Filmmaker Mixer

Composer and producer Trevor Hoffmann (CASMA nominee, Lego Friends , Deepa & Anoop , Nurture: Doki’s Delivery ) joins us to talk about crafting emotion through sound. From the playful worlds of kids’ animation to the immersive landscapes of interactive media, Trevor shares how he blends classical orchestration with modern pop textures to create unforgettable musical storytelling. We dive into...

In this episode, we dive into the unbelievable true story of Martin McNally, the man who hijacked an American Airlines plane in 1972 in a bid to emulate the legendary DB Cooper. What followed was a five-day nationwide manhunt, full of twists, misdirection, and audacious criminal daring. We chat with filmmakers Eli Kooris and Joshua Shaffer who bring this story to life in their film American Skyjac...

In this episode we sit down with casting maestro Susanne Scheel, the force behind the stellar ensemble of Kathryn Bigelow’s political thriller A House of Dynamite . From assembling a global cast to discovering unexpected breakout talent, Susanne opens up about the unseen art of casting for high-stakes filmmaking. We explore how she navigates script, director vision, star power and surprise actors...

In this episode, we sit down with writer-director GG Hawkins to unpack her bold new feature I Really Love My Husband . What happens when the honeymoon phase fades, when our desires shift, when perfection can feel suffocating? GG takes us through conception, casting, shooting in Panama, balancing improvisation and script, and what she hopes audiences will take away. She also shares personal reflect...

In this episode, we chat with director Rachel Israel and producer Shai Korman about their compelling new film The Floaters . The story follows struggling musician Nomi, who takes a last-resort job mentoring the misfit campers at her childhood Jewish summer camp — a place filled with nostalgia, chaos and the chance to reconnect.

Join us for a lively and inspiring conversation with Ryan Cooper (producer) and Josh Flanagan (director) about the mockumentary comedy Pickleheads — the world’s first feature-film dive into the booming sport of pickleball. We explore: how the idea was born, what drew them to the quirky and fast-growing pickleball scene, the challenges of making a sport-based mockumentary, casting surprises, movie-...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with filmmaker Ellen Rodnianski, director of American Baby , a moving and unflinching story about a young girl facing pregnancy, judgment, and isolation in small-town Texas. Ellen opens up about the film’s deeply human themes — from teenage motherhood to the silent struggles young women face when their world turns upside down.

In this episode, we sit down with writer-director Spencer King to unpack his tense new thriller The Wilderness , produced by Aaron Paul and Amy Berg and starring Hunter Doohan (Netflix’s Wednesday ) and Lamar Johnson ( The Last of Us ). Set against the stark Utah desert, The Wilderness follows a group of teenage boys forced into a manipulative “wilderness therapy” program—where survival means more...

In this episode, we dive into Miles Away , a heartfelt indie drama exploring identity, love, and second chances. Acclaimed actor Andre Royo ( The Wire ) joins director and lead actress Jackie Quinones to discuss crafting authentic emotion on screen, the film’s powerful journey from page to premiere, and what it means to truly find yourself when you feel “miles away” from home.

In this episode, we sit down with Austin-based filmmaker Kelly Lipscomb , whose new documentary Bite to Bite makes its World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival . The film follows a single giant Bluefin tuna from the icy Atlantic waters of Nova Scotia to Tokyo’s legendary Tsukiji Market — tracing a story of tradition, survival, and the global seafood economy. We explore how this cinematic odyssey...

In this episode, we sit down with director Salvador Espinosa and writer/actress Tato Alexander to talk about their sharp, emotional, and uncomfortably relatable new film Don’t Know How To Be. The story centers on Majo and Cris—a thirty-something couple whose birthday celebration at his parents’ home turns into a full-blown generational showdown. What starts as a hopeful day spirals into a chaotic...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Gans, the filmmaker behind VOICES , an intimate and powerful exploration of his father Danny Gans’ extraordinary life and untimely passing. Part personal journey, part tribute, VOICES uncovers the story of a man who rose from underdog beginnings to national acclaim, and the son who finds himself through rediscovering his father’s legacy.

