Walid Chaya is an actor, director, writer and teacher who worked in Richmond before moving to Los Angeles. He’s acted in TV shows and movies, as well as directed shorts and taught acting classes. Our lively discussion includes:
– Getting inspired as a child in Lebanon
– How he got to Richmond
– Moving to LA
– Being cast in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles
– Working on “Madam Secretary”
– Getting burned to death by Neo-Nazis
– Working with a dialect coach on “Blacklist: Redemption”
– Sitting in a makeup chair for 3 hours
– His shorts and upcoming feature

LINKS
Walid’s website
Driving Ms. Saudi
Darn It Darla
Crazy Rich Arabs
Lights, Camera, Conversation podcast
My podcast with Constance Wu

“Bad Shabbos” is a comedy about family that gathers for the traditional Shabbos dinner, when the son brings his new Catholic girlfriend. That’s just the beginning of what happens before it takes a surprising turn. Zack Weiner co-wrote this film with his director Daniel Robbins. It will be the first film playing at the 17th annual Israel and Jewish Film Festival at the Weinstein JCC. There will be a Red Carpet Opening Night Premiere Party on January 8 with Zack attending. Today, Zack will talk about:
– Starting his work relationship with director Daniel Robins
– Creating a BDSM video to run for City Council
– How much of story was from his life
– Sharing his scripts with his mother & father, co-creator of “Dora the Explorer”
– Casting Kyra Sedgwick & Method Man
– Shooting on location in New York
– His upcoming script on chess boxing

LINK:
The Israeli & Jewish Film Festival

Hard Light Cinema is run by 8 cinephiles who screen independent and international films in various venues around Richmond. Since founding last November, they’ve screened 35 films. They have 3 slated for January and the first is Frederick wiseman’s 1968 documentary “High School” (free at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 1/4, 2pm). For this interview Lewis Peterson, Warner West & Syd Miller join me to talk about:
– Who they are and how they got into cinema
– Hard Light’s beginning
– How it’s grown in 2 years
– Deciding what films to show
– Slow cinema
– How they finance the screenings

LINKS
Hard Light Cinema website
Instagram @hardlightrichmond