Marlene Sharp
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Medium,
Anime News Network,
BroadwayWorld,
Game Developer,
Animation Magazine,
Animation World Network,
Filmfestivals.com,
Voyage LA,
ShareCG,
Geek Insider
and
Covers:
Animation, anime, entertainment, comics, cartoons, dogs, TV, celebrities, movies, children, women’s issues, comedy, video games, interviews, true crime, podcasts, fiction, toys
Producer & wordsmith; dog mom of Blanche DuBois Sharp. All opinions are from Blanche. This is a puppet regime.
Articles by Marlene Sharp
A FUN-RAISER at the historic Hollywood Laugh Factory...
EXTRAORDINARY poster by Amos Stillwell of Spectrum Laboratory Laugh Factory - famous for its live comedy credibility, as well as its longstanding tradition of free public holiday meals and miscellaneous acts of goodwill - hosted the first Autism in Entertainment (AIE) benefit extravaganza on Sunday, September 7.
Spectrum Laboratory sings for its summer!
Spectrum Laboratory — acclaimed, LA-based, 501c3 non-profit performing and visual arts stomping ground of LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM standout and animation instructor Dani Bowman, ATYPICAL series star Domonique Brown, singer/songwriter Abbey Romeo, and many more creative, neurodivergent trainees — trades summer break for high kicks via two live musical stage productions in as many weeks.
POISON GUN is Dee Freeman’s secret weapon: An interview with actor/writer Dee Freeman
Member-only story Marlene Sharp · Follow 4 min read · -- Trigger warning: your next true crime obsession is a solo stage show, not a podcast. Said fixation is entitled POISON GUN, and this simmering drama likely is more explosive than most current non-fiction Netflix or Investigation Discovery streaming titles. Though it’s yet to manifest as a docu-series or feature film, the autobiographical tale seems destined for the big screen.
Autism in Entertainment gains an ally in Rob Kutner
Member-only story Marlene Sharp · Follow 4 min read · -- Rob Kutner writes. The following is a reprint from the Winter 2025 Autism in Entertainment newsletter. Enjoy! *** A funny thing happened on the way to the Autism in Entertainment Conference. The cause accidentally attracted an accomplished and hilarious Hollywood comedy writer named Rob Kutner.
At the speed of light and shadow, cinematographer Gevorg Gev Juguryan makes waves
Member-only story Marlene Sharp · Follow 3 min read · -- Cinematographer Gevorg Gev Juguryan blazes trails in Hollywood and overseas. ‘Gorgeously textured,’ ‘groundbreaking piece of television,’ and [good] ‘timing’: these are descriptives that venerable UK publication THE GUARDIAN applies to (returning) Netflix comedy MO (starring stand-up sensation Mo Amer).
DOGGONE CRIME! again: the 2024 wrangling, Part 2
Marlene Sharp · Follow 3 min read · -- Marlene and Blanche DuBois Sharp offer Part Number 2 of DOGGONE CRIME! 2024 countdown of the best in true crime dog-centric podcasts. Hope you dig it! Hello again, readers, and brace yourself for Part 2 of this thing that we began on January 2. Part 1 is here. Afterward, Mama and I plan to resume our real life search and rescue for the sad little dog named Seven who is missing from our neighborhood.
Grammy winner Jennifer Decilveo grants holiday gifts to Spectrum Laboratory’s neurodivergent musical artists
On Sunday November 24 at Fever Studios in North Hollywood, and in the form of talented musical multi-hyphenate Jennifer Decilveo, Kris Kringle embarked on a pre-Christmas Eve stop. This altruistic adventure directly benefitted the Spec Labs Records division of Spectrum Laboratory: a noteworthy day program for neurodivergent artists. Consequently, Decilveo’s generosity made waves of sound and in status quo.
Entertainment News: Grammy winner Jennifer Decilveo plays Santa for Spectrum Laboratory
(Info from press release) Grammy-winner Decilveo recently gifted gear to LA-based neurodivergent music and creative training ground Spectrum Laboratory Decilveo also co-composed an original song with Spec Labs musical artists on the autism spectrum, and there’s more collaboration to come Spec Labs closes a banner year with a video montage of accomplishments and a fundraising campaign “To create a successful song, the artist and the composition need spirit.
Entertainment News: The Ed Asner Family Center gives a holiday gift with IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
(Info from press release) The December 14 radio play-focused fundraiser benefitted Los Angeles-based non-profit Ed Asner Family Center SpongeBob himself – Tom Kenny – headlined the cast that also boasted Joey King (THE ACT, BULLET TRAIN), Mark Hamill, Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS, AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS), Phil Lamarr (MAD TV, PULP FICTION), Bill Fagerbakke (COACH, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS) and breakout neurodivergent actors Atticus Baldwin (GOD’S GANG, GENIUS REVISITED), Chelsea...
