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New Music from Hawthorne Oachs will have you wanting more
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AM gets an exclusive look into Kayden Koshelev's world
May/June 2024
Cover Model Jordyn Wright is one teen entrepreneur that is making her mark in skin care and beyond.
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Action Magazine 2024
It all started with Take Action Apparel & Gear. With first-hand knowledge that bullying has become a serious epidemic in schools across the nation, Gabriel L. Silva wanted to help give kids like him a voice! "I was a victim of repeated bullying. I am small for my age and kids would make fun of me for my size. Eventually, the verbal turned physical. I know that not everyone is going to like me, and I am actually okay with that. But disliking and mistreating someone physically, verbally, or emotionally for basically being different and not taking the opportunity to get to know them for who they are, is not okay. I had an opportunity to travel to LA for pilot season, when I came home, I found out that three of my friends had had an even harder time than I did at school. I knew what they were feeling, but I was helpless to help them. I wanted to do something. So, we got together with a group of experts and some really cool designers to create Take Action Apparel & Gear." Fast forward through time, and as a result of Take Action Apparel & Gear, Action Magazine was born, giving a worldwide platform for both adults and kids in the industry, who are passionate about taking a stance against bullying, a place to share their stories. Effects on children that either are the bully or that are being bullied go well beyond the school day and sometimes last a lifetime. Students who are bullied sometimes resort to suicide and the bullies often find themselves incarcerated by the time that they are adults. "Action Magazine is a great way to showcase amazing talent within the industry, while at the same time, giving them an opportunity to let kids know that they are not alone and help them to feel empowered. I found my voice through acting/modeling and practicing Tae Kwon Do, I stopped focusing on the negative and was able to discover the positive in me. If we help just one by sharing our stories, then Action Magazine is doing what we have created it to do."
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
pg. 26 Cover and all photos courtesy of J Brielle Wright
Meet the talented Kayden Tokarski Who is in this issue's Entertainment News? Get to know Jordyn Wright New Music Debut: "Red Spider Lilies" What are we binging on Netflix? Remember those lost due to bullying Meet EOTM, Elizaveta Sullivan What are you watching on Disney+? An exclusive chat with Kayden Koshelev Jordana of Earth is in our talent spotlight
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AM Founder actor/model Gabriel L. Silva
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Kayden Tokarski is an acclaimed actor from Orange County, California. She has garnered 28 awards for her exceptional acting prowess. She is recognized for portraying a young Julia Roberts (Martha Mitchell) in the Starz TV series Gaslit. Kayden's notable filmography includes Love's Fast Lane on Peacock; My Melancholy Baby on Amazon Prime; and the upcoming movies Mama Bear, Calculated Obsession; Roswell Delirium alongside Anthony Michael Hall and Reginald VelJohnson; and Curse of Vandor with Dee Wallace. Since embarking on her acting journey in 2020, Kayden has secured 28 Best Actress Awards and four additional nominations, making a significant impact with her roles in Roswell Delirium, Apocalypse Love Story, My Melancholy Baby, and others. In 2023, her performances in Gaslit and the indie film Bombay Beach earned her further acclaim, leading to a win at the Young Entertainer Awards for her role in Bombay Beach. A multi-talented individual, Kayden is also a singer and a junior-Olympic level competitive diver. Her dedication to community service is evident through her keynote speeches at the 33rd annual Walk Against Drugs and a Red Cross LA fundraiser as well as her participation in the Joyful Child Foundation's Be Brave pilot. Action Magazine is honored to highlight this truly talented young woman. Check our her answers to our staple game of Q&A. And of course, as always, don't forget to follow her on Instagram so that you can keep up with her journey!
All Photos Credit: Ava Cantrell
What are five things that you can't live without? My family; Arnold Palmers are my favorite drink; my dogs; cat; and my favorite fast food restaurant Chick-fil-A. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? There’s no holding me back. What's your favorite color? Purple What is your favorite movie? Anyone But You. What is your favorite TV show? Osark. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes, two rescue dogs – Bella who is a 12-year-old Terrier-Chihuahua mix and Harley, who is a 1.5-year-old Terrier mix. I also have an orange Tabby cat named Milo. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place I traveled to was Boston and other parts of Massachusetts where I filmed a movie. What is your favorite food? French fries If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Austin Butler because he is my celebrity crush! What made you want to start acting? I’ve wanted to be an actress since I was 4-years-old, but my parents thought I was too young. That didn’t stop me because I kept asking every year and it wasn’t until they saw me in a school play that they realized I was serious about this craft. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The rejection for sure. How do you prepare for auditions? I do a lot of character breakdown, creating backstories, journalling about the character and really try to connect with each character. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? There is a ton of rejection in this industry, but you just have to keep moving forward. After every audition, I just let it go and believe if the role is meant to be mine, it will be. I think you have to maintain a healthy attitude and believe in yourself. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? I think I connected to my character of Alice in the upcoming thriller movie Mama Bear the most. She was a little naïve but through horrible experiences ended up learning a lot about herself and her ability to become a stronger person all around. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? A lead role in a dramatic A24 movie because I love a challenging, dramatic role. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Emma Stone because she is so versatile and has such an insane range. How would you describe your fashion style? I really like baggy clothes for everyday wear because they are the most comfortable but for premieres and screenings, I really enjoy wearing beautiful dresses. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Dee Wallace, Anthony Michael Hall, Jesse Bush, Ryan Francis, Randy Wayne and Nicole Marie Johnson. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Definitely take acting lessons, which is the best way to learn and build your craft. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would love to work with Florence Pugh because she’s so talented and the way she has built her career is inspiring. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I made junior Olympics status on the 1-meter diving board as a competitive diver. Have you ever been bullied? Yes What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? It’s really hard but you cannot let bullies get to you. They are insecure people who want to break you down and there poor actions do no reflect who you are and your life’s course. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I would tell her to always be grateful, kind and to never give up on her dreams.
New Music Q&A: Hawthorne Oachs pg. 82 YouTube Feature: "The Memories We Keep" pg. 92 Kendall Runyan: pg. 96 Rising Star: Serenity Grace Russell pg. 104 Movie/TV Review: "Dead Boy Detectives" pg. 124 Lil' Skinny: pg. 134 Timmy McKeever: pg. 142 Auburn McCormick: pg. 162 Tiffany Elle Burgess: pg. 172 Caryn Dixon: pg. 180 Christopher Lyons: pg. 186 Phil Elam aka Cocoa Bean: pg. 196 Logan Shuck: pg. 202 Filmmakers Showcase: pg. 209 PR Corner: pg. 224
Our staffers all know where to find a story. From Tinseltown and beyond, they capture their "by-line" by talking to some of the most interesting people either already in the public eye or soon will be.
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Jordyn Brielle Wright is truly one amazing young woman. She is the CEO of J. Brielle Handmade Goods, an entrepreneur, and philanthropist that advocates for Youth Financial Literacy and Youth Entrepreneurship. Action Magazine had the pleasure to catch up with this extraordinary young person to find out more about her world and all that she does. Check out her answers to our staple game of Q&A. And of course, as always, don't forget to follow her on Instagram, you won't regret it!
What are five things that you can't live without? 1. I know this sounds like shameless self-promotion, one thing I couldn't live without is my J. Brielle Body Butter. I literally use it everywhere! My hair, my body, and in the winter, even my face! It's really a lifesaver. 2. Next would definitely have to be my AirPods. I love listening to music, and I also travel a lot, so it's always nice to be able to fall asleep to what I want to listen to. 3. My Dad's old art books. My dad has given me (or I've taken) quite a few of my dad's old sketchbooks and art lookbooks. I love drawing and I use them all pretty often! 4. My piano. We have a piano in our house that's been here for years. I don't play it that often, but when no one is home, I love to play and sing my favorite songs. It's always a nice outlet for whatever I'm feeling, whether it's sad, mad, or even happy. 5. Last thing would be my phone. A pretty obvious addition to the list, I know. I just use it for basically everything!
What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? We only accept the love we think we deserve. We all sometimes feel unworthy or struggle with impostor syndrome. Whenever I find myself having these thoughts, I reverse the quote. I only deserve the love I accept. It gives me the confidence to fully receive and be grateful for whatever blessings come my way. What's your favorite color? I have two favorite colors, pink and lavender! I could stare at them all day! What is your favorite movie? I don't have a favorite movie, but I do have a favorite show. My go-to since 2020 has been, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. What is your favorite TV show? Once again Saiki K, but if I had to pick a second it'd be, Nana. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I just got two pets on New Year's! I have two Leopard Geckos named Siloh and Soto. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? When I was around 8 or 9, I went to Los Cabos with my dad's side of the family. We all had so much fun and I have so many good memories from that trip! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? That's a hard one. I know for sure I would like to have dinner with the CEO of Curl Mix, Kim Lewis. I love her entrepreneurial journey. Her story is a lot like mine in the sense that she had a problem and found her own solution in her kitchen. She struggled and now her hard work is paying off. I would love to learn more about her story and how she overcame some the obstacles I face as well. I know she would be able to give me great guidance and encouragement for my business. You are the CEO of J. Brielle Handmade Goods. Tell us how you got started in general as a businesswoman? I got started with J. Brielle when I was 10-years-old! I had a skin condition called eczema, so I had to use really boring bath products. All the soaps that smelled good or were fun to look at had chemicals that would harm my skin, so I decided to make my own! As I got other people to try my soaps, I received tons of positive feedback. Because of this, with a bit of help and encouragement from my community, I decided to turn my soap-making hobby into a real business! For those who do not know, what exactly is J. Brielle Handmade Goods? J. Brielle Handmade Goods is my bath and beauty company! All of the products are handmade for teens with sensitive skin, by a teen, and with natural ingredients. Some of J. Brielle's products include Body Butter, Goats Milk Soap, and Body Oil! What has been the hardest part about being an entrepreneur? What has been the most rewarding? The hardest part is staying motivated. Sometimes I find myself completely lacking motivation and a little exhausted because of school and other obligations. Luckily for me, I have a great ecosystem of mentors, and friends, who are always there to help me get back on my feet. The most rewarding part is hearing people tell me how much I inspire them. I love hearing it from adults, but it's especially rewarding to hear it from kids. My mission is to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, so when I hear that I'm actually doing it, it's amazing. What is the one thing that you hope people take away/remember about your brand? That it is a down-to-earth, affordable, but effective product that is safe for even babies to use. It is important that we try to avoid chemicals that can mess with our endocrine systems and impact our health, especially as youth. I want my customers to know that I only use the best ingredients possible and their skin care is top priority when making my products. Additionally, you are an author. Tell us about your book, "The Clean Truth about Starting a Business for Teens"? Are there follow up books on the horizon for you? I'm hoping to collaborate with another youth entrepreneur to write a book giving advice to youth entrepreneurs as well as talking about our personal journey as entrepreneurs. Outside of business, though, I've always wanted to write a fantasy book, and I've had a few ideas. We'll see! In addition to being an entrepreneur, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I founded Passion to Purpose Youth Foundation in hopes of providing youth with tools and resources to learn more about financial literacy and entrepreneurship. When I first got started in business, there weren't a lot of resources available for me. I don't want that to be the story for other youth who want to turn their passions into real businesses. I am aslo working on a project to assist vulnerable communities with economic development. It is still in the initial phases so I can't share much now. Hopefully soon I will have some amazing news to share! Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I've always loved Halle Berry. I remember watching the X-Men shows with my parents, and at first I thought she was my mom! But now, my favorite actress is Viola Davis. She always gives a strong performance and she's amazing at what she does. How would you describe your fashion style? I don't currently have my dream wardrobe so at the moment it's whatever I can find in my closet. However, my dream clothes would be considered an earthy Y2K aesthetic! Who are some of your favorite influencers that you would love to work with as a part of your brand marketing? I actually don't follow a lot of skincare influencers, but I do follow a lot of makeup influencers. I used to watch a lot of Miss Darcei, and she influenced me to buy quite a few products. I would love to see her review my products, and I think it would be a great collab! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into entrepreneurship? Explore! As a kid there are always so many things we want to do! Explore your hobbies, interests, and passions and see where they lead you! Once you figure out which one of those you want to start out with, build a community around yourself. Find mentors and like-minded friends who can help you in the ideation stage, and if you have any hiccups! Who would be your dream collaboration and why? I would love to do a collaboration with any POC dermatologist! I'm hoping to become one myself, but I definitely want to start some research for J. Brielle as soon as possible! Also, a dermatologist's endorsement doesn't sound too bad either! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing most people don't know about me is that I used to struggle with my mental health. I didn't tell anyone for a while, but talking about it was exactly how I healed. Have you ever been bullied? I have been bullied a few times in my life and suffered from many microaggressions within my community. It's been a while since it happened last, but it does bother me sometimes. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? As I've been bullied before, and I know what bullies do can resonate in our minds and become what we think about all the time. Instead of just letting it consume you, redirect your thoughts, anger, and frustrations to something else. Talking to someone you trust, enjoying a hobby, or writing your feelings down, are all great options to prevent further damage to your self-esteem and mental health. If you could talk to your past self, what would you tell her? I would tell her to stop caring so much. I still think I care too much, but it was really bad when I was younger. I cared about what people thought of me, my future, lack of resources (at 10-years-old), and my supposed lack of purpose. I let my worries take over. I would encourage my past self to enjoy the moment because we take each moment of our lives for granted. Time goes so fast and it's the only resource we can't produce. Use it wisely!
