Leslie Merlin

Happy anniversary to @larsoncaroline I love you and our silly and the adventures we have! I can’t wait to make more fun memories together with you! As the great Adam Sandler sang- 🎵 I wanna make you smile, whenever you’re sad. Carry you around when your arthritis is bad. Oh, all i wanna do, is grow old with you. I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches, Build you a fire if the furnace breaks. Oh, it could be so nice, growin’ old with you🎵

What makes a great A.D.? Learn from literally one of the best, LESLIE MERLIN!! We talk about how she honed her skills, what she looks for when building a team, how to be a calm leader on set, and the feast or famine dynamic of the industry while also maintaining a family. We get into her path to becoming union, the differences between AD-ing for commercials, TV, and film, and how she unexpectedly landed on Modern Family for a decade. 🚨Spoiler Alert‼️ It’s because she’s not only incredible at her job, but also an incredible person to work with. This episode is absolutely packed with critical information that everyone on set should have an understanding of, regardless of whether you are aspiring to be an AD or not. Follow Leslie ⁠@merlin82 and links to her website and IMDB in the show notes 😊 Thanks so much Leslie!!! You’re seriously the best! #assistantdirector #womenpodcast #filmandtvpodcast #onsetadvice #filmandtv

We are so proud to officially share One Step Away with you. ‘One Step Away’ chronicles the incredible journey of SCAD alum Sabrina Spanta (B.F.A., fashion, 2016) and how she worked with SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace to coordinate her sisters’ escape from the Taliban in Afghanistan. The film highlights the transformative power of art through Sabrina’s story and the immeasurable hope for a future where women are safe from persecution. Since its premiere in 2024, ‘One Step Away’ has screened at film festivals across the globe and has earned honors from the Vega Digital Awards, NYX Awards, Anthem Awards, and Muse Awards, among others. Director: Leslie Merlin (B.F.A., video/film, 2005) Executive Producer: Paula Wallace Producers: Leslie Merlin, Eric Breen (B.F.A., video/film, 1997), Dane Reiley, Keri Brooks (M.A., fashion, 2025) Writers: Leslie Merlin, Keri Brooks Featured music: “A Second Chance” by Max LL; “The Hard Truth,” “I Once Was,” “Better Together,” “The Decision,” “Wide-Eyed Wonder” by Dustin Lau; and “Rivers in the Desert” by Ellis Smith YouTube link for the official SCAD upload of One Step Away /watch?v=PCQqB3oobaU

Exciting news, everyone! We’re thrilled to announce that our documentary has been selected as a finalist in the Documentary Category for the prestigious @anthemawards 🎥 It feels like just yesterday when our film premiered at the SCAD Film Festival. Since then, it has made its orbit around the globe, making impactful stops along the way! 🌍✨ A huge shoutout to our incredible team who made this journey possible: Executive Producer: @paulaswallace Director: @merlin82 Producers: @zilcin74 , Dane Reiley, @berikeri Co-Producer: @sabrinaspanta Writers: Leslie Merlin, Keri Brooks Editor: @ubijones Motion Graphics: @domenicabasantes_ Hair & Makeup: @childrenoftheknight Thank you to everyone who supported us on this journey! Your encouragement means the world to us. We can’t wait to see what unfolds at the awards ceremony—regardless of the outcome, we’re honored to be part of such an inspiring community! 💖 Stay tuned for updates, and let’s continue creating positive change together! 🙌 #AnthemAwards #DocumentaryFilm #Finalist #SocialImpact #MakeADifference #CelebrateChange #FilmCommunity #Grateful #Inspiration #GlobalImpact

Happy birthday @larsoncaroline Caroline!!! we love you and wish you the best birthday and all the fun!! We can wait for our vacation and we love you so much. We can’t do this life adventure with out you !!! Love you so so much and happy birthday!!!

Yesterday….. and today…..and tomorrow.

Happiest Mother’s Day to the best mommy. You are warm, loving , snuggly and everything she needs to be the happiest little lady we know. She looks at you with such love and you gave us the best adventure of of life with our baby girl . We love you so so much. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! @larsoncaroline

No words! One Step Away won Best Inspirational Film at the INDO Dubai International Film Festival (@indodubaifilmfestival )! 🏆✨ We’re beyond honored to be part of this incredible festival and to take our short film international to Dubai. None of this would have been possible without @scaddotedu —where the entire film was directed, produced, and filmed at SCAD Film Studios. So proud to represent this magical university and to see powerful collaborations like One Step Away thrive. And a big shout-out to our brilliant director Leslie Merlin for receiving a Certificate of Achievement Award! So well deserved. Thank you, IDIFF, for this unforgettable recognition! 🌍🎥 Executive Producer: @paulaswallace Director: @merlin82 Producers: @zilcin74 , Dane Reiley, @berikeri Co-Producer: @sabrinaspanta Writers: Leslie Merlin, Keri Brooks Editor: @ubijones Motion Graphics: @domenicabasantes_ Hair & Makeup: @childrenoftheknight #OneStepAwayFilm #IDIFF2025 #DubaiFilmFestival #SCADFilm #SCADStudios #LeslieMerlin #IndieFilm #ShortFilm #WomenInFilm #FilmmakersOfInstagram #FilmFestivalSeason #AwardWinningFilm #InspirationalCinema #FromSCADToTheWorld #TrueStory #GlobalVoices #Gratitude

We're beyond thrilled to announce that we've received the prestigious Platinum Award in the video category at the 2025 Hermes Creative Awards @hermescreativeawards ! 🏆 As one of the largest and most respected creative competitions globally, this honor is a testament to the innovative spirit of @scaddotedu . I'm proud to have collaborated with my alma mater on this project, pushing boundaries and striving to make the world a little more inspiring than yesterday. Forever grateful! 🐝 #HermesCreativeAwards #PlatinumWinner #SCADalumni Executive Producer: @paulaswallace Director: @merlin82 Producers: @zilcin74 , Dane Reiley, @berikeri Co-Producer: @sabrinaspanta Writers: Leslie Merlin, Keri Brooks Editor: @ubijones Motion Graphics: @domenicabasantes_ Hair & Makeup: @childrenoftheknight

What began over three years ago as an urgent mission turned into a two-year journey — one that tested everything I knew about fear, love, and what it means to fight for someone’s future. “One Step Away” was never meant to be a film. It was our reality. And now, five months after its premiere, it’s been named a Finalist in the @shortyawards in the “Documentary” category. To be recognized by an award that honors the most impactful digital storytelling worldwide is incredibly humbling — especially for a story this personal, this raw. This film was made with @scaddotedu — the place that helped shape me as a storyteller. And none of it would’ve been possible without the bold leadership and kind heart of President @paulaswallace , who didn’t just support the film — she helped change the ending. If this film moved you, we’d be so grateful for your vote. 🗳️ Voting closes April 30 → 👉 /17th/this-is-scad This one is for every woman who’s ever been “One Step Away” from freedom, from possibility, from being seen. Executive Producer: @paulaswallace Director: @merlin82 Producers: @zilcin74 , Dane Reiley, @berikeri Co-Producer: @sabrinaspanta Writers: Leslie Merlin, Keri Brooks Editor: @ubijones Motion Graphics: @domenicabasantes_ Hair & Makeup: @childrenoftheknight #OneStepAway #ShortyAwards #DocumentaryFinalist #SCADAlumni #SCADxOneStepAway #AfghanWomen #RealStoriesMatter #PresidentWallace #FromSurvivalToStorytelling #VoteNow

Happiest of anniversary Caroline @larsoncaroline I love you so much and love our adventures. Happy happy anniversary and to many many more years together!!!

Happiest 4th birthday to MY ONE AND ONLY ❤️. You make the world brighter. You are smart , beutiful , loved and the happiest … you our our greatest adventure and so many birthday wishes and then some!!