The Ed Asner Family Center gives a holiday gift with It’s A Wonderful Life (Featuring SpongeBob himself!) (PR)
The December 14 radio play-focused fundraiser benefitted Los Angeles-based non-profit Ed Asner Family Center.
The Ed Asner Family Center Hosts ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Staged Table Read
The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC), an LA resource for special needs individuals, recently hosted a radio play-focused fundraiser event featuring a live staged table reading of the beloved It’s A Wonderful Life film script. Performers included Tom Kenny (as George Bailey) alongside a handful of his fellow SpongeBob SquarePants series regulars, as well as Tom Bergeron, Mark Hamill, Phil LaMarr, and Joey King.
The Ed Asner Family Center gives a holiday gift with IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Thanks to The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC), Hollywood’s iconic IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE film script was reanimated! TEAFC — a stalwart LA resource for special needs folks — baked the razzle dazzle inside its crisp, 4th annual theatrical fundraising benefit on Saturday, December 14.
ICONS cleverly packages truth and consequences inside an artful pep talk
Marlene Sharp · Follow 3 min read · -- ICONS is the documentary debut of Women in Cloud, Inc. ‘This movie echoes classics like 9 TO 5, while tackling timely issues of female empowerment, equity, and representation in tech and beyond.’ — Kat Kramer, Founder, Kat Kramer’s Films That Change the World, The Palm Springs International Comedy Film Festival, Actor, and Activist Kat Kramer leads an ICONS short film panel at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA.
SOUTH OF HOPE STREET is fine counter-culture programming
Marlene Sharp · Follow 3 min read · -- SOUTH OF HOPE STREET cleanses the palate from saccharine rom-com confections. Fresh from its return engagement at Laemmle Town Center theatre in Encino, California, SOUTH OF HOPE STREET delivers more than titular hope: it is the perfect palate cleanser following an icky, sticky, formulaic aftertaste of the seasonal rom-com streaming onslaught.
GameU Advances Inclusivity in Video Game Design with Autism In Entertainment Workgroup
Marlene Sharp · Follow 4 min read · -- Register for the epic GameU x Autism in Entertainment virtual video game career intro session on Thursday, November 21 at noon Pacific Time! Tomorrow (Thursday, November 21) brings a big, free-of-charge, video game webinar collaboration between GameU and Autism in Entertainment. Today . . .
Rubber Ninja rethinks retirement and pays respects to toy titan Richard Gottlieb
Marlene Sharp · Follow 5 min read · -- Vadim Govorov is Rubber Ninja and creates content to reflect his super-diver alter ego. Do you know the Muffin Man? Of course, you do! Brace yourself; you’re on the verge of an intro to Rubber Ninja: his smell is more seawater than sugar, but he’s twice as sweet as the tired, ol’ aforementioned cake peddler. This article appears in the November 12 issue of GLOBAL TOY NEWS. It appears here for the convenience of Medium readers.
Rubber Ninja rethinks retirement and revisits Richard Gottlieb
By: Marlene Sharp Time travel back to 2022. It was Dickensian at its core. It was the best of times and the worst. The pandemic stubbornly persisted; folks supersized their toy collections; Richard Gottlieb published GLOBAL TOY NEWS; and commercial diver/toy sculptor/graphic novelist/Gottlieb mentee Vadim Govorov – a.k.a. Rubber Ninja – enjoyed his first print interview in the seminal plaything publication. The tail end of 2024 is no less of the Dickens but markedly different.
Laugh Factory (with President/Toy Inventor David Fuhrer) Reveals Spectrum Labratory’s Latest Short Film Project (PR)
Laugh Factory reveals Spectrum Laboratory’s HOUSE OF MASKS short film by all-neurodivergent cast and crew The iconic Hollywood comedy club provided a platform for neurodivergent improv talent – live – on its main stage and to autistic filmmakers via its in-house screen. Spectrum Laboratory (Spec Labs) is one of several official Autism in Entertainment educational partners and exhibitors from the April 5, 2024 Conference at Skirball Center.
Spectrum Laboratory Redefines "Rocktober" with Laugh Factory & Jorge Gutierrez
As it did in late September, Autism in Entertainment official educational partner Spectrum Laboratory will be reinventing Rocktober (the month f.k.a. October and Internet-appointed most productive period of the year) with activations across Los Angeles.
Spectrum Laboratory’s double whammy
As it did in late September, Autism in Entertainmentofficial educational partner Spectrum Laboratory continues to redefine Rocktober (the month f.k.a. October and Internet-appointed most productive period of the year) with splashy activations across the City of Angels.
Spectrum Laboratory’s Magic, Musings, and Mad Science of Jorge Gutierrez
“Thanks, autism!’ was a key takeaway excerpted directly from the educationally-focused September 26 Jorge Gutierrez one-man show at Victory Theatre Center in Burbank. The audience, comprised of audibly appreciative neurodivergent performing and visual artists from local adult day program Spectrum Laboratory, could not get enough of Gutierrez’s uplifting, autobiographical 450-slide presentation, animation career retrospective, and overall morale boost.
Autism in Entertainment infiltrates San Diego Comic-Con and beyond
Everything you wanted to know about Autism in Entertainment (but were afraid to ask) happened at San Diego Comic-Con. On July 25, the who, what, when where, why, and how of the first-ever Autism in Entertainment Conference(4/5/24 at Skirball Center in LA) were on full display at the Marriott Harbor San Diego and environs, albeit in encapsulation. However, it was key for the Con-goer to know where to look, à la buried treasure, thrift store bounty, or Easter eggs (video game and otherwise).
The key to Feeling Great: kill kindness
When kindness is the problem, what in the world could be the solution?! There might not be an easy answer, but the new Feeling Great app from renowned psychiatrist, author, and podcaster David D. Burns, M.D. tackles the kindness conundrum with flair, comfort, and pleasant distraction. Quick backstory of Dr. Burns: Since 1980 or thereabouts, Dr. Burns represents the definitive pioneering spirit of non-drug therapy for chronic depression and anxiety.
Autism in Entertainment infiltrates San Diego Comic-Con and beyond
By: Marlene Sharp Everything you wanted to know about Autism in Entertainment (but were afraid to ask) happened at San Diego Comic-Con. On July 25, the who, what, when where, why, and how of the first-ever Autism in Entertainment Conference (4/5/24 at Skirball Center in LA) were on full display at the Marriott Harbor San Diego and environs, albeit in encapsulation.
Pony Canyon USA arrives, and Kinnikuman returns
On Independence Day eve 2024, Japan gave talents to Los Angeles. They rode into town on horseback of sorts. The Pony Canyon press extravaganza took place at Japan House, the permanent Nipponese cultural hub that sits steps away from Dolby Theatre (a.k.a. the official Academy Awards venue). Under the halo effect of annual Oscar ceremonies, high level Pony Canyon co-workers - from overseas and otherwise - schmoozed entertainment journalists and potential Hollywood business partners.
when hair is a family affair
Chaz, Mike, and Niles Colter were all smiles and gorgeous scalps at the Niles & Chaz launch event inside Shole' Salon on Monday, July 17. Photo by Marlene Sharp. Iva Colter, Niles & Chaz co-founder, and the author schmoozed at the Beverly Hills Niles & Chaz official product debut. Photo by Marlene Sharp. Hair serum and adjacent products adorned Shole' Salon shelves and self-serve styling stations. Yesterday, Beverly Hills, CA hosted a hairy good situation.
A new game show to 'Talk About'
By Marlene Sharp Talk About causes a stir at the first-ever Quiz Show Expo in Los Angeles Happy (early) National Game Show Day! In honor of June 1, here is a micro-pop quiz: Name the most buzzworthy breaking news from the inaugural Quiz Show Expo. It might be too early to crown one winner, but there is a definite contender in vintage '80s and '90s hit family game show Talk About™, which is amidst its surprise worldwide comeback.
Toying with Autism in Entertainment
By Marlene Sharp While some colleagues celebrated Las Vegas Licensing Expo wins from last week, a smaller (but mighty) group continued to cheer a steady stream of happy returns from the April 5 Autism in Entertainment Conference. At both events, our beloved toy biz was front and center. However, the latter provided more than standard issue wheeling and dealing; it gave hope to a neglected neurodivergent workforce.
Upcoming NuArt Theatre red carpet affair fetes documentary 'Celebrating Laughter: The Life and...
By Marlene Sharp This weekend, stars align for a witty auteur. Pour yourself a (Saturday) cup of ambition, and RSVP to see celebrities pay homage to the man behind several iconic Hollywood comedies. On May 25, the 2022 documentary feature 'Celebrating Laughter: The Life and Films of Colin Higgins' enjoys a...
