PassionPod

Passionflix Rewind & Reflect: Part 1

• Tosca Musk, Ali Whitaker and Lauren Olsen

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In this episode of PassionPod, Tosca Musk, Founder and CEO of Passionflix, and Lauren Olsen, Director of Development, reboot the podcast with a new professional setup. They discuss the transition from Zoom recordings, potential for on-the-road podcasts & interviews, and introduce new fan interaction initiatives. The hosts review recent film releases including the conclusion of the 'Gabriel's Redemption' trilogy, 'Wallbanger', 'The Air He Breathes', 'A Man's Promise', 'A Lover's Vow', and 'Lick'. They delve into casting decisions, on-set experiences, and collaboration with female directors. The episode wraps up with a sneak peek into upcoming projects and a promise for more engaging content in the next episode.

Tosca: Well, we're back. 

Lauren: We are back. Welcome back to PassionPod!

Tosca: I know, it's been a while. 

Lauren: I know, it has been. And for those who don't know, I'm Lauren Olsen, the Director of Development at Passionflix. 

Tosca: And I'm Tosca Musk. I'm the Founder and CEO of Passionflix, and occasionally I direct some movies. 

Lauren: Yes, you do. And we usually have our Head of Marketing and PR, Ali Whitaker, here with us, but she is very sick. And so she will be on next week's episode instead. 

Tosca: Yeah, she's quite sad to be missing this. 

Lauren: I know, she is. She's like, we're finally filming it, and then I'm not there. But it's all good. Um, so this is a brand new format for us. 

Tosca: Yeah. 

Lauren: Gone are the days of the Zoom podcast that we recorded during the pandemic.

Tosca: This feels very professional. I know. It's kind of exciting. 

Lauren: I'm trying not to bump the microphone. 

Tosca: Have you noticed like we have like branded stuff? It's they have my mug. 

Lauren: You do, yes. No, it looks awesome and I'm super excited because it, it won't be shitty computer audio anymore. It'll be very nice. 

Tosca: Did you just swear?

Lauren: Oh, I'm so sorry. It'll be, it won't be computer audio anymore. 

Tosca: Just made this R rated. 

Lauren: I know, I never know if you can swear or not on podcasts. That's a good point. 

Tosca: Uh, I think that you can say that word maybe twice and then, um, the other word, not at all. 

Lauren: Right. Yes. 

Tosca: But I'm not sure. 

So, um, What are we talking about today?

Lauren: Well, a few things. Um, for starters, what's nice about an in person, uh, podcast setup is that we could potentially take it on the road. Or we can have guests come in and talk to us. But also, our lovely Joe has this setup where we can have people Zoom in as well to talk to us. So that'll be exciting. So we are planning to have some guests.

Tosca: Yeah. That'll be fun. That'll be exciting. Authors and actors. 

Lauren: Yes. Authors, actors, the works. Um, maybe we might even have this at premieres or even like PassionCon. Like it's, the world's our oyster with this setup. 

Tosca: I'm very excited. 

Lauren: Yeah, me too. Um, and we're also going to have, on top of that, more fan interactions.

We're planning to set up a phone number that fans can call and leave voicemails on, just like, and then we can listen to them and answer their questions. 

Tosca: Yeah. Oh, that'd be interesting. 

Lauren: And, uh, but in the meantime, I think we're going to have people, uh, email stuff in, like if they have any fan art they want to show and stuff like that, and then we can show it off during the podcast.

Tosca: I love it. And there is, there's so much fan art, especially with the Black Dagger Brotherhood coming up. I mean, have you seen some of that art? It's incredible. 

Lauren: No, I've seen some of the Rhage art in particular, with the dragon tattoo and stuff. Yeah. I'm excited to see all the other fan art that people come up with, or fan art we just haven't come across yet because we're still getting into it.

Yeah. So, uh, the other things we're going to talk about today are the movies that we've released since our last passion pod, because our last passion pod was July, 2023, I believe, and it was right after we had, uh, really. Premiered the first Gabriel's Redemption in 

Tosca: Oh my God. 

Lauren: I know. So since that PassionPod, we've released the other two parts of Gabriel's Redemption.

We've released Wallbanger, um, The Air He Breathes, A Man's Promise, Lick and A Lover's Vow.

Tosca: Significant. Yes. Plus a whole bunch of Tosca Talks. 

Lauren: Plus a whole bunch of tosca talks. Tosca Talks.


Tosca: And Seven Minutes. 

Lauren: And Seven Minutes. And, uh, we had a bunch of PassionCon content go up on the website as well, but the PassionCon and Tosca Talks stuff we're going to talk about in the next episode.

Tosca: Oh. 