continued on pg. 46
On a mission to help others through music during these absurd times with her compassionate and thoughtful approach, Hawthorne Oachs writes about issues that affect teens (and many adults) in staggering numbers. Hawthorne releases these songs in hopes that it will create more awareness and spark healthy conversation around mental health, while ultimately helping others feel less alone. Through her music, Hawthorne offers a community where mental health, psychological safety, and connection are at the forefront, and she does this by channeling her empathy and compassion. She creates a sense of belonging, mattering, and a safe place for anyone who feels out of space and time, lost in the darkness, or frustrated by the uncertainty, and she does it all while defying the notion that"kids should be seen and not heard." Hawthorne Oachs is a teen multi-hyphenate musical artist, digital artist, and award-nominated actress who has spent the last three years of her life writing, producing, and releasing songs while also balancing being a full-time student, playing her first festivals, comic book stores, coffee shops, acting in a few projects, and creating the cover art for her songs. Action Magazine caught up with this amazing young woman to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A on pg. 82. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram. But first, make sure to listen to "Red Spider Lilies" and let us know what you think!
Photo Credit: Hawthorne Oachs(Takenat: Canvas Convergence/”Yortle the Yeti” Artist: Chris Carlson)
8/11/1973
Bronx, NY
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Suffer in silence no more 1 out of 4 kids is bullied every month in the U.S. 1 out of 10 children drop out of school due to bullying. 160,000 kids miss school each day for fear of being bullied. Every seven minutes, a child is bullied on the playground at school. 4,400 deaths occur each year as a result of bullying. Bullying can be… physical, mental, verbal, and can occur in person or in cyberspace. The epidemic can be eradicated if we stand together and remember, silence can be deadly... Speak up! Speak out! Step up!
Victims of bullying are never anonymous.
The effects of bullying have lasting consequences that affect those involved for a lifetime. Together, we can bring an end to bullying.
Remember their faces. Know their names. Hear their voices. Tell their stories.
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Whether they are actors, models, singers, musicians, dancers, or a combination of all of the above, these young entertainers are definitely on the move and you don't want to miss one step!
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All Photos Credit: Elizaveta Sullivan
Elizaveta Sullivan is best known as an influencer and producer. Hailing from Moscow, and educated at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, Elizaveta is now taking Los Angeles by storm as CEO of her film company, Destination Productions. With her at the helm, the company has worked with Netflix Russia on projects and produced music videos for such artists as Manizha, Scriptonite, Korn, and Travis Scott. In addition to numerous commercials, Destination Productions has produced several TV shows and films, some of which, have been nominated for awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. As an Influencer, Elizaveta uses her training as a clinical psychologist to give her legions of fans lifestyle advice, as well as speaking to a better mindset and overall wellness. Her Instagram has caught the attention of several hotels, health and wellness companies, and luxury brands, initiating partnerships. Action Magazine caught up with this talented young multi-talented young woman to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram.
What are five things that you can't live without? 1. Notes app, I always have to write everything out from my head. 2. Workouts, not a thing, but I can’t go over 2 days without moving my body. 3. Garnier under eye concealer, when on set or running around it always keeps my face fresh. 4. My emerald pinky ring. There's a story behind it, I might share later. 5. Probably flirting. It’s a thing. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I always joke that, I want to do and experience everything in this lifetime, so I don't have to reincarnate again. What's your favorite color? I’d say currently I’mbetween red and black. But it’s hard to tell as for me colors are one of the tools used in my industry to transcend a message. So, it depends on many factors. What is your favorite movie? I have recently rewatched The Gentlemen by Guy Ritchie and once again fell in love, same goes to the next question. What is your favorite TV show? Currently obsessing over the drug cartel lifestyle of the posh UK lords created by Guy Ritchie in The Gentlemen. I’m also a big fan of original Avatar series. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Not currently. One day I’ll own a several. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Let’s just say, I love to travel hence my job. I’d fall in love with any place I go to. What is your favorite food? Love avocados in all shape and form. Probably don’t have a favorite food choice. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Since we’re on the gentlemen topic, can it be Matthew McConaughey’s character from the movie, please? And why? - watch the movie! As a producer and influencer, you are a multi-talented individual in the industry. Let’s start with producing. How did you get started as a producer? I've always been a creative. Since a very young age, I remember staging, directing, acting, singing. Then after years being on stage as a performer, and then more years behind the stage as a clinical psychologist, I somehow found a way to combine both: as a script doctor turned to creative producer and a show runner. What has been your favorite project thus far to produce and why? Currently working on something very special. Can’t share yet, but you’ll see it soon! What would be your dream project to produce? I would love to work with Taika Waititi. And Marvel. But as you already figured out, (hopefully), I’m not the one who likes to choose necessarily. I have a list of people in the industry I’d like to work with. As long as the project lights me up and I can see it’s value - I’m in. Now, let’s talk influencing? How did you get started as an influencer? I started posting on my social media and people got drawn to the message I transcend. Keeping “life” and “influencer life” separated is difficult. How do you do it? I do show a lot of my social media. Since the beginning, I knew I want to use my platforms to "influence" people - share thoughts, knowledge, ideas. So I try to be quite transparent. As an influencer, what has been your favorite brand to work with so far and why? I really love KHY and was very surprised by their quality. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I’d say personal development and growth. As a clinical psychologist there's a saying that we never stop studying, which is true. Our mind and soul are so fascinating - there's always deeper to dig. And I truly believe if everyone studied at least a little bit of psychology and quantum physics, we’d live in a very different world. Not yet though. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Anyone who plays a good villain, call me. (PSnot a villain that’s good. That’s a turn off) How would you describe your fashion style? I love fashion, and that’s what I do on my downtime - watch fashion week or read about new trends. I love the ideology behind "Slumerican" style - making glam a little trashy. I love high end clothes, but when mixed with street wear or something out of ordinary. Who are some of your favorite people in the entertainment industry that you’ve worked with? I appreciate everyone I get to work with, that’s what breeds creativity. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the world of entertainment? Think outside of the box, always. No one knows anything for sure. And don’t forget to ask yourself: how do they know better? Someone told them. We are prisoners to so many concepts, that many don't even know how or why they believe in it. Write your own rules to the game. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? I have so many. Taika Waititi, David Tennant, Die Antwoord, you name it. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I don't like secrets (mine, not people’s). I would open up pretty fast. Hiding or lying requires too much time and energy. I don't have much of the first, and don't waste the second. Have you ever been bullied? Maybe in school. But I’m from Russia, and it wasn't really called bullying. In a way, it’s a school of life. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? From a psychological standpoint, I'd advise to find your inner victim self, and talk to it. Once you make peace with it - there’s nothing to bully you about. Let’s say I’m not happy about my nose - people will pick up on that and start teasing me or worse. When I fully work through that - any toxic comment about it would stop bothering me and I would be able to laugh WITH them. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? Do we own this city yet?
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Hawthorne Oachs
Photos 2 & 3 Credit: Ben Saefke
What are five things that you can't live without? Today, the five things I can't live without are my piano, guitar, drawing supplies, gaming consoles, and phone. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Be patient with love, impatient with progress, and if you're going to fail (and you will sometimes) then fail forward. What's your favorite color? I'm really into pastel colors right now. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? All of my current favorite travel destinations are near an ocean, the Atlantic specifically. I'd also love to travel to Japan someday to see the Pacific ocean, and immerse myself in Japanese culture. What is your favorite food? Food is my favorite food! If I only get one choice though, I'd say Sushi is my current favorite. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? If I could have dinner with anyone in the world I would choose Japanese musician, Mafumafu. Listening to his passionate, emotive voice is restorative to my soul. Absorbing his truthful, vulnerable lyrics go straight to the bone. His guitar skills inspired me to get a lot more serious about playing guitar. For these reasons, I would want to thank him for choosing to share his music with the world. What made you want to start singing? I honestly can't remember a time in my life when I didn't sing. But when I started writing songs, I began to take singing a lot more seriously. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The most difficult thing about being a musician right now is getting people to not dismiss me outright because I'm a kid. It can be frustrating in the music industry to not be taken seriously because you're young. Add to that, I'm also a young woman producing my own music in an industry where less than 7% of producers are women and non-binary and less than 20% are songwriters. Where do you find inspiration for your music? I'm a sensitive person and I process emotions and thoughts deeply, including those of others. I make sense of everything through songwriting. As I observe the world around me and the people in it, or have my own personal experiences and am being introspective, I find that I don't have to look very far for inspiration to write something. What do you hope people take away from your music? It was not an easy decision to put music out there for everyone to judge. Society is often dismissive of kids, we live in absurd times, and sharing creative expression can already be a vulnerable act. I was restless about the decision to share music, yet it felt like the universe was urgently pulling me in a really scary direction - to be daring and put out the music. If anything I've released helps even one person in some way, then my mission to put something out there that might make the depressing haze of our modern world more tolerable will have been a success, and that's what I hope people take away from my music. Tell us about your latest music. What are you working on? Thanks for asking! I have some exciting news! I just received a grant and I will be releasing a mini-album that will be dispersed as singles throughout the year. With each new song I release, I learn a lot about producing. At this point I've written so many songs that it’s often difficult to choose which ones to release! I'm proud of the songs I have selected, and can't wait for you to hear them! For more information, or to be one of the first to hear the songs when they're released, you can go to https://www.hawthorneoachs.com or follow on Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Thoughtful. In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I'm also passionate about art, acting, dancing, psychology, mental health, helping others, inclusivity, equity, kindness, and connection. Creative spaces keep us connected to one another and remind us of our humanity, so I occupy those spaces the most. Human connection fosters empathy and self-awareness and we need those now more than ever. Who is your favorite musician and why? Besides Mafumafu (whose music has been prevalent in the soundtrack to my tween/teen years), I would say Hayley Williams of Paramore. Hayley Williams was also a teenager when she started her music path and both Hayley and Mafumafu inspire me to make fearless choices, and embrace the trust fall of putting art out into the world for judgment. How would you describe your fashion style? Most of my closet is filled with cute, comfy, pastel pieces, but I've been known to rock an occasional dark aesthetic ensemble from time to time. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Be bold, know why you're doing it, and stand for something you believe in. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Mafumafu or Hayley Williams would be my dream music collaboration because I respect their music, and I would assuredly learn so much from collaborating with either of them! I might actually perish from bliss and shock if the three of us ever collaborated on the same project sometime in the future. Have you ever been bullied? I've had one (former) friendship situation that turned into social exclusion because I was setting, communicating, and asserting my own personal boundaries. Social exclusion is a form of relational aggression, and it's an indirect type of bullying that is often used by girls against other girls. I didn't know it at the time, but it was a pivotal point for me in understanding how important it is to have healthy boundaries, and that I don't need to bend and mold myself to make others comfortable. The friendship may have ended, but I gained powerful experience and self-discovery around how I want (and should expect) to be treated in future relationships. It takes courage and strength to communicate boundaries, and when you do, your lines have been set. If those boundaries are violated, it's OK to create further distance between yourself and anyone doing the violating. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? For anyone suffering from bullying, know that you are not alone and that you have the right to ask for help to get the bullying to stop. A trusted adult can help strategize a plan to ensure your well-being and safety. No one ever deserves to be bullied, and it's not your fault. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? If I could talk to my future self, I would recognize Hawthorne for practicing self-compassion, spending a lot of time with the people she loves, taking care of her body and mind, being curious, remembering that she traveled a path that was just as unique as she is, and I would thank her for her bravery and kindness while taking us on the adventure of a lifetime.
