The Lot1 Podcast

This week we’re sharing a previously recorded episode from The Lot1 Podcast After Show vault with one of our fan-favorite guests, Yoko Okumura!–Yoko Okumura (she/her) is a genre-fluid writer and director who thrives in the intersection of grit and glamour. Born in a Buddhist temple in Japan and raised in the frostbite of Minneapolis, she is obsessed with telling rebellious stories through underrepresented perspectives. She directed the feature thriller Unseen for Blumhouse, and her episode Ball of Twine for Sam Raimi's horror anthology 50 States of Fright is streaming as a Roku Original. Yoko has also directed numerous one-hour episodes for Freeform.She is a sponsored director under the Women In Film + Sundance ReFrame Rise Program. She has participated in top directing initiatives for Apple, Warner Brothers, Ryan Murphy Half Initiative, and Fox. Her films have won numerous accolades including a DGA Award and a Webby. Yoko has a BFA from CalArts and an MFA from AFI, and lives and works in Los Angeles. She belongs to the DGA and WGA.Connect with Yoko:➡️ TikTok: @directoryoko➡️ Instagram: @fouryokowww.yokookumura.comAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/📣BUY 2 GET 1 | Use code “LOT1BOGO” at check-out to grab your deal! 📣Tourist Hat Coffee Company is a family business with a heart for community, a passion for giving back, and of course, a love for coffee. They strive to offer quality-roasted beans with top-notch customer service while dedicating time and money to being a positive impact in their community.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byCarlos Luna & Christopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Jens Jacob is a seasoned film producer based in Los Angeles, known for his innovative approach to storytelling and his extensive experience in the film industry. He is the founder of Sypher, a commercial and music video production company, and Co-Founder of Sypher Studios, a full-service original content studio, and now Saturation.io the new standard for automating production finance and expense management. Jens has made significant contributions to the world of film and media.Connect with Jens:➡️ Instagram: @jensjacob24➡️ TikTok: @jensjacob24www.saturation.ioAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.💻Saturationhttps://saturation.io/📣 Saturation is a modern, cloud-based budgeting and expense management platform built specifically for filmmakers, producers, and production teams. Designed by industry professionals, it helps streamline financial workflows for films, TV shows, commercials, and more. With real-time collaboration features, customizable budget templates, and automated expense tracking, Saturation eliminates the need for clunky spreadsheets and outdated software. It supports seamless imports from tools like Movie Magic and offers powerful insights and controls without the learning curve. Whether you’re managing a small indie film or a multi-million-dollar production, Saturation gives you clarity, accuracy, and control—all in one place. With a free tier available and proven for use by producers across all budgets, there’s never been a better time to experience the next generation of production finance. ‼️USE OUR AFFILIATE LINK BELOW TO GET STARTED TODAY!https://saturation.io/?ref=lot1Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Courtney Young is a Dialect Coach known for her work on Thunderbolts (2025), Agatha All Along (2024), Barbie (2023), House Of Spoils (2024), Under the Banner of Heaven (2022), WandaVision (2021), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Courtney received a BA in Theatre from University of Utah and an MFA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.Courtney is also a Professor of Theatre and Film at the University of Houston and Lone Star College.Connect with Courtney:➡️ Instagram: @Courtney_ly➡️ TikTok: @accentcoachAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/📣BUY 2 GET 1 | Use code “LOT1BOGO” at check-out to grab your deal! 📣Tourist Hat Coffee Company is a family business with a heart for community, a passion for giving back, and of course, a love for coffee. They strive to offer quality-roasted beans with top-notch customer service while dedicating time and money to being a positive impact in their community.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Adam Howard is the winner of four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects and has been nominated a total of nine times for his VFX work on multiple Star Trek series. He originally trained in his home town of Melbourne Australia as a graphic designer, illustrator and animator, using very traditional artist tools. His passion for visual effects in film and television led him to be one of the first digital artists on the planet creating groundbreaking digital effects and animation for ABC-TV Melbourne and AAV Studios. He moved to Los Angeles in 1990 getting his dream jobs of working as lead animator and compositor on Star Trek: The Next Generation and MacGyver, and a few years later working as a senior artist at George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).​Adam has worked on over 145 feature films including Titanic, Birdman, Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest, Mission Impossible 3, Rush Hour 3, Jarhead, Cliffhanger, The Sandlot, The River Wild, Pee Wee's Big Holiday, War of the Worlds, Star Trek: First Contact, The Day After Tomorrow, Van Helsing, Coneheads, The Hurricane Heist, Tower Heist, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 1 & 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Island, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Bram Stokers Dracula.​He also created visual effects and animation for TV series including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Will & Grace, That 70's Show and the iconic opening title chalkboards for The Simpsons. He was senior VFX Supervisor for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride experience at Universal Studios Orlando, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Adam is also a fine artist creating custom painted portraits which are available by commission on his website www.adam howard.art. In addition to his VFX and fine art work, Adam is also Manager to award winning actress and screenwriter Lorenne Clarke. Adam recently completed work as VFX Supervisor for M. Night Shyamalan’s TV series SERVANT and season 4 of EVIL on CBS.Connect with Adam:➡️ Instagram: @adamhoward_officialwww.adamhoward.arthttps://www.adamhoward.art/visualeffectsAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Micah Haley is a film producer & financier at Intercut Capital. He started his career in Louisiana during the birth of the domestic film tax credits, working on set in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. After learning the world of film finance alongside his producing partner R. Bryan Wright, the pair opened Intercut Capital in 2018, where Micah now serves as the director of development and creative lead. On his website and across social media, Micah offers a look into the hidden world of film finance, investment and distribution.Connect with Micah:➡️ Instagram: @itsmicahhaley➡️ TikTok: @micahhaleyhttps://www.micahhaley.com/intercutcapital.comAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/📣BUY 2 GET 1 | Use code “LOT1BOGO” at check-out to grab your deal! 📣Tourist Hat Coffee Company is a family business with a heart for community, a passion for giving back, and of course, a love for coffee. They strive to offer quality-roasted beans with top-notch customer service while dedicating time and money to being a positive impact in their community.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

This week we’re sharing a previously recorded episode from The Lot1 Podcast After Show vault with one of our fan-favorite guests, Nicolas Curcio!–Nicolas Curcio is a screenwriter from Los Angeles, CA. He received his MFA in Film/TV Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts and landed on the 2019 Black List with his feature script "Barron: A Tale of Love, Loss and Legacy." He has since written films for Sony Animation, Paramount, and Universal.Connect with Nicolas:➡️ TikTok: @nicolascurciowriter➡️ Instagram: @nicolascurcioAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/📣BUY 2 GET 1 | Use code “LOT1BOGO” at check-out to grab your deal! 📣Tourist Hat Coffee Company is a family business with a heart for community, a passion for giving back, and of course, a love for coffee. They strive to offer quality-roasted beans with top-notch customer service while dedicating time and money to being a positive impact in their community.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byCarlos Luna & Christopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Alexis Best is an Unscripted TV Casting Manager that got started in the industry in 2018. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2018 with a degree in Television, Film, and New Media Production. She then went on to intern in the summer of 2018 with the Television Academy for Unscripted TV.Connect with Alexis:➡️ Instagram: @alexisbcast➡️ TikTok: @alexisbcasthttps://staffmeup.com/profile/id/1473276About The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Karina Dandashi is a Syrian-American Muslim filmmaker born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work has been featured in numerous Oscar-Qualifying festivals around the U.S. and programs at The Museum of Modern Art and The American Cinematheque. Karina was a 2020 Creative Culture Fellow at The Jacob Burns Film Center and a 2021 Sundance Ignite Fellow. She was featured in Marie Claire’s inaugural Creators Issue as one of the “Top 21 Creators to Watch” in 2022. Her feature script OUT OF WATER was selected by Film Independent for their 2023 Screenwriting Lab and was awarded three grants from MPAC, The Heinz Endowments, and The Jerome Foundation. Her short film COUSINS is available on The New Yorker and is a Vimeo Staff Pick.Connect with Karina:➡️ Instagram: @KarinaDandashiwww.karinadandashi.comAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/📣BUY 2 GET 1 | Use code “LOT1BOGO” at check-out to grab your deal! 📣Tourist Hat Coffee Company is a family business with a heart for community, a passion for giving back, and of course, a love for coffee. They strive to offer quality-roasted beans with top-notch customer service while dedicating time and money to being a positive impact in their community.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast

Raphaelle Gamanho is a Production Designer whose journey began as a Graphic Designer with an art degree, opening the door to the art department at large. Here, like many individuals, Raphaelle is cross-trained in sets and props. Over the years, she has developed a focus in special effects including miniatures, fabrication, and practical in-camera effects. These days, she works on stop-motion and puppetry content as well as regular human-scale indie short films and features. Connect with Raphaelle:➡️ Instagram: @raphaellegamanho➡️ TikTok: @raphaellegamanhohttps://raphaellegamanho.com/About The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.Follow Us! ⤵️Instagram & TikTok: @thelot1podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thelot1podcast/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thelot1podcast–Hosted byDeji Bankole (@deji_bankole)Christopher Henley (@henley_son)Produced byMina VazirianEdited byChristopher Henleyhttps://linktr.ee/thelot1podcast