GateCrashers Pod

Gatecrashers  is back with an episode at the cutting edge of storytelling. In this episode, we sit down with  Monika Dalman  and  Alicia Read  — co-founders of the  Vertical Film & Series Safety Association (VFSSA)  and leaders behind  Type Eh Media  — to break down how vertical storytelling went from "the Wild West” to a rapidly evolving industry with real jobs, real standards, and real...

Cat and Makayla sit down to reflect on an incredible 2025—everything we created, produced, and launched across film, music, and live experiences. From behind-the-scenes wins to lessons learned, we unpack what it really takes to make things happen in a world where gatekeepers aren’t the gatekeepers anymore. Then, we dive into practical strategies for setting bold goals, staying accountable, and bui...

Podcast Episode Description What does it  actually  take to build a sustainable, impact-driven career as a filmmaker today? In this episode, we’re joined by  Lisa Cordileone , creator of  How-To-Multi-Hyphenate , an interactive workshop designed to help artists rethink above-the-line strategy through an authentic entrepreneurial lens. Fresh off a successful screening at  NEWFEST — the largest LGBT...

In this inspiring kickoff episode of  Gatecrashers , we sit down with filmmakers, authors, and creative rule-breakers  Helenna Santos  and  Alexandra Boylan  — the women behind the micro-budget feature  At Your Own Risk . We dive into  Alexandra’s journey into producing her very first feature film , a micro-budget horror that proved you don’t need permission, massive resources, or a studio greenli...

The cavalry isn’t coming — so what do you do when you decide to make the feature anyway? In this episode, we dive deep into the nitty gritty of becoming a  first-time feature filmmaker  after cutting your teeth on multiple shorts, and what it really looks like to build momentum when no one is swooping in to save the day. Teresa Catherine (she/her) joins us to talk about navigating life as a  multi...

Actress, writer, and director  Roxanne Fernandes  joins  Gatecrashers  to share her journey from Australia to Canada, navigating new industries, building community, and grounding her creative work in empathy and advocacy. In this episode, Roxanne opens up about her early projects, what inspired her to volunteer with Look Glass, and how that experience continues to shape the stories she tells and t...

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Angela Liu — a trilingual filmmaker, voice-over artist, and award-winning producer/director whose journey into vertical storytelling is anything but ordinary. Angela shares how her path began in voice-over and sound, how she came to the U.S. for grad school, and how one chaotic production day — where the director was suddenly fired — thrust her into...

In this intimate episode, Makayla and Cat dive into the real story behind  SHREDDED  — a film born from grief, trauma, and the search for healing. Together, they explore how the project began, why Makayla felt compelled to make it, and the ways storytelling and surfing became powerful tools for processing pain. Honest, vulnerable, and deeply human, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the e...

In this explosive episode of  Gatecrashers , Makayla and Cat sit down with actor–writer–director-producer  Sean Crampton , a true multi-hyphenate force who’s rewriting the rulebook on how to build a career in Hollywood. Sean breaks down the unconventional path that led to his success — starting with his  10,000 hours  spent grinding alongside his improv troupe, shooting scrappy sketches that becam...

In this episode of  Gatecrashers , we sit down with filmmaker Bonnie Gross — the writer, producer, and creative engine behind  LADY PARTS , a fearless dramedy based on her real-life journey through pelvic pain, medical gaslighting, and the wildly intimate chaos that comes with a vulvar vestibulectomy. Bonnie turned one of the most vulnerable chapters of her life into a film that’s disrupting women...

💥  Gatecrashers Podcast — Hot Takes Episode #1 Things are heating up. 🔥 In our very first  Hot Takes  episode,  Makayla and Cat  (attempt) rapid-fire industry hot takes. We’re talking: 🎬 The truth about short films — are they worth it? 🏆 Film festivals — what’s really going on behind the scenes? 🎭 The actor’s landscape today — can you just be an actor? 💣 Plus a few taboo industry topics. Fro...

In this episode of  Gatecrashers , we sit down with actor, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur Ryan James Metcalf, the founder of  Crop Shoppe , a cutting-edge production space designed for creators. Ryan shares his fascinating journey — from signing with one of the biggest talent agencies in the industry to discovering how making demo reels for fellow actors opened unexpected doors in his career...

In this episode of  Gatecrashers , we sit down with  Courtney Romano  — filmmaker, writer, and founder of  Queens Bird Films  — to talk about the  Non-De Film Movement , her rebellion against Hollywood’s outdated hierarchy. Courtney’s building a blueprint for filmmakers who refuse to wait for permission — creators who are done chasing studio validation, film festival approval, or anyone else’s gre...

Welcome to GateCrashers! No gatekeepers. Just creators. A Fox & Siren Production Hosted by Makayla McIntosh & Cat Yudain In this episode, Makayla and Cat take you on a journey through the dynamic world of entertainment, exploring the art of gatecrashing and carving out your own path. They share personal stories and insights about the challenges and triumphs of producing content, the evolvi...