2 Degrees of Alie is a podcast about peoples' stories of breaking into Hollywood.

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November 2012
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Actor J Kristopher Shares Stories Of Breaking Into Hollywood

In this episode, I have lot of fun chatting with actor J Kristopher. J has appeared on TV ("Numbers," "Outlaw," "Conan," "Days Of Our Lives") and in feature films ("Seven Pounds," "Janky Promoters," "10-20"), just to name a few. J has worked with stars such as Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Mindless Behavior. We talk about everything from what it was like working with Jimmy Smits to J's fundraising campaign for his SAG card to what inspired his dancing when he played the character of Porn Andy on "Conan."

Fun fact: he and I recently appeared together as cops in the skit "Cop Hospital" on "Conan."

J KRISTOPHER'S BIO

“IT” is a term used in show business to describe true talent and/or pizzazz. Simply stated – J Kristopher has “IT”. From award winning feature films to co-starring roles on primetime television, even recurring late night appearances with Conan O’ Brien on NBC and TBS, J Kristopher is on a buzz worthy path to ultimate success. 

It all began in Houston, TX at the age of 6 when J wrote a note to his elementary teacher officially declaring that he would be an actor when he grew up. Soon afterwards, he had the pleasure of meeting Denzel Washington following a moving performance in the Broadway show, Checkmates. This experience inspired him to make his dreams become reality by acting in theatre. That dedication, some strict parenting, and a hard knocks upbringing resulted in an unbreakable work ethic that was soon complimented by his natural presence and amiable personality. J intuitively had a talent for portraying versatile characters and he developed a reputation for learning pages of lines despite last minute script changes. After achieving success with lead roles in numerous theatre productions and TV commercials in Texas, he left for Hollywood to fulfill his destiny.

Since his arrival, J has graced the screen on the TV shows "Outlaw" and "Numbers," as well as the feature films "Seven Pounds" and "Janky Promoters." He has also had the pleasure of working with such stars as Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Mindless Behavior and Seth Green. He has also appeared in national spots for "Dancing with the Stars," Trivial Pursuit, GMC, Georgia Power, Nickelodeon, Mastercard, as well as a FOX promo with Carl Weathers. Not content with success in TV and film, he has been featured in a Target display ad that was posted in all stores nationwide. 

J Kristopher is indeed headed on a successful path that has no end in sight. With his hand in hit TV shows, big budget features, award-winning independent films, music videos and nationwide ad campaigns, he is poised to make an unforgettable mark on the entertainment industry and on the next 6 year old actor-to-be.

Direct download: 2_Degrees_Ep_18_Jay_K.mp3
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 1:00am PDT
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Director/Producer Jason Ensler Shares Stories Of Breaking Into Hollywood

In this episode, I am lucky enough to get to chat with the very talented director/producer Jason Ensler. As a kid, Jason thought about becoming a rabbi or a dentist, but luckily for those of us who are big fans of his work, he found his way into entertainment. Jason has an impressive roster of credits:"The West Wing," "Franklin and Bash," Hart of Dixie," "Gossip Girl," "Chuck," "Andy Barker PI," "Scrubs," "My Name Is Earl," "Martha Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart," just to name a few. We talk about everything from his extensive knowledge of "Three's Company" to working with Donald Sutherland to how "The Conformist" inspired his work on "Gossip Girl."

JASON ENSLER'S BIO


Jason Ensler (born July 21, 1970) is an American film {and} television director and producer.


He directed and executive produced the pilots for "Cult," "Hart of Dixie," "Franklin & Bash," and served as Executive Producer and Director for the first two seasons of "Franklin & Bash."  He also directed the CBS pilot, "The Eastmans," with Donald Sutherland and Jacqueline Bisset.  And the pilots for "Southbeach," "Man of Your Dreams," and "Kath & Kim."


He directed and produced the pilot and all six episodes of the critically acclaimed and short-lived series "Andy Barker, P.I." starring Andy Richter and Tony Hale, and created by Conan O'Brien and Jonathan Groff. 


He has directed episodes of "The West Wing," "Chuck," "Gossip Girl," "Psych," "Ed," "Scrubs" and "My Name Is Earl."

He also directed the NBC television films "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company" and "Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart" starring Cybill Shepherd as Martha Stewart.

In 2007, Ensler produced and directed the short documentary, Farewell My Subaru, a study of author Doug Fine's adventures becoming Carbon Neutral in rural New Mexico. 

Ensler studied Politics and Theater at Brandeis University and Film/Television at USC Film School.