The Meaning Behind The Song: You Are So Faithful/Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Bob Fitts
The Meaning Behind The Song: You Are So Faithful/Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Bob Fitts In the world of Christian worship music, few songs have touched the hearts of believers as deeply as “You Are So Faithful/Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Bob Fitts. This powerful anthem has become a favorite in churches around the world, resonating with people from all walks of life. But what is the true meaning behind this song? Let’s dive in and explore the heart and message behind these powerful lyrics.
The Meaning Behind The Song: Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi by Lata Mangeshkar
The Meaning Behind The Song: Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi by Lata Mangeshkar Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi is a timeless classic from the Hindi film industry, originally sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. Released in 1956, this melodious track became an instant hit and continues to charm music lovers to this day. Composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and written by Shailendra, the enchanting lyrics, soulful melody, and Lata Mangeshkar’s mesmerizing voice all contribute to the magic of this song.
Inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference provides a pleasant breeze into Autism Acceptance Month
The world’s first Autism in Entertainment Conference takes place at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Friday, April 5. Toy and game industry power players plan to talk about career tracks in merchandise-driven fields. Inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference provides a pleasant breeze into Autism Acceptance Month Come April 5, there is a baby breeze blowing through Bel Air, California, home of movie stars, palatial estates, and iconic museums.
Puppy Bowl Tailgate Party 2024: a Doggone Crime! + Braun and Brains recap
First, congratulations are in order! Braun and Brains — esteemed counselor and canine crew from the Law Office of Eduard Braun —proudly announce the very first Badge recipient. The inaugural good citizenship award goes to 12-year-old Maltipoo Miss Bailey Patterson, Instagram star and dog daughter of Resheda Patterson.
Introducing Braun and Brains: a Doggone Crime! debut that celebrates Puppy Bowl XX
You're reading for free via Marlene Sharp's Friend Link. Become a member to access the best of Medium. The USA is on the verge of the year’s most adorable sporting event: Puppy Bowl XX! Packs of rescue pup-letes compete in their own annual Animal Planet cable network contest on Super Bowl Sunday. One day prior (Saturday, February 10) is the official pre-Puppy Bowl Tailgate Party — open to the public — in West Los Angeles.
Introducing Braun and Brains: a Doggone Crime! debut that celebrates Puppy Bowl XX
The USA is on the verge of the year’s most adorable sporting event: Puppy Bowl XX! Packs of rescue pup-letes compete in their own annual Animal Planet cable network contest on Super Bowl Sunday. One day prior (Saturday, February 10) is the official pre-Puppy Bowl Tailgate Party — open to the public — in West Los Angeles.
101 Reasons Why: The Interview Series, Interview 3 (playful producer Duane Piedmont)
Happy 2024 and almost Lunar New Year! This is the third installment of Neko Productions’ guffaw-fest of conversations entitled 101 REASONS WHY! The debut kidlit book behind it all is available for purchase on Amazon. In the spirit of generosity, please enjoy the following companion piece at no cost! This interview illuminates the kinds of stories that regular folks employ to survive everyday existence.
Doggone crime 2023: a true crime dog podcast opinion piece in 2 parts - part 2
Hi, it’s me Blanche and my pet parent Mama Marlene. It’s also 2024, which is a new year with the same old depressing lawlessness. However, we are here to brighten your day with our picks for best in show(s) 2023, and we don’t mean dogs. We serve up part 2 of the year in non-fiction doo-doo: scintillating podcasts about real scandals, scams, slays, and such.
Doggone crime 2023: a true crime dog podcast opinion piece in 2 parts
Hi, it’s me Blanche. It’s also the 2023 year-end dog true crime podcast episode round-up, and Mama and me are howling mad. Actually, Mama says that we’re mostly nonplussed, because there are poor pooches and pooch people who are slandered, scandalized, scammed, assaulted, stalked, cyber stalked, roughed up, ruffed up, robbed, offed (mafia style!), and, in some really trying cases, vandalized. It is a travesty, but the best way to cope is to make podcasts from it.
101 Reasons Why: the interview series
Welcome to the second installment of Neko Productions’ humor article series 101 REASONS WHY! On the cusp of Christmas 2023, Neko hereby heralds publication of its new, kid-focused graphic novel. The first title of the literary franchise is available for purchase on Amazon. In the meantime, the following serves as a gentle alert re: the chuckle-worthy tome. It also illuminates excuses that regular folks employ to survive everyday existence.
101 Reasons Why: the interview series
LA-based animation studio Neko Productions rolls into new territory between fact and fiction. Along with creator Ofir Lobel, Neko has a comedic middle grade graphic novel series in production. The title is 101 REASONS WHY, and the theme is kids’ creative explanations for all kinds of scrapes: lost homework, uneaten vegetables, half-finished chores, and the like. In other words, the books illuminate lengths to which adolescent excuses stretch. Lobel’s own childhood tale tales serve as inspiration.
