Filmmaker Mixer

Carrie Coaplen and Jonathan Hawpe join Filmmaker Mixer to discuss Halcyon Daze, their documentary about Disney's Galactic Starcruiser and the passionate community that emerged around one of the most ambitious immersive experiences ever created. In this conversation, Carrie and Jonathan share how they transformed a personal obsession into a documentary, interviewed dozens of devoted passengers,...

Writer-director Jeffrey Scott Collins joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss Above the Line, a dark Hollywood heist comedy about six struggling creatives who get the chance to steal Best Picture trophies from the producer who wronged them. Jeff shares insights into writing ensemble stories, balancing crime and comedy, directing a cast that includes Cedric the Entertainer and Sophia Ali, and navigating t...

Director Jon Erwin joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss Young Washington, the historical drama that explores George Washington's early years before becoming America's first president. Jon shares insights into directing period films, building large-scale battle sequences, researching historical figures, and crafting character-driven stories. Filmmakers will learn about leadership, visual storyt...

Writer and director Tommy Jackson joins the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast to discuss making Land of Wolves, an intense survival thriller that combines brutal action with emotional storytelling. Tommy shares how he developed the film's unique world, directed its action sequences, and built suspense throughout production. Filmmakers will learn about independent action filmmaking, directing fight scene...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we explore a documentary project following Alyssa Carson as she travels across the United States during NASA’s Artemis II mission. The film parallels a 10-day lunar flyby with a ground-level road trip, capturing stories of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts along the way. We break down how the filmmakers structured a real-time narrative across geograph...

Solidarity director Dustin Brown and producer Kaiulani Bush join the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast to discuss the decade-long journey creating a deeply personal debut feature about two immigrants whose lives are connected across language, culture, and circumstance. From short film beginnings to self-financing a trailer that caught the attention of Darren Aronofsky and Protozoa Pictures, this is a master...

Director and writer Ruthy Pribar and actress Ronit Yudkevitz join the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast to discuss their latest film, What Is to Come, which premiers at the Tribeca Film Festival. Following the success of her acclaimed debut feature Asia, Ruthy shares how a chance encounter with a woman carrying an extraordinary story inspired her newest film. We explore the responsibility of adapting real-l...

Production Designer Cabot McMullen joins the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast to discuss his work on Shrinking, his journey from architecture and theater to Hollywood, and how production design shapes audience emotion. Cabot shares insights into visual storytelling, collaboration, set design, and the creative decisions that help bring characters and worlds to life. Filmmakers will learn practical lessons a...

Sophia Meloni and cinematographer Lexa Krebs join Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of CHOP CHEESE, Sophia's debut short film inspired by a real family story. They break down adapting personal experiences into narrative filmmaking, collaborating with family members, and building an authentic visual style for a coming-of-age story. The film premieres at Palm Springs International ShortFest...

Filmmaker Mixer sits down with writer, producer, and horror storyteller Eric Miller, author of Whatever Happened To Uncle Ed? and screenwriter of films including Ice Spiders, Night Skies, and Mask Maker. We discuss genre storytelling, balancing horror with comedy, and how emotional truth strengthens supernatural fiction. Filmmakers will learn about writing tone, adapting ideas for production reali...

Hair and makeup can be one of the most powerful storytelling tools in film and television. In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with hair and makeup designer Jacqueline Fowler to discuss her work on the television adaptation of Lord of the Flies. Jacqueline shares how she approached character design, visual continuity, collaboration with other departments, and the challenges of creating...

Katie Spelman joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss her work as the choreographer behind School Spirits and her journey from Chicago stages to Broadway and television productions. Known for projects including The Notebook, Moulin Rouge!, and Rent Live!, Katie shares how movement can deepen storytelling, strengthen performances, and elevate emotional moments on screen. Filmmakers will learn about choreo...

What does it take to supervise visual effects on a major television series? In this Filmmaker Mixer episode, Paradise Season 2 VFX Supervisor John Weckworth and CG Supervisor Evan Underwood discuss creative problem solving, digital environments, production planning, and the evolution of cloud-based VFX workflows.

Ashley Barron joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the cinematography behind Netflix’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. In this filmmaker-focused conversation, Ashley shares how the visual style of the series evolved, the challenges of shooting emotionally layered scenes, and the realities of crafting cinematic television on a fast-paced production schedule. This episode explores lighting choices, c...

The action in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf feels different—and that's by design. Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator Thom Khoury Williams and veteran stunt performer Chris Romrell join Filmmaker Mixer to discuss creating realistic military action, tactical combat, and large-scale stunt sequences for the hit series. Filmmakers will learn about stunt coordination, rehearsal strategies, safety, second-u...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with ACE Eddie Award-winning editor Yvette M. Amirian, ACE to discuss her work on A Winter’s Song, the first English-language romantic comedy set in Armenia. Yvette breaks down the craft of editing emotion, building chemistry through pacing, and solving indie filmmaking challenges in the edit room. This conversation is packed with practical insights...

How do casting directors bring real-life figures to the screen? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, Tiffany Little Canfield and Josh Einsohn discuss the casting process behind Monster: The Ed Gein Story and the challenges of building a cast for a true-crime drama. They share insights into auditions, actor selection, collaboration with filmmakers, and what today's actors need to know to stand o...

John Lornager, Supervising Sound Editor for Wednesday, joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss how sound design shaped the gothic atmosphere, suspense, and tonal balance of the hit series. From subtle environmental textures to major horror moments, this conversation explores how audio storytelling elevates visual storytelling. Filmmakers, editors, and film students will learn about post-production workfl...

Chris Ritvo, Overall Visual Effects Supervisor on Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures, joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the creation of Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus at the heart of the film. In this conversation, Chris shares how his team combined real animal reference footage with advanced CGI to create a believable and emotionally engaging character. From researching octopus behavi...

On this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, Ben King takes us inside the creation some of the most ambitious sequences from IT: Welcome to Derry. From meteor impacts to terrifying creature transformations, Ben breaks down the technical and creative process behind bringing horror to life on screen. We discuss the undead moose attack sequence, designing fear through visual effects, and how the series explor...

Amanda Pollack (ACE) joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss her work editing critically acclaimed series like The Americans, The Good Fight, and Palm Royale. With a background rooted in music and rhythm, Amanda shares how she shapes performances, tension, and story in the edit. In this episode, filmmakers will learn how editorial rhythm impacts storytelling, how to collaborate with directors, and how to...

Barrie Gower joins Filmmaker Mixer for an in-depth conversation about the craft of prosthetic makeup in film and television. From character transformations to creature effects, he breaks down the creative and technical process behind some of the industry’s most memorable practical makeup work. In this episode, filmmakers and film students will learn how prosthetic designs evolve from concept art t...

What does it take to bring a story to life through music? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with a composer whose work spans The Queen’s Gambit, Hacks, and the indie film Breakup Season. From emotional storytelling to technical execution, we explore how music elevates every frame. We dive into the creative process behind scoring for different genres, collaborating with creatives, and...

What does it really take to create world-class visual effects for a hit series like Wednesday? Mark O. Hammond joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the art, technology, and collaboration behind modern VFX production. From concept development to final delivery, this episode explores how filmmakers and artists work together to create memorable cinematic moments. Perfect for indie filmmakers, aspiring VF...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with Judith “Jude” Feller, the new costume designer of Virgin River . She shares how she stepped into an established series and evolved its visual language while staying true to its cozy, small-town identity. Jude breaks down character-driven wardrobe decisions, balancing practicality with style in an outdoor setting, and introducing new elements lik...