Portraits of the Valley

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around the Valley.

Sensei David Becker

This is where Ryu-Dojo transitioned into Fox of peace-Dojo and the style Hawaiian Kenpo adopted into Kitsune Kenpo Karate & ju-jutsu. Saddly in December of 2016 Grand Master Bill a Ryusaki passed away at the age of 80. I remained loyal to my other life long sensei & mentor Grand Master Dennis Mortensen. (He took over Hawaiian Kenpo & Ryu-Dojo ) I’m still Grand Master Mortensen’s right hand man he is also Family. Read more>>

Elizabeth Wilson

I’m Elizabeth Wilson, and House N Haven grew out of something simple—I started watching homes on the side while working full time for over 21 years. Now in retirement, I’ve been able to give it my full attention, caring not just for homes but also for the pets inside them—cats, dogs, and all the little routines that make a place feel loved. Read more>> 

Lisa Stalvey

Afterwords, I decided to shop for a dress. I drove down Melrose Avenue and pulled into an empty parking lot, not knowing it a famous eatery in Hollywood. I met a Frenchman, Patrick Terrail, (the proprietor) standing at the bar, smoking a Gauloise cigarette. This is where my career path changed forever. After a few minutes, a conversation ensued, and it went something like this: Patrick: What can I help you with? Me: Well, unless you have a dress I can buy, nothing! Read more>> 

Maryann Ridini Spencer

Early Years In middle school and high school, I was involved in theatrical productions, including musicals and dramas, as part of a local theatre group. During my first two years of University, I served as an actress and an apprentice behind the scenes for equity and non-equity summer stock venues on the East Coast. Interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects, I decided to pursue a degree in Communications, with a focus on TV & Film. Read more>> 

Dani Parker

Behind the closed doors of a Los Angeles home that looked picture-perfect, with married parents, a dad who provided, a mom who ran the house, and a dog – at times chaos ensued. My mom struggled with mental illness, a personality disorder, and while my dad and brother experienced one version of her, I lived in conflict with another. Arguments were not only conflict, they were survival, an incessant effort to be understood and to understand. Read more>> 

Lilly Lion

Committing to yourself as an artist is the first struggle. With that comes imposter syndrome, a million rejections, and getting over the shyness of putting yourself out there and believing your work is valuable. But with that also comes strength in identity, beautiful friends, collaborators, and community that cheer each other on, and creative and personal growth. At the end of the day, each challenge is worth it because these are lessons and pathways to a stronger and better you. Read more>> 

Krista Barnes

After working for an agency for many years, I became frustrated with the ‘cookie-cutter’ methodology- there is no one box that every business fits in. So I started We Do SEO, a California LLC; we are the premier agency for businesses looking to improve their search engine rankings and maximize their online presence. Read more>> 

Edlyn Peña

The origins of the Dream Community Center go back to 2010 when my son, Diego, was diagnosed with autism. Learning about Diego’s autism prompted me to pivot my research interests as a faculty member at California Lutheran University toward exploring how autistic college students access and navigate college environments. My professional and personal knowledge and experience with autistic individuals bloomed from there. Read more>> 

Michael Vinton

Like many Angelenos, I’m a multi-hyphenate: I am an Actor, an Entrepreneur and an Advocate! In August of 2020, I lost my brother in a tragedy that would forever alter my life and trajectory. His passing was complicated and complex full of questions that would never be answered. In my grief, I felt alone and isolated from others who lost a loved one to suicide. Read more>> 

Jennifer & Brad Klein

Eco Landscape Design & Build began as a collaboration between husband-and-wife team Brad Klein and Jennifer Koll-Klein, who combined their complementary expertise in landscape construction and design to create a firm rooted in both creativity and craftsmanship. Read more>> 

Anna Jerden

I was a communications professional for more than 15 years, focusing on public relations, corporate and crisis communications, and reputation management for the healthcare, entertainment, aviation, and consumer technology industries. Read more>> 

Lucy L.

