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PHOTO GALLERY Zoom Workshops 2020

PHOTO GALLERY Judith In & Out Of The Studio

PHOTO GALLERY Short Film Screenings

PHOTO GALLERY Q&A Series

PHOTO GALLERY Stage Productions


 

Zoom Workshops 2020

At the end of April 2020, once it was clear that we'd be dealing with COVID-19 restrictions for a while, I started doing free Q&A Zoom workshops, and continued through the summer. Wasly Castillo was the person who suggested this and took charge of organizing the weekly get-togethers - I couldn't have done it without him. Participants said they got useful information from these events, but, more importantly, they experienced a connection to fellow artists that they were craving. I know these virtual gatherings were essential for me at that time - helping me keep my focus and my joy.   

Zoom Session Zoom Session Zoom Session

Zoom Session Zoom Session Zoom Session

Zoom Session Zoom Session Zoom Session

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Judith In & Out Of The Studio

Judith and Michael Wiese

workin

Judith at the studio

Ava DuVernay

With students of Judith’s course at USC School of Cinematic Arts, spring semester 2014.

Shana

signing book

box from blizzard

international bookstore amsterdam

At the Binger

Pico

DnA

Seattle

Holiday Party

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Short Film Screenings

In 2004 we started screening the films of our students at the Studio. As often as possible we'd put together a slate of five or six short films - the events were not curated - the only requirement was that either the director or at least one of the actors had to be a current or former student. We thought of it as the Motor Avenue Studio Randomly Scheduled, More-or-Less Ongoing Festival of Shorts. Between 2004 and 2015, when the Studio closed, we had over 35 of these events - high quality films and full houses for every screening - it was glorious! Once in a while we remembered to take pictures of the Q&A's afterwards, which were always helpful and inspiring - and the parties that followed...

9-11-14 Shorts Night featuring the work of Bobby Naderi, Mojean Aria, Josh Soskin, Gabriel Olson, Tim Guinee, and Charles Haid

     
 

8-20-13 Shorts Night featuring the work of Jessie Kahnweiler, Genevieve Farrell, Deja Prem, David Anderson, Craig Ouellette, Barry Gribble, Sophia Medley, Myko Olivier, Laura Manchester, Netta Most

Netta, Judith, Laura   David   Deja
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)                                                  

3-19-13 Shorts Night featuring the work of Alexa-Sascha Lewin, Dominic Rains, Rey Goyos, Christine McGraw, Rachel Fleischer, Susan Morgenstern, Valerie Edwards, Camille Natta, Andrew Patrick Ralston, Brian Konowal, Benj Thall, Craig Ouellette, Phil McCarty

Shorts night 3-19-13   3-19-13   
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

12-4-12 Shorts Night featuring the work of Eric Tozzi, Vince Duque, Phil Kaufmann, Christine DiTillio, Jacquelyn Frohlich, Lia Chapman, Susan Ateh, Lily Baldwin, Michael Callahan, Brandon Bales, Bo Price

12-4-12   12-4-12   12-4-12
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

3-13-12 Shorts Night featuring the work of Juha Hippi, Hanna Andersson, Thor Gold, Chris Folkens, Brenda Lee Lau, Steven Nevius, Kajsa Ribbing, Kenny Hargrove, Josh Soskin

3/13/12   3/13/12   3/13/12
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

5/3/11 Shorts Night featuring the work of Michael Callahan, Lucy Rodriguez-Hanley, Jake Viramontez, Jenna Macari, Jon Hill, Devi Snively, Roy Cohen

5-3-11   5-3-11   5-3-11
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

2/10/11 Shorts Night featuring the work of Danny Kastner, Christine and Robert DiTillio, David Jackson Willis, Eric Watson, James Oliver, Karen Aschenbach, Kinan Kotrash, Paul Emami, David Orr, Stephanie Hubbard

2-11-11   2-11-11   2-11-11
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

7/15/10 Shorts Night featuring the work of Wendy Dallas, Craig Ouellette, Jessica Lancaster, Steven Lee Allen, Alexa-Sascha Lewin, Michael Carberry, Jeff Elam, David Jackson Willis

7-15-10   7-15-10   7-15-10
                                                                                               (more photos from this event)

4/28/10 Shorts Night featuring the work of Josh Soskin, Donal Thoms-Capello, Bruce Guido, Tarique Qayumi, Brendan O’Malley, Allison Beda

4-28-10   4-28-10   4-28-10
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

3/4/10 Shorts Night featuring the work of Sarah Adina Smith, Christine McGraw, Liz Laird, Jasmine Kosovic, Liz Adams, Insung Hwang, Deja Prem, Fanny Veliz, Hanna Andersson, David Jackson Willis

3-4-10   3-4-10   3-4-10
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

1-18-10 Shorts Night featuring the work of Robert Rippberger, Craig Ouellette, Alexandra Nowak, Jeff Elam, Brian Harris Krinsky, Gabriel Romero, Donna Wheeler, Cole Barager, Jeremiah Ocañas, Fanny Veliz

1-18-10   1-18-10   1-18-10
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

9-21-09 Shorts Night featuring the work of Stephanie Argy, Alec Boehm, Donal Thoms-Cappello, Courtney Graff Lamb, Allan Rabinowitz, Allison Beda, Daniela De Carlo, Kelly Doherty, Craig Ouellette, Catherine Oyster, Johanna Watts, Jordan Engle, Stephen Spiegel, Glenn Ripps.

9-21-09   9-21-09   9-21-09
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

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Q&A Series

These Q&A's were amazing events, more fully described - with notes from each event - here. After the formal Q&A, we always stayed to hang out with the Guest speaker, and with each other. Here are some snaps...

9/4/12 Q&A with director DAVID JACOBSON 

  David Jacobson   David Jacobson
                                                                                              (more photos from this event) 

 

2/1/12 Special comedy night with Director BRIAN ROBERTS

Brian Roberts   Brian Roberts   Brian Roberts
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

1/11/12 Q&A with Television Director SEITH MANN

Seith Mann   Seith Mann   Seith Mann
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

7/7/11 Screening and Q&A - “The Red Machine”

The Red Machine   Red Machine   The Red Machine
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)   

 

6/6/11 Q&A with television director FRED TOYE 

Fred Toye   Fred Toye   Fred Toye
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)       

 

4/12/11 Q&A with Television Director MICHAEL NANKIN

Michael Nankin   Michael Nankin   Michael Nankin
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

12/7/10 Q&A with Videogame Director TOM KEEGAN

Tom Keegan   Tom Keegan   Tom Keegan
                                                                                              (more photos from this event) 

 

11/12/10 Screening – “Like Dandelion Dust” plus Q&A with director JON GUNN

Jon Gunn   Jon Gunn   Jon Gunn
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

9/28/10 Q&A Series with Lionsgate Executive MICHAEL YOUN

Michael Youn   Michael Youn   Michael Youn
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

6/16/10 Q&A with Animation/Narrative/Commercials Director VICKY JENSON

Vicky Jenson   Vicky Jenson   Vicky Jenson
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

4/14/10 Q&A with Television Director NORMAN BUCKLEY

Norman Buckley   Norman Buckley   Norman Buckley
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

2/25/10 Q&A with Film and Television Director JOHN BADHAM

John Badham   John Badham   John Badham
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

1/12/10 Q&A with Television Producer/Director LARRY TRILLING

Larry Trilling   Larry Trilling   Larry Trilling
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

11/12/09 Q&A with Writer-Director MARK FERGUS

Mark Fergus   Mark Fergus   Mark Fergus
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

10/19/09 Q&A with Filmmaker ANDREW JARECKI

Andrew Jarecki   Andrew Jarecki   Andrew Jarecki
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

10/12/09 Q&A with Writer-Director SHANA FESTE and CAA Agent BRIAN KAVANAUGH-JONES

Shana Feste   Shana Feste   Shana Feste
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

9/29/09 Q&A with Television Director LEV L. SPIRO

Lev Spiro   Lev Spiro   Lev Spiro
                                                                                              (more photos from this event)

 

8/12/09 Q&A with writer-director DOUG ATCHISON

Doug Atchison   Doug Atchison   Doug Atchison
                                                                                              (more photos from this event) 

 

6/25/09 Audition Demonstration by writer-director BILLY RAY

Billy Ray   Billy Ray

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Stage Productions

When I first walked into the Motor Avenue Studio in 2001, and saw the gorgeous high cielings, I knew we had to do some theater. For several years, the studio mounted plays, acted and co-directed (with Judith as the other co-director) by students. 
Round One
In The Public Domain
March 22-April 13, 2002
Photos by Dorka
Mary Pringle, Max Bretos, Rachel Toles,
"The Bear" 



 
Max Bretos, Rachel Toles,
"The Bear"



 
Melissa Timme,"The Stronger"




 
Melissa Timme, Katharina Wressnig,
"The Stronger"



 
Amanda Sickler, Sean Foley,
"How He Lied To Her Husband"




 
Amanda Sickler,
"How He Lied To Her Husband"



 

Sean Foley, Bernard Van Bilderbeek,
"How He Lied To Her Husband"
 
Round 2
May 10-June 8, 2002
Photos by Dorka



 

Melissa Timme, Amanda Sickler,
Jessica Cunningham




 
Amanda Sickler, Melissa Timme




 
Melissa Timme




 
Amanda Sickler




 
Jessica Cunningham




 
Melissa Timme




 
Todd Malta, Dave Clark, Chip Sickler




 
Dave Clark, Chip Sickler




 
Todd Malta




 
Dave Clark, Chip Sickler




 

Chip Sickler, Dave Clark
 
Round 3
Memory and Imagination
July 26-August 17, 2002
Photos by Scott Libol

 

Morgan Vukovic, Jack Noonan
"Waltzing DeNiro" 



 
Tara Ciabattoni, Morgan Vukovic
"Waltzing DeNiro"



 
Tara Ciabattoni, Jack Noonan
"Waltzing DeNiro"



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek




 
Kristin Lorenz



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Kristin Lorenz




 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Kristin Lorenz




 
John Hoskins, Mary Pringle




 
John Hoskins, Mary Pringle



 
Mary Pringle, John Hoskins
 
 
Round 4
September 7-November 23, 2002
Photos by Dorka

 



 

John Hoskins, Mary Pringle



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, John Hoskins, Mary Pringle,
Amanda Sickler, Brian O'Brien



 
Brian O'Brien



 
Amanda Sickler



 
Todd Malta, Mary Pringle



 
Amanda Sickler, Todd Malta, Mary Pringle, Max Bretos


 
Amanda Sickler, Max Bretos, Todd Malta



 
Amanda Sickler, Todd Malta



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Max Bretos



 
Amanda Sickler, Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Max Bretos



 
Max Bretos, Bernard Van Bilderbeek



 
Amanda Sickler, Max Bretos, Mary Pringle,
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Melissa Timme



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Melissa Timme



 
Mary Pringle, Max Bretos



 
Max Bretos, Mary Pringle



 
Max Bretos, Melissa Timme



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Chip Sickler, Max Bretos



 
Chip Sickler



 
Todd Malta, John Hoskins, Mary Pringle, Max Bretos, 
Chip Sickler, Bernard Van Bilderbeek,
Melissa Timme, Brian O'Brien



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Max Bretos, John Hoskins,
Mary Pringle, Dave Clark



 
Todd Malta, Amanda Sickler, Bernard Van Bilderbeek, 
Dave Clark, Mary Pringle, John Hoskins, Brian O'Brien



 
John Hoskins, Dave Clark, Amanda Sickler, Max Bretos, 
Todd Malta, Mary Pringle, Chip Sickler, Brian O'Brien,
Melissa Timme, Bernard Van Bilderbeek



 
Judith at the chalkboard



 
Einstein at the chalkboard

 

Round 5
Isn't it Romantic?
March 1-29, 2003
Photos by Dorka

 

 

Chris Backus, Adam Sneller



 
Johanna Watts



 
Adam Sneller, Todd Malta, Jean Bradshaw, Johanna Watts



 
Jean Bradshaw, Adam Sneller



 
Chris Backus



 
Adam Sneller, Todd Malta, Chris Backus


 
Ryan Williams



 
Ryan Williams, Samantha Bahramian



 
Ryan Williams, Samantha Bahramian


 
Ryan Williams, Samantha Bahramian


 
 

"Benjamin Splits"
by Seth Jaret

 

 

Augi Caimi, Bernard Van Bilderbeek



 
Bernard Van Bilderbeek, Chris Backus



 
Margo Hara, Bernard Van Bilderbeek



 
Ruthie Frank, Chris Backus



 
Margo Hara, Augi Caimi,
Ruthie Frank, Bernard Van Bilderbeek



 
Margo Hara
 
Round 6
Dreams and Nightmares
July 18-August 9, 2003
Photos by Dorka

 

"The Battle Of Bull Run Always Makes Me Cry"
by Carole Real

 

Ruthie Frank, Kim Garcia, Morgan Vukovic



 
Ruthie Frank, Kim Garcia, Morgan Vukovic



 
Ruthie Frank, Ryan Williams



 
Ryan Williams, Ruthie Frank



 
Ruthie Frank


 
Kim Garcia, Morgan Vukovic



 
 
 

"Peace In Our Time"
by Larry Cadman

 

 

John Hoskins, Joel King



 
Joel King, John Hoskins



 
John Hoskins, Joel King



 
John Hoskins, Joel King



 
John Hoskins, Joel King


 
John Hoskins, Joel King


 
 
 

"I Dream Before I Take The Stand"
by Arlene Hutton

 

 

Sean Foley, Amanda Sickler



 
Sean Foley, Amanda Sickler



 
Sean Foley, Amanda Sicklerg



 
Sean Foley, Amanda Sickler



 
Amanda Sickler, Sean Foley


 
Sean Foley, Amanda Sickler


 
 
 

"Company Man"
by Michael Alan Wright

 

 

Michael Wright



 
Michael Wright



 




 




 
 
 
Round 7
Flower Murderer
September 28-November 9, 2003
Photos by Dorka

Written and Performed by Sabrina Stevenson

 




 




 




 




 




 




 




 




 




 

 
Round 8
I Love You...and Other Half-Truths
July 9-31, 2004
Photos by Panos Skoulidas

"The Author's Voice"
by Richard Greenberg

 

Jamie Damron, Henry Maguire



 
Henry Maguire, Sean Foley



 
Sean Foley



 
"Brother"
by Mary Gallagher

 
Binky Van Bilderbeek, Gina Hieber



 
 

"Perfect"
by Mary Gallagher

 

 

Renee DeBevoise 


 
Eric Peter-Kaiser, Renee DeBevoise



 
Amanda Sickler, Renee DeBevoise
 
 
Round 9
"Mrs Cage"
by Nancy Barr
March 18-May 7, 2005
photos by Dorka Hegedus and Cat Gwynn

 

 

John Burton, Jr. and Judith Weston



 
John Burton, Jr. and Judith Weston



 
Judith Weston



 
John Burton, Jr. and Meredith Flynn



 
John Burton, Jr. and Meredith Flynn



 
John Burton, Jr. and Meredith Flynn

 

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  • “I am eternally grateful for your help.”

    TAIKA WAITITI, writer-director, JOJO RABBIT, THOR RAGNAROK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, BOY, EAGLE VS SHARK, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
  • “I took a seminar with an acting teacher named Judith Weston. I learned a key insight to character. She believed that all well-drawn characters have a spine, and the idea is that the character has an inner motor, a dominant, unconscious goal that they’re striving for, an itch that they can’t scratch. I took to this like a duck to water.”

    ANDREW STANTON [from his Feb 2012 TED Talk] writer-director, FINDING DORY, WALL-E, FINDING NEMO, A BUG’S LIFE; director, BETTER CALL SAUL, STRANGER THINGS; writer, TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, TOY STORY 3
  • "Judith's method is wonderful because it is practical. She has given me numerous tools to solve problems on the set and to earn the trust of actors. Her classes and her book are invaluable resources to any director."

    LAWRENCE TRILLING, director, GOLIATH, RECTIFY, PARENTHOOD, MASTERS OF SEX, PUSHING DAISIES, DAMAGES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NIP/TUCK, MONK, SCRUBS, INVASION, ALIAS, FELICITY
  • "Thank you for teaching me how to direct actors. Taking your classes made me believe I could direct. Taking your classes gave me a base, a foundation, a framework to find my own style. To step out on faith. I'm forever grateful. Love and respect to you, magnificent Judith Weston." 

    AVA DuVERNAY, director, WHEN THEY SEE US, QUEEN SUGAR, A WRINKLE IN TIME, SELMA, SCANDAL, MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
  • "Everything you taught me was more than useful. I am deeply grateful."

    ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU, director, THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN, BIUTIFUL, BABEL, 21 GRAMS, AMORES PERROS