Lauren: So that you and Ali can vibe on it some more. Yeah, that's actually a good idea. 

Tosca: PassionCon 7, 000 years ago. 

Lauren: It feels so long ago, but it, it, I think this month it'll be Um, but so if you, if you don't mind going back to get Gabriel's redemption to talk about that. 

Tosca: I know that would be wonderful. 

Lauren: I know.

Cause we didn't, we talked about it a little bit in the last passion pod, but it'll be nice to dive into. a little bit more about it. Yeah. Since it's been so long. Remind people that it was the complete trilogy of those three. Um, so Gabriel's Redemption marks the conclusion of the Gabriel's series films.

Um, how do you approach these final chapters to ensure a satisfying and emotional conclusion for the fans? 

Tosca: Well, you know, we worked on it for so many years and so how I, I approached it in the same way that I approached the other ones, which is speaking with Sylvain Reynard um, well, you know, emailing, um, and, uh, And then working with the actors, I mean, we have Melanie and Giulio who were so committed to those roles and they, they just dove in and they knew exactly what they needed to do.

It's that live these roles for five years. So it really, it actually wasn't that hard. The, the difference with Um, Gabriel's Redemption was that we went to Oxford and, um, and that was incredible to be able to film in Magdalen College. And I think we talked about that before, but to be able to go and experience a whole new world of art and, uh, and history was incredible.

And I think that both Melanie, Giulio, Both Melanie and Giulio, and then myself as well, really relished in being in that kind of environment and we were able to, uh, tap into the. The beauty, because there's so much beauty in Gabriel's redemption, and I think that the, the surroundings that we were in lent to that.

Lauren: Yeah. No, I love that. And speaking of Guilio and Melanie, they had some pretty incredible chemistry on this, on this whole series. Um, can you reflect a little bit about bringing their characters to life and what, um, they brought to the table specifically for the roles? 

Tosca: Well, I mean, when it comes to Guilio. I mean, basically I think that he could, I've, I've used this, this phrase before, but I think that he could have chemistry with a paper bag.

Um, he's so, he's so lovely. It's the Italian, um, thing that he has. Um, so he, you know, he, he definitely, um, He's not shy when it comes to chemistry, but he's also very respectful. So it made it a lot, it made it very easy. And with regards to Melanie, Melanie is incredibly professional, highly dedicated, um, uh, and, and immediately connected with Julio and they became such good friends.

And I think the friendship, uh, Between the two of them really helped with the chemistry. I think if, if you like each of those friends, you can, uh, and you feel safe and you feel comfortable, um, then you have a lot of chemistry and especially with someone like Guilio, who is, uh, you know, Latin and has that, that, that, um, incredible sex appeal.

Um, and he's not, he knows how to touch a woman, you know, oftentimes on other shows, I would have to like teach. Guys, how to touch a woman. 

Lauren: What did we call that again? 

Tosca: Oh, are we talking about with Michael Rourke? Yeah. Bear paw and porcelain touch. No, that was with Tyler. 

Lauren: But we called it something too. The Tosca School.

Tosca: Oh, the Tosca School for Gentleman Callers. Yes. That was Tyler. Tyler Johnson coined that one. Yeah. Um, but yeah, so we have porcelain touch and we have like different, different ways of describing how to touch a woman that is not needed when it comes to Giulio. Giulio is just like, I know how to do this.

Lauren: Italians know the language of love. 

Tosca: I mean, it's like, if I tried to explain it to me, like, no, no, no, I've got this. Exactly. And he did. And I'm like, Melanie, how do you feel? She's like, he's got it. He's got it. It's not a problem. Um, so, you know, so how do we approach the chemistry? It was basically just allowing them the freedom to become close friends.

We spent so much time together and, um. And we were, we were really like family, um, which was lovely. 

Lauren: Didn't Melanie spend one Christmas with you and your kids? 

Tosca: Yeah, Melanie spent the first Christmas that we worked together. She spent Christmas with me and the kids, um, instead of going back to Australia.

And that was so much fun. 

Lauren: Yeah, I love that. 

Tosca: And then of course we worked together all through COVID. So, you know, when you're, um, not allowed to really see anyone else and they're in your pod, then That's you get to know each other pretty well. Absolutely. And, uh, it was really the first time it was after filming Gabriel's Inferno because during Gabriel's Inferno actors have, you know, she was very cautious about what she ate and she was being, you know, you know, just like this is.

She was very, had a very strict routine and things like that. And then as soon as we finished Gabriel's Inferno, I don't know if anybody, if I ever mentioned this, but we went to Rome and, um, Giulio told us where to go and we went to this buffet. I've never seen such a small person eat so much food. She ate so much of that buffet.