In this episode, we sit down with Austin-based filmmakers Nick and Josh Holden , the writing-directing-producing duo behind their new feature film about family, integrity, and the fine line between selling out and staying true. Their film follows novelist Benny Dink , whose career and love life implode just before his 40th birthday. When he returns home to Louisiana for his sister’s wedding, he’s...

In this episode, we sit down with Ironheart director Angela Barnes and cinematographer Alison Kelly to talk about the visual power and emotional depth behind Marvel’s highly anticipated series. From crafting the look of Riri Williams’ world to balancing high-tech action with human connection, they share how they built a superhero story grounded in authenticity and innovation. Discover the creative...

Two powerful short films. Two unforgettable visions. We sit down with the creator of The Stand and Little Bird to explore the art, the heart, and the meaning behind the stories. From quiet resilience to bold defiance, these shorts show how even the smallest moments can carry the biggest weight.

Before social media, there were forums. Before viral TikToks, there were inside jokes on message boards. The Last Mixtape tells the story of White Collar Rhymes (WCR) — nine rappers from across the world who bonded online in the early 2000s, creating beats, rhymes, and community long before “internet rap” was a thing. 20 years later, these strangers turned collaborators finally came together to re...

Festival director Vanessa Bailey pulls back the curtain on one of the most vibrant festivals for storytellers — the Richmond International Screenwriting and Film Festival. We talk programming, the writer-first approach, and how this festival connects talent from across the globe.

Mike Zara joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming film Horrified , with Ron Perlman attached. Currently in preproduction, Zara reveals how the project came together, what inspired its eerie premise, and what it's like getting a genre icon on board. 

With 235 million views since its Netflix debut, KPop Demon Hunters has become the streamer’s most popular film of all time. At the heart of its global success is the groundbreaking sound design crafted by Michael Babcock — Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor, and Re-recording Mixer. Michael shares how he infused the polished, high-energy world of K-pop into the film’s sonic landscape, blendin...

Join the Filmmaker Mixer as we sit down with sibling filmmakers Scout and Max Purdy to explore their heartfelt coming-of-age feature, Pilgrim . With a sharp micro-budget of just $5,000, Scout and Max, along with their father, Doug, crafted a poignant narrative about a 15-year-old named Joe who embarks on a coastal hike after her mother’s death — confronting grief, family bonds, and personal growth...

Director Nico Ballesteros was just 18 when he found himself inside Kanye West’s inner circle, camera in hand. Over six years and more than 3,000 hours of footage later, he created In Whose Name? — a raw, unflinching chronicle of genius, chaos, fame, and self-destruction. In this episode, Nico discusses trust, access, and what it means to capture the private life of one of the most scrutinized figu...

What does it take to visually capture the essence of a Latin Grammy-winning superstar like Karol G? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Mecky Creus — whose eye behind the camera helped shape the stunning Netflix documentary Karol G: Mañana Será Bonito (Tomorrow Was Beautiful). Mecky shares how he crafted intimate and cinematic visuals that balance the gla...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we chat with Charlene Akuamoah , the visionary costume designer behind Netflix’s new series Bet , a bold live-action adaptation of the manga Kakegurui . Charlene breaks down her process—from custom tartans and exaggerated silhouettes to the high-fashion gala looks that push the show’s visual storytelling into overdrive. Discover how she used fashion to signify...

Join us on the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast for a deep dive into the mind-bending thriller Cognitive! We sit down with lead actress Rachel Fleischer, the legendary Charles Fleischer, and visionary director Evan Richards to uncover the story, the madness behind making it, and what it takes to craft a film that bends time itself. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more filmmaker insigh...

In this episode we speak with award-winning costume designer Leslie Kavanagh, the creative force behind the unforgettable looks in The Handmaid’s Tale . From June’s symbolic wardrobe evolution to the pastel subversion of New Bethlehem, Leslie walks us through how costume design has deepened the show’s storytelling in its most recent season. We explore the meaning behind Serena and Naomi’s looks, t...