Allen Wolf's Blog

In a captivating conversation on the Navigating Hollywood podcast, I welcome actress Edwina Findley, who currently stars in Netflix’s murder mystery series “The Residence.” The discussion delves deep into the intersection of faith, purpose, and creative pursuits.

Findley, whose impressive career spans from HBO’s “The Wire” to her Independent Spirit Award-nominated performance in “Free Indeed,” shares the fascinating journey of maintaining her integrity while navigating Hollywood’s demanding landscape. With classical training from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she brings both technical excellence and spiritual depth to her craft.

What stands out most powerfully in this conversation is Findley’s distinction between personal dreams and what she calls “God dreams.” As she explains, “A God dream extends so far beyond you… it’s large enough to encompass others, to bless others through the fulfillment of it.” This perspective challenges the self-centered nature that entertainment careers can sometimes foster. While personal dreams avoid suffering and discomfort, Findley argues that God dreams often include valleys alongside mountaintops.

My interview reveals fascinating moments where Findley’s faith and career intersected in seemingly divine ways. She recounts how strangers would tell her specific career milestones that later manifested exactly as foretold—including working with Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, and standing on the same spot at the Chinese Theatre where she had received those words years earlier.

Early in her career, Findley faced significant obstacles related to both faith and identity. She shares how agents told her “Hollywood is for beautiful people” and that she’d “never make it,” while others pressured her to compromise her values. These challenges forced her to rely on prayer and divine guidance to navigate an industry that often pushes artists to compromise for advancement.

Perhaps most insightful is Findley’s approach to maintaining spiritual health while working in entertainment. She emphasizes the danger of idolizing the industry, acknowledging its fickleness and the identity crisis that can result from tying self-worth to career success. Instead, she focuses on serving others, building spiritual community, and continually asking whether new opportunities are self-generated or divinely appointed.

Findley’s debut book, “The World is Waiting for You,” expands on these themes, calling readers to discover their unique purpose. Academy Award-winner Viola Davis attests to Findley’s transformative impact, writing that “Once she comes into your life, it alters.” This podcast offers listeners a chance to experience that transformative perspective firsthand.

Findley’s journey provides both inspiration and practical wisdom. Her story reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from relentless self-promotion but from surrender to a purpose greater than ourselves—one that benefits others while honoring our deepest values. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts such as Apple or Spotify.

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Popular actor Philip Winchester, known for his standout roles in “Strike Back,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and his recent return to action cinema in “Duchess,” joined filmmaker Allen Wolf on the latest episode of the Navigating Hollywood podcast.

In this candid conversation, Winchester reflected on his remarkable journey from being discovered in his home state of Montana to his classical training at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and eventual success in Hollywood.

“Philip’s unique blend of classical training and action star credentials makes him one of the industry’s most versatile performers,” said host Allen Wolf, who previously directed Winchester in the psychological thriller “In My Sleep.”

During the interview, Winchester shared the transformative experience of working with Sir Ian McKellen in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “King Lear,” which toured globally from Stratford-upon-Avon to Singapore, New Zealand, and the United States. “Ian would come out every night and do it differently,” Winchester revealed. “He would change his inflection on one part or try and make it mean something else and try something else with the actors on stage every night… It was such an amazing experience to watch him do that and to watch someone so well versed in their craft just take command of that stage every night.”

Winchester also discussed his breakthrough role as Sgt. Michael Stonebridge in the action-packed series “Strike Back,” detailing the unique stunt work that became a hallmark of the show. Recounting a particularly intense explosion scene, Winchester shared, “They said, ‘Okay, we’re going to light it off and it’s just going to come out this doorway and it’ll go right past you guys.’ But because that wind was circling around, that bomb pot went off and that gas and the fire and all that stuff… came up and it hit that wall of wind and it just splashed to the sides where Sully and I were.” He added, “That was the closest we got to things going wrong. We got a little red, but we didn’t lose any hair, thank goodness.”

The conversation explored Winchester’s transition to network television through his role as prosecutor Peter Stone in the Dick Wolf universe. Winchester described his surprising meeting with Dick Wolf: “He pulled me into his office and said ‘Right, Bob Greenblatt says you’re the guy.’ And I said ‘I don’t think I’m your guy. I jump out of helicopters and I punch people in the face for a living.’ And he goes, ‘Well, look, kid, if you don’t like it you can quit, and if I don’t like you doing it I’ll fire you.’ I was like, ‘I think that’s a pretty good job offer.'”

Throughout the interview, Winchester emphasized the importance of family in grounding his Hollywood career. Married with two daughters, Winchester shared his family’s “two-week rule” for separation during filming and his philosophy of being “fully home” when not working. “I’m really fortunate that when I’m home, I’m fully home. So my relationships with my kids, with my two girls—I’m there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We sit down every night as a family,” he explained.

On the topic of spirituality, Winchester shared a powerful moment of gratitude: “I had a moment the other day. I didn’t know my biological father. I was just completely overwhelmed by this really strong sense that God has allowed me to spend not only my time with my kids, but the time that my dad didn’t spend with me, with my kids. It was just this free gift.”