Absolutely! My journey with Splash Social Media started pretty organically. I’ve always loved storytelling and creating content, and over time I saw how powerful social media can be when it’s used strategically. Friends and fellow small business owners began asking me for tips on growing their online presence, and that’s when I discovered my passion for helping others show up confidently online. Read more>> 

John Mizenko

The Story of John Mizenko and Join The Band® Originally a guitarist from Cleveland, Ohio — and a proud Berklee College of Music graduate — I moved to Los Angeles in 1985 with the same dream shared by countless musicians: to make music in the city where it all happens. Read more>> 

David Druckerman

I started my journey in the sign industry while attending North Hollywood High School in the early 80’s. I needed to find a job and learned of the job board at the school. I saw a posting for a company called Executive Designs. Since I had a passion for graphic design and art in general I was really excited. Read more>> 

Marcie Maxfield

My husband worked for Disney Imagineering, and his job took us to Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai. At the time, I was building my own career in marketing and sales — I started in the music industry, then worked at the LA Zoo, and even launched the Los Angeles edition of Luxe Magazine. Living overseas was amazing, but it was also really hard. Read more>> 

Sandra Delgado

I started doing nails because I had a nail tech five or six years ago that was insanely good and fast and I remember telling her I wanted to learn how to do nails because it seemed easy to learn the technique of acrylic and the money was good, but I was a leasing consultant at the time where I was able to get my first apartment and discounted rent. At that time I was working in Inglewood area and living in Echo Park which was fun but not fun at night. Read more>> 

Summer Cureton

I started in my mom’s living room in Oct 2020 during the pandemic after going through one of the roughest break ups! Learning to do nails and nail designs kept me busy and i grew an organic business. I found out the next month after starting i was pregnant so naturally it was go time! I worked through my entire pregnancy and had my son. Read more>> 

Fred Calloway

I started as a home inspector and moved on to get my realtor license and became a broker from there I obtained my insurance license and mortgage lender license. I like to consider myself a professional that can offer my clients multiple services. Read more>> 

Diana Ivanova

I’ve always been driven by two things — advocacy and impact. My legal career began with a simple belief: that law can be both powerful and personal. After graduating and gaining experience across complex litigation and defense work, I founded Ivannov & Associates, a boutique California law firm built on precision, integrity, and a concierge-style approach to client care. Read more>> 

Avgoustina Papadopoulou

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, whether through writing or visual art. I started out studying English and Creative Writing, but over time I realized that filmmaking was the language that allowed me to express myself most honestly. My work naturally evolved into short films that blend realism with poetic and surreal elements, often exploring themes like identity, mental health, and human connection. Read more>> 

Devon Freeman

Malibu Wines & Beer Garden was founded by the Semler family, who are also behind Saddlerock Ranch and Saddlerock wines in Malibu. Their vision was to create a space that brings the spirit of Malibu—its relaxed energy, beautiful surroundings, and love of good wine—to a more accessible setting in West Hills. Read more>> 

Shawn Yacoubian

Been practicing martial arts since the age of 14. Started fighting in 1996. Went pro in 2002. Experienced the growth of martial arts and the impact it had on society. Decided to open my own gym brand in 2014 and have many success stories from the student base. Read more>> 

Cara Clegg

I grew up with what most would call a rough childhood. I was heavily bullied, and as a teenager, I turned to self-harm as a way to cope. I had so many feelings I didn’t know how to express until I discovered I could spill them onto a page that’s when my love for writing was born. It came naturally, like breathing. Read more>> 

Alexys Tiscareno

Hi! I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. And although I was raised in a small town that thrived in country music, I fell in love with classical music at a very young age. That passion led me to pursue a degree in voice performance at UCLA, and a master’s degree at the Ecole normale in Paris. Read more>> 

Leo Khechumyan

In the ever-shifting landscape of Los Angeles, where skyscrapers rise as swiftly as fortunes change, Leo Khechumyan carved out a career built on precision, persistence, and purpose. From a young age, Leo understood that success in commercial real estate demanded not just intelligence, but instinct — the ability to see patterns where others saw chaos, and to anticipate opportunity in the noise of the market. Read more>> 

Ardo Ayvazian

For over 50 years, we have personally designed and made fine custom-tailored dress shirts for thousands of professionals, Hollywood celebrities, and the global entertainment industry. Our custom-made shirts are made on premises and have been prominently featured in many films and concerts. We offer quality service and personal attention. Read more>> 

candice coke and christine solomon VESARA

The Company Vesara was started because two friends needed each other’s support in life. Then we realized how many other people were seeking comfort, community and support for things in life that we are just told to deal with quietly. Read more>> 

Benay Karp

I’ve been training and providing animals for the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Over time, many of the cast and crew began requesting our animal stars to appear at their private events. Read more>> 

Enoch Garcia

I started Honest Accounting Group with a simple vision: to help business owners and CEOs actually fulfill the vision they have for their companies. So many entrepreneurs start with a dream, but along the way they get buried in the details, lose clarity, and sometimes feel stuck. Read more>> 

Seño Nancy Davis

Since I was in elementary school, I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher. My role model was my elementary teacher, Seño Blanca—a tall, elegant woman who dressed beautifully and taught with such warmth and care. I adored her. I remember studying the way she carried herself and the way she made us feel. Read more>> 

Brandon Scott Wolf

Hello, everyone reading this! I’m Brandon Scott Wolf, a comedy writer, producer, voice actor, interviewee, and potentially your neighbor if you live in Los Angeles, and I’m constantly developing, writing, and collaborating on new creative ideas on my own and with friends. Read more>> 

Lulu Guajardo-Nino

I actually started The House of Sarah Foundation before I ever picked up a camera. After traveling to Uganda and seeing firsthand the challenges families were facing, I felt called to do something about it. What began as small acts of support turned into a foundation focused on empowering individuals through housing, education, and sustainable programs that create long-term change. Read more>> 

Jerrell Walls

Christ Chapel of the Valley started in 1991 as a Bible Study in a friend’s apartment, reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community. Within a few months the apartment was overflowing and there were people sitting outside on the landing trying to hear the teachings. We realized it was time to form a church. Christ Chapel of the Valley officially began on January 12, 1992. Read more>> 

Bob Gossom

I grew up in a family that valued intellect, curiosity, and decency. My father was a Navy dentist, both scientist and officer, and my mother carried that post-war mix of quiet confidence and competence that made everything seem possible. We moved constantly — coasts, bases, schools — and I learned to adapt, to observe, and to keep a book within reach.  Read more>> 

Christopher Scott

Back in the summer of 2013, I started to write electronic music as a way to make custom music for the video games I was making at the time. Over time, I started to become more passionate about writing music, so I dropped my hobby of making games in order to focus on becoming better at writing and producing music. Read more>> 

Calvin Smith

Rapper CSmith is a Rapper from Federal Way,Wa Bringing the streets what they want while He’s been making music for 11 years Whether it’s Rap,Hip-Hop Or Even R&B/Soul CSmith got Inspired & Influenced from Wiz Khalifa, D. Savage, Travis Scott, Soulja Boy, Trippie Redd, Juice WRLD, Nav, To keep going while he’s been making Music for 11 years Read more>> 

Parneille Walker

I actually started out studying film at San Diego State, then came back home to Sacramento to finish college and Sac State and complete the film program there. Right after graduation, I landed my first job as a production assistant at Good Day Sacramento our local morning show. That’s where I really started getting hands-on experience. Read more>> 

Susan Godfrey

My dad was the principal of an elementary school in Sioux City, Iowa, when the city rolled out some of the first Mac computers—one to every school in the district. Read more>> 

Herb Merriweather

My ‘story’ is incredibly lengthy–because I have a full life. I currently work as a voice actor (just beginning a new chapter in my career–stepping out from behind the mic). When I’m not locked in a tiny room producing audio ‘landscapes’, I volunteer (with my wife Cora) at our church, The Place Of Grace in Inglewood. Read more>> 

Jessica Villa

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and service has always been at the core of who I am. I joined the military right out of high school, and after completing my service, I continued that path by joining the Los Angeles Police Department. Read more>> 

Kip Knight

Firstly, I’d like to give a huge thank you for this amazing opportunity! I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. At a young age I had a passion for telling creative stories, but I never knew it was something more than a hidden love. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I discovered that I could become a filmmaker. Read more>> 

NYRIE SARKISSIAN

Nyrie Sarkissian, owner and founder of Tax Prep A-Go-Go has been preparing tax returns for nearly two decades. Having earned a degree in Business with a double minor in Finance and Economics, Nyrie has focused on the financial side of life for many years. Read more>> 

Allison Venison

My entrepreneurial journey began at fifteen, when I started taking unpaid PA jobs on independent film sets just to gain experience and learn the ropes. By sixteen, I had decided to write a script and pitch it to some of the people I’d met on set. One producer believed in me enough to secure $5,000 in funding to make the show. Read more>> 

Daniel Osorio

I got into photography early on into high school through a video production class. I learned the basics and worked with my teacher outside of class to rent gear to take to shows off and on. Read more>> 

Manuel q Martinez

Manuel q Martinez ( Manny ) Hair stylist specializing in Hair color also Custom Hair Extensions. Well I started my carrier as a hair stylist back in 1998 -1999 got my first job in a hair salon as an assistant. Read more>> 

Khalid Musharbash

My journey into the world of taxes and accounting began in one of the most unexpected ways. I was fresh into college and suddenly suffered a severe leg injury. My inability to walk forced me to take an entire year off to recover. I never would have thought that this injury would later guide me toward some of my greatest accomplishments. Read more>>  

Brian Love

I love this question because I can pinpoint the exact moment the idea of becoming a website designer and developer first came to me. It was a random afternoon in November 2013 at Cal State Northridge. I was a sophomore, sitting in the Sierra Center lounge, scrolling the internet to kill time, when I stumbled upon a website for a clothing brand called Cav Empt. Read more>> 

Tyler Davis

I first started drawing as a kid, heavily influenced by 1980s lowbrow pop culture like MAD Magazine, Garbage Pail Kids, and artists like skateboard and surf legends Jim Phillips and Steve Nazar, as well as subculture pioneers Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, R. Crumb, and Basil Wolverton. Interest in graffiti art was another major influence on my style. Read more>>  

Michelle Allen

My sobriety date is December 7, 2020 — the most important date of my life. It’s the day I was reborn. I was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California, into a wonderful family who taught me right from wrong. I grew up in the Catholic Church with a foundation of morals, dignity, and strong values. Read more>> 

Carla Ondrasik

I was raised with an unconventional lifestyle. My dad was a gambler and we lived on Long Island, N.Y. there were times growing up where I had to really think on my feet and take care of myself at a very young age. I used that time to learn life skills and lessons on not only surviving, but surviving strong! Read more>> 

Taylor Thomas

From growing up singing in church, to majoring in music at Morgan State University; the creative arts has been a lifelong passion of mine. Traveling the world with my university choir and having a career in hospitality management introduced me to different cultures and inspired my desire to use my creativity to connect with others from all walks of life. Read more>> 

HEAVEN MACPHERSON

I grew up in Alabama with big dreams and an unstoppable drive to build something extraordinary. That drive eventually took me to New York City, where I put myself through school and worked my way up to running multimillion-dollar brands in fashion, entertainment, and business development. I was living in Manhattan during 9/11, and surviving that tragedy changed me forever. Read more>> 

Aleu Moana

My story started in 2009 as a fresh transplant to Los Angeles. I was eager to start my journey as an actor and performer and was looking at opportunities in theater and entertainment. I came across an ad to portray princess characters for kids’ parties and that ignited a spark for children’s storytelling and performance. Read more>> 

Jesse Kaplan

With a deep-rooted legacy in film spanning three generations, I began my career working on major Hollywood productions such as Iron Man, Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, and The Polar Express. I built my expertise in sound and broadcast production video from the ground up. Read more>> 

Joel Lopez

Born and raised in the San Fernando valley. I grew up skating which heavily influenced my style and drive to make clothes. In 2018 I started my clothing brand DeathBrigade. Read more>> 

Andie Arbo

I moved to LA from Virginia in 2014 to pursue a dance career. I had dreamed of working in music videos but had no exposure to the film industry until dance provided me with those first few set experiences. I fell in love with filmmaking immediately and although I loved dancing in music videos, I knew I wanted to be more creatively involved. Read more>> 

