Conversation With Levi Wilson and Lisa Hammer

3 Geeks Podcast

Join us on the 3 Geeks Podcast as we dive deep into the world of independent filmmaking with the exceptionally talented duo, Levi Wilson and Lisa Hammer. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re thrilled to feature their celebrated coming-of-age short film, Luke and Emma and a Gas Station on Franklin Ave, now streaming on AMC+. This poignant and humorous film, set in 1980s rural America, follows the journey of 11-year-old Luke, a mixed Asian boy navigating the complexities of identity, puppy love, and racism in a predominantly white world.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind the film, exploring Wilson’s semi-autobiographical narrative and the personal experiences that shaped this heartfelt story. Wilson shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of bringing such a relevant and authentic Asian-American experience to the screen, emphasizing its ongoing relevance in today’s society.

We’ll also uncover the magic behind Wilson and Hammer’s production company, Wilson Arts Diversified, and their journey through the film festival circuit, where Luke and Emma and a Gas Station on Franklin Ave garnered numerous accolades, including Best Short Film at the New Faces New Voices screening and wins at the New York Int’l Women Fest and Austin Int’l Art Fest.

But that’s not all—get a sneak peek into their exciting future projects. The duo is currently developing a feature-length version of Luke and Emma, along with several other compelling comedy and drama screenplays. Hammer shares her passion for collaborating with Wilson, highlighting the creative synergy they experience whether they’re writing, directing, or acting together.

Additionally, we discuss their work on the dark comedy series Great Kills on Amazon Prime, co-created by Hammer and directed by James Merendino. The series, now wrapping up its second season, features an impressive cast including Eric Roberts, Cathy Mortiarty, and Bai Ling, and follows a documentary film crew capturing the life of a Staten Island hitman.

Levi Wilson, a Kentucky native turned New Yorker, has an impressive background as a producer, writer, director, and actor. His portfolio includes independent series, comedy shorts, and notable features such as The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch and Punk’s Dead: SLC Punk! 2. Lisa Hammer, an accomplished director, writer, actor, and musician, brings her unique vision to their projects, with works like Maybe Sunshine and Turn of the Century receiving critical acclaim and cult followings.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with these rising stars as they share their journey, inspirations, and future aspirations. Don’t miss out on this inspiring episode celebrating creativity, diversity, and the power of storytelling.

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LisaHammer.com My site has the projects we spoke of on the front page and they can get to "Luke and Emma" from there, as well as "Great Kills" and the Night Flight Plus show.

You can also access these on our linktree: https://linktr.ee/WilsonArtsDiversified