When asked about his desired legacy, Winchester shifted focus from his earlier career ambitions to his current priorities: “We all give our life to something, all of us. No matter where you are in this world, you’re giving your life to something… I wanted to give my life to something that mattered. I think the meaning of life is relationships. If I can give the things I learned to the next generation, if I can protect my daughters… and if I can be an honorable husband to my wife and love her all the way to heaven, I think that’s a pretty good ride.”

The Navigating Hollywood podcast, hosted by filmmaker Allen Wolf, features insightful conversations with entertainment professionals about their careers and what it takes to thrive personally and professionally in the entertainment industry. The podcast has gained recognition for its authentic discussions about the intersection of Hollywood, relationships, and spiritual well-being.

The episode featuring Philip Winchester is available now on all major podcast platforms and on the Navigating Hollywood YouTube channel.

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Award-winning Writer/Director Allen Wolf’s Director’s Cut of Morning Star Pictures’ gripping psychological thriller IN MY SLEEP is set to premiere at two film festivals this September. This release marks the fifteenth anniversary of the original film, offering viewers a chance to experience the story as Wolf always envisioned it.

The Director’s Cut of “In My Sleep” will make its debut at the Silicon Beach Film Festival on Wednesday, September 11, at 7:30 PM. The screening will take place at the iconic TLC Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, providing a fitting backdrop for this thrilling cinematic experience.

Following its Silicon Beach premiere, the film will also be featured at the North Hollywood Cinefest. Audiences can catch this showing on Saturday, September 14, at 7:45 PM at the Glendale Dine-in theater, offering a unique viewing experience for festival-goers.

“In My Sleep” follows Marcus, a man who finds himself in a desperate race to uncover the truth when he discovers he may have murdered a close friend while sleepwalking. Marcus wakes up in a cemetery, half-naked and disoriented. His mind races with questions: “Where was I? Who was I with?” Suffering from parasomnia, a rare sleep disorder, Marcus often acts without memory while sleepwalking. Horror strikes when he wakes up with blood on his hands and a knife by his side. Soon after, a friend is discovered stabbed to death. Could Marcus have murdered in his sleep to conceal their dark secret?

Haunted by mysterious phone calls, Marcus suspects he’s being watched. Desperate for answers, he delves into his nocturnal activities. As he unravels the truth about his nighttime behavior, Marcus stumbles upon a shocking discovery.

This Director’s Cut enhances the original’s nail-biting suspense with refined color grading, improved visuals, and newly incorporated footage, all while tightening the pacing for a more intense viewing experience.

“When I first conceived ‘In My Sleep,’ I was fascinated by news stories of people committing extraordinary acts, even murder, while sleepwalking,” Wolf explains. “This Director’s Cut allowed me to refine my original vision, creating an even more immersive experience that draws viewers deeper into the protagonist’s world and the mystery that surrounds him.”

The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Philip Winchester (“Strike Back,” “Law and Order: SVU”), Lacey Chabert (“Mean Girls”), Abigail Spencer (“Rectify”), Kelly Overton (“Van Helsing”), Michael Badalucco (“The Practice”), Beth Grant (“No Country for Old Men”), and Tony Hale (“Veep”). Adding to the film’s taut atmosphere is an original score by acclaimed composer Conrad Pope (“The Wolfman,” orchestrator for “The Hobbit”).

Written and directed by Allen Wolf (“The Sound of Violet”), “In My Sleep” was produced by Wolf and David Austin, with Ralph Winter (producer of the “X-Men” series) serving as Executive Producer. These festival premieres offer film enthusiasts and thriller fans a chance to experience a meticulously crafted psychological thriller on the big screen.

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The Life of a Stunt Coordinator

Allen interviewed Jeremy Fry for the Navigating Hollywood Podcast. Jeremy has worked extensively as a stunt coordinator and a stunt driver on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Dark Knight, Free Guy, John Wick, and Pirates of the Caribbean. He has also been featured in dozens of television series, including WandaVision, Big Little Lies, True Detective, NCIS, and many others.

During the show, he talked about his challenges as a stunt coordinator, and he described a key stunt moment while filming one of the John Wick movies.

The Actor Who Survived an Explosion

Allen’s next guest was actor and writer Kristoffer Polaha, who was featured in Jurassic World: Dominion, Wonder Woman 1984, Where Hope Grows, TV movies for the Hallmark Channel, and TV series, including Mad Men, Get Shorty, and Backstrom. He has also co-authored two books from the series From Kona with Love. Kris talks about his incredible journey as an actor, how an explosion nearly took his life, and the legacy he’d like to leave behind.

You can watch the interview on YouTube or listen to the podcast.

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ComingSoon.net released an exclusive first look at the trailer for the upcoming The Sound of Violet motion picture which will be released only in theaters starting April 29.

