The DMF With Justin Younts
The DMF with Justin Younts (Discovering Meaning in Film & Acting) is an acting and filmmaking podcast for actors and creatives. Host Justin Younts explores acting technique, audition tips, casting insights, career strategy, and the craft of film and theatre. Featuring actors, casting directors, and filmmakers, DMF delivers real-world advice to help you book roles, build your reel, and grow as a professional actor.
DMF Episode 345 — Tom Draper: Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner & Why Actors Need to Train Every Day
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with acting coach Tom Draper, who has worked with actors including Shea Whigham and Eric André and trained across Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner and more.
Tom grew up in Studio City with the industry all around him and had no interest in acting. He was a sports guy. Then a college fine arts class and a shy kid with a stutter led him to audition for The Rivals, and by the end of that summer he'd decided to...
DMF Episode 344 — Mel Mack (Part 3): Crying on Cue, Daily Routines, and Jack Nicholson Stories
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for part three of our conversation.
This one gets into the things actors don't always talk about openly, starting with crying on cue. We get into the different ways actors get there, from external aids like menthol to genuinely tapping into real emotion, and why it's worth being honest with yourself about which one you're actually using.
We also talk routines, morning and night, and how much they shape a performance. Meditation, fi...
DMF Episode 343 — Mel Mack (Part 2): Are You Sabotaging Your Acting Career Without Knowing It?
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part 2 of my conversation with acting coach Mel Mack.
Mel and I get into the biggest obstacle she sees actors running into right now, especially since the pandemic and the rise of social media: misinformation and self-doubt. She's watched actors get talked out of their own confidence by comments from people who don't actually know what they're talking about, and we talk about why doing your homework on who you're learning from matters as much as any class you'll take.
...
DMF Episode 342 — Mel Mack: What an Acting Coach Sees That You Don't
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for the complete interview.
Mel is an acting coach, casting director, actress, and author of 101 Acting Tips, and coaching is really the thread that runs through everything she does. We start with where she's from — Buffalo and Medina, New York — and how she found acting before making the leap to Hollywood, Florida, and eventually Los Angeles with no map for how the business actually worked.
What stuck with me most was Mel's take o...
DMF Episode 341 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Full Interview): Casting Wicked, Ariana Grande & Oscar Recognition for Casting Directors
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is the complete interview with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company — known for her work on Wicked, Mean Girls, and more. All three parts together.
Tiffany grew up in Sacramento, got serious about acting early, moved into directing, and eventually found her way to casting — where her background on both sides of the table changed how she reads actors and approaches every project. This conversation covers all of it.
We start with her path into the industry, the castin...
DMF Episode 340 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 3): The Academy Finally Recognizes Casting Directors & What It Means for Film
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part three with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company.
This one is about something that's been a long time coming — the Academy Awards is finally establishing a casting branch, officially recognizing casting directors for their contributions to film. Tiffany has been part of the push to make that happen, and she talks about what that fight looked like, why it took this long, and what it actually means for casting professionals who have been working behind the scenes for year...
DMF Episode 339 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 2): Casting Wicked — Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo & Jeff Goldblum
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part two with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company.
This one gets into the specific casting stories behind some of the biggest films Tiffany has worked on — and she doesn't hold back. We talk about how Cynthia Erivo was cast as Elphaba, how Ariana Grande landed the role of Glinda, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, and Bowen Yang. We also get into the casting of A Most Violent Year, Miss Sloane, and Margin Call.
DMF Episode 338 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 1): From Acting to Directing to Casting & What Actors Get Wrong
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield for part one of our conversation.
Season 6 is here. Tiffany Little Canfield is the perfect way to kick it off — a casting director who's been on both sides of the table and has a lot to say about what actors are getting wrong.
Tiffany's path into casting wasn't a straight line. She started in acting, moved into directing — including work with opera singers — and eventually found her way to casting...
DMF Episode 337 — Brent Lindstrom: Writing Mistakes, Editing Your Book & Storytelling That Works
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom as we dive into the realities of writing, editing, and building a career as an author.
Brent shares his journey through writing what he calls “trunk novels” — early works that helped him develop his voice and understand the craft of storytelling. Through this process, he realized just how much there is to learn when it comes to structure, character development, and refining a story.
We explore the two pr...
DMF Episode 336 — Brent Lindstrom: The Truth About AI in Filmmaking, Editing & Creative Storytelling
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom as we explore the intersection of filmmaking, technology, and creative storytelling.
We dive into the real challenges filmmakers face during the editing process. Brent shares his experience spending hours editing every second of his short film while dealing with an unreliable computer that constantly crashed. After struggling through that process, he eventually built a powerful editing machine that transformed the way he works and dramatically improved his workflow.
DMF Episode 335 — Brent Lindstrom: Filmmaking Mistakes, Storytelling & The Business of Movies
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom to discuss storytelling, filmmaking, and the business side of building a career in the film industry.
Brent shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Utah — where many people doubted his dream of making movies — to building a successful career producing films and founding his company Light-Minded Arts.
Throughout our conversation, Brent explains his mission to create family-friendly films and clean fiction that resonate with audiences...
DMF Episode 334 — Leif Bristow: Cultural Storytelling, Filmmaking & The Power of Empathy
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this full interview I sit down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow to explore storytelling, empathy, and the power of film to connect cultures.
Leif shares his filmmaking journey from Toronto to Alaska and eventually into international film production, explaining how travel and diverse life experiences shaped his approach to storytelling.
At the center of our conversation is his latest project, “Dancing Through the Shadow,” a film based on the book by his wife Agnes Bristow, which tells the story of a...
DMF Episode 333 — Leif Bristow (Part 2): The Dark Side of Hollywood & Why I Refuse to Glorify Violence
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in Part 2 of my conversation with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow, we dive into the ethical challenges of working in Hollywood and the values that guide his filmmaking career.
Leif shares why he made an early decision to avoid projects that glorify violence or rely on exploitative themes. Instead, he focuses on the power of suggestion over graphic content, creating films that uplift audiences and emphasize resilience, strength, and meaningful storytelling.
In this episode, we explore:
The dark s...
DMF Episode 332 — Leif Bristow (Part 1): Global Storytelling, Empathy & The Power of Film
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow for Part 1 of our conversation on global storytelling, film production, and the power of empathy in cinema.
Leif shares his filmmaking journey — from Toronto to Alaska and eventually to Hollywood — producing over 40 films across networks including Hallmark and HBO. His work spans genres and international locations, giving him a unique perspective on how storytelling can connect audiences across cultures.
In this discussion, we explore:
Producing films for Hall...DMF Episode 331 — Jaze Bordeaux: Filmmaking Lessons That Changed My Life
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. Justin Younts sits down with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to discuss independent filmmaking, cultural perspective, and storytelling craft. From Brooklyn to Toronto, Jaze shares insights on directing, producing, and bringing original films like EFC to life in today’s film industry.
http://jazebordeaux.com/
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:42 - Guest Background
00:04:03 - Cultural Differences
00:06:35 - Impact of Diverse Cultures
00:09:37 - Entrepreneurial Journey
00:14:02 - Inspiration
00:15:28 - Understanding Film Financing
00:16:39 - The Artwork of Film Structure<...
DMF Episode 330 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 5): You Won’t Believe How I Almost Gave Up on Track!
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux as we explore the power of mindset, perspective, and personal growth — both in life and in the creative journey.
During our discussion, I share a pivotal story from my own life that reshaped how I approach challenges. I talk about trying out for the basketball team and not making it — a moment that felt like failure at the time. That experience led me to join the track team, something completely outside my comfort zone.
At first...
DMF Episode 329 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 4): The Future of Women in Film & Non-Traditional Roles
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode we explore the evolving landscape of women in film — particularly in non-traditional and physically demanding roles — with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux.
In our conversation, Jaze shares his journey championing stories centered around women in combat sports and mixed martial arts — a concept that, when first pitched in 2016, was met with skepticism from distributors and industry decision-makers. At the time, many questioned whether audiences would support films featuring women in these kinds of physically intense, traditionally male-dominated roles.
Despite the resist...
DMF Episode 328 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 3): Physical Media vs Streaming & The Future of Movie Ownership
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to dive into an increasingly important conversation in modern cinema: film ownership in the digital age.
If there’s a movie you truly love and know you’ll want to revisit, should you actually own it? With streaming platforms constantly shifting licensing agreements, the risk of losing access to your favorite films is more real than ever. Imagine waking up one day to find your entire digital library gone — removed due to rights expirin...
DMF Episode 327 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 2): Why Film Budgets Are So High & How Movies Get Overpriced
Welcome to The DMF with Justin Younts (Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting). In this episode, host and actor Justin Younts sits down with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux for an in-depth conversation about film budgets, production costs, and the realities of independent filmmaking.
Have you ever wondered why some films — like Godzilla Minus One — can be made for a fraction of the cost of Hollywood blockbusters and still look incredible? In this episode, we break down why film budgets in Hollywood have become so bloated and how filmmakers in other countries are producing high-quality films with far fewer resources...
DMF Episode 326 — Director and Filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux (Part 1): "Are You Making These Costly Filmmaking Mistakes?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today I had the pleasure of speaking with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux. In this engaging conversation, we dive deep into Jaze’s journey from growing up in the United States to ultimately finding his true home in Canada. He shares his experiences moving through different states, the cultural diversity he encountered along the way, and how those experiences shaped his perspective as a filmmaker.
We also discuss the importance of understanding the business side of filmmaking, especially when it comes to financing projects. Jaze emphasizes that every film is e...
DMF Episode 325 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Complete Interview): "Are You Missing the Hidden Signals in Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Alexandra Beller to dive deep into the role of movement in theater and performance.
Alexandra breaks down how movement evolves organically through collaboration between actors, directors, and designers. She explains how the actor’s body, the director’s vision, and the text itself all interact to create a fully realized performance. Rather than treating movement as something added on, Alexandra emphasizes how it emerges naturally when those elements are truly in dialogue with one another.
She shares insight into analyz...
DMF Episode 324 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 3): "Are You Missing the Hidden Friction in Your Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Alexandra Beller takes us deep into the role of movement in acting and how it naturally evolves through collaboration between actors, directors, and designers.
Alexandra explains that movement isn’t something imposed on a performance—it emerges from the relationship between body language, text, and the energetic exchange between characters. She talks about recognizing when something feels “off” in a scene and how that friction can actually be used as a creative tool to strengthen performance rather than something to avoid.
Drawing from examples i...
DMF Episode 323 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 2): "Are You Ignoring the Dangers of Miscommunication in Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Alexandra Beller dives deep into the four categories of energy: weight, space, time, and flow—and how understanding these elements can radically transform an actor’s process.
Alexandra explains that each category exists on a spectrum, and learning to work with them gives actors practical, embodied tools instead of vague direction. She addresses a common frustration performers face: when a director asks for something like “more aggressive” without explaining what that actually means. Alexandra breaks down how to translate those abstract notes into clear, physical choices th...
DMF Episode 322 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 1): "Are You Missing Out? The Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Your Creative Voice"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Alexandra Beller, an incredible artist, choreographer, and soon-to-be-published author. In this first part of our conversation, we dive deep into Alexandra's upbringing in Queens during the vibrant 80s, a time that profoundly influenced her artistic journey. She shares how the rich diversity of characters and experiences around her shaped her resilience and creativity. From sneaking into the Metropolitan Museum to sketch Rembrandts to her first dance class at summer camp, Alexandra's story is one of passion and discovery. We explore the importance of em...
DMF Episode 321 — Producer Christine La Monte (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Happens in the Film Industry!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm thrilled to introduce Christine Lamont, a powerhouse in the film industry. Christine has spent years honing her craft, producing impactful documentaries like 'Ai Weiwei's Turandot' and 'Viva Verde.' In our conversation, we dive deep into her journey, from her childhood in Buffalo, New York, to her experiences working with legendary directors and navigating the complexities of the film world. Christine shares her passion for the arts, the importance of mentorship, and how her love for film has shaped her career. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of producing...
DMF Episode 320 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 3 Redo): "Are You Afraid to Say Yes? The Risks of Opportunity"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake.
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine La Monte, who reminds us of the power of one simple word: yes. For Christine, saying yes has opened doors throughout her life and career — from directing plays to embracing unexpected film projects. One such opportunity is tied to her husband’s book...
DMF Episode 319 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 2 Redo): "Are You Ignoring the Art That Could Change Your Life Forever?"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake.
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Christine La Monte shares an extraordinary creative journey that began in Rome in 2012. That pivotal moment marked her introduction to a gifted young filmmaker, Maxime Derevenko, who would later emerge as an influential voice in the worlds of opera and film.
Christine reflects on how their collaboration gr...
DMF Episode 318 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 1 Redo): "Are You Missing Out on the Secrets of Film Success?"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake.
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce Christine La Monte, who shares her inspiring journey through the film industry. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Christine was surrounded by art, culture, and cinema, which sparked her lifelong passion for storytelling and filmmaking.
From her early memories of watching films in theaters to wo...
DMF Episode 317 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 3): "Are You Afraid to Say Yes? The Risks of Opportunity"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine La Monte, who reminds us of the power of one simple word: yes. For Christine, saying yes has opened doors throughout her life and career — from directing plays to embracing unexpected film projects. One such opportunity is tied to her husband’s book, Justice Deferred, which was once optioned by Warner Brothers and has now returned to her control. With screenwriter Laura Curran attached, Christine is actively pushing forward to bring it to life as a feature or series.
Chr...
DMF Episode 316 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 2): "Are You Ignoring the Art That Could Change Your Life Forever?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Christine La Monte shares an extraordinary creative journey that began in Rome in 2012. That pivotal moment marked her introduction to a gifted young filmmaker, Maxime Derevenko, who would later emerge as an influential voice in the worlds of opera and film.
Christine reflects on how their collaboration grew through shared curiosity, mentorship, and artistic trust—eventually leading to a powerful opera project rooted in themes of social justice, peace, and human connection. As the world entered the uncertainty of the pandemic, this work took on even...
DMF Episode 315 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 1): "Are You Missing Out on the Secrets of Film Success?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce Christine La Monte, who shares her inspiring journey through the film industry. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Christine was surrounded by art, culture, and cinema, which sparked her lifelong passion for storytelling and filmmaking.
From her early memories of watching films in theaters to working with major studios like Universal and Disney, Christine’s career has been shaped by powerful mentors, unforgettable projects, and a deep respect for the craft. She reflects on the lessons she learned along the way—what it truly...
DMF Episode 314 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Complete Interview): "You Can Transform Your Life Through Acting Like I Did!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I had the pleasure of speaking with Kris Keppeler, an audiobook narrator, voice actress, and writer. Kris shared her fascinating journey from growing up in the snowy Midwest to exploring the arts and finding her passion in acting and voiceover work. She opened up about her experiences moving from Ohio to Michigan and then to Washington State, where she discovered a love for the arts that would shape her career. Kris's story is one of resilience and determination, as she faced discouragement in her singing journey but persevered to find...
DMF Episode 313 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 4): "Are You Afraid of Failing to Monetize Your YouTube Dreams?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today we're diving into the world of YouTube monetization. Is there something you want to accomplish on YouTube that you haven’t done yet? Many creators feel that way — including Kris Keppeler, who joins me to share her own goals and experiences in content creation.
Kris talks about expanding her platform through writing a book, growing her podcast, and creating new forms of engaging content. She’s driven not just by monetization, but by a deep desire to tell meaningful stories and shine a light on issues she cares about...
DMF Episode 312 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 3): "Unlock Your Podcasting Potential: Discover the Secrets to Success!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm diving into the creative world of Kris Keppeler, the voice actress, narrator, and podcaster behind Does This Happen to You? Kris shares how her podcast was born from her love of comedy and storytelling. She first considered writing her own comedic material but quickly realized there were countless amazing stories already out there. That’s when she began reaching out to other writers and narrating their work—launching a podcast that has grown far beyond what she imagined.
Kris discusses how the podcasting landscape has evolved, noting that...
DMF Episode 311 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 2): "Are You Making This Mistake in Voice Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm diving into my journey into voice acting with the incredible Kris Keppeler. It all started when I was searching for more acting opportunities in Seattle, and someone suggested I try voiceover. I never considered it before, but once I found a coach, I discovered how much I loved combining my singing and acting skills. Voice acting has become a joyful partnership for me, giving me the chance to express emotions and bring characters to life in a unique and powerful way.
Transitioning into voice acting came naturally th...
DMF Episode 310 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 1): "Are You Afraid to Pursue Your Passion? Chris Kepler's Story"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of introducing Kris Keppeler, an incredible audiobook narrator, voice actress, and writer. Kris shares her fascinating journey from the snowy winters of Michigan to the sunny deserts of Washington, and how each move shaped her love for the arts.
She talks about her early experiences with singing, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame discouragement to find her true voice. Kris’s story isn’t just about acting—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and the joy of discovering one’s passion.
If you've...
DMF Episode 309 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Happened to Cuomo: The Shocking Truth Revealed!"
Welcome to the DMF. I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m speaking with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini about her powerful and controversial documentary, This Is What New Yorkers Say. Sara created the film out of frustration with how the media portrayed Andrew Cuomo and what she saw as a lack of due process in the public discourse surrounding him.
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:07 - Guest Introduction
00:00:32 - Guest Background
00:01:19 - Guest's Early Life and Influence of Cinema
00:03:04 - Guest's Views on Movies and Society
00:03:24 - Discussion on Polit...
DMF Episode 308 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 4): "You Won't Believe the Legal Threats I Faced Making My Documentary"
Welcome to the DMF!
I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Sara Alessandrini opens up about the chaotic and often brutal world of documentary filmmaking.
Sara walks us through the challenges she faced while creating her documentary — challenges that went far beyond the expected hurdles of production. She dealt with legal threats, bullying, and intense pushback from some of the very people she interviewed. What was meant to be a creative pursuit quickly revealed the darker, more hostile side of the industry.
Throughout the episode, Sara explains how she navigated these obstacles: managing aggr...
DMF Episode 307 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 3): "I Want You to Discover the Hidden Secrets of the Movie Business!"
Welcome to the DMF.
I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Sara Alessandrini takes us inside the reckless, bold decisions that pushed her to create her documentary.
For Sara, the journey began in 2020, at the height of her growing frustration with the film industry — particularly the way safety protocols were handled as theaters attempted to reopen during the pandemic. Watching parts of the industry prioritize visibility and fame over the safety of audiences deeply disturbed her, and it became the spark that ignited a much larger mission.
Sara explains how this moment opened her eyes...
DMF Episode 306 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 2): "You Need to Know the Real Role of a Director!"
Welcome to the DMF.
I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Sara Alessandrini, who dives deep into the hierarchy of film production and the often misunderstood roles of directors and producers.
Sara has met her fair share of people who love calling themselves “director” but shy away from the responsibilities that come with it — and she’s not afraid to talk about it. With experience in both Italy and the United States, she’s seen firsthand how dramatically different directors can be, and how those differences shape a set.
She explains that...
