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Kaustuv Mukherjee is a self-taught filmmaker who balances a career in engineering with his passion for cinema. Originally from eastern India, he shares his journey from Boston and Singapore to discovering a creative home in St. Louis, where the warmth of the community inspired him to stay.Kaustuv reflects on making films without formal training, the thrill of storytelling through visual art, and how his love of still photography and painting evolved into independent filmmaking.Check out his films on EncoreNOW

Learn how to build community around your art in this Masterclass.Whether you're dreaming about becoming a filmmaker or have decades of experience in the field, Cinema St. Louis Masterclasses help you go to the next level.Watch more videos from STL artists and organizations on EncoreNOW

This episode is an encore of the a documentary masterclass, which was filmed at the St. Louis International Film Festival.Take a deep dive into documentary production.PanelistsAlex RafiBen ScholleChent SteinbrinkMitchell WenkusFind more content from STL artists and venues on EncoreNOW.

Montana Takacs shares her path to professional acting, which included formal training at SIUE. She discusses the importance of creating original work and unpacks her character in the play That Woman - The Monologue Show. Montana also explores the relationship between writing and acting and emphasizes the significance of Fringe Festivals. In the monologue show, Montana plays Mary Pinchot Meyer, who was a pacifist and writer. She had an affair with JFK, and was ultimately murdered just months after JFK's assignation. Some believe this was because State secrets had been disclosed to her. Watch Montana's performance in That Woman - The Monologue Show only on EncoreNOW - plans start as low as $2.99/month. Montana also explores the relationship between writing and acting and emphasizes the significance of Fringe Festivals. Finally, the conversation covers various topics such as the progress of women in the entertainment industry, and the recognition of underground talent in St. Louis.

Jenny Battenberg shares her inspiring story from waiting tables to pursuing her passion for dance. From her rural upbringing in Villa Ridge, Missouri, to auditions and training, Jenny takes us inside the challenges and rewards of being a dancer. She also discusses her love for choreography, the importance of training, and the joy of both performing and teaching. This episode covers various topics, including body image pressures, self-acceptance, building an artistic community, and overcoming self-doubt. Watch more great content on EncoreNOW.

Tayler Carter, a filmmaker originally from Troy, Missouri, shares his journey into the creative field of animation. Despite an initial focus on what he considered rigorous academics, Tayler experienced extreme burnout. An unexpected study break created the awakening he needed to following his true passion for creative arts. This led him to Webster University where he wrote horror and comedy scripts. His animated film "The Automaton" was recently showcased at a Filmmaker Showcase and is now streaming on EncoreNOW. https://encorenow.app.link/Automaton

DJ Pharaoh is a music producer and nightclub DJ. He shares his journey into music, collaborations with artists, and experiences at music festivals. He delves into his education in audio engineering, his career, and the challenges of gaining recognition on social media. The discussion also explores the St. Louis music scene, the use of technology in music, and the importance of positive interactions in the industry. Listen to DJ Pharaoh's Music Follow DJ Pharaoh on Instagram - @pharaohmakinbeats

When we hear stories about infertility, they often conclude with a beautiful baby at the end. What about those that don’t? Hollie Brubaker is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker. She discusses her own infertility journey and how it almost cost her everything in her documentary - But You'd Be a Great Mom. Watch now on EncoreNOW.

Mia Bible is an actor, producer and screenwriter. Her resume consists of stage, film and commercial credits. Mia's short film "Honorable" premiered to critical acclaim in 2023. She has also developed The Industry Bible - an initiative to create an equitable film and theater industry for Black production crews. We discuss her path into production, "Honorable," the 48-Hour Film Project, and the lack of diversity in filmmaking. "Honorable" is a fictional story about the redemption of Malcom X Shabazz and Muhammad Ali's brotherhood and can be seen at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Learn more about Mia

Doveed Linder is a filmmaker from St. Louis, MO. His most recent film, "The Box" is a sci-fi thriller and took 11 years to make. We discuss his filmmaking approach, why "The Box" took so long to complete, his love of the sport of boxing and the current landscape of independent cinema. "The Box can be seen at The St. Louis International Film Festival on November 11.