Why Creative Spotlights?
Creative Spotlights interviews serve as valuable advice for others looking to be successful in the entertainment and arts. We find out what steps some of the most successful names in the Arts and Entertainment industries have done to make it the top. We also interview indie artists to help give an indie artist perspective on what steps they are taking to get their name out there. We hope to serve as a valuable resource for inspiration to those in the arts and to help encourage people to follow their creative passions.
Meet The Staff
Brandon Shain – Director of Video Production
Brandon first joined the Creative Spotlights team in the Fall of 2012. As the Director of Video Production, Brandon oversees all video content made for and/or by Creative Spotlights. His expertise in the video production field makes him an integral part of Creative Spotlights and their mission. By creating series such as “The Spotlight,” “Day in the Life,” and “Studio Sessions,” Brandon hopes to help aspiring artists. Along with Dani and the rest of the team, Brandon is excited to see what the future holds for Creative Spotlights. Brandon is currently a student at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, working towards a degree in Film & Media Arts. He is very involved with the Philadelphia film community and is a member of the Pennsylvania Film Industry Association. To-date, Brandon has directed three feature-length films and plans to complete several more films before graduating. His portfolio also includes interview web-series, commercials, live performance video recording, music videos, and other short films.
Shawn Duross: The Spotlight Podcast MC
Shawn Duross is a 2013 graduate of the New England School of Communications in Bangor, ME with a bachelors degree in communications technology. Shawn spent his time at NESCom learning about live sound, entertainment productions, wiring and electronics, and radio. He has been a DJ on 89.3FM WHSN Bangor for the duration of his time at NESCom and hopes to find a side job in radio. He also runs a mobile DJ group doing weddings and similar events, as well as designing laser-light shows for local bands. He’s funny, he’s loud, and he uses it to his advantage to get the job done, and, above all, put a smile on everyone’s face.
Jenna Roberts
London is the place I have called home for over 10 years. Still to this day, I am overwhelmed by the amount of creative and talented people I come in contact with on an almost daily basis; People with an innate message that they want to share with the world. Whether it is art, music, writing or any other kind of creative outlet, I am fascinated and intrigued by people’s passion. Working with Creative Spotlights, I hope to utilize my own passion for writing to provide insight into the magic that is creativity. Originally from a small town in the Welsh valleys, I moved to London to study English Language at King’s College; A move that would change my life forever. Currently working for Sony Picture Television International, I like to divide my free time between freelance writing, obsessively listening to electronic music, and volunteering with the homeless community of London.
Ben Breuner
Ben Breuner is a journalism student at Northwestern University. His writing and photography has been published by California Watch, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Daily Northwestern, International Bowling Industry Magazine and The Emcee. He is from Marin County, Calif. and is a member of the Northwestern University Sailing Team.
Wonjin Hahn
Wonjin Hahn is a freshman at Northwestern University currently studying film and music. He has a passion for music and acting. He is a classically trained pianist of 13 years, and used to be a Piano Performance major. In 2011, he performed and spoke live on Chicago’s 98.7 WFMT classical music station. Wonjin is also a rapper, and makes his own pop, rock, and hip-hop songs. As an actor, he has been in plays and student films at Northwestern. Wonjin has lived in and travelled around the United States, Korea, and China. During vacation breaks in middle and high school, he travelled to Thailand, France, Italy, Australia, Japan, and Cambodia. He loves learning miscellaneous things from different artists, such musicians and actors, but who can also include athletes or a painter. Wonjin enjoys a variety of food, particularly Korean, Beijing Chinese, and Italian cuisine. He engages in weightlifting and hopes to pick up Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can hear his music on his new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/1JinMusic
Katelyn Collins
Katelyn Collins is a New York based actress with a curiously strong passion for blogging, Twitter, and kettlebell training. She received her BFA in theatre performance from Salem State University where she was nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship for her work in The Pink Panther Strikes Back (Olga) and, most notably, as Babe in Crimes of The Heart. Here in NYC, Katelyn is an associated artist with FullStop Collective (www.fullstopcollective.org) and serves as a playwright and actress for The Shelter Theatre (www.theshelternyc.org) You can also find her under the pseudonym of “The (not so) Newbie Actor” on the greenroomblog.com. In the meantime, she is slowly but surely developing Noredlipstick.com – a no bullshit home of inspiration and information for New York theatre artists.
Allie Kachapuridze: Album Reviews
I was born in Shavertown, PA. I’m 20 years old and double majoring in Journalism and Political Science at Temple University. I’m a music loving, vegetarian photographer with a big heart. My favorite bands are Modest Mouse, Blink-182, The Shins, and Sublime.
Ryan McCrimmon
Ryan McCrimmon is a sophomore at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. McCrimmon is all over the musical map, from classical piano to hip hop production and everything in between; he’s produced for beginning artists at Northwestern and around Chicago. When he’s not in class (or when he’s in class), McCrimmon is usually watching Game of Thrones, trying to figure out Ableton, or contemplating whether hip hop is getting better or worse. His favorite artists are the Blue Scholars and Dave Matthews Band.
Sarah Solomon
Sarah Solomon is majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications at Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Currently, she is a Public Relations intern at Iconix Brand Group. She is a magazine addict reading about 8 titles every month.Her hobbies are writing, shopping, singing and ice skating. Favorite artists include Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Krewella and Rascal Flats.
Simone Alicea
Simone Alicea is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying journalism. Simone has always loved the arts and the people in that community. In addition to her classwork in journalism, Simone is very involved in the theater community on campus as a performer, dancer, director, and stage manager.
Sienna Vance
Sienna Vance is a student at Temple University studying Journalism and Spanish. She enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, reading articles on People.com, and watching E News. Sienna has written pieces for both the Temple News and Templar Annual Yearbook. Writing is her first love.
