E545 Stavros Halkias

Stavros Halkias is making waves in independent filmmaking with "Let's Start a Cult," a project that epitomizes his love for comedy and his approach to the changing landscape of the entertainment industry.

Stavros wrote and starred in the indie comedy film "Let's Start a Cult," which he wanted to make as a fun, silly movie without any deeper messaging or commentary.

Stavros Halkias co-wrote and starred in "Let's Start a Cult," a film he describes as silly and goofy, inspired by the works of comedic icons such as Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Farley, and Will Ferrell. Stavros emphasizes that his film is meant to be an entertaining experience for 90 minutes, comparing his movie humorously to "Amistad" by pointing out his movie's lack of gravity and historical significance. The comedy revolves around an absurd premise involving culthood and misadventures.

Stavros further indicates that his goal was not fame or wealth but simply to engage in something he is passionate about. He makes it clear that the intention behind "Let's Start a Cult" was not to create an opus or a prestige film but to focus on comedy—an extension of Stavros’ stand-up work.

Stavros was able to make the movie independently with a lower budget, allowing him creative freedom to focus on comedy rather than trying to make a prestige film.

The film had humble beginnings with a budget that grew from $200k to $750k, but it maintained its independent spirit through collaboration with friends and a smaller production company, Dark Sky Films. Stavros Halkias shares that by keeping the movie's budget low, they preserved creative control and flexibility, enabling them to focus on delivering a fun and humorous story without the pressures and constraints of more costly, unionized productions. He candidly reflects on the personal sacrifices and financial risks he took on for the sake of the film's independence, including the missed paid gigs and potential financial losses incurred during promotion.

The process of making the film taught Stavros about the realities of independent filmmaking, such as budgetary constraints and the need for efficiency on set.

Stavros recounts challenges such as tight time restrictions on set, acknowledging the steep learning curve that comes with the independent filmmaking process. His experiences have given him insight into budgetary management and an understanding of the importance of efficiency during production.

Stavros sees the rise of independent creators and digital distribution as a positive trend, allowing artists to make the content they want to make without having to fit into the mainstream studio system.

Stavros speaks highly of the rise of independent creators, encouraging others to use the power of the internet to build personal audiences and create independently. He advocates for creators to take control of their own projects and to seek direct support from their fans, circumventing traditional industry constraint ...

Stavros Halkias offers a critical perspective on the current political landscape in the United States, expressing concerns about both major political parties and their handling of key issues.

Stavros is critical of both major political parties, seeing flaws in how they have handled key issues

Stavros is most concerned about the potential impact of a conservative Supreme Court rolling back rights like abortion access and marriage equality

Stavros Halkias shares his concerns about the conservative majority on the Supreme Court and the possible consequences. In particular, he fears the rollback of abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade could lead to less general ob-gyn care in states that have banned abortions, compromising women’s healthcare. He also worries that this could be a precursor to other rights being undone, like marriage equality. Halkias believes that big businesses and the wealthiest individuals favor far-right politicians who may support such rollbacks due to their own economic interests.

Stavros feels the Democratic party has failed to effectively address economic issues like inflation and wage stagnation, giving an opening for Republicans to capitalize on voter frustrations

Halkias criticizes the Democratic party for its perceived lack of action on economic issues, such as inflation and wage stagnation. He argues that the party's focus on moderate Republican-like policies and cultural issues does not resonate with voters concerned about healthcare, wage inequality, and the potential for homeownership. Stavros advocates for policies that tax the richest and use those funds to provide healthcare for others, rather than insisting on a status quo that only benefits those at the very top.

While Stavros finds Trump entertaining, he sees him as a typical wealthy, self-interested politician despite Trump's outsider image

Stavros believes Trump's showmanship and comedy appeal have allowed him to get away with saying more extreme things than a less charismatic politician could

Though he acknowledges Trump's talent for showmanship and his ability to entertain a crowd with humorous tales and his electric presence on the microphone, Halkias remains skeptical of Trump's effectiveness as a politician. He points out that Trump grew up wealthy and is another billionaire supported by billionaires, fitting the mold of a self-interested politician. He critiques Trump's love for attention and suggests that Trump's charismatic persona has allowed him to say controversial and extreme things that would not be excused in someone less engaging.

Stavros ...

Stavros Halkias brings his unique comedic perspective to a range of topics reflecting on society and culture, sharing personal stories with tones of humor and introspection.

Stavros has had some memorable experiences with altered states of consciousness, including an emotional viewing of the Pixar film Coco while on acid.

Stavros shares an anecdote about a plan to watch "Aquaman" while on acid which, due to the movie being sold out, leads to an unplanned viewing of "Coco," a film about family. This unexpected experience provokes deep emotional responses as he reflects on his deceased grandparents and contemplates their pride in him.

Stavros recounts how his psychedelic experiences, even when challenging, have provided him with meaningful personal insights.

Stavros acknowledges the powerful impact that viewing "Coco" on acid had on him. Caught off guard by the movie's themes, he feels emotionally "destroyed," as he wasn't ready to confront such topics while under the influence.

Stavros' stories about his psychedelic mishaps highlight the unpredictable nature of these substances and the importance of being in the right mindset.

In a tradition with his brothers, they partake in hallucinogens during Christmas and view action movies, like the Star Wars prequels, for amusement. However, this tradition reminds him of the unpredictable nature of substances and the insights they can provide when the setting unexpectedly shifts.

Stavros reflects on the changing dynamics of relationships, dating, and sex in the modern era, including the ubiquity of online dating and the need for discretion.

Stavros humorously narrates his time in bar bathrooms rallying men or suggesting it’s time for them to go home. He also humorously comments on economic disparities affected by access to sexual education and jests about sharing the cost of a condom.

Stavros shares humorous anecdotes about his own experiences navigating these changing social landscapes.

Stavros jokes about being ...