I was like, wow, I didn't even think that you ate. So after that, I was like, okay, we're going to meet. We're going to be fine. No, I love that. Years of lots of eating. 

Lauren: Years of lots of eating. I love that. And speaking of Italy, one of your favorite, you've talked about this before, but one of your favorite memories was filming in the Uffizi when no one else was there.

Yeah. Like we, I know it was the pandemic, but we got kind of lucky with a few of the filming we got to do with this whole series even. 

Tosca: Yeah. Well, during the pandemic, because, uh, you know, obviously difficult time for everybody. Um. Uh, the streets were basically closed in, in Florence. And so we got to film all over Florence with no one else there, which is almost like making it a back lot.

It was almost like the set for us. And anybody that was on the streets were actually extras that we had, that we brought out. So it was, it was, um, an incredible experience. And then going Uffizi gallery, I mean, that was awe inspiring. 

Lauren: We go back three times. It was Gabriel's Inferno and then Gabriel's Redemption, or?

Tosca: Yeah. Yeah. Gosh. Oh my gosh. So we have it at the end of Gabriel's Inferno. Mm hmm. And then 

Lauren: And the start of Rapture. 

Tosca: The start of Rapture. 

Lauren: Oh my god, we did do it for all 3. 

Tosca: The fact that we were allowed to put a portrait of You know, our Julia in, um, in, uh, Botticelli's gallery. I mean, it was, it was amazing.

When do you ever get to do that? No, I, it was, you know, it was incredible, absolutely incredible. And I'm so grateful to that, I'm so grateful for that experience and, um, And yeah, really grateful that Sylvain Reynard gave us the opportunity to make those books into movies so that we got to go there and then that we actually made the decision as a company to, to travel.

Like we're a small company. We're small. It was, it was not easy. 

Lauren: But we have filmed on location more than I think most people do. And that's pretty incredible. 

Tosca: It was so important to really convey this art to all of our. Oh, all of our viewers and to the people that really love these books, we want to make sure that that's what we can show you read it in the book.

This is what we can show. So we try very hard. 

Lauren: Yeah. And so what's one thing you hope that fans can take away from the whole Gabriel series? 

Tosca: Well, love is important. Forgiveness is important. Forgiving yourself, forgiving others, um, understanding, communication. Very important, um, redemption, um, that, uh, there is a place for art in your life.

I hope that people watch all of the Gabriel series and are inspired to travel, to travel to Italy, to travel to England, to go and explore some of these incredibly beautiful places that we got to explore and spend time in. Um, And, uh, and if not, if you don't get the opportunity to go there, take the time to even go online and look at some of the art and experience that online.

So many of these things are online and learn about it. I think it's important. Absolutely. Um, but yeah, I think at the end of the day. The Gabriel series is about, um, love, connection, understanding, communication, um, and forgiveness. 

Lauren: And I, one of my favorite parts of that whole series is the fact that they had met before and they got kind of a second chance.

Yeah. And that's so nice too. Um. What's from the, looking back at the whole Gabriel saga, what's one thing you're particularly proud of? 

Tosca: I'm so proud that we were able to go to Italy and film in the Uffizi gallery. 

Lauren: Yeah, no, that was huge. 

Tosca: I'm yeah, I'm exceptionally proud of the fact that we as a small company during some of the most difficult times, we're able to travel the world and bring what was in those books to life.

Yeah. You know, I'm thrilled about that. 

Lauren: Yeah, that's awesome. And then, uh, So I know we love the cast. What was it like seeing so many of the cast reunite at PassionCon? 

Tosca: They're the best! I mean, this cast, again, was with us for five years, and the fact that they were all there, you know, yeah, it's wonderful.

Every time, every time I see them all together, it's phenomenal, and I love that they have a relationship, and they stay in contact, and that when they see each other, they get excited, too. 

Lauren: Yeah, no, it's super special. It was really fun to see. I also love when, um, old leading men meet the new leading men or, you know, like when they all get to interact together and leading ladies too.

They've all become such good friends with each other from the different movies. And I think that's incredible. The little Passionflix family we formed. 

Tosca: All the other Passionflix ladies are. Definitely. They're definitely besties, which is great. 

Lauren: They're awesome. I know some of them were even besties before even getting the roles, which is then so interesting because it's like, we're just hiring all the friends.

Tosca: Yeah. I'm actually totally okay with that. 

Lauren: Yeah, no, me too. I love it. And so, uh, and we released the last two parts of Gabriel's redemption in, um, I think it was October and then December of 23 of 23. Yeah. Um, and then, but also right around that same time, we were filming Wallbanger. 

Tosca: Oh, yeah. 

