Amazon Prime, Blackmail (2019), and Cats of the Bayou. She makes an appearance in the highly anticipated Damien Chazelle’s Babylon, (2022), starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jean Smart and Eric Roberts, and Issac (2022), alongside Cameron Dove and RJ Mitte”. In addition Max has also amassed a die-hard
following on Instagram to the tune of nearly 90,000 followers. Her striking features and ability to adapt to many different looks have also seen her develop a highly successful modelling career, which her social media followers can't get enough of. I managed to catch up with her in California to learn more about her journey.
Your story began in Russia; when did you move, and why? I moved to the States about five years ago. I somehow always knew I had to be in Los Angeles. I just couldn't have been doing what I do if I stayed in Russia; the industry isn't set up for that. For me, it's never really a question of where you want to live, but rather what you
want to do. For instance, I wanted to be in the entertainment business, and there's no better place for that than to be in LA.
What's your fondest memory of Russia? Probably my childhood memories. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, she practically raised me, and she was the kindest soul.
Did you find acting, or did acting find you? I loved acting way before I was brave enough to verbalise it or even admit it to myself. Maybe it's the part of me that never grew up. We all play pretend when we're little. Some of us never outgrow this phase. I still love to play.
You have a love of languages; did that play a part in finding opportunities? I was always fascinated with languages as a way to bridge cultures and get a better understanding of people from around the world. It has certainly helped me a lot along the way. I wouldn't have been working as an actor or model here, in the States, if I wasn't an English speaker, for one thing. But, apart from that, it helped me to connect with so many amazing and talented people from around the world, and realise time and time again, how small of a place this planet is. There are really way more things that unite us all than separate us.
You have a natural relationship with the camera. It's one of the most striking features when watching your acting reel. So how do you get into character and prepare for a role? That's a very kind thing of you to say, thank you. I think I have an imposter syndrome, so when I get a part, or
even when I prepare for an audition, I try to do as much research as I can on my character, her likes or dislikes, the time period she lives in, - literally, everything I can, even to the point of what kind of underwear she would be wearing. If something about a character doesn't make sense to me, I try to make something up until it all clicks together. But at the end of the day, I just try to let it all go and trust my instincts. All the best ideas would come to me on set when I'm interacting with my partners, not when I'm doing a dress rehearsal in my head. I don't come on set with any pre-conceived idea of what exactly I'm going to do or what I'm going to say.
How do you disconnect from work? I have issues with that. I put my phone on "don't disturb" mode a lot, but that's pretty much it. There's no cut-off point in the entertainment business when it comes to working hours. You can get a work email with a call sheet at midnight or receive a self-tape request that's due in a few hours. A lot of work goes into trying to get more work—all of that on top of trying to work on my own projects. So balancing things is definitely tricky. I always try to squeeze in some time for myself read a book, watch a movie or workout. It certainly helps that I genuinely love what I do; otherwise, I'd have probably gone insane with a schedule like that.
Do you ever take your work home with you and become a character? I don't think that has ever happened to any big degree yet. Some prep work affects me more than others, and there were a couple of times when some emotional experiences I had to go through on set would haunt me for a little while after. I like rehearsing accents if I have to do one, but I'm usually not "in character" when I'm not on camera.
You have two Birthdays, January 9th and August 11th; why? There's a lovely quote by Mark Twain, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why." It suits two of my personalities.
Work in progress
Max Reeves "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.
-Mark Twain
Your best friend wants to get into acting and asks you for some advice; what would it be? Photography by Johnny Pena
Save money. Study with the best. Steal from the best. Observe and listen. Try to get as much experience as you can. Every opportunity leads to something else.
How would people describe your work ethic? I take pride in my work, and hopefully, people who have worked with me can attest to that. So I always try to be very professional but at the same time keep it light and have fun on set.
Do you own social media, or does it own you? www.banditbee.co.uk
Something is intriguing about her work strong work ethic and her relentless drive to succeed. A natural calling towards the entertainment sector would see her leave Russia to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
From all social media, I only check Instagram pretty regularly and try to interact with people as much as I can, when time allows. It's a marvellous way to connect with people, but I don't let it soak too much of my time. It's work, so of course, I have to do it, but I could go without it just as easily.
Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert? Why?
I'm definitely an introvert. I get emotionally drained if I'm around people a lot, without any alone time in between. Don't get me wrong, I love people, and my work often requires meeting new people every day. Still, it's all about recharging inner batteries. I've learned to be more protective of my time because it equals my own sanity.
Are you well known in Russia? Not at all. Even my parents don't really know my work.
What makes you happy? Smiles on the faces of my loved ones, for example, when my mom is having a good day. Warm feedback on my work from someone I respect. Warm weather. A day in the green on the stock market. A really good cup of coffee.
Photography by Tom Dewh
What makes you sad? Early call times. Long lines in stores. My mom having a bad day. Abandoned animals. Donuts.