Skybound Entertainment goes big in Japan
Dear Hollywood and Los Angeles-adjacent colleagues who do content business in, around, alongside, and with Japan, Please heed the groundbreaking, Japan-centric Skybound Entertainment announcement below.
Ann of 1,000 toy-driven TV titles
It is a pleasure to feature Toy Titan #3: Ann Austen! Ann enjoys the distinction of being the first female in this ongoing article series; predecessors include Christopher Bensch (Strong Museum) and Drew Vernon (Tonies). Ann is a particular delight because 1) She shares the POWER RANGERS roots of yours truly, 2) She is a Barbie content auteur, 3) She is a Hollywood girl-power success story.
Skybound presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation
Written by Marlene Sharp Remember Sonic the Hedgehog’s star turn in the iconic Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation? Picture it: the year is 2016; the locale is San Diego Comic-Con; SONIC BOOM animated TV series episode EGGMAN THE AUTEUR unspools on the big screen alongside other nutty, micro cinematic masterpieces inside San Diego Convention Center; and thus, the Blue Blur celebrates his 25th birthday in huge nerd fest style. Gotta go fast . . .
Skybound presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation
Written by Marlene Sharp Remember Sonic the Hedgehog’s star turn in the iconic Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation? Picture it: the year is 2016; the locale is San Diego Comic-Con; SONIC BOOM animated TV series episode EGGMAN THE AUTEUR unspools on the big screen alongside other nutty, micro cinematic masterpieces inside San Diego Convention Center; and thus, the Blue Blur celebrates his 25th birthday in huge nerd fest style. Gotta go fast . . .
Spike & Mike's Festival of Animation
Remember Gotta go fast . . . to present day and a big announcement at the In a bold business move, Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led multi-platform media company, proclaims a revival of long-running The Fest's first application window is free of charge and open for 60 days. This complimentary entry period ends on January 3, 2024. Comprehensive Fest details, including strategic partnerships and collabs, are works-in-progress. However, a few key perks are public knowledge.
LAPMF and the Arrue family VANniversary: Part 1
Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation (LAPMF) is a grantmaking organization that supports LAPD employees during times of great need. Welcome to the story of a family, fandom, and the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation. This is an epic which unfolds over the course of one year and in a series of articles, of which, this is part 1. The setting is Los Angeles; however, this tale has a universally heartwarming quality.
Definitely not Peter Rabbit: PETER AND THE ACID KING podcast
By: Blanche DuBois Sharp and Marlene Sharp Hello, and happy true crime spooky season from the DOGGONE CRIME gals (Blanche and Marlene)! This is an urgent interruption to post New York Toy Fair deal making news and entertainment industry-wide, WGA strike after-parties. Or in this case, the after-‘Party on, dude!’ (Apologies to Mike Myers.) Joking aside, get ready to behold the most memorable, biographical, murder-themed diversion that comes from a couple of comedy greats.
Definitely not Peter Rabbit: PETER AND THE ACID KING podcast
By: Blanche DuBois Sharp and Marlene Sharp Hello, and happy true crime spooky season from the DOGGONE CRIME gals (Blanche and Marlene)! This is an urgent interruption to post New York Toy Fair deal making news and entertainment industry-wide, WGA strike after-parties. Or in this case, the after-‘Party on, dude!’ (Apologies to Mike Myers.) Joking aside, get ready to behold the most memorable, biographical, murder-themed diversion that comes from a couple of comedy greats.
PETER AND THE ACID KING podcast
Hello, and happy true crime spooky season from the DOGGONE CRIME gals (Blanche and Marlene)! This is an urgent interruption to post New York Toy Fair deal making news and entertainment industry-wide, WGA strike after-parties. Or in this case, the after-'Party on, dude!' (Apologies to Mike Myers.) Joking aside, get ready to behold the most memorable, biographical, murder-themed diversion that comes from a couple of comedy greats.
Marlene Sharp, Our Hollywood Connection, Reports on the Latest in Animation
NEKO PRODUCTIONS Makes Waves Worldwide with Ofir Lobel’s Debut Graphic Novel and Companion Animated Series 101 REASONS WHY Los Angeles-based Neko Productions’ first foray into graphic novel publishing and original animation is available in fall 2023. Amidst the perfect storm of fan-con, confab and festival season, Los Angeles-based Neko Productionsperforms extra swimmingly. Riding high is the studio’s debut, original kid-lit graphic novel series entitled 101 REASONS WHY.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Marlene
Contact Marlene, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack