Hi Stage 32 community I’m Joseph Santarose, founder of Hustle & Lakás Management. The company is built on two things I live by: relentless hustle and unshakable strength (lakás). My first client is SAG-AFTRA actress Erika Erica, who co-starred on Better Call Saul and has appeared in projects with AMC, ABC, Universal, Warner Bros, and Netflix/SyFy. We are focused on relaunching her career with fresh momentum, and I am here to connect with casting directors, producers, and fellow creatives who share a passion for storytelling. Excited to be here, learn, and collaborate. If you are in film, TV, or VO, especially in Houston, Austin, or LA, let’s connect! — Joseph Santarose
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Are there any particular types of clients you looking for at this time?
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Thanks for asking, Scott! At this time I’m focused on managing one client, helping relaunch her career. I’m not taking on new clients right now, but I’m always open to connecting and learning from others in the community. Excited to see what you’re working on as well.
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Thanks for your response. I won't go into my entire bio. I have posted a few loglines and scripts. If anything is of interest we can connect further. All the best in your projects!
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Congratulations on your launch Joseph Santarose - wishing you all the best. Your bio says you're from Katy which is pretty much Houston. My wife and I met and married there. Glad you're with us on Stage 32!
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Hi Joseph Santarose and welcome to Stage 32! I’m Ashley, the Head of Community here, and I’m so glad you’ve joined us. Huge congratulations on launching Hustle & Lakás Management!
If you’re looking to connect with writers, filmmakers, or talent for your roster, I highly recommend checking out the Producing Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing), the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), and the Acting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting). These are great spaces to discover passionate creatives and build real relationships.
They're also great spaces for you to share tips, advice, and insights on how creatives can better communicate with reps, foster strong manager and client relationships, consider developing their careers, etc. I'm sure you have so much to share and I'd love to see you joining in!
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Hi, Joseph Santarose. Welcome to the community. Congratulations on launching Hustle & Lakás Management! That's big!
Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Writers, actors, directors, producers, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...
And here's the link to Stage 32’s August Community Open House (www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-august-community-open-house). It's free to watch. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros.
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congratulations! wishing you the absolute best!
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Thanks Scott Weisenfeld I’ll definitely take a look at your loglines and scripts. Always good to connect with writers and see what people are working on. Wishing you the best with your projects too, and let’s keep the conversation going as things move forward.
Leonardo Ramirez 2 Thank you so much! Really appreciate the warm welcome. Yes, I was born in Katy! , that’s awesome you and your wife have that connection here. Excited to be part of this community and looking forward to learning and connecting with everyone on Stage 32.
Ashley Renee Smith Thank you, Ashley! I really appreciate the warm welcome and the congratulations. I’ll definitely check out the Producing, Screenwriting, and Acting Lounges, those sound like perfect spaces to connect and learn from others here.
I’m excited to be part of Stage 32 and I look forward to contributing where I can, especially around building strong manager–client relationships and helping talent position themselves for opportunities. Grateful to be here!
Maurice Vaughan Thank you so much for the warm welcome and encouragement! I really appreciate the resources. I’ll check out the blog and the Open House replay. I’m excited to get more familiar with Stage 32 and start building genuine connections here.
Abram Christian Thanks so much, Abram! I really appreciate the support. Wishing you the best on your projects as well, looking forward to connecting here on Stage 32.
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You're welcome, Joseph Santarose. Glad you're part of the community. I hope you have a great time and find success on here! I'm looking forward to seeing you around Stage 32!
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Congratulations!
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hi there. since you didn't mention writers, I'm sensing we're not part of the group you are seeking to manage. however, if you do seek writers, I would love to talk.
marc
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How do you do Joseph?
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Sounds amazing” great to meet you Joseph Santarose
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Marc Ginsburg Thanks so much for reaching out. You’re right that right now I’m focused on management for actors, starting with my first client. Still, I know great writing is the backbone of this industry, and I’d be glad to stay connected and keep you in mind as opportunities come up.
Jon Casey Appreciate you sharing that, JC. At the moment I’m focused on relaunching my first client’s career, so I’m not in a position to read scripts just yet. I respect the dedication it takes to keep developing new work though, and I’ll keep an eye open and an ear to the ground for opportunities where your scripts might fit.
Harry Stoller Harry, thanks for asking! How’s everything on your end? Excited to connect here on Stage 32.
Ponce Deleon Great to meet you as well, Ponce. Thanks for the kind words! Looking forward to staying connected and seeing more of your work on here.
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Thank you, Dyan Edwards ! I really appreciate it. Excited to be here and looking forward to connecting more on Stage 32.
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Joseph Santarose great to see your post. Hope you're doing well. I’ve always admired the work that came out of Breaking Bad and its spin-offs like Better Call Saul — some of the best character-driven storytelling on TV (well… at least until I came along :-) ).
Quick question — any chance you’re connected with talent like Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler) or even Skyler White? (Hopefully Walter doesn’t mind!) I’m currently developing a few projects across both TV and feature films, and I’m specifically looking for a strong ‘bad girl’ type — ideally someone with the presence to lead a show.
Is Erika Erica open to lead roles? Does she have the range and presence to really anchor a series or feature? Happy to take this to DM, but I’d love to learn more about what kinds of projects she’s best suited for and open to.
