Directing Actors Gym

Steven Strickland(Newark, NJ) is an actor, director, producer and host. With over 23 years of experience, this talented, charismatic and witty artist has performed in numerous theatrical productions, films and television. Steven’s recent television & film appearances include NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime & SVU, CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted, Hulu’s Only Murders in The Building & Paramount Pictures’ SMILE. He will also appear in the upcoming Apple TV limited series “Lady In The Lake”. Steven returns to the stage in the upcoming play “Scrambled Eggs”. Steven’s phenomenal ability to captivate audiences is a testament to his love for the craft. Mr. Strickland is also the CEO of StricklandMediaGroup, LLC. Steven has directed 6 short plays, 4 short films, 2 Web Series’, 2 fashion photo shoots, and co-directed  3 Off-Broadway plays. 

His motto is 

“DO WHAT YOU LOVE. LOVE WHAT YOU DO!”  The Motto • The Mantra • The Mission

The Art of Composition

Yucef Mayes is a recipient of a 2022 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for Film. Yucef’s film ZAHRA AND THE OIL MAN premiered at the American Black Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, and Blackstar Film Festival and was nominated for Outstanding Short Film in Black Reel Awards.

Yucef’s 3rd film The Mechanic’s Rose, about a dying mother who escapes the hospital for the most heartbreaking journey was produced by Wavelength Production, Cinereach, and Black Film TV Collective. Yucef is currently writing the feature-length of The Mechanic’s Rose. Yucef is the Outreach Community Coordinator for Express Newark’s Community Media Center. Express Newark is a digital storytelling hub for local creators in the Greater Newark area who want to tell community-centered stories through filmmaking and other forms of digital media.

The Art of Composition

Matt DV, the founder of the Short Film Festival, is an award-winning filmmaker and content creator.

Matt has directed two feature-length films, Midlife and God’s Will. He has won Best Director in both.

Matt has been capturing images for over 40 years. Matt spends most of his time capturing positive images in and around Newark NJ. Matt is also a YouTuber who VLOGs about food and travel.