Zander dives deep into his experience working alongside Timothée Chalamet, sharing the specific "on-set secrets" and professional habits he learned from observing one of the generation's biggest stars. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the cameras aren't rolling, this is for you.

We also break down the "New Standard" for auditions: The world of casting has moved almost entirely to recorded submissions. Zander shares his proven strategy for booking the room from your living room, including technical tips, performance adjustments for the lens, and how to make a lasting impression on casting directors without ever meeting them in person.

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In this episode of the Hollywood Rebooted Podcast, we sit down with Emmy-award winning writer and showrunner Sean Presant. Sean takes us behind the curtain of his incredible career, from the moment he realized he won his first Emmy for a digital-first show to the deeply personal experiences that shaped his journey.

Sean opens up about working with the legendary Tabitha Brown on the hit series Tab Time, sharing why it remains the most heartfelt and rewarding moment of his professional life.

We also dive deep into the "Room":

The Anatomy of a Writers Room: What actually happens when a group of creatives gets together to build a world?

The AI Revolution: How artificial intelligence is disrupting the industry, what it means for the future of storytelling, and why "human genius" can't be automated.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of Tab Time, or curious about how tech is changing Hollywood, this conversation is packed with gems.

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If you’ve ever wondered how a professional shapes raw footage into an award-winning narrative, this is the 411 you’ve been waiting for.

We breakdown The Roadmap to the Bay: How Charles built a career at the highest level of television, Knowing Your "Why": Why technical proficiency is secondary to understanding the human experience, AI vs. The Human Soul: A deep dive into why technology can assist, but never replace, the emotional intuition of a human storyteller, and Genre Hopping: The different mindsets required for scripted drama vs. unscripted documentary storytelling.

Hosted by Billy Barnes

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The man behind the gold mask (and 19 other characters!) joins us on Hollywood Rebooted Podcast. Ever wondered how someone actually becomes a Star Wars droid? Today, we’re sitting down with Chris Bartlett, the incredible performer and artist who has brought C-3PO and nearly 20 other iconic droids and creatures to life in the Star Wars universe.

Chris didn’t just wait for a phone call from Lucasfilm—he built his own future. We dive deep into his journey of building high-end droid costumes in his garage, a passion project that eventually landed him his dream job on the set of The Mandalorian. Chris shares what it was really like going from a fan-builder to sharing scenes with icons like Pedro Pascal, the legendary Carl Weathers, and the formidable Werner Herzog.

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We dive deep into the mechanics of development, discussing:

• The Art of the Pitch: What networks are actually looking for right now.
• The Sizzle Reel: Why this is your most important tool and how to make one that sells.
• Securing Funding: Navigating the financial hurdles of production.
• The Future of AI: Megan shares her unique perspective from the Television Academy’s AI Task Force on how generative AI will impact creators and the industry at large.

Megan is the Vice President of Development and Production at Birman Productions and a professor at USC Annenberg. Her distinguished career includes work on acclaimed documentary projects such as:

• Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (Netflix) – Supervising Producer & Editor
• Earth Focus (PBS / Link TV) – Showrunner, Director & Editor
• Me Facing Life: Cyntoia Brown (PBS | Independent Lens) – Editor
• Saint Patrick’s Greatest Gift (CuriosityStream) – Supervising Producer & Editor

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In this episode of the Hollywood Rebooted Podcast, we are joined by the incredibly versatile Jason Konopisos-Alvarez. From his early days in cult classics to voicing iconic villains in major franchises, Jason has navigated the highs, the lows, and the complete transformations of the film industry.

Jason shares his unique perspective on the "DIY" filmmaking era and how a modern actor must balance live-action performance with the booming world of voice acting and motion capture. We discuss:

The Cult Classic Legacy: What it was like filming Idiocracy and watching it become a cultural phenomenon years later.

Finding the Voice: His experience bringing Shockwave to life in Transformers One and joining James Gunn’s DCU in Creature Commandos.

The Long Game: Honest insights into the 10-year "grind" and how he stayed motivated before his recent breakthrough roles.

The Indie Spirit: Why projects like The Unexpecteds represent the future of collaborative, creator-driven filmmaking.

Featured Filmography & Roles:

Transformers One (Shockwave / Guard 2)

The Unexpecteds (Jordan De Alvarez)

Creature Commandos (Congorilla / Pilot)

Idiocracy (Supporting)

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Supporting)

Eyes of Wakanda (Ferro)

Starfield (Alban Lopez - Video Game)

King of the Hill (Various Voices)

Muppets Most Wanted (Co-Star)

The Last Lullaby (Supporting)

Jason’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and adaptation. Whether you're an aspiring actor or a fan of the franchises he’s helped build, this conversation offers a deep look into the craft and the business of being a working actor today.

Follow Jason Konopisos-Alvarez:

https://www.instagram.com/jason_konopisos/

Subscribe to Battery Not Included:

https://www.instagram.com/batterynotincludedpodcast/

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In this episode of the Hollywood Rebooted Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Yvette Nipar. With a career spanning decades—from her iconic roles in RoboCop: The Series and 21 Jump Street to her extensive work in film and television—Yvette has seen the industry transform from the inside out.

