Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Toody Cole
Toody Cole Interviewed by Tanya Pearson Cinematography by Sophia Cacciola Edited by Michael J. Epstein
Sophia is cinematographer and Michael is gaffer and production sound on Izzy Lee’s short film, Re-Home (Next Playing GenreBlast Aug 29 – Sept 1 – Alamo Drafthouse Winchester, VA)
Synopsis: In the near future, the U.S.-Mexico border wall has been completed and the high cost of living has skyrocketed. As a result, loved ones are re-homed like pets. Upcoming Festivals: Shawna Shea Film Festival – Oct. 5, 2019 Starlite … Read More
Michael co-authors book, How to Talk to People with Hearing Loss: what you can do to communicate better and why it really works
How to Talk to People with Hearing Loss: what you can do to communicate better and why it really works by Mary Florentine, Julia B. Florentine, Michael J. Epstein Kindle Edition The purpose of this book is to tell you what people … Read More
Clickbait featured in B&H’s Show Us Your Shot series
Check out our little mini-doc on how we did some of the driving shots in Clickbait over at B&H! In this segment of Show Us Your Shot, Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola share with us their technique for creating … Read More
Sophia and Michael work on Glossary of Broken Dreams – out now!
GLOSSARY OF BROKEN DREAMS A film paved with good intentions Directed by Johannes GrenzfurthnerPlot Outline: Puppets! Pixels! Anime! Live action! Stock footage! Lumpennerd Johannes Grenzfurthner gives an ideotaining cinematic revue about important political concepts. Everyone is talking about freedom! Privacy! Identity! Resistance! The … Read More
Women of Rock Oral History Project in the press
Press Roundup
Sophia and Michael work crew on The Stalking Fields – now available streaming
Available on Amazon and other platforms. A group of civilians run for their freedom when they find themselves caught in the middle of a Black Ops program designed to cure PTSD. Back in early 2019, Sophia (1st AC) and Michael … Read More
Michael directs Dirty D’s “Jelly” music video. Sophia is the cinematographer.
I directed and edited this video for Dirty D and Sophia was the cinematographer. The song is about jealous people trying to tear you down, so we figured why not give a little taste of the monstrosity of those … Read More
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Eljuri
Eljuri Interviewed by Tanya Pearson Cinematography by Jen Dessinger and Piper Preston Edited by Tanya Pearson
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Pat Place
Pat Place Interviewed by Tanya Pearson Filmed by Jen Dessinger and Piper Preston edited by Tanya Pearson
Sophia and Michael are guests on Without Your Head 3/14/2019 (and the music of the month for March)
We had a great time as guests on Without Your Head on March 14, 2019 along with our pal, Jim McDonough! http://www.withoutyourhead.com/uploaded/mediafiles/WYH_190316.mp3 We’re also extremely honored to be the music of the month on the fantastic Without Your … Read More
Clickbait has Massachusetts premiere at the Boston Underground Film Festival – March 20, 2019 at 9:45 PM at The Brattle Theatre
We couldn’t be more excited to return to the Boston Underground Film Festival with Clickbait this year! We had a great time with our previous films: Blood of the Tribades, Magnetic, and TEN. Facebook Event Tickets Three years after winning … Read More
Sophia and Michael talk Clickbait (and more) on Filmmakers On… podcast
Check out this really nice, in-depth interview we did with Jason Horton for Filmmakers On. It’s mostly about Clickbait, and Jason digs in deep! One of my favorite interviews we’ve ever done.