Amanda Matthews

I’m Amanda Matthews, CD, HBCE — owner and founder of Blossoming Babies. My journey into birth work began with a deep desire to support families through one of the most transformative experiences of their lives. After attending my first birth, I knew I had found my calling. Read more>> 

Kim Thomas

Way back in the early 2000’s I was living in NYC with my friend Jen, when we decided to make a fresh start in LA with a new idea for interchangeable footwear. We had heard that manufacturing was an option in LA, so we drove across the country and started working for LA footwear companies. Read more>> 

Sonya Cha

I obtained my Marriage and Family Therapist license in 2011. Since then I had been supervising and coordinating programs for a county contracted agency. After 9 years of working for an agency, I decided to start my own private practice with two other co-workers. Read more>> 

Joanne Ramirez

Opened in small shop in Granada Hills in 1987 but expansion happened fast as we took on the upholstery work of all major Department stores. (macy’s, robinsons, sears, may co.) along with anyone that walked in the door. Began doing new custom booth construction for designers and architects shortly thereafter and have been going strong (slight hiccup with covid) ever since. Read more>> 

Jennifer Dean

I have always been interested in the human experience, and spent my early life as a filmmaker and documentarian. Along with trying to understand other people, I have spent decades trying to understand my own behavior, and how my own early childhood challenges have impacted me. This led me back to school, earning a Master’s and doctorate degrees in Clinical social work and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Read more>> 

Anthony Ayala

I had just moved to Northridge. I was looking for a gym at the time. On an evening run, I came across an industrial building playing loud music. I heard barbells dropping and loud cheers. I poked my head in and was approached by a gentleman that worked at the facility. Read more>> 

Dot Borja

My story as a wellness practitioner started five years ago.When the pandemic first pressed pause on life as we knew it, this prolonged uncertainty became an opportunity to delve into what I thought was just my own personal growth. Being an empath, I was experiencing panic, anxiety, fear, grief at what was happening (and still is happening) all at once. Read more>> 

Tony Rodriguez

Hello, my name is Tony Rodriguez. I am a proud U.S. Army veteran with over 25 years of service, retiring in 2005. Beyond my military career, I am a dedicated father, grandfather, husband, and active member of our community. Raised in Northeast Los Angeles and a graduate of Franklin High School, I moved to Tujunga, California, in 1994. Read more>> 

Antonio Pacheco

My first job after leaving the Air Force was working as a driver sales for the Seven Up Bottling Company in Los Angeles. During this time I took up custom tailoring as a hobby. I attended night school at L.A. Trade Tech College to learn custom tailoring. I eventually made a suit for the president of Seven Up. Read more>> 

Erica Arnold

I began dancing at the young age of three in Salt Lake City, Utah where I built an amazing foundation and career in dance. Twelve years ago, I decided to move to Los Angeles to expand my opportunities and share my passion on a larger scale. Read more>> 

Ando Mierzwa

Thanks for asking! I was an anxious, insecure teenager looking for answers to life’s big questions when I found martial arts. The world out there seemed out of control, but martial arts gave me a chance to focus on the world in me. I found the challenge of controlling my thoughts and movements very empowering…and highly addictive! That’s why I’m still training 40 years later! Read more>> 

Rita Bodor

To date, we’ve celebrated 15 loyal members reaching their 500-class milestone and hundreds of members surpassing 100 classes, a true reflection of our dedicated community. Read more>> 

Naira Keshishyan

My name is Naira and I’ve been a practicing clinician (LMFT) for the last 11 years. If you had told me back then that I’d one day be a licensed therapist managing my own practice and helping thousands of people across California, I wouldn’t have believed it. Read more>> 

Michael Petrullo

In my semi retirement I started a doggy day care for people who want their dog in a comfortable home environment. We welcome all happy dogs and they get to relax and play and always have great company. It’s like a second home for your dog. Read more>> 

Nathaniel Dolquist

Kingfisher Prep began with a simple observation: students today have more information than ever before, but less mentorship. Parents were telling us they felt overwhelmed by the college process, and students were telling us they didn’t know who to turn to for honest, personalized guidance. Read more>> 