If I was going to write a book about you, what would it be called? Why? "Work in progress". It will be finished someday and probably be a book with lots of empty pages with suggestions for readers to fill out pages themselves.
Name a song that could be about you? The Beatles - The End. And in the end The love you take Is equal to the love you make
What does the future hold for Max Reeves? I have so many projects and ideas I'd love to implement, that I don't even know where to begin. So I can only do my best and pray for good fortune.
Photography by: Vizart fotografo brasileiro
“You r st o r y n e e ds t o be t o l d” .
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Breaking away from the chains of 9-5 is commonplace today, but some eight years ago, it was brave for want of a better word. That's where Chris Levine's story takes place; that want and need to break away from routine would become the catalyst into entering the acting profession.
IN THE LINE OF SIGHT By Sanj Saigal
Photography by @reinhardkenneth
IN THE LINE OF SIGHT
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Marketing Director, by profession, there was de nitely a feeling of professional uncertainty that resonates with anyone who dreams of making a change but is too scared to take the gamble. Most actors who start out talk of hardship, indeed at the start of their journey into the world of acting. This story is no exception; sleeping in cars and presented with new nancial challenges almost daily. In an effort to break this cycle, Chris decided that he would literally write his way out of this scenario and wrote the script for the movie; Anabolic life.
CHANGE On a personal note, there is a certain admiration for the few that instigate change in such a dramatic way. The people that I write about certainly all have this trait in common. However, if you're new to the acting profession, perhaps there are other ways to consider building a career in an unconventional way. Winding the clock four years forward with untold monetary challenges, his efforts to write, produce and star in his production would see him take an award at the Orlando Film Festival for best actor.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS A sequence of events and a little bit of fate thrown in for good measure would see him strike up a friendship with London Moore. The two went on to produce short lms, youtube lms and an original play entitled; Possession.
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The indie movie genre has provided a springboard for Chris Levine, who is now a brand in his own right. I managed to catch up with Chris in Los Angeles and talk about his journey.
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EDITION 4
“Don't change a thing. All the mistakes you made led you here”.
Did you nd your industry, or did it nd you?
there's a lot more to being a great actor than just trying to remember lines, but that doubt changed the moment I wrote Anabolic Life.
I de nitely found the industry! I never was into lmmaking, acting or even theatre growing up. I liked movies growing up but never watched the "classics" – mainly horror and action movies. Then at 28, I caught the bug after doing some hosting videos while I was working as a marketing director. Next thing you know, I'm searching the web for how to be an actor. So ten years later, here I am.
Who was your in uence?
When did you realise that you had a talent?
Did you meet with any resistance from family or friends?
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Hosting those product videos, I was getting compliments on being able to read the teleprompter well; then, after I started acting and auditioning (before even taking classes), I was booking a good amount of work in South Florida. I did a short lm called First Hand as the lead, and I think people noticed, like, Oh, okay, maybe there's something here. When I moved to Los Angeles, I questioned that talent for the rst year – once I really started to learn the craft, like, whoa,
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Photography courtesy of The Handler
The only in uence in my life would be my father for his work ethic; that man is the hardest worker I've ever known. I never idolised any actors growing up. I do love Arnold but for his physique and bad-ass screen presence, but I didn't and don't want to be him.
Actually, very little resistance! My parents always made sure I knew to have money saved or some type of regular job so that I was never desperate, but other than that, my family are my biggest fans and support me in any way they can.
If you met the younger version of yourself, what advice would you give? Don't change a thing. All the mistakes you made led you here.
If I asked your best friend to describe you, what would they tell me? They would say I'm super chill and the hardest worker in the room.
How has your industry changed over the last ve years? Why? Digital distribution has skyrocketed in the last ve years. When my rst lm was in production (Anabolic Life) about six years ago now we had the world looking at our movie – it was shot in 6k resolution, and there was plenty of digital room left on the digital space, but after a 1-year delayed post-production process it changed so quickly where we ended up scrambling to nd a home for it. Now, look at Net ix, Amazon, and Hulu; they all produce a majority of their own content, leaving indie lmmakers in a very crowded room.
How do you think your industry will change in the next ve years? In the next ve years, I think we will see even more digital platforms targeting demographic-speci c like a streaming service for LGBTQ+, a streaming service for LatinX, a streaming service for French lms, etc. There's just too much content coming out and not enough space on current platforms for it.
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Photography by @cottonbro
IN THE LINE OF SIGHT
Name just one challenge of being well known. Well, I would say I'm "kind of known" at this point in my career, not "well known "… yet. But even being "kind of known" doesn't challenge me much; I love talking about my art, taking photos, and love interviews. I think the only thing that is a challenge is I have to be pickier in the projects I work on and know my worth, even if that means not working.
How important is social media to you both professionally and personally? Why? Ahhh, social media. Personally, I like Facebook, so I can see what my family is up to, and I do get a lot of my news from social media, but other than that, if I weren't in the industry, I probably would never post. I don't really care to share that much, but social media is a constant demo reel since I am in the industry. People want to eat at a busy restaurant, so I think it is part of my job always to look busy.
Name something you like doing to disconnect from work.
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To disconnect, I love gaming. I don't have to analyse stories or act; I don't have to compare myself or my body of work… Just go in there and fight monsters or get killed by some 10-year kid who has 1000 hours invested in the game. It's frustratingly addicting fun.
Name something that makes you unique. I think I'm unique because I didn't grow up doing this acting thing. I never dreamt about it as a kid or young adult. So I've just been a normal dude from a good family with good morals that aren’t chasing fame or money. I just want to bring characters to life from a grounded perspective and come across like a cool guy to have a beer with.
Do you have regular working hours? Being an artist usually means irregular work hours. Still, I do try to keep a scheduled week, where I'll wake up at a speci c time, eat my meals at a speci c time and go to the gym at a speci c time; otherwise, I'd go crazy just waiting around for the next idea or the next role to come in.
Do you think competition is a good thing? Why? Yes, I think the competition is good. It's healthy to be competitive, but in the lm industry, being too competitive or too "cocky" is a bad look. It's not like music in that sense where you can brag about being the best in lm and tv. No one is the best; we are all just trying to share our art, stay working and keep food on the table.
Photography by Any Viet CHAU
How has the Pandemic affected your industry? The Pandemic hurt our industry and impacted independent filmmakers the most. From movie theatres going out of business and now studios entering into that market to production costs becoming sky high due to insurance costs and speci c Sag-Aftra union rules about testing and Covid specialists on set to our union members losing health insurance due to not enough income because of the lack of work. I was able to stay low budget and get some projects knocked out, but now with vaccination mandates and fear of being shut down- masks and distance on set is the new norm. I think we are pulling out of it now, but with cases increasing again, who knows what could happen.
MOVIE THEATRES I don't think movie theatres could survive another lockdown, and I fear more union members will lose their insurance if productions have to shut down again as well. However, I'm working on a higher budget movie this year, so once we start casting, I'm interested in seeing what Sag-Aftra requires going forward as far as deposits and requirements… It could make lming unaffordable.
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Thanks for your time, and make sure you check out my new action movie, The Handler, digitally available everywhere.
DIGITAL DIALOGUE Technology
THE VISUAL ARTIST A conversation with Anthony Cally By Sanj Saigal
If you haven't heard of Anthony Cally on this side of the pond, his name is connected to some of the most iconic action movies such as See (starring Jason Momoa) and Fast and furious 9 (Vin Diesel) for visual effects.
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love my job, especially when I meet people who cross genres, can't be led and build on a talent base. His writing and directing portfolio now include Waiting and Love and Love not. Anthony Cally's unique combination of skills has seen him pick up many notable awards. Undoubtedly a thirst to develop his writing skills will, in my opinion, carve a brand from his name. The ethos that surrounds creativity ows quite naturally in Anthony, but I rmly believe his work ethic and his story will resonate with new talent. Perhaps on a level where they need to be coaxed into a complimentary genre or have doubts about taking a prede ned professional path.
Photography by: @mlnlca - Minica Casbara
On a personal note, I have watched many of the projects that he has been involved with, such as Colony, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, The Exorcist, and Ray Donovan, to name a few. His gruelling work ethic meant that I had to be extremely patient to secure an interview with him, and so I'm very grateful that we managed to tie it down. I know that his inspiring story will motivate, inspire and resonate with our audience.
www.banditbee.co.uk
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BANDITBEE ATHLEISURE ESSENTIALS CONTEMPORARY ACTIVEWEAR FOR WOMEN
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The Visual Artist
Photography by: @glass_harbor - Tim Russel
Did you nd your industry, or did it nd you? - I grew up in a huge cine le and watched anything I could get my hands on. So movies were always in the back of my mind. It wasn't until college that I seriously considered getting into the industry. I went for history, thinking I was going to be a professor of some sort with a pipe and tweed jacket. But I found the campus television station. Not long I was greenlit for my own show, and that's when I knew I needed to do work in the medium in this life.
When did you realise that you had a talent?
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- I don't know if there was a singular moment where I thought I had talent. I just knew that this was something I needed to do. I
was hoping by trial and error; I would nd some talent.
Who was your in uence? - My favourite directors are Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini and Martin Scorsese. The idea that Someone like Kurosawa, whose culture, land, and in uence is something that I have no real connection to ( being from Japan like he was) but being so moved by his people and struggles made me realise just how magical cinema was. And how connected we all are, how we all have similar human trials. How he makes a lm is like every frame being a beautiful canvas that belongs in a museum. If Fellini is the maestro, that Kurosawa is the master, and I consider him my teacher, the guru I never got to meet.
