Filmmaker Mixer

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with Guatemalan filmmaker and animation artist Ursula Echeverria , founder of Kikotem Studios . A graduate of CalArts' prestigious Character Animation program and credited on high-profile projects like Xico’s Journey (Netflix) and Ruthless: Monopoly’s Secret History (PBS, Amazon Prime), Ursula is now blazing a new path in children's televisi...

How do you tell a story through fabric, color, and silhouette? In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed costume designer Ruka Johnson , who brings visual depth and raw authenticity to the HBO series Get Millie Black . From Kingston’s heat to London’s chill, Ruka reveals how her costume designs reflect Millie’s emotional journey, the cultural duality of the Caribbean diaspora, and the show's...

An unexpected power outage. A juvenile detention center plunged into darkness. Doors click unlocked, and a young incarcerated teen seizes the opportunity to run. But what does it mean to be free when the world outside is just another kind of prison? In this episode, we talk to filmmaker Paul James about his short film What Freedom , a raw and powerful portrait of a teen navigating the juvenile jus...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with FM Le Sieur , an acclaimed composer known for his work on The Sticky . We dive into his creative process, the challenges of scoring for film and television, and how he brings stories to life through music. FM shares insights into crafting the unique sound of The Sticky , his approach to collaboration, and what it takes to create an unforgettabl...

Filmmaker Eva Aridjis Fuentes joins us to talk about her unique path in cinema—from narrative features and documentaries to deeply personal, character-driven storytelling. In this episode, we dive into her latest film Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus , a poignant documentary that uncovers the enigmatic life of the cult icon best known for the haunting anthem featured in The Silence of...

In this special bonus episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with acclaimed production designer Elisabeth Vastola to discuss her hauntingly immersive work on the new Prime Video series The Bondsman, starring Kevin Bacon. Vastola, known for her atmospheric design on Jessica Jones and The Punisher, dives into how she crafted a gritty, otherworldly aesthetic that brings this devilishly supernatural...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we talk with award-winning journalist, writer, and director Olive Talley about her powerful new documentary The Stones Are Speaking . The film tells the incredible true story of archaeologist Mike Collins and his fight to save the Gault site—an unassuming patch of land in Central Texas that turned out to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries i...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with La Tina—the acclaimed Colombian sound collective made up of Andrés Silva Díaz, Alejandro Uribe-Holguín, and Manuel José Gordillo. Together, they form the sonic force behind Netflix’s ambitious adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude , based on the novel by Gabriel García Márquez. We explore their creative process, the cultural and technical...

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Suissa, the multifaceted talent behind the new indie dramedy Greek Mothers Never Die . Rachel shares how her personal experiences inspired this heartfelt story of a daughter haunted by her mother's ghost, blending cultural identity, family dynamics, and supernatural elements. Discover the journey from a one-woman show in Paris to a feature film shot in...

In this hilarious episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we chat with the dynamic duo behind the mockumentary My Little Hobby . Lauren Stava and Michael Costello share the creative process behind their comedy short, from crafting eccentric characters to perfecting the mockumentary style. Learn how Stava balanced directing, editing, and acting, and how Costello’s sharp writing brought this quirky story to li...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with costume designer Vanessa Porter , whose work on Goosebumps: The Vanishing helped define the eerie yet stylish tone of the show. Vanessa shares her process for building wardrobe that blends horror with nostalgia, how she balances practical concerns with storytelling, and what it takes to design for a world where the supernatural is just beneath...

On this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with filmmakers Toby Cochran and Adrian Ochoa to talk about their deeply moving animated short, Luki and the Lights . The film follows LUKi—a lively, soccer-playing robot who loves his friends and lives life to the fullest—until a sudden diagnosis changes everything. When LUKi learns he has ALS, his world shifts, but his spirit doesn’t dim. Toby and...

In this episode, we sit down with Deborah Puette, the writer and director of Such A Pretty Girl , a poignant short film that unfolds in real time over six minutes. The film delves into the complexities of family dynamics as Meg, a mother, navigates a moment of truth between her aging father and her young child. Deborah shares the personal inspirations behind the film, the challenges of conveying a...

In this episode, we dive into the haunting world of The Lonely Musketeer , a gripping black-and-white thriller by debut director Nicolai Schumann. Discover the creative process behind this claustrophobic tale of greed and revenge, shot entirely in a windowless room. Nicolai shares the challenges of capturing human trauma on an intimate level, his collaboration with lead actor Edward Hogg, and the...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with Emmy-nominated actor turned director Alexandra Chando to talk about her thrilling directorial debut, The 8th Day —a romantic heist thriller set in 1994 West Texas that’s now available on major pay-per-view platforms. We discuss Chando’s transition from in front of the camera ( The Lying Game , Sneaky Pete ) to behind it, and how she brought tog...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , hosts Andrew Lamping and Jeff Stolhand sit down with Rebekah Kennedy, Jennifer Goodman and Ryan Atkins to discuss their gripping psychological thriller The Unseen . In The Unseen ,  a law student finds himself in a twisted web of murder and deceit brought on by a dark force from his past. Kennedy, Goodman and Atkins share their creative process, behind-the-scen...

Step into The Cloaked Realm , an original dark fantasy animated series blending high adventure, political intrigue, and supernatural forces. In this episode, we sit down with creators Peter Alexander and Marisa Cohen to explore the rich mythology behind their series, the journey of bringing it to life, and their ambitious vision for season one. With a successful Kickstarter campaign and a growing...

Filmmaker Kanin Guntzelman joins us to talk about his hilarious short film Two Cents and a Foot Long , a quirky and relatable look at the absurdity of customer service culture. We discuss comedy, crafting memorable characters, and the inspiration behind this fast-paced, comedic gem.

Makeup designer Helen Magelakis shares her experience working on the hit series Apple Cider Vinegar, where she played a crucial role in shaping each character’s look and personality. We discuss the artistry of makeup in film and television, the challenges of working across multiple episodes, and the impact of visual storytelling through character’s look and style.

In this episode, we sit down with writer-director David Fortune to explore his stunning new feature film, Color Book . Shot entirely in black and white, Color Book is a visual and emotional journey that underscores the power of creativity and imagination in the face of adversity. David shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of making a black-and-white film in today's cinematic l...

FMM bonus episode! Video version available on Spotify! In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with director Robert Rippberger to discuss his latest film, Renner , starring Frankie Muniz, , Violett Beane, and Marcia Gay Harden. Renner is a thrilling psychological drama about a computer genius who develops an AI life coach to guide him in love—only to discover, too late, there is a bug in...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with director Aaron Ozlevi to discuss his gripping new film, Exile . Set in1955 Istanbul, this independent period drama follows the story of the impossible love between Eleni, the daughter of a wealthy Greek family, and Sedat, the son of a local carriage driver. Despite being in love since childhood and studying together at the Literature Faculty, E...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with director Bryant Terrell Griffin to discuss his debut narrative feature film, Young King . The film follows Diondre Howell, an Iraq War veteran grappling with PTSD and the challenges of re-adjusting to civilian life. Griffin shares insights into the real-life inspirations behind the story, the complexities of portraying mental health, and the jo...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with director Chelsea Christer to discuss her short film Out for Delivery , which premiered at Sundance and is now screening at SXSW . The film follows Joanna, a woman facing a terminal illness who has chosen assisted death —only to find that her journey to a peaceful end is anything but simple. Chelsea shares the inspiration behind the story, the c...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with award-winning editor James Haygood ( Fight Club, The Game ) and producer Katherine LeBlond ( Always Jane, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution ) to discuss their breathtaking new documentary, MOLA: A Tibetan Tale of Love and Loss . The film, which is set to have its U.S. Premiere at SXSW, tells the powerful true story of a Tibetan woman’s journey t...