Lauren: Yeah. So we filmed Wallbanger and then we released Wallbanger in April 24 still.

So I figured we could talk a little bit about Wallbanger, the one you directed. It flirtatious energy. What was your vision with bringing Alice Clayton's story to life on screen? 

Tosca: Wow. That was a tough one because so much of that book is inside Caroline's head. And so, um, and so when, um, When you're trying very hard to get into somebody's head, it's, it's, uh, on, uh, visually, you have to have an actress that can portray that.

And so Kelli obviously was phenomenal on that role. She was so good. So good. Um, you know what the, the interesting thing about, um, Wallbanger, because it's so much in her head, um, yeah, we had to bring in some voiceover, not too much, but we needed to bring in some voiceover. And then I wanted to try and see if I could have this, this internal vision of her and her O, like, how do we actually portray the O?

Because when I read the book, I saw it as a character. It was so important. And so, yeah, so we, we. Um, created this, this, we went into her mind and had her do the little dancing, oh, which, which was, um, 

Lauren: I thought, hilarious. It was hilarious. And I'm glad you're bringing this up because it's one of my favorite, um, Uh, like meta moments almost within the Passionflix universe of what, what, what was this idea you had for her fantasy sequence where we couldn't use like the Brad Pitt or the Jared Leto from the book?

Tosca: Well, it wasn't Brad Pitt. It was, they had George Clooney from ER, Jared Leto from My So Called Life. And then Matt Damon from, uh, one of his early action movies. Nice, yes. And, um, and I was like, well, it's been a few years. I don't think it's appropriate to have them. Also, it'd be probably very hard to get them.

Lauren: Yeah, um, they're busy. 

Tosca: They're busy. And also, you know, a lot older. Yes. So probably not appropriate. Right. And so, um, but also I, I really loved the idea of having our, um, Our romance, uh, uh, actors in there are, are, are leading men in there because they, they are, they are our Passionlix men. I love them so much and what, how much fun it is to work with them.

So I emailed, um, Jeremy, Andrew and Michael and I was like, Hey, do you guys want to do this? They all immediately responded with it. Yes. Yes. That'd be so great. And so they had so much fun. They had so much fun, flew them out here to Atlanta. And we created this, um, this, uh, fantasy sequence in a day. And it was, I mean, I think it was the best.

It was so much fun to do. 

Lauren: Um, my favorite was the ad lib line you created of, um, Yes, blonde Colton. Yes, blonde Colton Donovan. Because the actor Michael Rourke is really blonde, but we dyed his hair so dark for Colton, but we couldn't do that just for a one off. So, blonde Colton Donovan. 

Tosca: Had to, had to. It was, it was so much fun.

Um, and, and again, really great for Kelli to dive in. to that. Yeah. Yeah. She did it all in one day. She's like, Hi, 

Lauren: I just met you. Let's do these things. Yeah. I love that. It was great. And it was so good to see those boys again. So great. They're awesome people. Um, and so speaking of, uh, Kelli and like, so the casting of Caroline and Simon was pretty crucial for the film's success.

Cause we, we always try to make sure that the cast we find are pretty perfect for the roles. Um, what was it about these actors that made them perfect for those roles? 

Tosca: When I saw all of Kelli's work in general, I, you know, I just saw all of her work and I just loved it. I thought she was a great actress and I wanted to work with her.

And so it was just basically a straight offer suggested to Alice Clayton. I was like, this is who I think is going to play the best Caroline. And she agreed. And then we made the offer and she accepted. So like that works. Um, and with Amadeus, we'd seen him, um, he had auditioned for, um, The Secret Life of Amy Benson.

Oh my god, I forgot about that. And then I had a meeting with him and, uh, and we had a Zoom back then about it to, you know, see if, if he was a good, you know, if, was a Liam. But he has more of a sort of cheeky character, characterization to him. And so it didn't work out for Secret Life of Amy Benson, but then when we were casting this, I was like, Oh my gosh, yes.

And I think Ali even said, what about Amadeus? And I was like, yes, he was so perfect and such a, he was, he was such a great, um, actor. And so I really wanted to work with him. So we're like. Let's reach out to him and see if he'd be interested in this one and he was yeah, which is great 

Lauren: No, that was so fun. And they they were great together. They were great together fun to see them on set even between takes They were having fun with each other and it was awesome Do you have some favorite memories from set or any fun stories to share? 

Tosca: We had three cats snap crackle and pop That's really hard to work with cats.

They were great cats, but it's very hard to work with 

Lauren: No, anytime I see cats in a movie. I'm like, how the heck did they even train them? Because it's a lot of work It's a lot of work. 