Did you meet with any resistance from family or friends? - I was sort of embarrassed that I wanted to go into this since it's such a tall climb to the top or
If you met the younger version of yourself, what advice would you give? - It might be cliche, but I'd remind myself of the same advice that my uncle used to always tell me, "stop and smell a rose". When you're running and trying to get somewhere in your career and personal life, you can lose sight of what's in front of you. I couldn't grasp what my uncle was talking about then. But, as I face down a looming "0" at another birthday in the next couple of years, I now know exactly what he means.
If I asked your best friend to describe you, what would they tell me? - Maybe you should ask them? Kidding aside, I guess they'd say I'm someone who gets particularly focused and obsessed with an idea or a project, and I need to see it to its completion. So for more tidbits, give him a drink, and I'm sure he could tell you a few good stories.
How has your industry changed over the last ve years? Why?
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- I've been out here for six years now. Coming out here, I didn't even know what a C-stand was. So being able to work on sets, hop from different teams, and jump from television to features allowed me to have a sort of Oz behind the curtain feel. Like seeing how the sausage is made. But I've always been the curious type, and I've always been obsessed with the
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to the level that we all dream of getting to. I remember when I rst said it out loud, my mother said, "oh boy", but it's easy to laugh it off now since I've had stable work for years as a senior vfx coordinator.
movies, so seeing the sausage factory doesn't deter me from continuing to eat the sausage.
How do you think your industry will change in the next ve years? - working in vfx, you see new technologies sprouting up, which are truly exciting. These things will make shooting certain things easier and more accessible to people. Nothing wrong with that!
Name just one challenge of being well known. - I suppose enjoying dinner out? I also don't nd it appealing to be caught picking your nose and having strangers snap a picture of you.
How important is social media to you both professionally and personally? Why? - Social media is a great way to reach out to people you may otherwise not know. For the indie feature lm I've completed, "Love and Love Not", my producer has a social media manager who knows much more about outreach than I do. It keeps the product ( product being the movie) in people's minds which is always a good thing. So when it does get released, it'll be easier.
Name something you like doing to disconnect from work. - I like the open road. Day trips with good music ( with the "Get Back" documentary out, been doing a lot of Beatles and solo Lennon
stuff) and the windows down. In the early days of the Pandemic, I took a 32-day road trip to get away from everything. It was nice to see American life for that period of time. The wannabe historian in me came out, and I took snapshots of everything I could in places that would otherwise be populated.
Name something that makes you unique. - Hard to say. I'm sure in our own respective hometowns, every aspiring writer, actor and director is very unique and very creative and all-around a ball of wonder. But what happens when said aspiring artist moves to a town where every other aspiring artist moves to? And all with the same goal? The eld sure gets crowded, doesn't it? And that hometown story of unique talent sounds pretty similar to that story from your friend from Minnesota, his girlfriend from Spain, her roommate from Maine, etc. So I guess time will tell what I myself can bring to this eld.
Do you have regular working hours? - My normal job is freelance. Currently, I'm a senior vfx coordinator on a Net ix feature lm that will be coming out this summer. Last year I was with Universal for Fast and Furious 9. For the most part, it's Mon - Fri, but when deadlines loom, you'll spend later nights and weekend work.
Do you think competition is a good thing? Why?
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- competition makes you want to work harder. I'm sure you have a great movie idea, but until you write it down, start pitching it, and revise revise revise, you're not going to get anywhere.
How has the Pandemic affected your industry?
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- I was incredibly fortunate. I was able to keep my job for most of the rst year of the Pandemic since Fast 9 was already in postproduction. So we just started working from home. But it took a long time for things to open up again, for many people whose shows were ending couldn't get onto new things as soon as they'd like.
THE VISUAL ARTIST
There is a distinctive admiration for the people who possess the skill set to bring the impossible to life; they keep us on the edge of our seats and give us a reason to venture out to see a movie or keep us glued to our TV screens. Historically, VFX was traditionally the shadow behind the household names we treasure and adulate. However, as we enter a disruptive time where an audience craves the unimaginable and movies transition into spin-off tv series, the typically unsung heroes have transitioned into stars and in uencers themselves. The Indie genre has created a wealth of opportunities for writers who would never have considered investing time and money into projects which were heavily guarded within the covenant of those considered to hold power and in uence in this industry. Now an emerging powerhouse, the idea of turning ideas into credible content has a loyal fan base and produces its own stars. Moreover, the concept of slicing through red tape and cutting out the middle man to coin a phrase is a global trend and one that is here to stay.
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On behalf of the Networking Magazine, we wish Anthony the very best for his upcoming movie, (currently in the process of getting distribution and the lm festival circuit) Love and love not, and hope to catch up soon to hear about ongoing projects.
WE WANT TO WRITE ABOUT YOU.
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The London Connection A conversation with Francesca De Luca By Sanj Saigal
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Francesca auditioned for Francis Ford Coppola and was cast in "Distant Vision" lm. A notable achievement that I personally believe made her mark in Hollywood. A photo at the premiere of The Unforgivable at the DGA Hollywood caught my eye. I wanted to learn more about the Londoner from my neck of the woods. We talk to Francesca about her journey into acting.
