We asked some of the most talented folks in the community to talk to us about projects they’ve worked on that they still think about, projects that really meant something. Have you had such an experience? Are you looking for inspiration for your next project? Check out the stories below, they are exciting, entertaining, and most importantly – inspiring.

Dr. Lani Cupchoy

ne of the most rewarding experiences I have received is leaping into the Indie Filmmaking world. I did not go to a fancy film school – I learned camera work, editing, audio work, music production, etc, along the way through colleagues, tutorials and lots of ‘working through the process’ on my own. I turned from oral history interviewing for my academic work to filmmaking and fell in love with this format instantly because of its emotionally engaging appeal to audiences. Read more>>

Emily Dukes

In the past few years I’ve started a project I’m particularly passionate about with Noé Zagroun, a phenomenal French producer and pianist I met while studying at Berklee College of Music. We’ve been writing and releasing songs and the latest came out at the end of June. It’s an indie-pop song called “Head Down” and it’s inspired by the story of a 50s housewife stuck in her marriage with a careless husband. Read more>>

Udele Pandya

The most meaningful cake I ever made was for the late Congressman Sam Johnson. The cake I created celebrated the 40th Anniversary of his release as a Prisoner of War. I was honored when they invited us to stay for the reception. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as he recapped his struggles as a POW for 7 years with half of that time in solitary confinement. Read more>>

Raimondo Rossi

I remember a series of projects full of meaning for our society that I have created in recent years. The last one, for which a historical museum in my hometown of Rome dedicated a solo exhibition, was a photographic journey that at the same time speaks about the meanings of fashion history, inclusivity and diversity, acceptance, and strongly rails against all forms of bullying. Read more>>

Jeff Victor

I’ve been working on two meaningful things in the past few years. One is I was hired in Oct 2022 at my dream company, Funko, hired to design Funko Pops, mystery minis, and other collectibles. If you’re familiar with my years of doing my Pop Culture Evolution series, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with turning just about every pop culture character into a cute and cuddly version of itself. Read more>>

Paul Lauden

“Channel Surfing” is more than silly sketch videos. I created all 30 of my shorts after my Cancer recovery. It was my therapy. It was my focus. It gave me direction. By giving my full attention to making people laugh, I overcame my physical and mental struggles. Thanks to “Channel Surfing”, I kept creating for a full decade…It brought me joy, purpose and adventure! Read more>>

Holly Pavlik

One of the more meaningful projects I’ve been a part of is the live-action film “The Seahorse Trainer” where I served as Editor and Co-Producer. This was a very ambitious project due to the VFX work that was required and the minimal budget and crew we had available to make it. The film had a full CG character and no VFX pipeline to accommodate, but as a team we were able to come together and build a guerrilla-style workflow that allowed us to complete the project successfully with polished, high-end results. Read more>>

Samuel Isaiah Hunter

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to play in the only show operating in the country and quite possibly the world, “The Stranger Things Drive-into Experience.” It wasn’t just the role that was meaningful; the relationships formed during the nine-month run are what truly changed my life. During the run of the show, I battled with an extremely dark period in my life, and there’s no telling where I would be without the help of those I was blessed enough to meet through out the run. Read more>>

TEHANA WEEKs

Almost a decade ago a friend, co-worker, and accomplished filmmaker, Eric Michael Kochmer, suggested I check out the film collective We Make Movies. He went on and on about how great the group was, about how they’re doing cool things and about how the collective was poised to become a major player in the film industry (“so I should join sooner rather than later”). For many reasons, I didn’t go. Read more>>

Rita Leduc

I am currently in the final phases of installing an exhibition at Plymouth State’s Museum of the White Mountains entitled Extending Ecology: Making Meaning with The White Mountains. The exhibition was born from an ongoing collaboration between myself, ecologist Dr. Rich Blundell, and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Our intention is to function as emissaries of the forest, sensing nature’s intelligence and offering it back into the world. Read more>>

Becca Dwyer

One of the first wall murals I did was a mashup of Star Wars / Harry Potter / Lord of the Rings for a friend’s nursery room. This was the first time I took a project from conception to completion all by myself, and to do it all in one weekend was exhilarating. As part of my practice, I also like to make videos and blog posts about my projects to share with other creatives or those generally interested in the arts. Read more>>