Tosca: Um You But there's, there were so many funny moments. I think that I really enjoyed our time in Spain. So another time we went to Nerja, which is where they say they go in the books.

Another one of those examples of like, let's go to the place where they actually visit. 

Lauren: You also went to San Francisco too. 

Tosca: We did. Yeah. Um, so, so that was really great going to Nerja and spending time with Kelli and Amadeus. Um. at the very beginning of the shoot. 

Lauren: That was first up, right? 

Tosca: That was the first up.

So they barely knew each other. I was like, here we go. We're going to be in Spain. It's the beginning of the movie. And you guys love each other. And they're like, hello, how are you? Very nice to meet you. And, uh, and so that was fun, but it was a great way to get to know each other. Yeah. And, um, and I just remember.

You know, the food was so exceptional and, um, and of course actors are on these, like they eat very specifically. Um, and so, uh, Dennis, the DP and I, we would like just thoroughly enjoy all the food and they, the actors were like. 

Lauren: Just looking at it. We're just munching there on our stuff. 

I know. Oh, 

Tosca: um, but, uh, but yeah, I would say that, um, uh, the travel to Spain was an incredible time together.

Um, and that was, that was a great adventure. And then going to, um, San Francisco, that was another great adventure. And that was great. Cause that was When I got to meet all the rest of the cast, that was the first time I got to work. I know all of the other actors, all the supporting actors, 

Lauren: you shot the very end of the movie there, right?

The scene on the terrace where they're having, where they're eating dinner or something right after Spain. 

Tosca: Oh yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Oh yes. Um, uh, the, yes, uh, with Roselyn Sanchez and, um, and Ryan McPartlin yes. Yes. That dinner. Yeah. That was fun. Um, that was, those were crazy two days. So we were filming that and. It never rains. And it rained on our day when everything was outdoors. Of course. And so we were just going back and forth between inside and outside. Trying to finish shooting those scenes as it was raining. It stopped raining, then we'd go back outside and shoot there. And then we'd come back inside and continue to shoot.

Oh my goodness. 

Lauren: The stuff we do to bring content to you guys. 

Tosca: I know. But also, the funny thing is, do you know the, the kiss slap scene? Yes. So that wasn't shot in San Francisco. That was shot, that scene was shot at the end of the shoot, um, in Atlanta. 

Lauren: I know, but we've, you married it so well in the edit.

Tosca: Yeah, well that was the art department helping us to recreate that set, but yeah, I know. So it's very interesting when you're filming things, like how many things take place in different places. 

Lauren: And it was hard how it's all shot out of order for the most part. That's one of the funniest parts of when we have like founding and signature members come to visit that.

They're like. Oh, you guys like do multiple takes, like multiple angles of the same scene. Yeah. And you're filming these all different days, like how do you keep track of it all? And we're like, yeah, that's why we have certain departments.

Tosca: Like that's why we have Carlos. 

Lauren: Yes. Carlos, our lovely line producer slash first AD.

Yeah. And then the script supervisor helps as well with the continuity of it. I, yeah, I love everything about film and making movies. And, but it's fun when people who have nothing to do with. 

Tosca: Yeah. 

Lauren: The industry coming in and being like, Whoa. 

Tosca: Yeah. This is what it's like. It's a lot of work. I, I've had friends come to set and they're like, Oh, can I come visit you on set?

I was like, sure. Um, and then they will come and they'll sit behind video village and they'll watch and I'll be like, okay. And action. And then I was like, okay, that's great. And let's do it again. And actually, and then we do it again. Okay. And now we're going to do it again. And they're like, what is going on?

How many times did you do this? I'm like, Oh, until we get it right. Until we get it right. And then. Until it feels good. Then we turn around, we go and we, you know, turn the camera onto the other actor. They're like, what? You're doing the same scene again. Yeah. This whole day will just be that scene over and over again.

Lauren: Yep, exactly. It's too funny. Um, and so what was really special about when we released this film, we actually premiered it first at PassionCon. 

Tosca: I know, that was so great. 

Lauren: At our Pajama premiere. I know. Can you talk about how, what that was like? 

Tosca: It was really great. I had this really cute, um, pink silk pajama set.

And as we sat down, just before watching the movie, um, Amadeus spilt a whole glass of red wine all over my pajamas. I'm so glad it was after the pictures were taken. Yeah. Yeah. After the red carpet. He's like. Like handing stuff. And then he just poured it right onto my leg. 

Lauren: I'm sure he did it in me. I'm sure it was an accident.

Tosca: I think that he did it on purpose. 

Lauren: Oh my gosh. I completely missed that because I was sitting somewhere else. Yeah. And so I didn't think I realized till after and I was like, are you in a different? pair of pants. Yeah. 