Direct download: 2_Degrees_Ep_13_Ensler.mp3
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 10:00am PDT
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"White Collar" Writer/Producer Joe Henderson Shares Stories Of Breaking Into Hollywood

In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with TV writer/producer Joe Henderson whose credits include "White Collar" and "Graceland." Joe shares a lot of great stories about starting out in Hollywood and the many paths he took before landing his first writing gig. We talk about everything from being a dirty dancing, light saber wielding extra on "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" to going through the WB Writers Workshop to what you can learn about story from "Duck Tales."  

JOE HENDERSON'S BIO

Joe Henderson is a writer/producer on "White Collar" and is also writing for "Graceland," a new show on USA. He's from Chicago and went to the University of Iowa. His first writing gig was an episode of "Kick Buttowski" that never aired, and if that ain't the beginning of an esteemed career, nothing is.

Direct download: 2_Degrees_Ep_16_Joe_H_2.mp3
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 1:00am PDT
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Comedian And UCB Founding Member Matt Besser Shares Stories Of Breaking Into Hollywood

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with comedian Matt Besser. Matt is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade and a hilarious guy to talk to. His credits include: “Children’s Hospital,” “Happy Endings,” “This Show Will Get You High,” “Undead Or Alive,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Raising Hope,” “Modern Family,” and “Parks and Recreation,” just to name a few. Matt is forever a member of “Asssscat” the longest running and greatest improv show in the history of the world.
 And he also has a fully improvised weekly podcast called “Improv 4 Humans.”  We talk about everything from Little Donny’s appearance on the “Today Show” to the beginnings of UCB to wearing zombie makeup in the hot desert to what petting zoo has a “Hot Chicks Room” sign.

MATT BESSER’S BIO

Raised a proud Razorback in Little Rock, Arkansas, Matt Besser attended Amherst College where he learned how to collect CDs. After graduating, Matt toured the Midwest doing stand-up, while taking improvisation direction from Del Close at Chicago’s Improv Olympic Theater.


In Chicago in 1991, he became a founding member of the sketch group Upright Citizens Brigade, and with them he has performed and written stage productions including “Virtual Reality”, “Conference on the Future of Happiness”, “Thunderball”, “Bucket of Truth”, “Big Dirty Hands”, “Punch Your Friend in the Face”, “The Real Real World”, and “Saigon Suicide Squad” (winner of Best Sketch at 1996 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen). He has directed stage productions including “Feature Feature”, “Immortal Combat”, “Sidecarrin’” (1998 U.S.C.A.F), and Todd Barry in “Icky” (2001 U.S.C.A.F). Besser’s one-man shows include: “How Much I Lied”, “May I Help You Dumbass?”, “Don’t Be A Dick”, and “RUhi?”. As a stand-up, he participated in the first USCAF. His most recent one-man show is called “Woo Pig Sooie!” and concerns his battles with God. As an improviser he was a member of Chicago’s “The Family” and is forever a member of “Asssscat” the longest running and greatest improv show in the history of the world.


In 1996 the UCB moved to NYC and produced their sketch show “Upright Citizens Brigade” for three seasons (’98 – 2000) on Comedy Central. In fall of 2005 the UCB premiered their improv show “Asssscat: Improv” on Bravo.
With the success of the tv show, the UCB opened their own comedy theater and improv school which operates two theaters in NYC, and one in LA.
After the UCB tv show , Matt teamed up with Method Man & Redman to create and perform in a hidden camera show on MTV called “Stung”. He was a co-creator and star of “Crossballs” which ran 23 episodes on Comedy Central; “This Show Will Get You High” on Comedy Central; and also created and starred in “The Very Funny Show” for TBS.com.


Besser has guest starred on, “The New Girl”, “Raising Hope”, “Modern Family”, “Parks & Rec”, “Children’s Hospital”; “Happy Endings”, “The Life & Times of Tim”, “How I Met Your Mother”, “Warren the Ape”, “Players”, “Sarah Silverman Show”, “Reno 911″, “Mighty B”, “Word Girl”, “Pilot Season”, “Bernie Mac Show”, “Frasier”, “Late Friday”; and featured in the movies: “Freak Dance”, “Bad Teacher”, “Year One”, “Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story”, “Drill Bit Taylor”; “The TV Set”, Sundance Film Festival favorite “Junebug”; and zombie western “Wanted: Undead or Alive”.

Direct download: 2_Degrees_ep_9_Besser.mp3
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 1:00am PDT
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