Mechelle ‘Sheli’ Bollon

I’ve always loved animals — so much that, since childhood, they’ve been my favorite “people.” I’ve always seen them as our equals and treated them as such. As a young adult, I began rescuing the ones I could, caring for the companion animals of friends and family, and finding any way possible to have them in my life. Read more>> 

Luis Dominguez

I started my career in 2011 doing hair and make up for pageant and then 2013, I build my clientele doing blow dry (styling ) and then I started focusing in haircolor and hairstyling and creating people’s image and make them feel confident. Read more>> 

Luciana Davis

I’m Luciana, originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fitness has always been part of my life, but discovering Pilates completely shifted my perspective and it strengthened both my body and my mind, and gave me a clear sense of purpose. During Covid, when everything felt uncertain, I sat down and started writing a business plan. Read more>> 

Mariana Belén

MARIANA BÉLEN BIOGRAPHY Mariana Belén is a dynamic Colombian actress, singer, and multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her passion for the performing arts ignited at a young age, leading her to pursue intensive acting and singing studies in Colombia. Read more>> 

Justin Usami

Thank you for having me. My name is Justin Usami, and I am a small business owner and lighting professional based in Los Angeles. I own and operate Umami Lighting LLC, a company that provides lighting services and equipment rentals for film and television productions. Read more>> 

Frank Ruiz

I, like a lot of other people in Los Angeles, came with nothing but hope and a dream when moving out here. I wouldn’t say I necessarily had a plan but I knew that no matter what, I had to make all the effort to move out to California worth it, because just moving out here was a difficult task in it of itself. Read more>> 

Puja Sohi

“Legacy isn’t about what you leave behind—it’s about what you build while you’re here.” I’ve always believed that true wealth isn’t built in silos—it’s built holistically, when every part of your financial world moves in harmony. That belief has guided my entire journey. Read more>> 

Mark Matters

Over 15 years ago, Craft burgers and beer were becoming the crave. Restaurants like Fathers Office were inspiring. Then, craft cocktails took it to the next level within the hostility industry. I was always a big fan of music and sports and my journey with HQ Gastropub began. Today, our brand combines global cuisine with entertainment. We have locations in Woodland Hills and Huntington Beach. Read more>> 

Lesley Lasker

Deep down, I always knew I would become a therapist. I’ve always been fascinated by people and their stories. When my husband, Scott, and I started our family, I was fortunate enough to be able to devote myself fully being a stay-at-home parent to our three children for 17 years. Those were some of the most wonderful, meaningful and formative of my life. Read more>> 

Veronica Witkin

My name is Veronica ‘V’ Witkin, Im a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in The Valley. I grew up in and around the LA music scene. My dad Bruce Witkin is a Grammy nominated producer and my mom Suzanne is a visual artist. I started playing guitar and bass when I was 12 and started my first punk band pretty much right away. Read more>> 

Brian Safdari

From Refugee to Dream Builder: The Brian Safdari Story A Journey That Started 7,000 Miles Away Brian Safdari’s story doesn’t begin in the San Fernando Valley. It begins 7,000 miles away, in Afghanistan, in 1981, during one of the most dangerous periods in that nation’s history. The communist war between Afghanistan and Russia was tearing the country apart. Bombs fell. Families disappeared. Read more>> 

Antonio Rumie

I started off as the kind of theater kid who would sit anywhere but a chair. Floors, tables, corners, you name it. I’d memorize entire movie dialogues just to perform them in my living room or dress up as a different character everyday afterschool. Storytelling was always my passion; the question was never if I’d do this, but how soon could I start? Read more>> 

Nancy Nave

In 2007, while running a business from home and raising my three boys, my husband encouraged me to audition for a reality modeling show, something I knew nothing of. Long story short, I got cast, eventually signed with an agent, and before long I was booking commercials, TV shows, and films across Texas and nearby states—and I completely fell in love with acting. Read more>>

Janette Danielson

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area absolutely loving movies. Every weekend I had my rotation—Airplane, My Cousin Vinny, The Sound of Music, and later School of Rock, just to name a few. My childhood home was down the street from a local movie theater, and it became a family tradition to walk there at least once a week to see whatever was playing. As I got older, that ritual turned into after-school trips with friends, solidifying film as the center of my world. Read more>>