Tosca: And so if you look at the, if you look at the, um, the, the Wallbanger premiere pajama premiere party at the beginning, I'm wearing that pink outfit.

And then right afterwards, I'm wearing black pants. 

Lauren: Okay. Yes. That's what I was like, what's going on right now. Um, I also loved at the premiere. It's always fun. Cause we get the full. audience experience, any premiere we do, because it's full of Passionflix fans and fans of the book, and they just get to fully immerse themselves in the, in the premiere experience, and it's wonderful.

But I loved, my favorite part of the whole movie was them reacting to the fantasy sequence that they didn't know was coming, and they freaked out, they lost their minds. They were like, it's Jeremy, it's Jace, it's, you know, it's Andrew, it's It's Miles. Yeah. It's Michael. It's Colton. Oh my gosh. Yeah. 

Tosca: That was the best. That was awesome. Thank you. That was awesome. The whole, listen, Passion Con pajama premieres are probably the most fun premieres that exist. 

Lauren: Yeah. They're great. And I loved it. It was your idea to have the pajama premiere and I think that's so fun. Um, I'll never get over from the first Passion Con, uh, I think it was Melanie and Olivia who showed up in ball gowns.

We would say it was ball gowns, They've sent you selfies after to prove that they slept in these outfits. 

Tosca: Yeah. They're pajamas, Tosca. Exactly. It was, what did Olivia say? She goes, if the Met Gala was pajama. 

Lauren: There you go. I love that take on it. And so we had some other movies release after. Um, Redemption and Wallbanger, which was great.

Uh, we did the Air He Breathes, released in August 2024. Yeah. Uh, by Brittainy Cherry. Love that story. Um, and Beautiful. We also had it directed by Rachel Annette Helson. Yes. And I thought we could talk about, uh, Uh, getting to work with some of some more female directors, which I think is cool that we do that as a company.

We prioritize female filmmakers. And so we worked with three different ones aside from you, uh, in 2024. So I thought that was pretty cool. Um, cause you got to see Rachel on set. 

Tosca: Yep. I was with Rachel on set and then Lane Shefter Bishop on, um, a man's promise and A Lover's Vow. Um, and then Louise Alston who came back and she did look for us.

Yeah. Um, I mean, they're all fabulous. And, and so this is our first time working with Rachel for the air he breathes, she is so dedicated and I actually was introduced to her, I think even a couple of years before that. Um, and when I met her, the, the, and, and saw her work, it was very clear that. A story like the air he breathes is perfect for her.

She has a very delicate hand. She has a, an incredible sensitivity to filming loss and, um, and reconnection. And, um, and so, She was always top of my list for the air he breathes. So I'm so glad she, and when we, um, uh, when I first met her and I talked about it, she got the book, she read it, she came back immediately saying, yes, this is the type of story that I love to make.

And so I'm really, really Grateful to her for accepting it and, um, for making a phenomenal movie. 

Lauren: She did a great job. Really beautiful movie. So lovely. And we had an incredible cast on that one with, uh, Kelcie Stranahan as Liz, Ryan Carnes as Tristan. Yeah. Charlotte Ann Tucker as Emma. I know, so great.

Pressly Coker as Tanner and then Jessica Craig as Faye. Yeah. They were just all fabulous. Yeah. Fabulous. And it was, um, I'm really glad we got to make that story come to life. 

Tosca: So just talking about Jessica. Yeah. All right. So her boyfriend Oh yes. Is Kellen. Mm-hmm . From the Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Lauren: Yes. Who does Kellen play, by the way?

Tosca: He plays Havers. Yes. . And um, uh, what's so funny is that we hadn't announced any of the cast and we were in. LA for the premiere of The Air He Breathes. And so Jessica is invited. She's there. And so great. And then suddenly I see Kellan. I'm like, what are you doing here? Oh my God. And he's like, I'm here with Jessica.

And I was like, Oh God, we haven't announced the cast yet. And he's like, I know. I'm kind of hoping that I got it. I was like, you got it. I mean, I mean, shh, shh, don't tell anybody. You didn't have to tell him in that moment. I don't think he realized. He knew. It would be just that, you know, no contracts had been signed or I don't know what What had happened at that particular, I think we were just waiting, there was like no announcements and everything was like, I think we had to pin everybody because the dates hadn't been set.

I don't know what the rules were, there were rules involved, but I was like, it's definitely you, it's definitely you, but shh, don't tell anybody. And it was so, it was so Um, it was kind of, it was like that secret that I was holding for that event. And he was as well and like, uh, Hey, hi, hi, you know, trying to avoid each other's gaze.

No, I love it. And I was like, this is Jessica's night. 