Photo Credit: Christi Williams
The Memories We Keep A short by Angel Ramos.
Kendall Runyan is a 16-year-old from Silverdale, Washington! Kendall currently holds the prestigious title of the International United Miss Jr.teen. Kendall has many accomplishments one being the founder of her own nonprofit, Read to Achieve, Read to Achieve provides educational materials for low-income children. Kendall stays very busy as she is a cheerleader, pageant participant, and choir member. Action Magazine caught up with this amazing young woman to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram. This is one journey that you don't want to miss!
All Photos Credit: Catherine Fine
What are five things that you can't live without? A Chai Latte, a good lip gloss, my phone, a fuzzy blanket, and my friends and family. It’s a perfect recipe for a great day. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? A few years ago I was introduced to a quote by Babe Ruth, Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game, and that is something that has always stuck with me, especially within pageantry. It’s a constant reminder that I only live once and should keep going, no matter the circumstance. What's your favorite color? I love a good baby pink or emerald green, but I’m also a sucker for pastels or jewel tones. What is your favorite movie? I love In The Heights. I was a musical theatre kid growing up and love any movie musical. The music and storyline of the movie is so good. It is always my go to. What is your favorite TV show? I love Emily in Paris. I could sit and watch the whole show in one sitting if I could. The show actually inspired my goal of pursuing a marketing career one day! Her life is the dream, for sure. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have 2 dogs, a cat, a tortoise, and a fish. Both of my dogs are Havanese (Axel and Annie), my cat is an American short hair (Zoey), my tortoise is a box turtle and he’s 60 years old (Tommy), and I have a bottom feeder fish. He doesn’t have a name! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I was able to travel to Curacao this year (a country off the coast of Venezuela) with my International United Miss title and it was truly one of the most incredible experiences. I loved getting to experience such a welcoming culture, and I was able to swim with turtles and snorkel with turtles! What is your favorite food? I love Mexican food! I am a Pescatarian, so my options are limited, but a rice bowl, quesadilla, or cheese enchilada will always be a go to! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to have dinner with Taylor Swift. I am definitely a Swiftie at heart, and I am so inspired by everything Taylor Swift does, so I would love to be able to talk to her about her life and everything she gets to do. You are International United Miss Jr. Teen 23’. How did you get started in pageants? My sister competed in pageants when I was little, so I grew up in auditoriums watching her compete. I started as a princess for the Miss America program and was so inspired by my teen mentors that I decided I wanted to compete, too. I’ve been competing ever since, and I love the pageant community. They are like a second family! What is the hardest thing about competing in pageants? Why? Feeling like your hard work wasn’t worth it. Only one girl is crowned, and although it’s a hard reality to come to terms with, that crown is not always yours. I have been competing in pageants for 9 years now, and it can be hard to work of a title and not get the result you may have hoped for, but on the flip side, it can also feel really rewarding to meet your goals! What has been your favorite thing about competing in pageants? Why? The friendships I have made through pageantry are unmatched. I met both of my best friends through pageantry, and we are always together. Whether it be FaceTime, sleepovers, pageant events, etc, you can almost always find us together. What is the one thing about being in the pageant industry that was a “lesson learned” moment? Pageants have taught me a lot about mindset, and after competing with other systems for years, I noticed that I needed to have a different mindset in order to feel successful in my performance. Going into the International United Miss competition, I focused a lot more on how I could improve from the experience and set a more realistic goal to meet. You are also making a difference to help others through your non-profit, Read-to-Achieve. Tell us how you came up with this idea and why. I was exposed to literacy at a very young age, so I quickly discovered that I was a more advanced reader than my peers. I would read to my friends in class, read out loud during circle time, and was even placed into a highly capable program for students who work at a faster pace than others. I was blessed with access to books and reading materials, but noticed that not everyone in my class had the same opportunity. I decided to build a Free Little Library in my community, so the youth could have constant access to books, and my platform grew from there. We now target low income communities directly, with goals of low income students having the same educational experience as anyone else. What do you hope that your legacy will become with Read to Achieve? I hope we make a widespread impact. We have already targeted most of Western Washington, however, I would love to be able to have at least one Free Little Library in every state. Although that entails a lot of work, it would be so incredible to be able to see the work that my organization has done make such a huge impact. In addition to your nonprofit and the pageant world, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am a very busy person, so I am constantly doing something that sparks my interest, however, this will be my 8th year as a cheerleader. Cheer has become an outlet for me to express who I am and feel welcomed in such a large family, and I hope to be able to cheer professionally in college. Alongside that, I also play guitar, piano, sing, perform in local musical theater shows, and volunteer with multiple organizations across Kitsap County. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I love Florence Pugh. She is such an amazing actress and her work in so many different genres of film is so inspiring. How would you describe your fashion style? I am definitely a trend follower for sure, so anything that is trending will always be in my closet. Right now, I love cargo pants and baggy jeans, statement tops and basic tees, and I am a big jewelry girl. I love stacking jewelry and picking out different pieces to go with my outfit every day. Who are some of your favorite people that you have worked with either in the non-profit world or pageants? I have been able to work some pretty amazing people. Through pageants, one person that I really enjoyed working with was Lu Sierra. She is a runway model and runway model coach who has worked with many celebrities. Through my non-profit, I have been awarded two Gold Presidential Volunteer Service awards from both former President Trump and current President Biden, and have been able to work with the Suquamish Foundation, the North Kitsap Rotary, the Silverdale Rotary, and multiple school districts in Kitsap County. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the pageant world? Set a realistic goal. Winning the title isn’t always realistic, but setting a goal you know you will meet will help you feel accomplished and refreshed after the competition is over. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? I would love to be able to collaborate with Dolly Parton. Not only is she a country music legend, but she also has her own literacy program for families in need of books, so I think it would be really cool to collaborate with her. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I am 18 years and 1 day younger than my brother! Have you ever been bullied? I have. I was bullied pretty heavily in fourth grade, which was really a struggle. We even considered transferring into a homeschool program, but being bullied taught me so much about myself and I came out of the experience a better person than I was before. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Find a distraction. Its easy to go into a spiral of overthinking everything your bullies have said to you, but if you find a way to distract yourself, it’s easy to let go of the mean comments and move on. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I would give myself a rundown of all the high school drama, for sure, but I would also love to ask myself where I ended up and what it took to get there.
Serenity Grace Russell
Serenity is a 9-years-old super talent that has been seen co-starring on Surface (AppleTV), Not Dead Yet (ABC), That Girl LayLay (Nickelodeon) as Young Sadie, as well as, guest starring on season 5 of the NBC hit show, Magnum PI, as Mia Carter. In March, she appeared in the Indie films: We're All Gonna Die (a SWSX official selection) as Amber and 47 Days with Jesus (which was in select theaters March 11 and will be on DVD in June) as Brenda. Serenity has filmed over 24 commercials for: Blues Clues/Cox HomeLife, Baby Shark, Hilton, Paw Patrol, EBO, Litti Toys, Matchbox, Toy Story, Barbie, TCM (Turner Classic Movies), Walmart/Sharper Image, Perfect Snacks, Home Depot, Ross, Palmetto Solar, Tadiran, Dish Network, Progressive, Discover Card, Kinder Farms, Walmart, Cadillac, and Jack in the Box. Serenity was a recurring talent as Lila Walters in the popular podcast, Cascadia. She also voiced a character in the horror podcast Ice-Cream. She is proud to have completed over 200 hours of community service in the last 2 years-many hours having served the LA homeless community. Serenity is a former Miss Elementary America and is the reigning Little Miss United States. Action Magazine caught up with this amazing young talent to get her take on our traditional game of Q&A. Stay tuned, because we have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot more of her in the entertainment industry!
What are five things that you can't live without? My family, my friends, my pets, Barnabus (my stuffed elephant), and my phone! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? What’s meant to be, is meant to be. Everything happens for a reason. What's your favorite color? Purple, Pink, and Black What is your favorite movie? Nimona What is your favorite TV show? My Little Pony & Only Murders In The Building Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes! I have a crested Gecko named XanMan, then I have two rats: Princess Cuddles & Princess Cupcake. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Hawaii, followed by cruising!! I went to Oahu to film Magnum P.I. and just fell in love with it! I can’t wait to go back and visit again sometime! I also can’t wait to take another cruise because there is always so much to do!! What is your favorite food? Steak, Edamame, and Sushi If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Jenny Ortega! I would love to talk to her about her career starting as a young kid and now being older. I also love to ask her what it was like working as Wednesday Addams and how she stayed so serious during filming. Was she serious off camera and stay in character or did she break character and have fun? What made you want to start acting? I used to love watching all the LOL unboxing videos with Mykal-Michelle Harris & wanted to do what she did! So, I started doing unboxing videos at home for fun! We never posted them, but I enjoyed it. My cousin, Brandon, is also an actor and I loved watching his shows/films. My aunt then decided to get me started with background work just to see if I could sit through the long days and could listen on set. I did 4-5 extra gigs and loved it, so we stopped doing that & got an agent to do principal work. I haven’t ever looked back…I hope to keep doing this the rest of my life! What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? It’s hard when I am on set and I have to miss something really fun at school. Once, I had to miss a field trip, which was tough. However, I love being on set working and so you just have to remember that you have to make sacrifices for things you love! The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? My manager, Chelsea, told me that when you don’t book a role you were hoping it get-it’s OK to be sad. It’s OK to be mad. It’s even OK to cry, but only for one day. Then, have some ice cream and move on! You can’t continue to dwell on things because this industry is more rejection than anything! There are so many reasons why you don’t book a role and you have to just keep your head up & move on to the next! You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? Brenda from Forty Seven Days with Jesus because she is close to her cousins, like I am with my cousin, Brandon. Brenda is also a little spitfire who likes to be funny, just like me! She enjoys spending time with family, (including her grandparents, aunt & uncle), enjoys learning about Jesus, and loves snacks! Brenda also has a Caucasian mom & an African American dad, just like me too! If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? The perfect role would be playing myself and starring in my own comedy show! I love to tell jokes, make people laugh, and be silly! So, ideally that would be my dream…to have my own show some day! You are also a former Miss Elementary America and the reigning Little Miss United States. How did you get started in pageants? I got started at the age of 5, (well, just shy of my 5th birthday), and entered a preliminary pageant in my area. My mom and my aunt used to compete and so they thought it would be good to help break me of my shyness! After that first pageant, I was hooked! What is the one thing about pageants that you love the most and why? I love lots of things about pageants, but my favorite thing is a toss up between talking to the judges in interview or rocking the stage in fun fashion! I love to talk, so getting to meet the judges and talk with them is so fun! Modeling in fun fashion just allows me to dress up and show my sass & personality on stage! In addition to acting and pageants, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I started SERENITY’S SERVICE SQUAD, which brings kids and queens together to do community service! The great thing about this is not only do I get to help many different organizations, but I get others involved in volunteering along the way! I love to give back to my community and many different organizations/causes because it feels good to help others and set a good example for other kids! I am also passionate about collecting Monster High dolls, traveling, and being a good role model. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Jennette McCurdy because she is funny, sassy, and seems super cool! I loved her character in Sam & Cat, as well as iCarly! How would you describe your fashion style? Casual, yet sassy and fun most of the time! On special occasions, I love to get glammed up and feel like a princess! I also love to cosplay!! Whenever I get a chance to wear a costume for Comic Con, Wonder Con, Renaissance Faire, Anime Expo, etc…I get so excited! Right now, I am already working on my next cosplay!! Who are some of your favorite people in the acting world and pageant world you’ve worked with? I’ve been very lucky to work with lots of amazing people like Morgan Freeman, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Coolidge, Jessica Biel, Jay Hernandez, and countless others! I don’t have a favorite because every project has been so special to me! In the pageant world, I’ve had lots of great sister queens! I’ve also had some pretty great directors and mentors along the way…again, I don’t want to pick any favorites-love them all! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into both acting and pageants? The best advice I have is to practice hard and start small. I started acting by doing background work, then moved to non union principal work and then finally joined the union. In pageants, I started with small preliminaries and moved to state pageants then to nationals! I also say the most important thing for BOTH is to BE YOURSELF! Stay natural, stay humble, and have fun! Who would be your dream collaboration and why? Jennette McCurdy or Zendaya!! I would love to be opposite Jennette in a show similar to Sam & Cat. I think the two of us together would be hilarious to watch! I also would love to work on something dramatic with Zendaya. She is so beautiful and so talented, I’d love to be opposite her as her younger sister or something like that! Have you ever been bullied? Yes, many times and even though it always hurts-it has gotten easier to deal with as I’ve gotten older. As a former Miss Elementary America, I worked to help promote their national platform of B.R.A.V.E. Building Respect And Values for Everyone. Through this platform, I spoke to others about the importance of treating everyone fairly, respectfully, and not allowing others to treat anyone differently no matter what the situation is. No one deserves to be bullied, outcast, or treated unfairly. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? You need to always tell someone you trust. A friend, a parent, a teacher, or another trusted person who can help you. No one should have to suffer from mental, physical, or cyber bullying. It’s important to know that you are not alone and there are people out there who can help you, but you need to speak up. Be your own advocate! If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? You are strong. You are beautiful. Always believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams! Never forget that everything happens for a reason and what’s meant to be, will be.