In this romantic comedy, Shawn is desperate to find a wife, but he’s shy and awkward on dates. He works at a dating app but still can’t seem to find his soulmate. His brother drags him to a party where Shawn lands a date with the captivating Violet. Shawn’s autism and trusting nature keep him from realizing Violet is actually a prostitute. On their “date,” she realizes something is different about Shawn, and it’s not just because he has a condition that allows him to “hear” colors. When he finally asks what she does for a living, Violet tells him she’s an actress.

Shawn shows Violet a level of devotion she’s never seen before, waiting outside with innocent encouragement as Violet “auditions” all over town. Shawn’s protective family gets involved as they begin to see what’s happening and question Violet’s background. Though his brother and grandmother have been trusted guides, Shawn starts to realize he needs to break away from his family and explore what it means to be in a loving relationship.  

Shawn thinks he’s found a potential wife, while Violet thinks she’s found her ticket to a brand-new life. The harsh realities of Violet’s life soon begin to press in on them, and this unlikely pair is forced to decide whether they have what it takes to stay together or if their vastly different lives will break them apart. The movie is based on the acclaimed novel.

The movie will start in twelve cities and then expand to more.

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The Sound of Violet was named “Book of the Year” by the Independent Author Network. The Sound of Violet novel was given this recognition as a Book of the Year out of thousands of entries. The contest’s judges are experienced reviewers, authors, publishers, and editors. Awards are based upon various criteria and are open to authors around the world. The Sound of Violet is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold.

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Allen interviewed Tony-nominated actress Elizabeth A. Davis and her Emmy-nominated husband Jordan Richard, his guests on the Navigating Hollywood podcast.

Elizabeth and Jordan talk about their incredible journey through stage and television. Elizabeth’s Broadway debut landed her a Tony Nomination and launched her on a multi-year search to discover her artistic voice. Jordan has won multiple Emmy nominations for his role as a director at NBC News. He talks about how the news can be biased, his role as a news director, and mishaps along the way.

Elizabeth and Jordan also discuss how they have built a relationship where they encourage each other to develop their artistic voices and thrive. Elizabeth will be starring in the upcoming revival of 1776 on Broadway, and Jordan describes how he was designated the “designated survivor” for NBC News.

You can listen to the podcast on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or you can watch the interview on YouTube.

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The Sound of Violet has been named the Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2021 by Readers’ Favorite. The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities. The Sound of Violet won the Gold Medal in the Romance – Comedy category.

Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors.

In their review of The Sound of Violet, Readers’ Favorite calls the novel “an emotional rollercoaster and a must read.” One reviewer writes, “The Sound of Violet is a very different love story than most, and the path that both central characters follow to reach their goals is what makes the work a must-read. The story focuses on autism, prostitution, God, romance, and family, and pulls it all together perfectly. Author Allen Wolf addresses the issue of human trafficking while presenting a sweet romantic and touching story. The Sound of Violet was sad and happy all at once and I found myself crying and laughing a lot. I was so happy to learn that The Sound of Violet is also a movie, one that I can’t wait to see. It is impossible not to be inspired by Shawn’s determination and Violet’s moxie.”

The Sound of Violet is available now on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

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My new novel, The Sound of Violet, will be released on September 21. This novel is the basis for my upcoming movie. This romantic dramedy is about Shawn who is desperate to find a soulmate. He goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute.

Shawn thinks he’s found a potential wife while Violet thinks she’s found her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story takes all kinds of twists and turns, and I think you’ll love it.

The Sound of Violet novel will be part of a Virtual Book Tour from September 20-24. Each day a new blog or website will be reviewing or featuring the book. I’ll provide links throughout that week. Premiere Collectibles is offering a limited number of signed copies of the novel. When you pre-order the book, you’ll also get a sneak preview of the trailer for my upcoming movie. What a deal! Be sure to order now.

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I recently interviewed the filmmakers behind Concrete Cowboy, the hit Netflix movie starring Idris Elba, for my Navigating Hollywood podcast. They talked about their journey to help the incarcerated have new futures through their film production company. We had an inspiring conversation!

Making a Difference

“I obviously did not grow up a Black cowboy but to be invited into this community and to what it taught me in terms of empathy, compassion, and understanding for people who aren’t anywhere near me has changed me,” Ricky Staub, the writer and director of Concrete Cowboy, told me in the podcast. “The process of making Concrete Cowboy was actually one of the greatest testaments of unity that our country needs right now.”

The Mandalorian

In another recent podcast, actress Emily Swallow from The Mandalorian and SEAL Team talked about attending her first Star Wars premiere, being married in Hollywood, and what it takes to bring her characters to life. She also revealed the darkest moment of her life, and what she did to overcome it.

Our Navigating Hollywood podcast has now become the #6 podcast for film interviews in the United States. Incredible! Our podcast became the #3 podcast for film interviews in Israel, #3 in the Dominican Republic, #7 in Ireland, and ranked in other countries too. I appreciate everyone who has been listening.

You can help increase the reach of our podcast by subscribing, leaving reviews, and recommending the podcast to your friends personally and on social media. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for helping to get the word out!

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