Excited to see where things go for her — I’ve got no doubt she’ll find great opportunities here on Stage 32.
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Excited to see the amazing projects ahead! Wishing you and Erika all the success
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Welcome to this amazing community, Joseph Santarose. I love your IY, and all I want for you and Erika is success. I am rooting for you. Anything you need, we are here. I'm Sandra from Portugal, a writer, executive, and director. Also, Stage 32 moderator.
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Welcome and congrats! Any trends you're noticing about the industry at the moment on the talent side?
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Joseph Santarose
I'm currently seeking representation of my screenplays, short scripts, audio drama podcasts.
Below are my Author bio, literary and present talent accomplishments
Author Bio
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Chimezie, pen name 'Mr Ben' was the first born of four siblings, two brothers and a sister, their mother sadly passing away in 2022.
His primary and secondary school education finishing after A levels, (in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics) followed by further tertiary education was in Lagos, an ever hustling and bustling city, which contributed considerably to his wide reaching life and survival skills. This man's artistic journey is a story of survival, and his determination and persistence to be heard shines through his work like a lamp in the darkest cave.
As a child, Mr Ben always imagined he would, one day, become a published writer, poet, essayist, playwright, novelist and narrator. As an adult, three decades later, living alone with an incredible work rate and positive outlook, Mr Ben's efforts to make ends meet in an incredibly poor and difficult environment has earned our respect and aeh management signed him in 2023 to support him realise his life ambitions and appropriate rewards for his vision, talent, diligence and humility.
In his own words "In a nation where practically everything seem to be collapsing over time, I have taken it upon myself to transcend the bar of complacency: a rampant decision among most young people in Nigeria."
After literally hundreds of rejections for almost eight years, commendably he has become the published author he has always dreamed of becoming. He went on to turn his publications into screenplays and short scripts into audio drama podcasts.
Besides being an avid reader and writer, his personal interests and areas of work include animal care, essential food services, AI, alien life, and human empowerment.
Chimezie has congenital CFA, (craniofacial anomalies), a diverse group of deformities in the growth of the head and facial bones and has faced a lifetime of unkind human interaction which has only strengthened his will to succeed and ours too; his management.
Mr Ben said "Despite being born facially deformed and consequently having to endure the trauma of being looked down on by society (neighbours, schools I attended, even the churches I was once a member of) during my formative years, I summoned the courage to press on ahead with the burning ambition of becoming useful to myself and society. There was no finance to even see myself basically at the time. But through years of endurance and determination, I was able to pull through my painful childhood and hold onto my imagination of being a published writer and furthering myself in the only way I knew how, expressing myself, speaking, poetry & writing".
Mr Ben's various works are diverse and captivating and "a more than worthwile read", "challenging and thought provoking", "an incredibly enjoyable listen", "writes with pain, heart and soul".
Voice over demos: synchchaos.com/voiceovers-from-chimezie-ihekuna/
Reviews of Mr Ben's manuscripts (most of them have their titles adapted into screenplays, please enquire): writingbyalexandyphuong.blogspot.com
Scripts
Chimezie Ihekuna
www.scriptrevolution.com/profiles/chimezie-ihekuna
Frictionless media rights sale & distribution
www.rightsfually.com/en/partner/mrbenisreal/rights
Audio/Podcasts
Writers Seat with Chimezie Ihekuna
www.podomatic.com (https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/oneflowertwoturtles/episodes/2022-03-...)
A Taste of Poison
www.soundcloud.com/radiodramafest/a-taste-of-poison?in=radiodramafest/sets/floor-of-heaven-2023-monday
IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12603055
The link confirms the recognition of the audio drama podcasts
https://radiodramafestival.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Radio-Drama...
This is the link to the aired The Conflict at the Radio Drama Festival
https://m.soundcloud.com/radiodramafest/a-taste-of-poison.
Below are his currently-published list of books:
https://amzn.eu/d/9LQvoP2 (Wake, Up, Dream Boy!)
https://www.amazon.com/Major-Deceptions-Must-Guard-Against-ebook/dp/B0BH... (11 Major Deceptions You Must Guard Against..)
https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Two-Worlds-Mr-Ben-ebook/dp/B0CNNHX652
(Santa In Two Worlds)
The Meeting Point
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9389984645?ref=myi_title_dp
The Darn Things Kids Say
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9389984610?ref=myi_title_dp
Kids Love Stories
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9389984637?ref=myi_title_dp
Don't Be Stubborn
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9389984629/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=384J97QTAGA2O&ke...
https://www.amazon.ca/OVERVIEW-ENGI-SOPHY-Mr-Ben-ebook/dp/B0CPSN3LF7 ( An Overview of Engi (o) Sophy: A Phase Of True Modernization)
https://www.amazon.ca/Inspiration-Driven-Ideological-Discoveries-I-DIDs-... (The Inspiration-Driven Ideological Discoveries: The General Public Perspective)
https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Thoughts-Mr-Ben-ebook/dp/B0CR17Y9NT
(Talking Thoughts)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1497233 (Come To Think Of It Sx!)
Thoughts For The Season: https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Season-Mr-Ben/dp/1960038451/
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Welcome @joseph happy IYW! There are loads of creatives across all levels here. Thank you for posting about your journey, you have loads of experience and knowledge.