Today, she’s pulling back the curtain on what it’s actually like for a veteran actor to navigate the modern landscape. We dive deep into:

The Evolution of the Set: How the shift from "Studio System" vibes to the current era has changed the craft.

The DIY Movement: Why Yvette is embracing the "Do-It-Yourself" filmmaking spirit and why it’s no longer optional for actors.

Adaptation vs. Survival: Practical advice for seasoned pros and newcomers alike on staying relevant in a digital-first world.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Memories from her time on some of the biggest shows of the 80s and 90s.

Yvette brings a rare blend of veteran wisdom and fresh, gritty determination. If you’ve ever wondered how the stars of your favorite classics are reinventing themselves for the streaming and indie era, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

Follow Yvette Nipar:

https://www.instagram.com/yvettenipar/

Subscribe to Battery Not Included:

https://www.instagram.com/batterynotincludedpodcast/

#YvetteNipar #RoboCop #21JumpStreet #IndieFilmmaking #ActorLife #HollywoodEvolution #BatteryNotIncludedPodcast

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Brian’s path to becoming a series regular wasn't an overnight success, it was a masterclass in persistence, craft, and authenticity. We trace his steps from his roots in Michigan to the high-stakes acting scene in New York City, and finally, his move to Los Angeles.

📌 In This Episode, We Discuss:

The Early Days: How a kid from Michigan set his sights on the arts.

The NYC Grind: Brian’s transition from being an acting teacher and mentor to landing his first big breaks.

The Breakthrough: His journey through recurring roles on hit shows like ]9-1-1: Lone Star – He stars as firefighter Paul Strickland (Series Regular).

Queen Sugar – He played Toine Wilkins, a police officer and close friend of the Bordelon family (Recurring).

The L Word: Generation Q – He appeared as Pierce Williams, a political strategist (Recurring).

After – He played the role of Jeremy Washington.

Blue Bloods – He appeared in multiple episodes as Officer Buckley.

Guest & Additional Appearances

Chicago P.D. – Roland Garrett (Episode: "Snitch")

Girls – Cop 1 (This was his first speaking credit in 2015)

Homeland – EMT Nate

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – ConElectric Worker #2

Paul Strickland & Lone Star: What it’s like portraying a fan-favorite character on a massive network drama.

Advice for Actors: The mindset shift required to go from "working actor" to "series regular."

🔗 Connect with Brian Michael Smith:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_brianmichael/

⚡ Support Battery Not Included:

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell! It helps us keep the battery charged and bring you more conversations with the industry's best.

Follow us on Instagram:

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#BrianMichaelSmith #911LoneStar #ActingJourney #BatteryNotIncluded #ActorLife #HollywoodStory #TransVisibility

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In Hollywood Rebooted Podcast, award-winning filmmaker Billy Barnes sits down with Michael Delano, producer, director, and the visionary founder of Cotu Media.

Transitioning from shorts to a feature film is the hardest leap a filmmaker can make. Michael breaks down the practical roadmap for directing your first feature, how to maintain creative momentum in a rapidly shifting "New Hollywood" landscape, and why your personal brand is just as important as your reel.

📌 In This Episode:

The First Feature: Step-by-step advice on making the jump to long-form storytelling.

Navigating New Hollywood: How to stay relevant and moving forward in the current industry climate.

Marketing Yourself: Modern strategies for young directors to get noticed by producers and investors.

The Cotu Media Story: Michael’s journey founding a production powerhouse.

🚀 About the Guest:

Michael Delano is a seasoned producer and director known for his ability to merge high-level artistry with savvy business strategy. As the founder of Cotu Media, ( https://www.cotumedia.com/ ) he has become a leading voice for the next generation of creators.

🎙️ About the Podcast:

Battery Not Included is hosted by Billy Barnes, an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to pulling back the curtain on the grit, the grind, and the gear that fuels the film industry.

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Battery Not Included Podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/batterynotincludedpodcast/

Follow Billy Barnes:

https://www.instagram.com/braythirteen/

Follow Michael Delano/Cotu Media:

https://www.instagram.com/cotumedia/

https://www.instagram.com/yasodic/

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In our first-ever episode, award winning Director / Host Billy Barnes is joined by industry legend Eddie Perez. With over 30 years of experience, Eddie is a 3-time Emmy Award winner, a SAG Award winner, and currently serves as the Governor for the Stunts Peer Group at the Television Academy.

From his iconic 9-season run as the Stunt Coordinator for Shameless to his work on blockbusters like Deadpool, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Wakanda Forever, and Sicario, Eddie has seen—and done—it all.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

Breaking In: How to actually start a career as a stunt actor today.

The Evolution of Action: What the industry was like in the "wild west" days versus now.

The AI Revolution: How Artificial Intelligence is changing stunt work and what the future holds for human performers.

Behind the Scenes: Stories from the set of Shameless and working on massive film franchises.

Whether you're an aspiring performer or a die-hard movie fan, this masterclass in action filmmaking is not to be missed.

🎥 Featured in this Episode:

Shameless (Showtime)

Deadpool

Snowfall

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Star Trek Into Darkness

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Eddie Perez:

www.instagram.com/iameddieperez/

Follow Battery Not Included Podcast on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/batterynotincludedpodcast/

Follow Billy Barnes on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/braythirteen/

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