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THE LONDON CONNECTION
Francesca De Luca
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rancesca's story begins in central London, Hammersmith, believe it or not, a far cry from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Her acting roots date back to her school play, where she unwittingly found her career path. Although now a Hollywood name and very much part of the acting vibe that only California knows how to show, Francesca was part of the UK stage scene early on in her profession. An impressive portfolio includes playing Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Carla in Kennedys Children. Seeking diversity, an opportunity presented itself to work alongside Oliver Reed in the movie; "Orpheus and Eurydice ".
English as a second language www.one2oneacademy.com
Francesca would later audition for Francis Ford Coppola and was cast in "Distant Vision" lm. A notable achievement that I personally believe made her mark in Hollywood. A photo at the premiere of The Unforgivable at the DGA Hollywood caught my eye. I wanted to learn more about the Londoner from my neck of the woods. We talk to Francesca about her journey into acting.
Did you meet family resistance when you told them that you wanted to be an actress?
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No, not at all! My mother, in fact, encouraged and supported me. She took me to dance classes when I was growing up and went to every play I was in, she was very proud of me. ! She saw I had a lot of talent and how much I loved acting and always wanted me to have the
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”. - Maya Angelou
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success she felt I deserved, not just because she was a biased mother but because she believed in me and what I was capable of. In fact, when Francis Ford Coppola cast me, my mum said, "tell him he was right to cast you"! So it didn't surprise her at all! I was also raised by my grandfather, Nonno, who was a wonderful father gure, and he was also very proud of me.
Photography by: Douglas Gorenstein
I'm very thankful for that support! It's not an easy path; it requires determination and self-belief, so having family support meant so much, especially travelling to the other side of the world to make my dreams come true. I'm grateful for that.
Francesca and moving country Moving country for a profession is a brave move; what was the catalyst that facilitated that move?
acting classes with my cousin Diane, also an actress. I extended my stay to three months, and it hit me then! I was a single woman, felt con dent in myself and my abilities, and my self-belief was at a high. I didn't have any doubts holding me back. And I decided then that I wanted to go for my dream of being a successful working actress in the States, most likely LA! My vision was clear. I also had met some directors in New York who said they'd really like to work with me, and I also loved the go for it attitude many Americans I've encountered have. Something I also have. I see myself as a New Yorker at heart!
For many years I had thought about coming to LA. I was often cast as an American in plays, an Italian American New Yorker, a Texan even! I was actually told by a UK casting director that I didn't look "British" ( especially as I have 100 percent Italian blood) and realised that I would be more castable in the States. I also knew that so many TV shows and movies were being made in the States and felt that my talents would t right into that market. I actually visited my New York cousins eight and a half years ago, and while there took some inspiring
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Photography by: David Muller
Preparing for roles How do you prepare for roles? I analyse the full script, not just my own lines. I look for clues to the inner workings of my character, nd out what makes them tick deep down, and I like to discover what's unsaid, what they really feel or think, despite what their lines "say." What they really feel about the other character or characters they are talking to, what they want etc. Having started out in theatre, I am used to going deep into a character and preparing extensively for a role. Sometimes, there can be only a day to prepare for a self-tape for a TV role, so I aim to make the words and thoughts of the character a part of me. If I have a speci c accent for the role, I immerse myself in the accent for hours, listen to native speakers on YouTube, TV shows, etc. Before long, my ear picks it up. I often just talk in that accent until I have my audition or send a tape! If I have time, I'll also hire an accent coach! I had a lot of coaching in various accents in the UK and can pick up new ones quickly! I nd it fun!
Francesca - UK Vs US What would you say was the main difference between the UK and the US in terms of lifestyle? Where do I start? Haha. Ok, I'll have to start with the weather in LA! I thrive in a sunny climate ( maybe that's my Italian blood!); what can I say? It lifts my mood a lot! Also, I love to go outside in nature, so I spend a lot more time outdoors, hiking Runyon Canyon or walking or cycling by the ocean!
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Also, LA is full of health and body-conscious actors, and that's a lifestyle I too have adopted. I
workout everyday at my gym or at least hike, I eat very healthily. I feel very energised by this lifestyle; it really suits me. That's not to say I don't eat pizza or chocolate every now and then! I do! Just work out harder the next day!
Francesca - Advice What advice would you give if you could talk to yourself at the precise moment that you decided to be an actress? Yes!!!! You're doing the right thing! Go for it! You're very talented so keep working on your craft, get con dent in your abilities and let yourself y! Keep working on yourself as a person; as you blossom, so will your abilities and your life. You are capable of anything you set your mind to. Keep your thoughts positive, stay present and focus. Your dreams will come true. Don't let fear hold you back. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people and avoid naysayers. Keep being you! Don't hide your light! Keep shining! I love you!!