Photo Credit: Desiree Russell
Photo Credit: Rachel Stella Photography
All Photos Credit: Diana Ragland
Kayden Koshelev is an American child actor, who discovered his passion for acting, singing and dancing at the age of 4. Throughout his career so far, Kayden has booked over 15 major commercials and over 14 roles in Television and Film. His most popular projects include the Patriot, Chicago Med, Shameless, Diary Of A Future President, the Oscar nominated film, The Tragedy of Macbeth, How I Met Your Father, Bunk'd, and 9-1-1 Lone Star. Currently, he appeared in the Netflix film, Rebel Moon. On the stage, Kayden has played in numerous theater productions such as “A Christmas Story”, “Oliver!”, and most recently he. is reprising his role in “Drag: The Musical.” Outside of performing, Kayden is a gifted student, whose favorite subject in school is Math and holds several chess trophies. He also loves Dungeons and Dragons, art, coding, video games, soccer and hanging out with his friends! Action Magazine caught up with this amazing young talent to get his take on our traditional game of Q&A. Stay tuned, because we have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot more of him in the entertainment industry! Make sure you follow him on Instagram so that you don't miss a moment of his journey.
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things I can’t live without are my family, friends, video games, singing, and my favorite foods! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Dream Big, Work Harder! What's your favorite color? Pink! You can always catch me in my signature color! What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is anything Marvel. I am a huge fan! What is your favorite TV show? My favorite show right now is Hazbin Hotel, it’s an animated musical comedy. However, I enjoy animated anime or musicals. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a cat named Milo that we adopted from a shelter in Chicago. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I love going to Palm Springs because I always have so much fun there and it's close to home. What is your favorite food? Sushi and snacks. I can snack all day! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? This is a hard one. I always want to pick more than one person. I would have to go with Hugh Jackman (Wolverine/Deadpool) because I feel like there isn’t anything he can't do! After saying my favorite movie is anything Marvel… that shouldn’t be much of a surprise! You are a triple threat talent: singer, dancer, and actor. Let’s start with singing. How did you get started singing? I have always loved singing. I used to sing along to the radio and had a lot of playlists that my parents would play for me. However, I didn't realize I had a good voice until I started performing in musical theatre. I have been singing since I was a child and as soon as I started talking, I started singing. What is your favorite genre to sing and why? I am constantly singing a variety of musical theatre and pop ballads that get stuck in my head, leading me to belt them all day long! Next, let’s talk dancing. Tell us how you got started dancing? I started my journey in dancing when I was just three-years-old. It all started when my mom and I attended a local festival and stumbled upon a performing arts center's booth. My mom asked me if I was interested in taking a class called "Lil' Dancing Dudes", and without any hesitation, I said YES! And that's how my love for dancing began. What is your favorite genre to dance to and why? What is one genre that you would like to try but haven’t yet mastered? I love Hip-Hop/Pop-style dance and any musical theatre choreography. I wouldn’t say I am the most advanced, but I can dance and pick up most choreography fairly easily. I love tap dancing too, and wish I had more time to get better at it, maybe soon! Finally, let’s talk acting. How did you get started acting? My love for acting came with my love for singing and dancing, I wanted to do it all and my mom could see it was something I was really passionate about. She got me an agent at just four-years-old and I started auditioning and booking right away. It is without a doubt my favorite thing to do in life! What has been your favorite role to portray to date and why? If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be? I have enjoyed playing every role I have ever had, but my favorite ones so far are “Aspen” from Search Party and “Brendan” from "Drag the Musical". It’s very exciting to bring characters to life. “Aspen” is a bit of a sociopath, which is not your typical role, but I loved playing it, it was entertaining to creep people out in a fun way. “Brendan's” character arc, from a shy kid to a headlining act where he gets to sing and dance, was also something I really enjoyed. Although both characters are very different, the one thing they had in common was letting me showcase my skills. If I could create my ideal role, it would be as a series regular on a TV show where I could play all kinds of characters with different dialects and costumes. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am passionate about volunteering for mental health organizations that support young people as well as charities that help animals and children. I wish I could make a difference in all their lives! Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? The truth is that I have so much love and respect for so many incredible and talented actors that it is impossible for me to choose just one. However, I have a special inclination towards those actors who can also sing. I feel a strong connection with them and I learn so much from them. How would you describe your fashion style? I don't think I have a specific style. I just wear what I like or what I feel is appropriate for the occasion. My favorite color to wear is pink, and if there's an opportunity to wear sequins or rhinestones, count me in! Who are some of your favorite people in the entertainment industry that you’ve worked with? I have been so lucky to have worked with so many amazing people. I recently had the opportunity to work with Joey McIntyre twice, he played the role of my dad. It was an amazing experience, and I loved working with him as he was fun both on and off stage. He was always there for me, and we shared many inside jokes and funny moments backstage. Apart from Joey, I also enjoyed working with the cast from How I Met Your Father. Sofia Boutella, on the set of Rebel Moon, she is so sweet and quite the opposite of her character. William H Macy, Kevin Hart, and Mellisa Rauch were also great to work with. They were all funny, friendly, and thoughtful individuals who I got to learn from. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the world of entertainment? My advice to others is to be sure that this is what you love and are passionate about doing. The entertainment industry can be a bit of a long game, and despite that, you have to keep going forward. Also, give every single audition your all! Who would be your dream collaboration and why? Marvel! I feel like everyone has to do at least one Marvel film and I would love to see myself in one. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I love school! My favorite subject is math and I get a little disappointed if I get anything below an A+. Also, not a lot of people know this but I skipped a couple of years. Technically I should be graduating from the eighth grade in June. But in reality, I just finished my freshman year, and I’ll be starting my sophomore year in May in the honors program I am currently enrolled in. Have you ever been bullied? Unfortunately, I believe almost everyone has experienced bullying to some extent, even if it didn’t seem like it at the time. Although I haven’t experienced extensive bullying in my life, I am aware that others have. Because of that whenever I witness someone being bullied, I have to intervene. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Tell as many people as you can about what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to speak up and defend yourself. Someone out there cares about you. Find your people and focus on those who bring happiness and positivity into your life, not those who bring you down. if you see someone being bullied, speak up for them. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell him to remember to enjoy the journey and remember everything that led to the dream life he currently lives!
Photo Credit: Jinell Cheek of Nellie Photography
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More About Dead Boy Detectives: Dead Boy Detectives is an American supernatural horror detective comedy-drama television series developed by Steve Yockey based on DC Comics characters of the same name by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner. It premiered on Netflix on April 25, 2024. (Per Wikipedia.org)
So, what do we think: As fans of Netflix's The Sandman we were excited for a glimpse into another part of Neil Gaiman's fantastical world. Striking a nice balance between drama and comedy, as well as managing to tell a captivating story along the way, Dead Boy Detectives had us hoked from beginning to end. For lovers of The Sandman or fans of the genre in general, this show is definitely for you. We give it a 10/10!
Synopsis: Here is a brief synopsis of what to expect from our May/June pick! Dead Boy Detectives follows Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, two teen ghosts who wander the Earth, evade Death herself, and investigate the supernatural crimes that plague the living and the dead. When they come into contact with the human psychic Crystal Palace, the duo are thrust into possibly their greatest case yet.
Please note, some trailers on the following page may not be suitable for all ages.
About Double Entente Films: Double Entente is an international production company with offices in Paris and Los Angeles, specializing in luxury, high tech, and celebrity clients such as Louis Vuitton, BMW, Google, and Kanye West.
Double Entente is an international production company with offices in Paris and Los Angeles, specializing in luxury, high tech, and celebrity clients such as Louis Vuitton, BMW, Google, and Kanye West. About Bailey Kobe: Bailey Kobe is a graduate of the University of Southern California, well known for his commercial work, music video work, as well as the films Caterpillar’s Kimono (Ben Savage, Joey Kern), and The Babymoon (Shaun Sipos, Julie McNiven, and Jessica Camacho). He is currently adapting a high profile novel on the Must Read lists of Library Journal, Marie Claire, and Oprah magazin
All Photos Courtesy of Lil' Skinny/PerkPR
What are five things that you can't live without? Faith, family, music, guitars, hunting & fishing What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? There’s no reason for a plan B when you can find a Plan A and make it work. What's your favorite color? Camo What is your favorite movie? Almost Famous or Wayne’s World What is your favorite TV show? Yellowstone Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? At the moment, I don’t but I raised hounds most of my childhood with my dad. So I love dogs. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place to travel to and stay at is Flora - Bama. The people are so welcoming, fun and I never have to worry while staying there. What is your favorite food? Nothing beats a good Steak and Shrimp dinner. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Paul Rodgers, I would love to hear his stories and get to know the rockstar that inspires methe most. What made you want to start singing? I was always a huge fan of music from an early age. So when I got old enough to really being able to learn how it works. Singing always came the most natural to me. Where do you find inspiration for your music? Living life and trying new things. I believe if you stay in the same routine everyday that you block out any room for creativity. So I’m always looking to change it up and live life on the edge and the songs always seem to come with it. You were a contestant on American Idol (S15 and S19). Tell us what were some of the most invaluable lessons that you learned on the show? American Idol was a pivotal time for me. Right before I tried out for S15, I took part in a local singing competition called “Watermelon Idol”. I didn’t end up winning it and I thought “Man, how am I gonna cut it for American Idol if I can’t win this?” but went ahead and tried out anyway and I’m so happy I did. On S15, I met Trent Harmon and actually being from the same area, we were traveling back and forth to California together and got to know each other a bit. This was also the first time I’d been on a plane before too. It was kind of like my crash-course into the industry. I learned a lot about what it takes behind the scenes to make it as an artist. S19, I wasn’t planning on doing but my little brother wanted to try out and signed us both up for it. I ended up making it through but wasn’t on the show too long. This season taught me a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as an artist and really was what made me want to move to TN. What do you hope people take away from your music? That Lil’ Skinny is always down to have a damn good time. You have a new project,“I Got You Covered,” tell us about this project? "I Got You Covered" is my idea of a good time anthem. Jimmy Ritchey, Tommy Karlas, Justin Lantz and I had a dang good time writing this one. The Line “I got a bottle Jack Black and my daddy’s back 40” is a story I’ve lived many times haha. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Real In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Every few month I love going out to OKC and performing for the John Daly Major Ed Heart of a Lion Purple Heart Foundation that works with veterans that have served our country. It’s great people supporting great people. Being able to be apart of this has really changed my life! Who is your favorite musician and why? Stevie Ray Vaughan, the caliber of musician he was and the style he had was so incredible in my opinion. I don’t think there will be another one like him. How would you describe your fashion style? If Robert Plant was an actor in the movie Dazed and Confused. Definitely 70’s Rock and Roll. Paisley shirts, tight jeans, boots and some aviators! Let’s go! Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Definitely Jimmy Ritchey (George Strait, Mark Chestnutt, Jake Owen) He’s influenced me a lot working with him in the studio when it comes to being a musician, a singer, or just things such as work ethic. He’s really helped me sharpen my craft and always keeps it fun. I’ve also enjoyed working with guys like Glenn Worf and Chad Cromwell. It’s a dream come true for me to work with musicians that have played on iconic records like they have. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Never take no for an answer, no dream is too big. As long as you work as hard as you can and never give up. The sky is the limit. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? I would love to do a song with the Black Crowes!! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? A lot of people don’t know my real name, most just call me skinny for short. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Step away, ignore them. It’s the absolute hardest thing to do but eventually, if you focus on yourself and your dreams, your bullies won’t matter anymore. Just focus on being you. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would ask him how beautiful my family is and how are they are doing!
Songwriter and Musician, Lil' Skinny is unquestionably one truly talented musician that should unquestionably be on your radar. From American Idol to the pages of Action Magazine, we get to know this gifted young man better. And of course, we are glad that we did! Check out his interview below and don't forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of this journey!
Last two photos provided by Shakondi Lee.
What are five things that you can't live without? My guitar, my dogs, my parents, my sisters, and my songwriting What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Carpe Diem. You could just not wake up tomorrow, and your life would be over, so you must make each day count, and live life to the fullest. What's your favorite color? Blue, blue like the ocean, and blue like the sky What is your favorite movie? Interstellar What is your favorite TV show? Friends Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes, three dogs, named Nashville (Nash), Coti, and Dazey. I also had 9 chickens, but we had to give them to our friends recently. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? The British Virgin Islands What is your favorite food? Ice Cream If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Russel Dickerson. He is a great businessman in the music industry, I would love to pick his brain and see how he got to be as successful as he is. What made you want to start singing? My third grade teacher would always play guitar and sing for us after class. She inspired me to learn guitar, and I fell in love with everything about music, especially the creative aspect. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The mental health and rejection aspect. You are told no and rejected so many times in this industry. You have to be confident and strong enough to pick yourself back up and keep going when this happens. Where do you find inspiration for your music? I pull inspiration from all places in my life. Relationships, adolescence, growing up, and family to name a few. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope people can use my music to help them in their lives. If they are dealing with heartbreak, or other personal problems, I hope they can relate to it and use it to cope. You have a new project, “Bullet Proof,” tell us about this project? “Bullet Proof” is a heartbreak story about a guy who is going half crazy about his ex-relationship. He claims that she is forcing him to drown her away, and that the bartender should “call 911” should he begin to go crazy. Though in reality, it is his own doing, and the whiskey is the real thing that is causing him to go mad. I was fortunate enough to write “Bullet Proof” with my good friend, Wesley Davis, under my new label, Droptine Music. In one word, how would you describe your sound? It’s hard to say, because I value the versatility i strive for with my music, but i would have to say, “Edgy.” In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Charity work is one of my favorite parts of being a musician. I love being able to help people through doing something I love so much. I am involved with many charities in California, and have begun to get involved with charities in Tennessee as well. Who is your favorite musician and why? My favorite musician is Eric Church. He is someone who stuck to his guns throughout his whole career, and never traded originality for fame. Sticking to who you are as a person and as an artist I think is one of the most important thing in this industry. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is mildly experimental. I like to try new things, and am always looking for new ways to elevate my look and vibe. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Wesley Davis, Tommy Karlas, and Lance Miller, to name a few. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Just Go for it, and stay true to yourself. If you have a passion for music, then pursue it. Don’t be afraid to post on social media, and don’t be afraid of what your friends might say or think when you do so. The sky is the limit in this industry. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Eric Church. He has been my idol for so long, and I just think that would be mental to do a collab with him. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I actually can Beatbox pretty well. Have you ever been bullied? Especially with social media and everything, somebody always has something negative to say when you’re making moves and they aren’t. When you actively portray yourself, people try to convince you to quit your passion. Internet trolls can be very harsh, but I try not to listen to them. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Always try to remember that if someone is doing that, it is just a mechanism to cover up their own jealousy and insecurities. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell him to keep going, and stay true to who he is as a person, and as an artist.
Originally from "Surf City" Huntington Beach, CA, Timmy's journey to Nashville is a tale of passion and talent. Balancing music with school and sports, he's made waves by achieving over 1.8 million Spotify streams across his 12 song discography since 2021. Now signed with Droptine Recordings and working with the legendary Jim Catino, Timmy's latest hit "Bullet Proof" boasts over 2 million TikTok views and 175,000 Spotify streams in its first two weeks. But Timmy's talent isn't confined to the studio, he’s a born performer and has played over 300 shows to date. Whether in intimate venues or on festival stages, Timmy's live shows are a testament to his energy and charisma, captivating audiences with each strum of his guitar. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this talented individual to get to know him a lot better and we are extremely glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss one minute of this truly incredible journey!
All Photos Courtesy of Timmy McKeever/PerkPR
Photo courtesy of Walter Tabayoyong.
Talent
Alternative R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Jordana of Earth is a multi-disciplinary artist. Her sound blends contemporary R&B with Neo Soul, Electropop and Trip-Hop, alongside her constantly expanding musical talent, her creative practices include sculpture, painting, video, and installation. Her latest single, "Venom" dropped April 29, 2024. "Venom" hit 30k+ streams in the first two weeks on Spotify alone. Jordana’s career as a musician saw a promising debut in February 2020, when her first single, "Leave the Light On," produced by Jeff Crake (DVSN )hit 20k+ streams on Spotify alone. This song, along with two others, "Lies" and "I Got," were all the products of an initial session between the artist and Toronto production duo Rainer + Grimm, composed of Jeff Crake (DVSN), and Rainer Millar Blanchaer (The Weeknd). These initial works would later catch the interest of her future collaborators. She has since released 21 singles, and two EPs, crafted with the likes of Toronto producers, and now team members, Tim North (JRDN, Eldzhey), Urstruli (Roy Woods), Joff Wood (Jazz Cartier, Nate Husser), and Juno-winning and Grammy nominated mix engineer Trevor James Anderson (The Weeknd, 6lack, Dua Lipa, Rêve). Her music has been featured on a number of Spotify editorial playlists, including New Music Friday Canada, Pop All Day, Mood Ring, Sunset Chill, Chillhop, Fresh Finds, Friday Cratediggers, Outliers, and Just Vibing, with other boutique playlists such as Lovin R&B by Spinnin’ Records. Along with an interview on SiriusXM,Canada Talks, which aired July 2021. And a recent shout-out on CBC Radio One’s “Big City, Small World”, for her track Hibiscus Flower (featuring Toronto rap legend Roshin). Following the release of her debut EP 10k, Jordana of Earth hit billboard #6 for Hip Hop on the national campus radio charts, and landed #1 at CJLO in Montreal (October 2022). Spinning on radio networks across Canada, including the CBC. Recent print features include Earmilk and The Source. Her sophomore mixtape "Green Tapes" (2023) garnered much attention from Toronto’s music community. Jordana is currently on the rollout for her third project, "Illusions," scheduled for release in late summer, 2024. And following this, a two-track single, made in collaboration with LA-based Canadian producer 2oolman (The Halluci Nation, fka A Tribe Called Red). Now with several shows under her belt – including a performance at a TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) industry party (September 2022) – Jordana is gearing up for her first headliner show at Toronto’s famous downtown venue,The El Mocambo, in May, 2024. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this amazingly talented musician to get to know her better and we are extremely glad that we did! Check out her interview and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram for future events as she will be hosting a number of underground art parties with limited capacity, locations tbd. You don't want to miss out on what she is up to next!
All Photos Credit: Andrew Ferrier
Talent Spotlight with Jordana of Earth
What are five things that you can't live without? My notebook, a good pen, headphones, my laptop, a candle. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Do it now. What's your favorite color? Green. What is your favorite movie? The Neverending Story. The beauty and dreaminess of the visual aesthetic will forever be unforgettable to me. What is your favorite TV show? Cowboy Bebop. Top feature is that the soundtrack is unreal. Also, Samurai Champloo — made by the same creators as Cowboy Bebop. Both shows raised the bar for Anime as a genre, and both have iconic scores that, in my opinion, changed the game for music in general. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes — my partner and I have a French Bulldog named Moseley. I recently appointed her the title “Cheese Rabbit” because she's stinky and looks like a rabbit. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? In real life? Barcelona was the most memorable vibe overall. I also love Mexico — I like going there solo to write music on my own. In my mind? Tokyo. And Heaven. What is your favorite food? Sashimi If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Picasso. I’d love to see how he would arrange his plate. What made you want to start singing? Instinct. I’ve always enjoyed singing, since way before I had developed any skill around my singing voice. I find it the most expressive art form, because it's so natural and immediate and has the potential to express and convey so much emotion. I started taking it more seriously when I chose to move forward with this music project, which sprung from my visual art practice as an Installation Artist, when my installations began begging me for audio components to accompany them. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The most difficult thing about being a musician is also the best and most essential thing about being a musician — which is believing in yourself against all odds, every day, no matter who’s throwing doubt on you. At the end of the day, there’s only one person in the room who has to like you. Where do you find inspiration for your music? Musically, I’m inspired by the artists and genres I grew up on, which were vast and spanned across all genres. I think that's why my sound has always been its own unique blend of sounds. And lyrically, I find myself most inspired by casual talk — internal dialogue, conversational dialogue between myself and others, chat-speak (the way I might text someone, for instance), and symbolic poetry. I studied a lot of classical Mythology and classical poetry, and have always enjoyed writing prose, which allows for a more abstract appropriation of symbolism. Any symbol or image (even a colour) an artist refers to in their own work, always has some sort of historical meaning or association. I like to be mindful of this when writing, which allows me to push beyond these and choose my own meanings and distinctions, from an informed take on poetic language. What do you hope people take away from your music? Connection. I am only ever aiming to express my truth and experience, knowing there’s people out there that will. You have a new project,“Venom,” tell us about this project? Venom is the first single on the rollout for my upcoming project "Illusions". "Venom" is about seduction, and the image we portray to others too, for better or for worse. And the aspects of that image that pull people in — for better or for worse. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Moody. In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? As a multi-disciplinary artist, I have a number of passions that occupy my time. Visual art and design, from painting and drawing to costume design. Along with dance and movement. I’ve recently taken on pole dancing as a medium and have incorporated it into my performance and music project overall. Who is your favorite musician and why? My favorite contemporary musician is FKA Twigs, and my biggest reference historically would probably be Sade. How would you describe your fashion style? My style is my own unique streetstyle, which can be mashed up with more classy and formal looks. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Urstruli, a mainstay in Toronto’s music scene and one of my main collaborators, has been producing for me consistently for the past couple years. We’ve written a number of songs together including the entirety of my upcoming project, "Illusions". He also produced a track I have called "Hibiscus Flower", a sultry R&B/Hip-Hop ballad. The song features Roshin, a good friend of mine, and one of Toronto’s best rappers hands down — his writing is beyond most in the game, period. Writing with him was a breeze and the song we wrote together, "Hibiscus Flower", is one of my favs to date. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Believe in your uniqueness over everything. Your voice has never been heard, so don’t bother trying to mimic anyone else’s. It’s way less interesting. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? I would love to write to a Pharrell beat. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I’m not from this world. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, sadly. Mostly from my siblings but also from other kids growing up. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? On some level, possibly even subconsciously — they’re jealous. There’s something you have that they don’t have, and they feel the need to dominate it. Most likely it’s the fact that you are, at least in some moments, unapologetically yourself. This makes them uncomfortable. They probably care a lot about what people think of them, and to see you doing your own thing with no concern for anyone else’s opinion, makes them feel weird. So you’re probably doing something right! Keep it up If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? You’re doing great <3
All Photos Courtesy of Auburn McCormick/PerkPR
Mississippi native, Auburn McCormick is one of the most captivating independent country artists on the music scene today. Her honest lyrics and clever melodies have garnered a cult following from local audiences. She splits her time between Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, writing and performing. In her early years, McCormick was influenced by the strong voices of artists such as Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Her lyrical influences stem from the raw and down to earth lyrics from artists such as Carly Pearce and Kelsea Ballerini. McCormick’s love of music blossomed at age 15 when she taught herself to play guitar and wrote her first song. She went on to study commercial music at Trevecca University in Nashville. One of her more popular releases “Blac kand White Movie” went on to place in the 2020 International Songwriting Competition. Her most compelling artist project to date will be released later this year. Stay tuned! Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this phenomenal talent to get to know her better and we are so glad that we did! Check out her interview and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of this journey!
What are five things that you can't live without? My dog, Mexican food, music, my bf, and PINK What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Keep going! A no doesn’t mean no, it just means not yet. What's your favorite color? Normal it is turquoise but I’ve been in my pink era lately! What is your favorite movie? Phantom of the Opera What is your favorite TV show? Schitts Creek Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a dog named Bella. She is the most precious soul and I love her to death! I also live with my little nephew, a dog named Jack. He is a character lol. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Cambodia! I loved the different culture and way of life. The people were also incredibly sweet. I can’t wait to go back in the future! What is your favorite food? Queso. I would put queso on everything if I could. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Taylor Swift, I would love to pick her brain and understand how she does it all! The multiple albums, the Easter eggs, the 3 hour shows on tour…how does she do it?!?! What made you want to start singing? I have always sang, literally before I could talk. It’s been something I have been interested in since I was a little girl. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The late nights and long hours of singing. Sometimes it is keeping the creative energy flowing, but creativity is an ebb and a flow so you just have to roll with it. Where do you find inspiration for your music? My life or the lives of people around me. I love to take my experiences and put them into song form, it’s therapeutic. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope they take away joy, sadness, healing, anger. I want my songs to connect to people right where they are at. You have a new project,“Overdramatic,” tell us about this project? "Overdramatic" is my newest single! I love her! She was such a fun one to write and bring to life through production. This song is meant to be screamed at the top of your lungs to get all those emotions off your chest! In one word, how would you describe your sound? Two words- Neon Cowgirl In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? I’m passionate about the special needs community. They have always held a special place in my heart. I’ve been advocating for their inclusivity since middle school. I currently substitute teach in special needs classrooms when I’m not out doing music. Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Special needs kids and adults are often overlooked and looked down on. I believe they are capable of whatever they put their mind to! With the right attention and help, we can usher them into our world instead of excluding them. Who is your favorite musician and why? Tbh, I don’t really have a favorite. I love bits and pieces of multiple artists. How would you describe your fashion style? A little bit of edge with a little bit of girly. I’ll wear leather pants and boots with a bow in my hair. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? My favorite musicians are my musical friends. I love to collaborate with all of them and champion them in their own career. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? It’s hard lol. But don’t give up! It takes a lot of hard work and putting yourself out there even when it is out of your comfort zone. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Probably Kelsea Ballerini. She is blowing up right now and for good reason! Her authentic lyrics are really registering with people. Plus she seems super rad so I’d love to have a song with her! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I have no idea lol Have you ever been bullied? Sure have, unfortunately. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Kids are mean (and honestly so are some adults) but it is never a reflection of you. They act that way because they are uncomfortable with themselves. It’s definitely not an excuse, but remember their words aren’t about you, it’s really how they feel on the inside about themselves. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I hope you made it. I hope you have the life you have been dreaming up since you were a little girl. I hope you have the career and sell out venues. I hope you have the man and the kids running around. I hope you have the house with the white picket fence. I hope you live a long life filled with happiness and new experiences.
Photos 1 & 2 Credit: Dwayne Boyd Photography
Tiffany Elle Burgess was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1997, she received a Presidential Scholarship to Hampton University (H.U.). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from H.U. in 2001 and a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University in 2002. By day, she is a public health consultant. By night, she is an actress, producer, and writer. Ms. Burgess has written for online publications such as "Huffington Post" and "Blavity". In August 2016, she released her first children’s book, "Skin Like Mine". "Skin Like Mine" was featured in the February 2017 issue of "Essence Magazine" among other publications. In 2019, Ms. Burgess released her second children’s book, "The Adventures of Junior and Baby Brother: Spencer’s Special Gift". And in 2023, Ms. Burgess released her third book, "Decisions, Decisions". In addition to writing children’s books, Ms. Burgess writes screenplays. She is one-third of the film production company, Tyler Street Films. Her partners, Jack Manning, III and Lawrence “LAW” Watford, are also HU alums. Ms. Burgess wrote the screenplay for their debut short film, Flipped, which has been screened at film festivals across the country. Subsequently, Tyler Street has released 2 more films, Catharsis and Skin Like Mine, an animated short film in conjunction with actorpreneur, Stanley Aughtry, Jr., based on her first children’s book. Skin Like Mine Animated Short Film has been selected for film festivals around the world, including the Toronto Black Film Festival and the Africa Movie Academy Awards where the film was nominated for Best Animated Short Film. As an actress, Ms. Burgess has appeared in short films, commercials, web series, and on television (most recently ABC’s The Wonder Years). In 2023, she will make her big screen debut in the film adaptation of The Color Purple Musical in the role of Olivia. Action Magazine had the opportunity to look into this talented professional's world through our staple game of Q&A! Check out what she had to say and add her to your Instagram list of those who you are following because you don't want to miss one minute of her exciting journey!
Photos 3 & 4 Courtesy of Tiffany Elle Burgess
What are five things that you can't live without? Family, faith, friends, sports/physical activity, writing What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. What's your favorite color? Red What is your favorite movie? Love and Basketball What is your favorite TV show? A Different World What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Bermuda What is your favorite food? Salmon If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Michelle Obama because I would love to get her perspective on life and love in person. What made you want to start acting? I attended an acting class at Premiere Actors’ Network and I fell in love with the craft. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? Getting used to rejection. It comes with the territory. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? Something dramatic that challenges me. I would love to play a character that makes me step out of my comfort zone. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? You have to be OK with rejection. Do your best. Turn in your audition and let it go. Tell us about your role as Olivia, Celie’s daughter, in the film,The Color Purple? I am a fan of The Color Purple. It was such an honor to play Olivia. She is ripped away from her mother, Celie, at birth, and reunited much later in life. They come back together in the end--it is such an emotional, heartwarming scene. What was the one “learning moment” that you had on the set of The Color Purple? I learned to be and stay in the moment. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Writing. I love to write children’s books that inspire kids, especially children of color. It is important to have diversity in books as representation matters. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I am a huge fan of Viola Davis. Her story of humble beginnings to the fierce, talented, and bold actress she is today inspires me. How would you describe your fashion style? I like classy attire. I like to dress up. I also like to throw on a cute outfit with a pair of Jordans. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Fantasia Barrino and Colman Domingo What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Practice, practice, practice…Take the time to hone your skills and go for it! You never know until you try. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would love to collaborate with Ava Duvernay. She is extremely talented, and I admire her as a creative. I would love to be directed in a film by her. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I am an introverted extrovert. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I did experience bullying as a child because of the color of my skin. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Please talk to someone. Believe in yourself and know that you are special, beautiful and loved. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? You are enough and you have everything it takes to reach your goals.
What are five things that you can't live without? My kids, coffee, sunshine, animals and music What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Never give up. What's your favorite color? Green What is your favorite movie? National Lampoons Christmas Vacation What is your favorite TV show? This is tough...Shameless. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yup, Two Dogs (Eva and Walle), One Cat (Bubsie) and a bunch of sea monkeys. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Turks and Caicos What is your favorite food? Crab Legs If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Jennifer Lawrence because she cracks me up and I feel like we have the same sense of humor. What made you want to start singing? I've just always loved to sing but it was probably when I was singing along to Madonna and my dad told me that I had a good voice. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The ups and downs of the industry and the financial instability when you are starting out. Where do you find inspiration for your music? From everything I experience and everyone that I meet. I love telling stories. What do you hope people take away from your music? That life is short, go for your dreams. You have a new project, “Here I Am,” tell us about this project. "Here I Am" is a song that is written to inspire other people not to let negative experiences drag them down or dictate their life. No dream is ridiculous and we should all have the chance to go for those dreams. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Distinctive In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Ilove food. All that comes with it. Where it’s sourced, how it’s prepared, the politics behind food…everything. And I love to teach other people about nutrition and the food industry. Who is your favorite musician and why? I currently LOVE Lainey Wilson. Her personality shines through her music and stage presence. I think she’s very genuine to herself and her craft. How would you describe your fashion style? I like unique pieces of clothing…but I usually dress like a mix of bohemian country with an edge. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Gosh, this is a hard one. I’ve worked with so many great artists. It would be impossible for me to just pick one. I think my most memorable experience was working with Mary Beth Byrd from American Idol last summer. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? I would say just not to give up. It’s a really tough business and there are a lot of ups and downs. You have to remember to push past the negativity and focus on your goals. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Laney Wilson. I just really love her music and her personality. I think we would have a very fun time together. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I can wiggle the under side of my eyelids lol Have you ever been bullied? I can say that I am fortunate enough not to have been bullied growing up, however again, this industry is tough and I can say that I’ve definitely encountered some unhealthy situations and have seen other people being bullied and taken advantage of. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? I think finding really good friends and surrounding yourself with people who support you and who are genuinely interested in your well-being is crucial. Bullies exist in life, and you will encounter them all the way through adulthood. But if you have good friends to fall back on and to get help from it makes a big difference. Also learning skills to deal with bullying and skills to stand up for yourself are great to learn. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I think I was just tell myself to keep trying to be a good person, be a good friend and never give up even in the hardest times.
All Photos Courtesy of Caryn Dixon/PerkPR
Originally born in North Carolina, Caryn Dixon is one of seven children, raised in a homeschooling family that focused heavily on the arts. At four, Caryn's family moved to Pennsylvania where her parents eventually noticed her strong interest in performing and songwriting. At seven-years-old, they enrolled her in vocal and piano lessons and it wasn't long before Caryn was performing publicly in shows, that would be just the beginning of a lifelong music career. Caryn has been described as having a Classic Country/Americana voice, pitch-perfect delivery, and a captivating stage presence. Her songs are known for their catchy melodies and captivating storytelling lyrics-landing her several placements in TV and Film. Additionally, Caryn has recently had the opportunity to write for several contestants on American Idol, who will be releasing those songs in 2024. Currently, Caryn splits her time between Nashville and Central, PA, where she is writing and recording her upcoming releases and preparing for her summer tour. She has recently released her second single as an Americana/Country artist called, "Here I Am" which is streaming everywhere. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this phenomenal talent to get to know her better and we are so glad that we did! Check out her interview and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of this journey!
All Photos Courtesy of Christopher Lyons
Christopher Lyons is an actor, artist and Analogue Astronaut known for Ultimate Invasion (2022),The Watchers (2022) and other works. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this phenomenal talent to get to know him better and we are so glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of this journey!
What are five things that you can't live without? Pizza, the gym, my passport, my Microsoft Surface and my skateboard. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? No dream is too big. What's your favorite color? Green What is your favorite movie? Crimson Tide What is your favorite TV show? Chicago Med & Chicago PD Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a couple of fish named after the planets Neptune, Mars, Saturn and Pluto. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Iceland What is your favorite food? Pizza If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Levar Burton. I admire the work that he has done on film and television. I am a huge fan of Star Trek and admire his character’s role and its significance as it intersects with the commercial space industry today. Most importantly, I admire his work with Reading Rainbow and the fact that he used his platform to inspire both young and old kids alike to embrace the love of reading. His impact is impeccable. It would be an honor to have dinner with him to glean his direct insight. You have quite a bit on your resume from actor to beyond! Let’s start with acting. What made you want to start acting? My journey began through the modeling industry smiling in front of cameras since my first few months of life. I was featured in print at the first original Starbucks venue for years. Additionally, early on I was featured in print at several photography venues across the United States and online. Early on I had a love for classical music so I performed in several piano recitals. Later, I began confidently taking the stage presenting to a diverse range of audiences discussing topics that I was passionate about ranging from space to climate education. I’ve appeared in editorial print and have been spotted on NASA TV. I eventually got into theater and secured a few leading roles in plays. This was a natural progression for me to enter into the world of acting. From there one commercial audition led to another and I began to formally train and eventually picked up representation in LA and locally. I still do some editorial, model work and I have been blessed to work on some important works that will be released soon. My path into the acting world has been far from traditional, however, it has been one amazing journey. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? For me, the most difficult thing about being an actor is balancing it with the rest of my world; academics, athletics and travel. There are periods of time when things are slow then suddenly I fine myself with multiple auditions or engagements in one week. What most people see is the top of the iceberg above the surface of the water – which is equivalent to when the film hits theaters, the red carpet events, pictures of celebration and so forth. Underneath the surface, the iceberg is massive. There is a lot of time expended, continuous training, sacrifice, auditions, rejection, commitment and resources invested. I must admit, its worth it though for me when I have the opportunity to be on set. Aside from being on set to perform, I love the “behind the scenes" world and the creative technologies that go into making amazing movies and films. Being on set is so awesome. So yes, there are difficulties, however, to me, everything in life has its own unique set of difficulties and challenges. I absolutely love learning, so I try to see the difficulties as opportunities to learn something new. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? Often times I have been cast in films playing the younger version of the main characters. I enjoy these types of roles because in these roles, I have been able to authentically be myself as child during those times. So I enjoy and relate to these types of roles the most but I am always up for a good challenging role that allows me to show the range and depth of my skills. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? I would create a role where I am a space explorer/physician, navigating through the universe and at last, I arrive on the Saturn’s ocean-like, icy moon Enceladus, where I have to visit the deep-sea ocean habitat to perform a lifesaving surgery on one of the astronauts. The role would be dramatic with a StarTrek meets ER twist. I’m clearly a Trekkie so my love of science and exploration is why. In addition to acting, you are also the go-to person for any and everything “out of this world!” How did you become interested in Space and beyond? Tell us about all that you do in the realm of the @zerogravityfarmer! This is a great question! I grew up around the aerospace industry so from as long as I can remember, I have always had a love for airplanes and anything that defies gravity however, I begin to gain a deep love for space from stargazing with my dad and learning about the constellations. In addition to this, my curiosity and love for space grew exponentially as I explored the great outdoors and began to learn more about our planets diverse geography. Learning about the extreme locations on Earth and how organisms survive within these environments is something that I enjoy. It's all science and when it comes to space, I see space as another extreme environment. I began to grasp early on that things behave differently in the space environment do to limited gravity. The human body and its systems undergo changes. Plants grow differently and bacteria and fungi behave differently in low gravity environments so understanding this and how this type of research can benefit life on earth became a passion of mine. Being a science geek and all, every year, I would develop a science experiment typically focused on doing comparative analysis of something (plants or an organism) exposed to the micro gravity environments. I have worked with several plant growth experiments, been involved with bio medical experiments. One of my most recent fun projects that I got to present on a global stage involves working with physarum via (chemotaxis) and how this elusive foraging organism behaves in low gravity and non-nominal environments. I am now researching some new plant types via gene expression post exposure to extreme environments. In my spaceprenuer capacity, (alongside my parents), I have been able to work on several notable space projects and several years ago, I was instrumental in developing a first of its kind space technology that flew to space back in 2019. Lastly, I also spearheaded edtech initiatives in the past to find ways to educate, advocate and inspire change for future generations to engage in space and climate education which led to the development of my nonprofit organization. Overall, everything is connected somehow and at the center of everything is my love science and our planet. As a spacepreneur, what is the one thing that you want people to know about exploration and being an advocate for studying science? As a space entrepreneur, an explorer and advocate for studying science, one thing that I would like for people to know is that everyone can have a place in the space industry. When many people think about space careers, they tend to think about astronauts. Well if you research the academic backgrounds of astronauts, you will learn that indeed have some type of stem background however not all of them do; many of them are also artists, musicians, chefs, photographers and they have a diverse range of of artistic hobbies and interests. It takes an entire community to get humans to space and within the space community, there are opportunities abound. So yes, studying science is very important in my opinion however, its great to have balance and there are many opportunities for creatives in space. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am passionate about our planet, conservation and I have a special appreciation for our oceans and waterways which is where most of my conservation efforts are centered. The work that I do in the areas of climate education and conservation are very important considering the undeniable climate changes that we are experiencing today. These changes are impacting people and environments all over the globe in adverse ways; from record breaking temperatures to extreme weather events. We are now dealing with another coral bleaching event. While natural events are beyond our scope of control, human caused events can be mitigated and I believe that we should use our voices to do such. Jane Goodall so eloquently stated, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decided what kind of difference you want to make.” So again, I work locally and with communities across the globe to make a make difference in the world. I advocate for climate communication furthermore I enjoy serving multiple social good causes through collaboration which many are aligned with the sustainability development goals. We all have the power to lead wherever we are and volunteer to make a difference for humanity and all of the biodiversity on planet earth. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? This is a great question. It's very difficult for me to name just one favorite actor. One of my favorite actor's is Denzel Washington. His presence on screen in unmatched. Whatever role he’s in he shows up and demands your attention. Not only this, I admire his life work off-screen. He is a noble human who has done a lot of social good in communities across the globe. Tom Hanks is another one of my favorite actors. I admire his role in Forrest Gump. I believe that he embodied the character so well, that early on, I didn’t recognize Mr. Hanks as Tom. I recognized him as the character Forrest. Even now, despite whatever movie role he is playing, I still think about his role in Forrest Gump. I also like actor and director Eriq Laselle. I loved his role as Dr. Benton in ER. I also like how he pivoted his career to directing and writing. Lastly, Peter Dinklage is another favorite. I love his work as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is incredibly versatile and is tailored for different occasions. Ironically, I am most comfortable in a suit but absolutely love the sleekness of a contemporary tuxedo. I must give my amazing team credit for always making sure that I am business or red carpet ready. During some of my space and stem related events, its not unusual to see me in my flight suit. My everyday look is comfortable and a bit rebellious with my out of this world Madpax backpacks. My backpacks have uniquely become a part of my brand garnering attention when I travel around the globe. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? I’m suppose I am lucky. I have been fortunate to work with several amazing actors so in all fairness, I would like to say that all are my favorites. Additionally, I have been blessed to work with some amazing directors that have enhanced my knowledge and love of being on set. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? At this point, I don’t have a specific dream collaboration, but I do have a strong interest in collaborating with explorers who have conducted groundbreaking research of scientific significance. I enjoy history and discovery so ideally, working with filmmakers, and with networks that feature scientific stories in the field like National Geographic or the History Channel would be immensely fulfilling. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I think most people have figured out that absolutely love exploring the ocean as a diver by now but few people likely know that I am a seasoned coder and have written software for several cool projects. Have you ever been bullied? I have not been bullied directly that I can recall; however, I have observed a few bullying situations in online gaming environments and elsewhere. I have also spoken out when I witnessed a friend being bullied and stood by them to show them that they are not alone. The environments that I am typically in have zero tolerance bullying policies and we go through regular awareness training which teaches us how to recognize and deal with these type of situations. I wish that all places were like this and would love to advocate for more action towards alleviating bullying. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? I would share that its important to take bullying seriously and not simply brush it off as something that one has to tolerate. Do not internalize these situations and do not blame yourself. When someone is being a bully, they are using poor decision making skills and they are seeking attention. Once you realize this, it makes it easier to speak up and to tell the bully to stop. From there, if at all possible, ignore them and let an adult know as soon as you can. It takes great courage to walk away from bullying situations, especially hurtful ones, but when you do, you are in control. Do not feed their need for attention. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would remind myself that no dream is too big.
All Photos Credit: Denis Acoasta
What are five things that you can't live without? Kindness, laughter, Westborn Market Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies, my autographed Tom Hanks Wilson Soccer Ball, and love. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Want a friend, Be a friend. What's your favorite color? Living Color. “In Living Colour” What is your favorite movie/actor? Anything With Denzel Washington (Equalizer3), Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Meryl Streep (pickone), Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation) and John Leguizamo (BobTrevino Likes It) What is your favorite TV show? 60 Minutes and Golden Girls reruns Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Had a Border Collie named Maggie. She was the best. Our house doesn’t have an enclosed fence. So no pet for now. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Hands down Paris, France was the best. Studied the language for three months before getting there. I thought the French people were very nice. I would try to speak the language and they would immediately speaking English. What is your favorite food? Which kind? The good or the not-so-good? Good would have to be Salmon. Not so good…..pick one (Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cheesecake, Pizza…..) should I go on? If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Living or no longer living? (No longer living….Martin Luther King, Jr., James Dean, Mother Theresa, Princess Diana) You are a triple threat talent: actor, filmmaker, and recording artist. But before we get started with that, tell us about your alter ego,“CocoBean”. We must know it all! Coco Bean was born out people telling me that I couldn’t accomplish anything. People actually told me that I was “Too- Dark” in my complexion to do anything in this business. From that I thought, “Well ,I’ll so them.” So I decided to build on all that negativity and change it into a positive. With that in mind I started thinking about what is so dark, that people love and can’t do without? Answer, Chocolate & Coffee. Thus, Coco Bean was born! Let’s talk acting. How did you get started acting? What has been your favorite role to portray to date and why? Acting has always been on the radar for artistic expression. I did a few extra roles in movies as a kid. My true acting journey began when I started studying at 1st Team Actors Studio in Cleveland, Ohio. 1st Team is like a creative haven that always one to grow as an actor and artist in a non-judge mental community of self-acceptance. Favorite role(s) thus far have been in Tracie Laymon’s incredible SXSW AWARD WINNING feature film, Bob Trevino Likes It. Also, I had the honor of having industry vet, Marvin Towns, Jr. direct my short film, Swing Low. The short film has won 14 film festival awards. Next, let’s talk filmmaking. Tell us how you got started creating visual art? My first entrance into visual arts began with creating images for my music videos. Just as creating music is an emotional journey, the visualization of the accompanying video was the next emotional step. Finding the emotional vision that matched the emotional sound is always like finding perfect love. Finally, let’s talk music. How did you get with music? I started studying classical piano at the age of 6-years-old. It was a challenge growing up in the inner city playing Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. There were many days of total isolation. Being bullied was a daily occurrence. But, through all of that I found refuge in music. It was a true escape. It was a haven to hide and let creativity run free. I lost my mom to kidney failure when I was 8-years-old. Looking back now, I honestly believe that I was always protected by her spirit. You have a new project, “My Name is Coco Bean,” that features your alter ego and Snoop Dogg. Tell us about this project. SNOOOOP DOGGGG! What a blessing and a gift this project has been. Secured this feature through Matthew Markoff and Adrian Broechler. "My Name Is Coco Bean” is the debut track from my alter ego, COCO BEAN. CB is that person in all of us who has been disregarded, discounted and dismissed. COCO BEAN is a reminder to all of us to NEVER GIVE UP. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am so passionate about helping others and giving back. Sooooo many people have helped me and have been there for me in ways that I will never know. Yes, I have done charity work and I try to give back as often as I can. I don’t want to discuss the type of charity, specifically. But I know for sure that it is required to give to others. I will say that donating royalties of certain songs to organizations is a very easy action to take. How would you describe your fashion style? Individual Chic Who are some of your favorite people in the entertainment industry that you’ve worked with? John Leguizamo is one of my most recent experiences that has a monumental impact. We were on the red carpet taking press photo within that last few weeks. I was standing next to the director in the center of the frame and one of the press coordinators shouted out for me switch positions with John so that he could be in the center next to the director. Instead, John yelled back, “Nah, I’m good.” That was end of that and the photos were taken. I thanked John afterwards. He simply shrugged and said, “Hey, why not.” John Leguizamo probably had no idea that at that moment, I became a supporter for life. John Leguizamo can call on me for anything I will be right there. I will never forget his gesture of kindness. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the world of entertainment? Know who you are. Know that you are enough as you are. Don’t let the opinion of others or “standards-set-by-the-industry” define you. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? Through this interview I am officially putting this out to the Universe. I would love to collaborate with the following artists: JJ Abrams (His directorial style is so artistically vibrant, heartfelt and joyful). Denzel Washington + Antoine Fuqua (Everythingthey have done together is critical and box office gold). Tom Cruise (To be part of The Mission Impossible Franchise…..Heavvvvvvven) Meryl Streep (Just to hang out with her would be wonderful….I think we would be great friends.) What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Well,if I told you, then everyone would know. Have you ever been bullied? OMG Yessssss! What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Knowww that EVERYONE who is bullying you is doing it because they are truly broken inside! (So pray for them.) EVERYONE who is bullying you sees something in you that they deep down inside admire. I know it doesn’t make any sense but it’s true. It is so hard to grasp this when you are on the receiving end of the bullying. But please know that you are soooooo much stronger than you realize. You are sooooo beautiful. The people who are bullying you see your beauty and they can’t stand it because they truly feel they are ugly themselves. Deep down inside they truly wish they could be as beautiful as you. Know that you are truly beautiful. Know it! Know it! Also know this….I truly love each and everyone of you. There are so many of us who have survived being bullied. We know what you are going through. We are all pulling for you with all the love in our hearts. Also know that there is an incredibly strong, resilient and creative person waiting on the other side of your pain. That person waiting for you is your COCO BEAN. I am so excited for the life you are on the verge of having. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell my future self, thank you for waiting for me. Thank you for showing patience for me to become the best version of myself. Thank you for holding my hand and not holding my mistakes against me. Thank you for having faith and keeping the faith. Thank you for keeping the light on for me as I struggle through the darkness and thank you for keeping the light on for me giving me direction as I find my way home.
Growing up on the streets of Detroit was difficult for young Elam and he suffered relentless abuse. However, he was always able to find solace from his childhood troubles in his world of music and movies. Elam has had a successful career within the music and movie industry for many years now. He has succeeded with countless releases, awards, movie features and charitable givings. Now, Elam has re-emerged as his new alter-ego, Coco Bean. This creation has arisen from a culmination of Elam’s experiences and belief that every day is a gift. A gift that should be celebrated with joyous gratitude and excitement. Coco Bean’s positivity, resilience and persistence is an inspiration to us all. His message is this: “Never let what others do to you, define who you are. Never let what people say about you become the image of yourself”. “My Name Is Coco Bean”, is the first in a trilogy of releases from Coco Bean. It is a powerful song about not marginalizing people based on colour, race, national origin or orientation. Coco Bean collaborated with Anno Domini Nation for the production of this song and it was inspired and written in ten minutes after just one listen to the music. This song is a funky, 90s Hip-Hop style track, with multiple layers of synth beats, which creates an upbeat vibe. The song unfolds a story of discrimination and rejection which is delivered through poignant lyrics such as: “I’ve never fit in, too black for the whites, too white for the blacks”. But, this is also a tale of triumph. Of overcoming negativity through resilience and perseverance. The uplifting energy of this song and Coco’s dramatized vocal delivery communicates a fun and carefree attitude. Through his performance in this track, Coco perfectly conveys the message that everyday should be lived with excitement and gratitude. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this amazingly talented individual to get to know him better and we are extremely glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss out on what he is up to next!
Photo Credit: Hanna Dexter
Photo Credit: Eric Peterson
Photo Credit: Nicholas Yu
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things I can’t live without is my family of course, my dog, YouTube, Blender, and Discord What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Try your hardest, live life to the fullest. What's your favorite color? Purple What is your favorite movie? Five Nights At Freddy's What is your favorite TV show? SpongeBob Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have two pets, a Terrier named Pawley, and a Pug named Puppy. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Big Bear Lake What is your favorite food? Pizza If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Scott cawthon because we could talk about fnaf. You have a unique background spanning from gaming to animation. Tell us how you got started. I got started when I was five and made videos of me playing games and later made Roblox Studio animations and plush shorts then I converted to blender. What is the most difficult thing about doing what you do? Having absolutely no ideas for a video. You have a successful YouTube channel with over 13K subscribers. How do you keep content fresh and creative? I just keep making song and funny meme animations around every week. What is the one thing that you want people to take away from visiting your channel? Ideas for animations for their channels. What is the hardest thing about being an animator? Being stuck on what to animate. What is the one thing on your bucket list that you’d like to accomplish with animation/gaming. To be able to have content that people enjoy. In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I'm passionate about basketball because I enjoy playing it and watching it, I feel it’s important because it gives you much exercise. Who is your favorite musician and why? Queen because of it’s iconic songs. How would you describe your fashion style? I like to wear casual clothes. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into animation/gaming? I would start out by making multiple videos so people are engaged for what's to come next. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? I would love to collaborate with FGTEEV because of their among us videos. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I have had many cancelled fnaf projects besides the ones i have mentioned on my channel like a survive the night remake and a Christmas fnaf special. Have you ever been bullied? Yes many times. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Ignore it and walk away not giving the bully's attention. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell him and ask “what is my YouTube channel grown to?”
Logan Shuck is the creative force behind Logan's World, a growing YouTube channel with more than 13K subscribers. Logan’s world is celebrated for its unique Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) Blender Animations and engaging Gorilla Tag live streams. Inspired by the distinct storytelling and gameplay of FNAF—a game that paved the way for titles like Bendy and Poppy Playtime—Logan ventured into animation to explore this creativity and connect with a community that shares his passion. Influenced by renowned animators like BonBun Films and Andrew John100, he embarked on creating content that delves into the rich lore of FNAF, bringing theories and characters to life through animation. Logan's expertise extends to Blender, a complex animation tool that he has mastered. He advises newcomers to start with basic, robotic movements before progressing to more fluid animations, emphasizing the importance of natural lighting to enhance the visual appeal of their work. Connecting with fans has been the highlight of Logan's YouTube journey. Through Gorilla Tag live streams, he has formed meaningful bonds with his audience, gaining insight into their preferences and fostering a collaborative and supportive community. Looking ahead, Logan promises his viewers an array of fresh content, exploring new narratives within the FNAF universe. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this talented young man to get to know him better and we are extremely glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss out on what he is up to next!
Photo1 & 2 Credit: Brian Jones
Photo provided by Julia Culbert.
JDIFF
Check out what filmmakers are working on and more!
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa. Dozens of films from around the world are screened during this 5-day event. During the festival, downtown businesses open their doors to host panels, workshops, film screenings, parties, and more. This event attracts filmmakers and film lovers from around the world. Recognized as one of the “25 coolest film festivals in the world” AND one of the “Top 50 film festivals worth the submission fee” by MovieMaker Magazine, JDIFF gets bigger and better every year. The festival is among the Top 100 Best-Rated Festivals on FilmFreeway.com (the leading film festival submission website), and has been recognized by Variety, AAA Living, and River Travel Magazine. Since 2012, The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival has been dedicated to enriching the community and bridging cultures through the education and promotion of arts through independent film. JDIFF acknowledges emerging filmmakers from around the world and supports diverse and cause-related films.
What is the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival?
The following projects debuted as world premieres at JDIFF 2024: ADDICTED ALPHA 27 A SWAN'S SONG A TIME APART BLOCK CONFESSIONS CONTROLLO CURSES AREN'T REAL DELIRIOUS FREE PLAY IN YOUR HEAD INHERITANCE REMOTE SHIT ON YOUR LIP STOP WHINING & START WINNING THE HISTORY OF BROADCASTING THE MEN'S ROOM UNTITLED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL WELLNESS CHECK To learn more about each one of these projects or to find out how you can submit for next year's festival, visit JDIFF online!
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“Music is first, lyrics are secondary.”– Kurt Cobain
Best Future Filmmaker: Confessions - Directed by Josh Willenson Best Short: Paris 70 - Directed by Dani Feixas Roca Best Animated or Family Film: Camera - Directed by Jay Silverman Best Cast Ensemble / Actor or Actress: April Grace / Definitely Not a Monster Creative Visionary Award: Brandon Routh Best Student Film: Canta Santiago - Directed by James Valdez Best Short II: Two Villages - Directed by David Gitonga Gachanja Best Use of Music: Box Brown: A Box Marked Freedom - Music by Justin Robinson Honorable Mention: (feature or doc) The Way We Speak - Directed by Ian Ebright Honorable Mention: (Short I or II) The Magic Ticket - Directed by Yelena Krivosheyeva Best Documentary: The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane - Directed by Maureen Gosling Best Feature: Lena & Vladimir - Directed by Igor Aleksov
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Meikhel Philogene M.E.I. Recordings Contact M.E.I. now for more info!
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Music. Entertainment. Imagination. Music from MEI to YOU that WE can enjoy. M.E.I. Recordings was founded by Meikhel Philogene in 2017. We are based in Miami, FL, but we work with artists from around the globe. M.E.I. Recordings is a public relations firm, and marketing agency dedicated to discovering artists and elevating their careers from local fame to worldwide stardom. We pride ourselves on aiding artists reach their full potential, particularly focusing on career longevity and legacy. We specialize in press, playlist, television, and radio campaigns, social media marketing, branding, and everything in between. Let MEI help YOU.
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Specializing in Branding & Imaging, Social Media, Philanthropy, and Events Key Elements PR is a leading boutique Public Relations Firm. Based in the Los Angeles area, we specialize in working with individuals and companies in the entertainment industry. We'll help you develop a plan for success that integrates all of the KEY ELEMENTS of PR. We guide our clients across all channels to develop a complete marketing strategy. Discover how we can help you "Unlock the Power of YOUR Brand" Services include Branding & Imaging Red Carpet Appearances Social Media Development Philanthropy and Charity Websites and Media Event Planning
Key Elements PR represents top talent in the industry.
To date, readership/views include: Aruba, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, among others. Readership numbers are also tracked across all distribution mediums including direct views, shares, additional websites, and social media links collectively.
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Action Magazine is a bi-monthly, digital, interactive online entertainment piece that not only highlights pieces from the TAAG collection, but it shines the spotlight on young entertainers spanning, all genres from acting to YouTube personalities, and beyond. These individuals are all making a difference, putting into action the words-together, we can change the world! Demographic, Distribution, Readership: Age: 8 and up Gender: Male & Female Interests: Anti-Bullying, Acting, Modeling, Music, Fashion, Sports, Books, Poetry, Entertainment Social Media Outlets: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Distribution: Action Magazine is exclusively available online via the Action Magazine website at www.actionmagazine.org. Visitors may also access the magazine through our social media links and the website of Gabriel L. Silva,www.gabelsilva.com. Readership: Action Magazine has both a national and international readership that is tracked across all distribution mediums including direct views, shares, additional websites, and social media links.
Want to reach a unique audience with your product and/or services? Think about advertising with us! We offer competitive rates with a potential world-wide reach. Contact us today!
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Thank you to all of our national and international readers! Welcome to the family!