Lauren: Um, so that was funny. That they're together and that they're both now in part of the Passionflix universe. Like what, what? That's so funny. Oh, great. 

Tosca: Um, but yeah, so beautiful movie and, um, just, just an incredible cast. Very grateful to all of them. They really committed.

Um, and, uh, Yeah. Lovely. Lovely experience. Yeah. Awesome. Very grateful to Brittainy Cherry for that opportunity as well. 

Lauren: I'm obsessed with her. And she got to come to the set. 

Tosca: I know! 

Lauren: She really enjoyed being there. She and Rachel became like besties around the set. I loved it. And I, I saw some of the crew coming up to her, like, with the post it notes the characters give to each other.

They went up to Brittainy and they were like, do you like this handwriting? We were thinking this post it handwriting and color for this person. actor and this one for this actor. We wrote and she was like, Um, yeah, it's amazing. Like she got so much input and I loved that. It was just fun and I'm glad she could be there and really experience it.

Um, and then we also did, uh, we filmed A Man's Promise and A Lover's Vow backed back, which we did, which is. Awesome. Because we, we had been meaning to finish out that series since a man, A Brother's Honor, and I love a brother's honor. And I'm glad we got, we got to bring basically everybody back together for that.

The whole gang, all the brothers. Yeah. Um, and we even brought Lane Schefter Bishop back to direct those two, which was great. You stopped by set and you got to be part of the wedding scene. 

Tosca: I know that was great. I got to see Brenda and I was in the wedding. I was there for the day when they. Films, um, Caden coming in to see Shiloh in the wine shop and he says, a man's promise.

And I was like, Oh my God, I'm here for that day. That was so exciting. 

Lauren: That's so special. I know whenever they get to say the title, like the title, it's a special moment. 

Tosca: It was really great. I'm so happy with those movies. And I'm so glad, you know, it was very hard to try and get all of those actors together all at the same time.

And so when you're trying to schedule something. So when we finally. Where, when we were finally able to, you know, put them all to, you know, block them all out and have all of them available, we're like, we're shooting both movies back to back. 

Lauren: Yep. We're not losing this chance. No. Just getting it done. Yeah. I'm really glad we did that. And I, I love that they all got to come together again and they were hanging out again. Yeah. And it was so special. Um, I love Brenda Jackson. I'm really glad she gave us that series. And we got to see it all the way through. Yeah. So. Satisfying. And we had an amazing cast of, uh, Jeremy Batiste as Jace, who, love him, the fantasy, uh, Celestine Rae as Shana, uh, Michael Marcel as Caden, Jasmine Johnson as Shiloh, uh, Robert Christopher Riley as Dalton, and Dayna Dooley as Jules.

Yes. That was really cool. And I, I love that. With each story, it focused on different brothers, we had kind of different leads for each one, that's always fun. 

Tosca: I know, I love that. 

Lauren: Um, they all did a great job. And then we also had, uh, Lick. Yes! By Kylie Scott, uh, directed by Louise Alston. And Louise directed two other projects for us.

She did, she did The Will, and she did Resisting Roots. Yeah, no, I, I love her, she's been great. Um, and so she came in and we had Brooke Lee as Evelyn, Travis Burns as David, Eric Brody as Jimmy. Joseph McNabb as Mal and Zach Mines as Ben, which was awesome. It was really cool to see the band come together.

And I love that we created original songs for the series, which there's a vinyl. Um, and that was just a really cool experience that we got to do that. 

Tosca: That was a great experience. And Mike Carpenter, who works with Passionflix, he's our director of music here. And he, uh, he and I sat down, oh gosh. Two years before we even started this, um, cause I read Lick during COVID.

Yeah, we both read it. Yeah. Yeah. And, uh, and then, and so then, so it takes a while to get things going. I know. I'm sorry, but two years prior, Mike and I sat down. We're like, okay. We're going to create a band. Yeah. We're going to create the music. And, um, so, um, his directive, go out there, write, you know, work with, work with a team, write some great songs that we can actually, um, have in this movie.

And because a lot of the lyrics, a lot of times when, when we write lyrics in, or when we see lyrics in books, we can't necessarily use them because they belong to somebody else and the songs belong to somebody else. So we can't use them because we don't have the rights to them. Yeah. So we have to write our own, um, songs.

That's just basically the world of music. It's very confusing. 

Lauren: But he and the team that he found did a great job and, um, they kept even the lyrics as close as they could. Yes. Um, which I thought was really special and Mike got the chance to. Go on set and he also made sure the actors could play the instruments right, which I know sometimes when you have a band movie, if they can't play the instrument, that's an immediate sign that this isn't real.