If I could talk to your best friend and ask them to describe you, what would they say? They'd say she's a very positive person. She's authentic, kind, empathic, thoughtful, direct, a good listener, a good friend. They'd say she has a great sense of humour and loves to laugh! She's fun to be around is youthful and energetic! She is passionate about life is strong, compassionate and determined. If she has any life obstacles, she'll nd solutions and has a go for it attitude!
If I could write a book about you, what would the title be? Don't forget to laugh!
If I asked you to name a song representing your life, which song would it be? Here comes the Sun. The Beatles Referring to looking on the bright side of life, believing life is what you make it, following my heart, going for my dream, becoming the best me I can be in every way. And literally heading to the Sun!
What was your greatest challenge? Why? Probably in April 2020. My mom passed away suddenly from Covid in London. Unfortunately, I was not able to leave the US for her burial ( funerals were not allowed then). However, I asked a good friend to go for me, so I was thankfully able to attend virtually via a What's App video call and give tribute to her. I luckily spoke to my mum a week before, where I told her I loved her, and we had a very special chat where she told me how proud she was of me, and I told her how proud I was of her. That phone call I will never forget. The pain of losing her and not being by her side when she passed away or even being buried was very tough to bear. I know that she would want me to be happy and continue to reach my dreams here in LA. Something like this puts life in perspective. Every moment really is precious.
Photography by - Passport Films
If I gave you the keys to a time machine, which year would you travel to? Why? Apart from seeing The Beatles perform live. Any year I could visit my mum and tell her I love her.
Your journey started in London, do you miss the city you called home? I've adapted to life in LA very much, actually. I loved London of course, the culture, the theatre was amazing. The main thing I'd say has sometimes been missing family and friends. Though I have always stayed in touch. I accepted that my new life would come with sacri ce.
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I just had to follow my true life path and follow my dream, so I feel at peace.
And I can still get Fish n Chips in a British pub in LA if I really want it! Haha. Though I've now become more of a sushi loving girl!
What do you miss about being on stage? The audience. The feeling of it being live, you have to stay in the moment, keep it fresh, which is great training for an actor. You can sense how the audience is reacting to your character, can feel them listen closely and hear the laughter.
What's on your wish list for the future? To live a ful lling and meaningful life where I'm in a position to select who I work with, to reach my highest potential as an actress. To inspire others as well as myself and be a positive in uence and help others. To achieve a work-life balance when I can accomplish my goals and spend time with family and friends. Life is also about sharing, giving and receiving love and laughing often!
As our time drew to a close, I couldn't help but note that Francesca had spoken passionately about a profession that saw her cross the Atlantic Ocean and carve out a new life in Hollywood. Tenacious, bubbly, and, dare I say, sassy, Francesca has caught the eye of key decisionmakers in film and TV. It's hard to build relationships at speed, especially virtual ones, but you instantly warm to her personality traits. Moreover, you're left feeling that you have known Francesca for a considerable length of time, a unique quality that is far from commonplace. I hope, on some level, her story resonates with new talent and helps identify the challenges that can be overcome with determination, ambition and self-motivation.
Photography by - David Muller
Photography by - Lachlan Gowen
I M P A C T Javier Jiménez Sacristán By Sanj Saigal
He was the CEO and Vice President for Córdoba Football Club in Spain. Always embracing technology, he now has his eyes on a new challenge. We speak to Javier Jiménez Sacristán about his return to professional football, the recent appointment to a Spanish second division club and his vision for the future.
I M P A C T Javier Jiménez Sacristán
EDITION 6
IMPACT Javier Jiménez Sacristán I love history; this next story comes all the way from northern Spain. Javier, the previous manager for Cordoba football club, has recently been appointed to the innovations manager position at SD Ponferradina.
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he club turns 100 years old on the 7th of June; I wanted to mention at this point that it's in the second division with its eyes on the rst. The club itself has played nine seasons professionally, and three of them consecutively. Their stadium has the capacity for close to 8,500 spectators, and 6,000 season ticket holders make up 10% of the entire population of Ponferradina. The town is located in the Northwest of Spain and was initially made famous by its once-thriving mining sector. Today, its wine manufacturing Industry has contributed to placing it back on the map.
Milestone Turning a hundred years old is a milestone in any context. On the 7th of June 2021, SD Ponferradina, a Spanish 2nd division club, will do just that. In the second division, with the rst rmly placed on its wish list, the introduction of technology is key to that journey. Every business model has toyed with the application of NFT tech since the harnessing of data can impact the economies of scale and, to an extent, future proof the creation of multiple income streams.
“Technology is best when it brings people together”.
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- Matt Mullenweg, Social Media Entrepreneur
The Football industry as a whole is undoubtedly testimony of the concept of NFT tokens
You were recently appointed to the position of Innovations manager, could you explain the role for our audience?
The future
My position is to introduce cutting-edge technology and increase awareness globally to obtain sponsorship agreements; I want to improve fan engagement and
Hailed as the future of Football, it's just one of the digital assets in SD Ponferradina SAD's arsenal. Actively seeking novel and bold methods to use data, they hope to add true value to the club's loyal following, not forgetting to mention new. The newly appointed innovations manager is no stranger to a challenge; after all, he took Cordoba into the rst division. Now responsible for taking Ponferradina, a member of LALIGA and generating international exposure, we catch up with Javier Jiménez Sacristán at his o ce in Spain to nd out more about his recent appointment.
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OFFICIAL TRAILER - PRESS IMAGE
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Simply put, NFT is a non-interchangeable unit of data that is stored on a blockchain, e ectively a ling cabinet. Each item of data has a unique address in that ling system.
monetise our digital assets. My objective is to respect the club's 100-year-old traditional values at the same time as introducing cutting edge technology. Some examples of how technology has impacted our club would be our App, which allows sel es to be beamed directly onto our large stadium screens. We will be launching a museum to mark our 100th year. We also have NFT tokens that will mean our supporters can buy special edition virtual and physical apparel.
How does social media help you?
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Like all clubs, we have a genuine need to connect with our fan base. An excellent example of how we interact is with one of our players from Iran. When we announced that he was our new goalkeeper, he received over 50,000 hits. So I want to embrace social media and harness its potential to the club's exposure.
How does it feel to be back in the Industry you are passionate about? The owner and president of the club has been in this position for 22 years, the CEO for Ponferradina for 16 years even the sta have been working for Ponferradina for a long time. It's like working with one large family. Since I worked for Cordoba, the President and the CEO have known me, and our relationship has always been strong.
Photography by: Artem Lysenko
ANGEL God’s
GRACE Plan
Her story is one of overcoming resistance for her chosen professional path and how she has turned a social media following into a fan base that appreciates and embraces both her creative art forms.
Photography by @dannywoodstock
God s Plan - Angel Grace
Photography by @jaietv
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Her story is one of overcoming resistance for her chosen professional path and how she has turned a social media following into a fan base that appreciates and embraces both her creative art forms.
God s Plan
Angel Grace
S
ometimes you're drawn to people, not by what they do but how they do it. Every sector is competitive, and it has become challenging to create a brand in the real world, let alone a virtual one. Tattoos and graf ti have an underlying kindred spirit that co-exist between the artists that t within these two genres. But, rarely crossing over, there was one person who caught my eye.
Creativity We all desire to leave a mark in our lifetime, remembered for something we have achieved or done. Angel's story would appeal to those who perhaps can identify with creativity and develop a career. By her admission, her in uence came from watching a few guys doing temporary tattoos on a beach in Cabo Frio, Brazil, aged between 8 and 9 years of age. That would later prove to be the spark that would forge a career from a passion and see her become a brand recognised for her work with lettering and her in uence on gra ti. Her story is one of overcoming resistance for her chosen professional path and how she has turned a social media following into a fan base that appreciates and embraces both her creative art forms.
Culture Press here for editorial
“Don't listen to outside
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doubters or even self-doubts.
My early memories of watching the Rock Steady Crew breakdancing to a backdrop of beautifully coloured tags certainly take me back to when Angel's skill set was regarded as taboo, meeting resistance to those who believed that they had a negative in uence on society.
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Celebrities and in uencers have made these forms of art embody culture worldwide. London is no exception, and it has now proudly accepted it, promoting creativity and diversity. Certainly sold on how it has impacted the vibe of London and all its splendour, I managed to catch up with Angel to talk about her journey.
Photography by Jaietv
Did you nd your industry, or did it nd you? I'm originally from Cabo Frio in Brazil, a far cry from Camden. I could draw even before I could write; I must have been 8 or 9 years old when I was captivated by a few guys on the beach doing temporary tattoos. That was a de ning moment in my life; even at such a young age, I instinctively knew that it was something that I wanted to do.
When did you realise that you had a talent?
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At age 3, my mum said that paper and pencil would keep me quiet. I recall making a small stamp ampli ed bigger on a piece of paper using just my eye. My mum still has one of these rst sketches. I was never great in academic-based subjects, but I excelled in arts and creative subjects.
Who was your in uence? Before the tattooing, my auntie introduced me to tattoos, piercings and hardcore bands, and I loved the way people expressed themselves in that industry. I remember checking magazines in my early days of tattooing, which was the only medium to see different tattoos and top artists' work. Artists such as Becinho from Rio De Janeiro (@becinhotattoo), Shimada, who is half Japanese and half Brazilian (@shimadatattoobrasil), and my friend Jorge Santana (@jorgesantana13) all played a part in my story.
Did you meet with any resistance from family or friends? Yes, I did, quite a lot. As much as I had support from my auntie, my mum was devastated when I told her that I wanted to pursue tattooing as a career. It was tough
to get into, as I was a girl, young, no tattoos and at that time, the industry was almost entirely made up of men. From my memory, girls were more involved with piercings.
If I asked your best friend to describe you, what would they tell me? Angel is strong, crazy, in a good way, bold in her approach to work, willing to try a number of different artistic mediums, and a great collaborator.
How has your industry changed over the last ve years? Why? Social media has allowed artists to reach a wider audience than ever before. It has also helped to reach out to different artists and shops, which has made a signi cant impact, especially for the selfemployed, where promotion was solely done by the shops they worked in.
How do you think your industry will change in the next ve years? Maybe it would be nice to believe that there will be half-human, half cyborg tattooists who can read your mind before you walk into the shop, so gone are the days with consultations where people want a sleeve but have no idea how it will come together.
Name just one challenge of being well known. More exposure means more customer enquiries, which can take you away from the actual work itself.
How important is social media to you both professionally and personally? Why? It is absolutely fundamental to my work and career because of the networking. It provides exposure to different artists throughout the world was a gamechanger for my career.
Name something you like doing to disconnect from work. Graf ti is up there on my list as my preferred method to disconnect from everything and everyone.
Name something that makes you unique. The grace of God in my life and that I'm a born again Christian.
Do you have regular working hours?
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No, It depends on where I'm working and what is in my diary.
“Don't get down with difficult times, as sometimes, creatively speaking; it's hard to maintain your best work or grow as an artist.
Photography by @vizart
God s Plan
Angel Grace
Do you think competition is a good thing? Why? Yes, it can be, especially for stimulating creativity to whole new levels.
How has the Pandemic affected your industry?
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It has been challenging and completely sucks but gave me more time to realise how selfexposure through social media and creating your own brand is key to staying a oat in the industry.
Michelle Lovett
By Sanj Saigal
3 x Bestselling Author. Publisher and Curator Coach. Executive Producer, Owner of; NOW TV network channel. (Meme all over productions channel) Owner of a health, wellness and beauty online business.
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ichelle Lovett is synonymous with acting and production, appearing in Jay Jay's Men Pray Too(2021) and Life Love and Lockup (a complete accolade of awards shown in this editorial). However, her story is based not only on achievement; it's one of an insatiable appetite to cross over to a multitude of genres. Described as a serial entrepreneur, there is much to learn from a skill set that crosses so many genres. A social media in uencer, Michelle has now amassed close to 90,000 Instagram
followers with an insatiable appetite for her unique content.
Mentor I was keen to help form a link between Michelle and new talent that would see her as a mentor, someone they could identify with. Following a traditional path may incorporate more than one role when the world resets itself from the Pandemic. Diversity is a word on everyone's lips as people nd harmony between work and home life. The Networking Magazine caught up with her in Atlanta.
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Celebrities and in uencers have made these forms of art embody culture worldwide. London is no exception, and it has now proudly accepted it, promoting creativity and diversity. Certainly sold on how it has impacted the vibe fl
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ON AIR - Michelle Lovett
ON AIR Miche Love
When did you know that you had a talent? I'm told that I was reading at the age of 4. I realised I had several gifts, including the gift of acting, writing, singing, prophecy and more. Your path must have been far from a traditional one, perhaps faced with a plethora of twists and turns along the way. So what would you claim to be the most de ning moment in your career to date? Weathering the storm of death and depression from losing my Mom, three siblings, extended family & friends back to back while being a manager in the corporate world.
Is there a lesson to be learnt from having multiple income streams?
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EDITION 5
Take your time building each business pulling layer by layer to be successful and most e ective.
Do you have a personal favourite from your skillset? Why? Mentorship as it provides an example of leadership. One must always lead by example.
What challenges have you overcome in your personal and professional career? Numerous amounts of times, I've had to honestly pray my way through all my sickness, immediate personable deaths, trials, tribulations, folks lying on you, backstabbing coming to and forth, envy plus jealousy coming at me like a freight train.
Did you nd your path, or did your path nd you? I found my path, and my path found me just in the nick of time. Unfortunately, I was headed for self-destruction.
What advice would you give a younger version of yourself? Why? In all situations, please know when to hold them & fold them. Remain humble and y high like an eagle. Controlling your tongue doing more listening than anything shall forever sit on the throne.
Can you tell our audience something that nobody knows about you? I started driving at eight years old.
You wear so many hats; how do you switch off?
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GOD, prayer & prioritising everything.
Life, love and being unlocked up mentally, physically or spiritually.
Can you name a song that could be written about you? It was necessary by fantasia.
How important is social media to you? Why? Extremely important! It's the new way of promoting business, networking, marketing, plus exposure..
What skill is common to everything that you do? Why? Having knowledge and experience in the nancial world, patience, plus discernment. In the industry, you have to spend to win; success doesn't come overnight, so having patience is a must. However, a person with great discernment will separate the real from the fake.
What does the future hold for Michelle Lovett, the brand? Let's just say, MAJOR. Conferences, lm, books, stage plays, classes, brunches, events & more.
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What makes you happy?
Photography by: Christina Gottardi
WE WANT TO WRITE ABOUT YOU.
Photography by: Vizart fotografo brasileiro
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Photography by: Nate Cohen
Photography by: Morica Pham
Press image for editorial.
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