Night Kisses “Broken Heart” music video to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Stream and buy the Clickbait score! Night Kisses – “Broken Heart” https://fanlink.to/bp68 https://leftbankmag.com/2019/02/21/sounds-night-kisses-broken-heart/
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur Interviewed by Tanya Pearson Cinematography by Piper Preston and Jen Dessinger Edited by Tanya Pearson
50 Most Recent | Clickbait | Darling Pet Munkee | DNFMOMD | Film | Michael | MJE Memorial Lib | Music | Night Kisses | Sophia
Clickbait score soundtrack released February 1, 2019 on Plaza Mayor by Night Kisses featuring Catherine Capozzi, Michael J. Epstein, Sophia Cacciola
Clickbait – Fanlink release info (null) Clickbait score by Night Kisses featuring Catherine Capozzi, Michael J. Epstein, Sophia Cacciola Available 2/1 on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify – we have also created a Clickbait Spotify playlist that includes additional tracks feature in the … Read More
50 Most Recent | Blood of the Tribades | Clickbait | Film | Magnetic | Michael | Music | Night Kisses | Sophia | TEN
Night Kisses Scores
Night Kisses is our music composition collective, and we are available to score short and feature films. All of the places to hear / buy the Clickbait score! Blood of the Tribades by Night Kisses featuring Catherine Capozzi and Michael … Read More
Sophia and Michael on The Department of Tangents Podcast recapping 2018 in horror (and film in general) and talking Clickbait
We had a great time hopping on the Department of Tangents podcast to talk 2018 horror (plus a little about our own films)! We got a little juicy in our critiques of films that were big hits this year that … Read More
Michael’s Favorite Films of 2018
Here’s a list of some of the 2018 (going with wide release year rather than fest release year, generally) films I really enjoyed, and of course, there are plenty of acclaimed 2018 films I haven’t seen yet. You can also … Read More
Filmmaking Fool: A basic guide to electricity for filmmakers (or how many of these lights can I plug in to this outlet?)
This is an article previously published on Filmmakingfool.com, which is no longer active. You’ve only got access to one outlet from the house 3 blocks down the street by a very long extension cord. No problem, your whole production should be … Read More
Filmmaking Fool: How can I use stock footage, and will people notice?
This is an article previously published on Filmmakingfool.com, which is no longer active. Today, we’re going to talk about using externally licensed stock (or your own reused) footage in your films! (We’ll talk about stock audio another time, but the same … Read More
Filmmaking Fool: Check out my article on tips for making sure your location is shoot ready over at StudioBinder
This is an article previously published on Filmmakingfool.com, which is no longer active. In addition to Filmmaking Fool, I occasionally write articles for other sites including this one over at StudioBinder. When I think the articles might be useful for all of you readers … Read More
Filmmaking Fool: Color temperature / white balancing : hot is cool and cool is hot!
This is an article previously published on Filmmakingfool.com, which is no longer active. I just want to cover the very, very basic theory of color temperature / white balance here. I feel like even just the most cursory look … Read More
Filmmaking Fool: Check out my article on Film Budget Planning: How to Effectively Budget a Script Breakdown over at StudioBinder
This is an article previously published on Filmmakingfool.com, which is no longer active. In addition to Filmmaking Fool, I occasionally write articles for other sites including this one over at StudioBinder. When I think the articles might be useful for all of you readers … Read More
Movies Diary
In 2018, we started keeping a record of all of the movies we see. It’s logged on Letterboxd, and here: [google-drive-embed url=”https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRb-HnOqQYxrIvpOOx5vro5hzvy7Q2kyXij99d0YbYvUESP1Fplg1BzlV11rfuLbuzhQogeNODBTiwK/pubhtml?gid=2078943963&single=true” width=”100%” height=”5000″ style=”embed”]
Sophia & Michael give an extensive interview about Clickbait to Nasty Neal of Without Your Head at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival
Sophia & Michael give an extensive interview about Clickbait to Nasty Neal of Without Your Head at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival. More on our visit to Buffalo: http://blog.mikeandsophia.com/2018/10/clickbait-is-an-official-selection-of-the-buffalo-dreams-fantastic-film-festival-2018-nov-2-9-2018/ They also mention us in the episode recap at … Read More
Michael’s Stock Photo Model Adventures!