Manuel Lozano

Late last year I produced my first full feature. The movie is called “Isabel’s Garden” and it’s currently in post production but will soon be in film festivals. Kit Rich, my wife, wrote and directed it. It’s a hopeful family drama that pulls at your heartstrings and has a beautiful message to all types of families. Read more>>

Corey Laury

To date, my debut vocal rap album Preston & Wolfe ( named after the street intersection of the therapy office I went to where its located ) continues to hold a dear place to my heart. I started working on the album back in 2017 after going to therapy for the first time ever in my life after negative emotional experiences. I’m thankful for the people that supported me in going. The session was a free one, the therapist and my uncle were friends so he looked out for me. Read more>>

Diego Lopez

Two years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Shoshana Johnson, a trailblazing figure as the first black female POW in United States history. Her remarkable story, which I was previously unaware of, deeply moved me. With utmost respect, I approached her and requested the honor of crafting a scripted movie based on her life. She graciously granted me the privilege to proceed, and thus, my journey began. Read more>>

Fjolla Nushi

The most meaningful project I’ve had the privilege to be a part of is undoubtedly my brother’s debut feature film, titled “I Love You More.” This project holds a special place in my heart not just because of its artistic value, but because it is deeply rooted in our family’s history and personal experiences. Read more>>

Sankofa B. Soleil

If someone were to have asked me this question a few years ago, I likely would’ve focused my answer on a work-at-center approach. As an artist/activist I have had the pleasure of devoting my craft and my time to some very impactful campaigns. Many of my creative contributions have been implemented amongst some very high-profile historical movements of our time –Ferguson Uprising, Parkland Mass Shooting, March for Our Lives, Poor People’s Campaign, to name a few. Read more>>

Randi Matushevitz

In 2021 I conceived Real Art for Real People, an ongoing performative social engagement project that puts original art in the hands of more people, reaching beyond socio/economic barriers, because everyone deserves something unique and special. Read more>>

Andrea Dalfino

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role as a creative in our co-production company Newscapes Entertainment is the opportunity to select and be part of projects that have a meaningful impact on both the audience and society at large. To me, a meaningful project is one that transcends boundaries of genre and entertainment, touching the hearts and minds of viewers while delivering a powerful message relevant to today’s canons. Read more>>

GLOBAL COUTURE US

Our main objective is to promote creativity in pieces that celebrate the history, customs, and cultures of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. This is the moment when brands can sell tourism of their country through pieces inspired by the cultural costumes of each country of origin or descent. Read more>>

SOOJUNG

The first musical project I put out was entitled, “DOE,” consisting of six tracks near and dear to my heart. I worked with DJQ to mix and master the project, and Bradleyfromaz on the production. CAZO also lended her vocals to one of the singles, “yeowoo 여우”, The project drew from my experiences of loneliness in relationships, and the deep hollow feeling of being unseen. Read more>>

Ludo Smolic

My art has always been an extension of myself, a way to express myself without using words. By far my most meaningful project to me was when I had a solo gallery show at the &Gallery in Tucson, Arizona and I focused on my life and who I am as a person, both good and bad. To be able to have a whole show, and be vulnerable in a way I never have before and with so many pieces that I created that meant so much to me, it was a beautiful project I got to work on. Read more>>

Catalina Guirado

After my father, Juan Antonio Guirado, passed in 2010 I took on the task of looking after his art estate and endeavoring to restore his name in fine art. He had withdrawn himself from the major art world having become disillusioned by it, though he was one of Spain’s rising stars throughout the 1970s with international exhibitions, awards, and critical acclaim (although he continued to paint until his death he only exhibited locally in Spain from the 80s). My parents separated when I was seven resulting in my moving to England with my Mother and I did not have any contact with him until I was in my late 20s. Read more>>

Robyn Gardenhire

As a dancer of color in the Ballet world I had not experienced any real racism until I joined American Ballet Theater I was hired by Mikail Baryshnikov, but he departed the company the week after I was hired and my dream became a nightmare I was the only African American women in the company I had danced principle soloist roles before and now I was given understudy parts behind an 18yr. first-year company member I had danced with Joffrey II, and Cleveland Ballet for 10 years. I was fired from ABT they said for financial reasons I would have not stayed regardless of their reasons. Read more>>

Brad Koepenick

A 24 Film V A L and Cinema Twain with Val Kilmer. But if you truly ask either of us, It’s SparkRise. I can point to SparkRise, as it’s a culmination of decades worth of work in Marketing, Arts Education, Film, Media and Entertainment and it integrates all the impactful things we love most including Technology, Philanthropy and Non-Profit work. SparkRise is in a truly exciting new phase after merging recently and our team has decades of experience in Business, Finance, Cause Marketing, Technology and Fundraising. Read more>>

Brien Dougherty

The most meaningful project for me was “Sweetwater” (2023), directed by Martin Guigui. It was my first film after moving to Los Angelese and it really influenced my career trajectory. The film brought to life the journey of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, one of the first African-Americans to play in the NBA, showing the challenges he faced as he broke race barrier in the NBA. Having a role in this story was both an honor and a huge responsibility. Read more>>

Shaun Piccinino

This is a tough one to answer as I have several projects that are so meaningful to me for different reasons. Read more>>

Yan Shao

Life in the Ashes is a series of photographs taken in 2020 that explore the complex relationship between wildfires, climate change, and forest regeneration. There were severe wildfires struck California that year. I lived in Bay Area at that time, and I still recall the orange sky, from east to west, full of smoke and dust. Read more>>

Benjamin Scholz

The most meaningful project I worked on was my 2014 album release “Shiny Metal Objects”. It isn’t the best music I’ve ever created, but it represented a turning point in my career. Read more>>

Nancy Hays

I believe that my latest release and music video, Heart Like a Train, is the most meaningful project I have ever worked on. This song has a very unique history. Releasing it involved me working in collaboration with many of my favorite artists, including my beloved daughter, actress Caroline Heffernan. Read more>>

Tamara Houtveen

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about the meaning of projects instead of taking on every project to work on. I care very much about sustainability and I find it sad to see that products I create artwork for are of poor quality or are made to last a short amount of time. That is why I look more critically at which products I work on and whether I think the product has added value. Read more>>

Joan Pauls

When you make films, everything you do is mixed with your own life. And when you participate in projects that transcend the screen, even more so. That is why being able to direct the short film I DON’T WANT TO BE A HERO has been a privilege and a great responsibility. Read more>>

Will Kim

Three most meaningful projects/films I have made are 1. Dear My Son Read more>>

Billy Kheel

My most meaningful project is my latest series of fabric landscapes. I started this project in Italy, where my wife’s family is from and a place we’ve been lucky to be able to go to for several summers. When I go, I am very inspired by the landscapes I see there – the olive groves, the rocky beaches and the cities with such ancient buildings. I always feel the urge to sketch what I see there. Read more>>

Hannah Leigh

The first time I walked into The Troubadour was years after I had already decided it was going to be a part of “Hannah’s Ultimate Music Success Road Map.” It was 2019, and I had just released my first EP. I was hungry for inspiration, and I showed up to every single show I was invited to. I was in complete awe to discover that a mutual friend was performing on one of the most influential stages in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Maya Rosalia

I am currently working on my next single, which is a original song which I’ve worked on with a composer. This song is very cinematic and has a lot of orchestral elements. When I played it for others, they said it reminds them of a Disney movie or film score. Read more>>

Matthew Solomon

My most recent project, directing and producing the documentary film “Reimagining Safety,” is easily my most meaningful project to date. This is really the result of my life experiences and all of the different talents and skills that I have acquired over the years. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I love LA, and at an early age, I saw the disparities that exist regarding safety and resources based on racial, religious, and economic factors. Read more>>

Victor Wilde

There are always meaningful projects happening and n my career. My favorite was the 2018 LAFW show we did at The Petersen Auto Museum. My brand Bohemian Society closed Fashion Week with the most inclusive, eclectic show I’ve ever produced. Our backstage was legend. All the models from the other shows came to hang with us because we were getting hype. Read more>>