Shows / CINEMACTIVIST
CINEMACTIVIST
Filmmaking and immersive theatrical experiences at the intersection of art and activism. We explore the films and filmmakers, immersive theater and their creators, who use their art to bring about political or social change, inform their audiences of important issues and perspectives, and whose goal is to ultimately make the world a better, more informed and empathetic place. This is the official podcast of Lyons Den Productions and Tethered Immersive.
Episodes
CINEMACTIVISTS03E21 - Meet Audrey King
In this episode, meet The Lever's Audrey King, an actress with a background in improv and scenic and experience design, as she discusses her journey in…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E20 - Tony Grey's Musical Journey
In this conversation, we explore Tony Grey's diverse musical journey, including his teaching experiences, album releases, and collaborations with renowned…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E19 - Meet Tony Grey
In Part One, musician Tony Grey shares his journey from a strict piano upbringing to becoming a successful bassist and educator. The discussion covers Tony's…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E18 - Meet Tethered's Benjamin S. Sheeler
In this episode, John interviews Benjamin S. Sheeler about his journey in the arts, particularly focusing on his experiences in acting, music, and the…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E17 - Meet Juggerknot Theatre Company
In this episode I talk to sisters, Tanya and Natasha Bravo, from Juggerknot Theatre Company in Miami, Florida -- two of the minds behind the Miami Immersive…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E16 - Meet Taylor Lorraine
In this episode, my guest is dancer, actor, bartender, entrepreneur -- Taylor Lorraine. We talk about Taylor's journey from early involvement in the arts to…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E15 - The Lever Update
The Lever, our new immersive theater show, has been officially announced its fantastic cast. The show features branched endings, open auditions, and a diverse…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E14 - September News
John Lyons provides a quick news update for the month of September, including the announcement of ticket sales for The Lever immersive theater experience and…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E13 - Meet Danielle Kaiser
In this episode, we delve into Danielle Kaiser's lifelong passion for dance, the formation of Seiche Dance Collective, and the importance of creating a space…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E12 - Meet Tethered's Paul Lukach & Frederick Williams
In this episode, two members from the cast of Tethered's new immersive experience, The Lever, join us: Dr. Paul Lukach and Frederick Williams. They share their…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E11 - Meet Photo Negative
The conversation covers the inspiration and creation process of horror film, Photo Negative, with writer/director Jacob Perrett and stars Karlee Mayfield and…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E10 - Tethered Update
The episode provides updates on Tethered's new immersive experience, 'The Lever,' casting and rehearsals, the introduction of new co-directors, collaboration…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E09 - Meet Jacob Perrett
Jacob Perrett discusses his early creative influences and beginnings, his transition to filmmaking, the development of his YouTube channel and content…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E08 - Indie Filmmaking in 2026 with Jill Killington
The conversation delves into the financial realities of independent filmmaking and explores the challenges and rewards of independent film production. We also…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E07 - Tethered Auditions Announcement
Tethered is excited to announce open auditions for 12 paid roles in our new narrative-based immersive theatrical production, The Lever. Auditioners must be 18…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E06 - Meet Mr + Mrs Death with Jill Killington
Filmmaker Jill Killington discusses the inspiration behind her movie 'Mr + Mrs Death' and the process of writing, casting, and shooting the film. She…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E05 - The YouTuber Wave
Please note: this episode contains spoilers for the feature films Obsession (2026) Backrooms (2026) and Shelby Oaks (2026). A new wave of filmmaking is…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E04 - Miami Immersive Intensive