I’ve ended up as the subject of a stock photo a couple of times (one major one without signing a release, but probably not worth doing anything about it). For your amusement… https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickbennett1/2018/11/01/more-than-movember-the-critical-state-of-mens-mental-health/?utm_source=FBPAGE&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1863920967&utm_campaign=sprinklrForbesMainFB#52a898671def https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/dec/02/how-movember-is-outgrowing-moustaches?fbclid=IwAR3iyiVsYJu2gUzpwKBmtTDhFU91xXlya56crXjQ6z6crKo5mB1JZo4CpDE https://matadornetwork.com/life/11-signs-born-raised-austin-texas/?fbclid=IwAR2pS-Z4ON4TkpVPXi2AcIZBDGfv6aqP49LEYpg7BCDhibTITGhWZ2fzaaY
Sophia and Michael work on Laurel Vail’s great short film, What Metal Girls are Into
We had the great honor of having a small part in helping with Laurel Vail’s excellent film, What Metal Girls are Into! We got to appear as extras in the metal concert scenes, but perhaps more importantly, we helped coordinate … Read More
60 Seconds to Die 2 Anthology featuring “Poisoned” segment by Sophia and Michael now available on DVD (and VOD)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5141260/ 60 Seconds To Die 2 2018 1 h 13 min The cult indie horror anthology returns with a tour de force of indie horror shorts from the underground in 60 Seconds to Die part 2! Modern day grindhouse, in … Read More
Look Away review and interview with Jason Isaacs, India Eisley, and Assaf Bernstein for Without Your Head
We had the honor of conducting an interview with Jason Isaacs, India Eisley, and Assaf Bernstein in anticipation of their film, Look Away, for Without Your Head! “Eisley is absolutely stellar at portraying mirror twins Maria and Airam, who are … Read More
Blood of the Tribades is an official selection of the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival 2019 – screens January 12, 2019
Blood of the Tribades is an official selection of the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival 2019 – screens January 12, 2019! “…a love letter to offbeat lesbian vampire films that offers powerful discourse on self-identity, feminism, and the violence wrought from religious … Read More
Clickbait wins Outstanding Microbudget Feature at Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival – Sophia wins Lois Weber Award; Michael wins Dedication to Excellence in Indie Filmmaking
We couldn’t be more excited to return to Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival with Clickbait this year! We had a great time 2 years screening Blood of the Tribades there! Clickbait took home a win for Outstanding Micro-budget Feature! We … Read More
Michael directs “Operation: Fist of God” segment for Conspiracy X anthology
Conspiracy X is an anthology with documentary style footage and short horror films based on Global conspiracy theories. I made a segment for this: “Operation: Fist of God” about how Russians brainwashed and planted fundamentalist Christian leaders in the US … Read More
Clickbait opening film at Sanford International Film Festival, won Best Music!
We’re were excited for Clickbait to be an official selection and the opening film of the Sanford International Film Festival! SIFF has been a great supporter of our previous films and we’re thrilled to return to Maine! We got to do … Read More
Clickbait featured on In the Mouth of Dorkness podcast – interview with Sophia, Michael, Jeremy Long, and Tyler Sage
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mouth-of-dorkness-podcast/id947664278?mt=2# https://www.podbean.com/site/EpisodeDownload/PB9A638CCZHKX We had the glorious pleasure of sitting down with “Indie Dork” immediately after the world premiere of Clickbait at GenreBlast! We got to talk about the movie, about Toot Strudels, and about how fun it was to be … Read More
Clickbait @ FANtastic Horror Film Festival, San Diego WON: Best Supporting Actress (Brandi Aguilar)
We had a really fun time attending FANtastic Horror Film Festival in San Diego! Clickbait won Best Supporting Actress (Brandi Aguilar)! We were nominated for: Best Feature, Best Actress (Amanda Colby Stewart), Best Supporting Actor (Seth Chatfield), Best Score (Night Kisses w/ Catherine … Read More
Michael appears as “beggar” in Veronika Mindal’s parody of Olya Polyakova’s song “Not like you and ex”– “not like you and beggar”
I had the pleasure of performing in Veronika Mindal‘s parody (above) of Olya Polyakova’s song (below) “Not like you and ex”– “not like you and beggar”
Sophia wins Les Femmes Du Genre wrestling belt award at GenreBlast! (and Sophia and Michael win “Nuclear Pens” for having multiple screenplays place as finalists)
Sophia was honored at GenreBlast Film Festival 2018 (where we also had Clickbait and Leopard premiere) with the wrestling belt for Les Femmes Du Genre! The Les Femmes award recognizes “an outstanding woman in genre filmmaking,” and during the awards, … Read More
Clickbait world premieres at GenreBlast, wins Best On-Screen Duo – Alamo Drafthouse – Winchester, VA – Sept 1 – 3:15 PM – Also was nominated for: Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Score, Best Cinematography
The GenreBlast Film Festival 2018 film festival was a blast and we are extremely honored to be recognized for: Best On-Screen Duo (Amanda Colby Stewart & Brandi Aguilar) And in non-Clickbait categories: Les Femmes Du Genre (Sophia Cacciola) Nuclear Pen [multiple finalist screenplays] (Michael J. … Read More
50 Most Recent | Blood of the Tribades | Clickbait | Film | Magnetic | Michael | Podcasts / Interviews | Sophia | TEN
Sophia interviewed by SYFY about creating sociopolitical horror and sci-fi
Sophia was interviewed by Carly Lane for SYFY about creating sociopolitical horror and sci-fi! https://web.archive.org/web/20201030112039/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sophia-cacciola-discusses-showcasing-women-in-film-via-sociopolitical-horror-and-sci-fi
Clickbait is an official selection at the Arizona Underground Film Festival, screening Thursday September 20th at 7:30pm at the Screening Room Tucson, AZ
We had an amazing time attending AZUFF. Clickbait won BEST HORROR FEATURE! Thursday September 20th at 7:30pm at the Screening Room 127 E. Congress http://www.azuff.com
Two films we worked on are part of the 2 Die For anthology! “Witness” and “With Whip”
We worked on 2 films on this anthology. Out now on DVD (VOD coming soon)! With Whip starts at: 59:28 Witness starts at: 2:53 With Whip [Written By Lianne O’Shea, Directed By Aviv Rubinstien, Produced by: Lianne O’Shea, Aviv Rubinstien, … Read More
Listen to the Clickbait cast w/Sophia and Michael live interview on WithoutYourHead – with Bob Elmore of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Listen at: http://www.withoutyourhead.com/viewnews.php?autoid=110241 Download at: http://www.withoutyourhead.com/uploaded/mediafiles/WYH_180803.mp3 https://www.facebook.com/events/222524611924749/ http://www.withoutyourhead.com/viewnews.php?autoid=110218 Sophia and Michael will join Neal Jones of Without Your Head around 9 PM EST to intro the movie before passing the torch for discussion to Clickbait leads Amanda Colby Stewart, Brandi … Read More
International anthology A Taste of Phobia featuring Sophia and Michael’s “Somniphobia” out on DVD and VOD via Artsploitation
“Somniphobia” Produced, written, and directed: Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein Director of Photography: Bryan McKay Production Assistants: Lianne O’Shea and Tyler Sage Music, sound, and editing: Michael J. Epstein Starring: Michael J. Epstein as Elijah Lianne O’Shea as … Read More
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Jean Millington
Jean Millington of Fanny! Interviewed by Tanya Pearson. Cinematography by Sophia Cacciola. Sound Recording / Editing by Michael J. Epstein
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Terri Nunn
Terri Nunn of Berlin! Interviewed by Tanya Pearson. Cinematography by Sophia Cacciola. Sound Recording / Editing by Michael J. Epstein
Sophia and Michael interviewed on The Eternal Village Prisoner Podcast
Episode four of, The Eternal Village-cast, is now available. In this episode we share a multi-themed conversation with the creative dynamos, Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein of Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling – Join the Facebook group … Read More
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee INTERVIEWED BY TANYA PEARSON. FILMED BY SOPHIA CACCIOLA. EDITED BY MICHAEL J. EPSTEIN
Michael works on Rob Potylo’s Quiet Desperation Season 6
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rob Potylo, Michael Gill, and Brian Strawn to bring Quiet Desperation season 6 to life! Check it out! I was also in front of the camera in previous seasons (links below). Quiet D … Read More
Variety premieres Lee DeWyze music video for “Paranoia” (Sophia is cinematographer)
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Ucr4w3CHRZBMyXjLAPiIG We had a wonderful time working with brilliant singer-songwriter and American Idol winner Lee DeWyze to shoot a series of live music videos. Sophia was the shoot cinematographer. Michael was AC/b-cam op. Directed by: JOHN KVIKLYS Produced by: ANDREW … Read More