ashley collie
Bio
Award-winning journalist-author-blogger has written for Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Hello! Canada, HuffPost, Medium, BBN Times, & has his books, Harlem to Hollywood, and REJEX, available on Amazon.
Stories (25)
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Having earned a Best Actress Award for short movie, Mental Hellth, actor Ana Roza revels in “one-shot” projects
Some of most interesting moments in acting can happen when you think there is nothing left to lose “Mental Hellth was similar to Silent, which I previously filmed, as both films are just one long sequence without any cuts. I find one-shot films fascinating, that's why I like doing them, because as an actor you can’t make any mistakes or you have to stop and start again. But if the mistake is small, I usually prefer to keep going because I know some of the most interesting moments in acting can happen when you think there is nothing left to lose because the take won't be used anyway.”—actor Ana Roza
By ashley collie2 months ago in Interview
Natalie Jean’s Anthemic Song “My Body” Gets Mostly Positive but also Some Hateful Response
“I stand here with fire in my eyes/no one’s going to tell me how to live my life/this body is mine my choice to make/I’m the one who knows what’s at stake/they can try to chain me/hold me down but I’m rising up/won’t turn around/I’ve got the power in my hands/a warrior making my own plans…I am fierce I am strong I will not be overthrown/this is my body” — ‘My Body’ lyrics by Natalie Jean
By ashley collie10 months ago in Interview
Actor Irene Artal’s Poignant Performances Support LGTBIQ+ Rights in Spain and in America. Top Story - February 2025.
Artal's role as the lesbian character Marta in the award-winning short, Por qué no llamas a Ernesto? Citing the buzz around Oscar-nominated movie, Emilia Perez, which celebrates the story of a fictional trans character, Irene Artal offers thoughts on her own role as the lesbian character Marta in the award-winning short, Por qué no llamas a Ernesto? (“Why don’t you call, Ernesto?”). Spanish-born Artal, who has her sights on Hollywood, explains, “As an artist, I feel a responsibility to contribute to projects that reflect the diversity of human experiences. Representation matters, and being part of stories that aren’t told as often, like those of LGBTQ+ characters, helps break stereotypes and create understanding.”
By ashley collie11 months ago in Interview
Model Lisa Do Couto Teixeira Revels in her Unique Body Image: Happy Freckles & Leonine Red Afro
On the red carpet In the past, having freckles was seen as a flaw, especially in high fashion, leading to models having to cover them up in photoshoots and runway shows. In fact, Vogue used to champion skin that was “untouched by sun, was neither freckled nor tan.” In other words, what was once considered “flawless skin.”
By ashley collie12 months ago in Interview
Mojo Wen’s Ravishing Production Design on 'Skin' Helps Bring Woman’s “Transition” to Life
Mojo Wen with SAA 2023 Gold Medal, Alternative Category—an award established by AMPAS Production Designer Mojo Wen describes the award-winning short film, Skin, which has no dialog, as a visual transformation of a girl peeling off her skin and becoming a man. Wen offers, “Production design establishes the tone, texture, and emotional resonance of a film, especially in experimental works where conventional narrative structures are often deconstructed.”
By ashley collie12 months ago in Interview
Filmmaker Bingliang Li Champions Diversity, Authenticity & Also Controlling AI’s Influence
How advanced simulation technology could influence human decision-making “The movie Blade Runner and Philip K. Dick's novella ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ were key inspirations for the line ‘I’m human, too,’ spoken by the holographic maid in my short movie, Zee. These stories explore the growing conflict between pure humanity and the increasing presence of robotics and AI, a theme I wanted to reflect in this film. The line encapsulates a deep existential question: What truly defines humanity? Is it biological, or is it something more profound, like emotions, consciousness, or the ability to connect?”—Bingliang Li, Writer, producer, director, VFX producer of “Zee”
By ashley collieabout a year ago in Interview
Cinematographer Yihuan Zhang Documents a Meditative Monk’s Healing Journey into the Prison System
Film Cinematographer (DP) Yihuan Zhang appreciates the documentary form for being “spontaneous and uncontrollable, and for focusing on authentic stories.” Indeed, the documentary movies Yihuan has worked on as a DP have appeared in international film festivals across the globe from LA Shorts and the World Culture Film Festival, to the Prague Film Festival and the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. These films and shorts include The Blessing in Disguise, Beautiful Dreams, and China's Fight against COVID-19.
By ashley collieabout a year ago in Interview
Film Editor Zekuan Wang Also Relishes How Vertical Series Offer Filmmakers Exciting Opportunities
Film Editor Zekuan Wang, who says editing “vertical series” feels like what it must’ve been like in the early days of talking pictures, brings multiple assets to the varied projects he’s worked on from feature and short films, to these vertical series. These projects have included the award-winning feature The Skin (best foreign language feature in Hollywood Horror Fest), and the dramatic heist short move Washed Up which was officially selected by Burbank International Film Festival, Panic Fest, and Chattanooga Film Festival. The assets he brings to these projects consist of his creative editing (esthetic and technical elements); his collaborative and problem-solving skills; and, his understanding of other production roles (like director, cinematographer), which gives him better understanding of overall storytelling.
By ashley collieabout a year ago in Interview
With Women’s Rights Under Threat, Award-Winning Graphic Designer Costa Uses Fashion as Tool for Activism
The "runway" and fashion speaking truth to power “My father, Elias Costa, has always had a skill for visualizing and building things from scratch… His resourcefulness and hands-on approach to creating left a lasting impression on me back in Bermuda. But I’ve also been inspired by designer Gérard Paris-Clavel's philosophy of utilizing images and art to produce political effects and that’s influenced my approach to art and activism, evident in my fashion show called, ‘If You’re Not Angry, You’re Not Paying Attention.’ The belief that art can be a powerful tool for social change resonates with me, inspiring me to use my platform to address pressing social issues and advocate for change.”—Activist graphic designer Mackenzie Costa
By ashley collie2 years ago in Interview
Songwriter Jada follows in Footsteps of Funky Atlanta Artists from Usher & Ciara, to Lil Ron, Lil Nas X & Sammie
Jada in performance "Jada is an awesome collaborator, and we’ve also grown to become friends. She’s like my sister and has been there for me not only as a writer but as someone I could count on when I was going through my ups and downs throughout the making of my EP and album. I’m really grateful to her, she is such a genuine but strong woman.”— gifted songwriter Lindita at Einnor Studios in Atlanta
By ashley collie2 years ago in Beat
Chart-Topping Producer Belly of The Weeknd Fame is a Mentor for Sound Editor/Audio Engineer Syllous Mai
“Jay-Z advised me to keep being myself—he told me the thing that makes me stand out is that I’m not trying to be someone else or sound like someone else.”—rapper/producer Belly, founder of Light Sonic Division
By ashley collie2 years ago in Beat
When Collaborating on Video Games, Brazilian-born Composer/Musician is Inspired by Acoustic Guitar Theme of “The Last of Us”
Resende collaborated on the movie, “O”, selected at the Oscar qualifying 2023 LA Shorts Use. Real. Instruments. It’s ironic that a musician/composer, who started his musical journey by learning acoustic guitar at age 8 in Brazil, now finds himself in Hollywood composing music for VR and video games. However, composer/producer/musician Eduardo Resende still relies on his early experience playing guitar, piano and drums around Rio to now compose for the gaming industry.
By ashley collie2 years ago in Beat