And so I love that he got to go and help instruct them and kind of be a guiding force for them. And they loved working with him. So that was just I love that we. Took those steps and did all of that. That was cool. 

Tosca: Yeah, really, really very helpful. He also, Mike also got so many, um, of the instruments, um, donated.

He did, yes. Uh, or, you know, as a, as a, yeah. All the guitars and stuff. All the guitars, all the, the drum kit, all that sort of stuff donated to the show. Which was awesome. Which made it look beautiful. Even more realistic. I read a lot about that part. That was great. Um, so that was really, really great. And the music, I think, is fabulous.

It's fabulous. I love this song. If you haven't listened to it, you have to go listen to it. Yeah. Really great. Um, we're bringing in the same company, um, of, uh, to work with, uh, to work with us to write songs for Beauty From Pain. Oh, beautiful. Yeah. 

Lauren: Oh, that's exciting. 

Tosca: Yeah. 

Lauren: Um, and Louise. Yeah. Yeah. I just love working with her.

And Kylie didn't get to go to set, but she still got to interact. And, and. Yeah. It was fun. For her to see the movie release and see fan reactions. 

Tosca: Well, it's kind of funny because they're all Australian. I know they are! Louise is Australian, so are Brooke and Travis, yeah. And so is Kylie. Yeah. So they all met in Australia.

Yeah. And then we brought them all here to America to film as Americans, which was, you know. 

Lauren: Exactly. But I am glad they got to go and do that. Yeah. Um, that was really fun. And we also had, like, had a little, like, mini premiere of sorts in, uh, Australia at the Blush Romance Festival, which was really special.

I mean, you know, two theatres. Yeah. Yeah. That's pretty cool. Yeah. So if you haven't seen any of those movies, you should watch them right now because it was really exciting that we got to release. We released a good amount in 2024. 

Tosca: Yeah, we did. And, you know, and that was quite hard, actually, because, um, As everybody knows, we have, we had strikes the year before, so we weren't able to shoot the last six months, um, of the year before, except for we, we got that one exclusion with Wallbanger or we did right before shooting.

Yeah, so when, you know, when actors aren't allowed to perform because of their, you know. Um, it's very, it's very hard to make movies. So I actually really am impressed that we were able to come back and film so much during that year. And so, of course, we're still, you know, catching up and we'll be able to do even more this year.

And, um, you know, this year we have the Black Dagger Brotherhood coming out. We have, um, Beauty from Pain coming out. We have a couple more that I haven't announced yet, but only because Ali will get really mad at me if I do. Exactly. And so I keep my mouth shut. 

Lauren: Yeah. So we'll, but we'll be able to get into more of that stuff, uh, in part two of our catch up, which will be the next episode where Ali will be able to join us.

Sounds good. We'll also get into Tosca Talks. Okay, fine. That's another thing we filmed in 2024. Yeah. This Tosca Talks series that you, uh, you star in. Um, and we'll also chat more about PassionCon, what that was like for Puerto Rico, and then maybe even where the next PassionCon might be. 

Tosca: Well, Ali and I are Still figuring that out.

Still figuring that out. But I, I think we have a, we have a really great contender. We're gonna go and visit next week. 

Lauren: Ooh, okay. That's exciting. Um, and yeah, I just wanted to reiterate one more time that we're going to have a phone number eventually for people to call in on Great. Um, and leave questions, messages and all that stuff, and that'll be great.

But in the meantime, you can send things to our info@passionflix.com email, which is INFO, at passionflix.com. Um, I. Read most of those emails. So I'll just flag them for PassionPod and that'll be fun. And yeah, thanks T for chatting with me through this new PassionPod episode, new PassionPod set up.

Thanks, Joe. That's awesome. 

Tosca: We have our Tosca Talks team over here. That's yeah. They're filming us. And so they're, they're really great. Yeah. It's like the family reunion. Exactly. Same crew. I know. Thank you, Lauren. This was a lot of fun. This was fun. Get back and you know, there's something really amazing about doing passion pod and that is that.

Um, we work as really fast. We do. Freakishly fast, actually. We go from one movie to the next, to the next, to the next, and we rarely take the time to revisit what we've done and, and, um, and, you know, consider the amount of work and love that was put into each show because we're trying to move on to the next one to catch the next one.

And so. This kind of experience really helps me remember how wonderful it is to make these movies and why we're making these movies. And it also is fun because then you and I get to spend some time together. I 

Lauren: know, because right now you get to spend a lot of time with Margie because, you know, you're editing the Black Dagger Brothers series.

That's true. Which I know is important, but I do, I miss you, so this was fun. I miss you too. Well, thank you everybody for tuning in. Um, that is it for this week and we will see you next week. 

Tosca: Ciao.