Give Her a Microphone

Lisa O'Brien is a self described Creative Alchemist. She thought she was going to be a school teacher but her vision of teaching transformed into educational entertainment programming for kids. She began her career as a children's TV series producer in Canada. She brought that experience to Hollywood and built an impressive resume of creative development and production with the Disney Channel, The Jim Henson Company, Sprout/PBS (now NBC Universal) then on to NBC Kids and most recently, Cartoon Network. Lisa's infectious joy in her job has its roots in a profound desire to give back. 

Lisa Shamata is one of the leading unit publicists in Canada. She is the liaison between the outside world and a productive, working set. This is a job that takes, diplomacy, finesse and a creative, nimble mind to navigate all the stakeholders interests. When Lisa originally interviewed with us she was on location in eastern Canada. In her follow up interview, Lisa shares her experience riding out Covid in Toronto. We all have made unique choices during our respective stay-at-home time. Please join us as Lisa shares her story.

Lisa Shamata is one of the leading unit publicists in Canada. She is the liaison between the outside world and a productive, working set. She fields communication from press, location community organizations, film commissions etc. on behalf of the studio. She supervises set photography and EPK/BTS filmmaking for future marketing and publicity once the film or series goes into release. This is a job that takes, diplomacy, finesse and a creative, nimble mind to navigate all the stakeholders interests. Her most recent credits include: The Shape of Water (Sally Hawkins and Doug Jones)and Nightmare Alley with director GuiIlermo del Toro. 

Line Producer, Kimberly Scott joins us with her own Covid update. She chats with Shirley and karen about her experience keeping things afloat while the pandemic throws much of Hollywood into a holding pattern. 

Kimberly Scott revels in her role Line Producing on a variety of successful shows In Hollywood ranging from broadcast television and features through digital series and branded content. Kimberly's vast experience has given her a unique perspective as Hollywood continues to evolve from traditional to digital distribution models. Karen and Shirley chat with Kimberly about the highs and lows in her journey and what she's learned along the way.

Give Her A Microphone hosts, Karen Somers and Shirley Jackson follow up with one of Hollywood's leading acting coaches, Mary McCusker. Mary shares the ups and downs she experienced living in Los Angeles during Covid. She's put her time to good use, publishing a successful book about auditioning that has been in the works for a while. She has also adjusted her coaching techniques for a Zoom driven world. Her students are still auditioning digitally for shows and movies - what does that look like for actors in Hollywood? 

Give Her A Microphone hosts, Karen Somers and Shirley Jackson visit with one of Hollywood's leading acting coaches, Mary McCusker. Mary has coached some of the biggest stars in the business and shares lessons learned along the way in her new book, "Auditioning - What They Say When You Leave The Room". 

We first interviewed Diane pre-Covid. This is the follow up interview we did recently to check in and see how Diane, her family and Cirque du Soleil's community are faring.

The pandemic has taken a significant toll in the entertainment world - particularly live businesses. Cirque du Soleil's Chief Creative Officer, Diane Quinn, has witnessed the catastrophic results. We visit with the Diane has she shares the personal and professional costs Covid has extracted this year.

Diane Quinn is the Chief Creative Officer at Cirque du Soleil. Hosts, Karen Somers and Shirley Jackson, chat with Diane about her journey to the top job in one the world's most successful live entertainment giants. She shares her personal story, what a Chief Creative Officer actually does, the lessons she learned along the way and what she does now to rise and thrive in the cutthroat global world of live entertainment.