John heads to Miami, Florida for the Miami Immersive Intensive and Summit! The event brought together professionals and enthusiasts in the immersive theater…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E03 - Meet Jill Killington
Meet producer, director, writer, and author JILL KILLINGTON before we take a deep dive into her upcoming feature film, Mr. + Mrs. Death. She's a real Jill of…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E02 - Meet Tethered
The podcast episode provides an in-depth look at the Tethered performance art company and its immersive theatrical experiences. It covers the inspiration…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E01 - Meet The Holy Ghost
Host and filmmaker, John C. Lyons, discusses the development of his new feature film project, The Holy Ghost, and provides insights into its inspiration…
CINEMACTIVISTS03E00 - Intro to Season 3
Season 3 of Cinemactivist will focus on two new feature film and immersive theater projects and feature discussions with creatives. The podcast aims to provide…
CINEMACTIVIST30 - Meet Priscilla Smith
From an extra on Phone Booth, to Cannes in her 20’s and breaking out on her own, meet Priscilla Smith the domestic sales agent for Unearth and owner of The…
CINEMACTIVIST29 - Unleash with Shiara Pettis
In episode 28 you met writer, Shiara Pettis. In this episode we introduce you to our remote writing process over the past 12 months and tease some Unleash…
CINEMACTIVIST28 - Meet Shiara Pettis
Writer, Shiara Pettis, received her Masters of Arts in Creative Writing - Poetry at Southern New Hampshire University and her Bachelor’s degree in…
CINEMACTIVISTSeason 2 Teaser
COMING SOON! Season 2 of CINEMACTIVIST Featuring: UNLEASH - the sequel to UNEARTH, co-written by Shiara Pettis LAKE ERIE, OUR KIN - two-part documentary…
CINEMACTIVIST27 - Master with Dr. Rhonda Matthews
In this episode, I am joined by educator, Dr. Rhonda Matthews. Dr. Matthews has been a university professor of Sociology & Politics in Higher Ed since 1992 and…
CINEMACTIVIST26 - Preview of the Unearth Ultimate Edition Blu-ray
Today, April 19 2022, we are self-releasing the UNEARTH Ultimate Edition Blu-ray. You can purchase the film through all the major online retailers: Amazon…
CINEMACTIVIST25 - Trans Portrayal & What Moves the Social Needle with Dr. Tyler Titus and Elisabeth Koromaus
In this episode, we take a deep dive on trans portrayals in Film, TV and other media. I am joined by Dr. Tyler Titus and Elisabeth Koromaus. Dr. Titus is a…
CINEMACTIVIST24 - Time to Take Off the Blinders with Jane Saunders [Part 2]
In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with Jane Saunders. Jane Saunders is a New York based composer, arranger, musician and educator. As a…
CINEMACTIVISTBONUS - Nationalizing Gas, Fracking Fuels Plastic and Unifying Against Greed
In this episode, John sounds off about our reliance on fossil fuels, an update on a plastics processing plant in Erie Pennsylvania, and more. For more…
CINEMACTIVIST23 - Finding Music on Mars with Jane Saunders [Part 1]
In this episode, we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with Jane Saunders. Jane Saunders is a New York based composer, arranger, musician and educator. As a…
CINEMACTIVISTBONUS - Monoculture & 2021 Favorite Films
Bonus Episode! John talks monoculture and shares his favorite narrative and documentary feature films of 2021. For more information go to…
CINEMACTIVIST22 - PJ Marshall and the Driving Force of Survival
In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with actor, PJ Marshall. PJ plays Tom Dolan in Unearth and we got to talk about his memories on set…
CINEMACTIVIST21 - Andrea Londo and Adam Stilwell on Actor|Director Collaboration [Part 2]
In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with Andrea Londo (Narcos on Netflix) and Adam Stilwell (The Triangle) of THE FREE FALL. After…
CINEMACTIVIST20 - Unearth Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Announcement
These days it's rare for independent filmmakers to have the opportunity to release special features for their films. That's why we held onto the Blu-ray…
CINEMACTIVIST19 - Andrea Londo & Adam Stilwell are Possessed by The Free Fall [Part 1]
In this episode, we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with Andrea Londo (Narcos on Netflix) and Adam Stilwell (The Triangle) of THE FREE FALL. After…
CINEMACTIVIST18 - Adrienne Barbeau on Film as a Platform to Entertain and Educate [Part 2]
In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary Adrienne Barbeau. Adrienne plays Kathryn Dolan in Unearth. We talk politics, the…
CINEMACTIVISTBONUS - The Matrix Resurrections with Chris More
Christmas Bonus Episode! 1999 was a big year for cinema. One highlight came from The Wachowski's, who introduced us to the world of The Matrix. A film that…
CINEMACTIVIST17 - Art Unlocks the Side Door with Eleanor Goldfield [Part 2]
In this episode, Part 2 of my conversation with filmmaker, podcaster, journalist, musician, all-around creative radical, Eleanor Goldfield. Eleanor directed…
CINEMACTIVIST16 - Recontextualizing Home with Tara Eng [Part 2]
On the Fenceline: A Fight for Clean Air follows Philly Thrive, a South Philadelphia activist organization, as they mobilize to shut down all operations of…
CINEMACTIVIST15 - We Are the Villains in this Story with Gaia's Tertius Kapp
During Unearth's festival run, one film title kept coming up in reviews: GAIA. This week, we speak with writer/producer, Tertius Kapp, about all things Gaia…
CINEMACTIVIST14 - Filmmaking to Change the World: Joshua Pribanic & Melissa Troutman [Part 2]
This is Part 2 of our conversation with Public Herald investigative journalists, Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman. Public Herald’s mission is two-fold…
CINEMACTIVIST13 - The Beach House Deep Dive with Jeffrey A Brown
This week's guest is Jeffrey A Brown. Jeffrey wrote and directed his first feature, The Beach House, and has years of experience as location manager on…
CINEMACTIVIST12 - And We're Back
... Next week! John here. Cinemactivist took a few months off while we re-launched the Eerie Horror Fest, completed a new short film, and more. We've got some…
CINEMACTIVIST11 - How Dance and Film Joined Forces During a Pandemic
Under quarantine I got to create a short film, DEINCEPS MOTUS, with dancemakers and choreographers Angela DiFiore, Corinne Justine and Mark Santillano. In this…
CINEMACTIVIST10 - Unearth Home Release News and Grassroots Theatrical Debrief
Unearth is just days away from VOD & DVD release in the USA, UK and Ireland! In this episode, we give you all the information on where to see it, and how to…
CINEMACTIVIST09 - How Monica Wyche Makes it Feel Like Summer Camp
In this episode, I got to catch-up with actress, Monica Wyche. Monica plays "Aubrey" in Unearth and you're sure to recognize her from TV Series like The Path…
CINEMACTIVIST08 - How Dirty Industries Win the Messaging War with Eleanor Goldfield
In this episode, Part 1 of my conversation with filmmaker, podcaster, journalist, musician, all-around creative radical, Eleanor Goldfield. Eleanor directed…
CINEMACTIVIST07 - How PJ Marshall Found Purpose on Stage and Screen
In this episode, we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with actor, PJ Marshall. Listen wherever you podcast. [00:00] Exercise gets you back to the Present…
CINEMACTIVIST06 - How Non-extractive Filmmaking can Strengthen Our Big Picture Bonds with Tara Eng
On the Fenceline: A Fight for Clean Air follows Philly Thrive, a South Philadelphia activist organization, as they mobilize to shut down all operations of…
CINEMACTIVIST05 - How Laemmle Theatres Survived a Pandemic
As we announced in last week's episode, Unearth is releasing theatrically on Earth Day: Thursday, April 22, 2021. In this episode, we bring you our full…
CINEMACTIVIST04 - Unearth Theatrical Announcement
Our feature film, Unearth, will premiere theatrically, both in-person and in virtual cinema formats, on Earth Day: Thursday April 22nd, 2021! We're kicking off…
CINEMACTIVIST03 - How Adrienne Barbeau Found a Way to Earn a Living Doing What She Loved
When we heard actor/author, Adrienne Barbeau, was interested in being in our upcoming feature film, Unearth, we were over the moon. Her involvement, passion…
CINEMACTIVIST02 - How to Survive the Current Independent Film Landscape with Clapboard Jungle's Justin McConnell
We met filmmaker Justin McConnell, virtually, last year in the Discord filmmaker community space at the Fantasia International Film Festival, where our new…
CINEMACTIVIST01 - How Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman Became Investigative Fracking Journalists
Our new feature film, Unearth, would not exist without the tireless work of Public Herald. Co-founded in 2011 by investigative journalists Joshua Pribanic and…
CINEMACTIVIST00 - The 5 W's of CINEMACTIVIST
Cinema is the venue for exhibiting a motion picture or the art or technique of making a motion picture. Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede…