The 50/50 Podcast

This week, we’re joined by singer/songwriter Annika Rose and her manager Alice Dabell for a rare  conversation about what it looks like to grow alongside your management as an artist. Their decade-long partnership is a truly remarkable example of trust, evolution, and shared vision—one that began when Alice first discovered Annika through a now-mythical music video cover of Foo Fighters’ “The Pret...

This week, we sit down with Tessa Germaine (21 Laps) to trace her path through the beginning steps of Hollywood — from an early break as a coordinator on The Real Housewives of Orange County to navigating survival jobs, agency life, and the winding road toward producing. Ever wonder how working at Trader Joes can actually HELP you get a job in the biz? Well, you're in the right place. We talk abou...

This week, we’re joined by the 2025 50/50 Horror Festival WINNER,  Nishanth Ramasubramanian ! Nishanth breaks down how to balance ambitious visuals with economic constraints, how to achieve real catharsis within a short film, and what it’s like co-writing deeply personal material while navigating collaboration. We also dive into the nuances of showing your work to family members (his sister’s husb...

This week, UK-based Senior Creative Director Luke Keeling makes the ad world POP right before our eyes, as he breaks down what it really means to solve business problems through creativity. Luke notes how top agencies chase the narrative of a brand, sustain creativity at scale, and structure teams internally to build long-term, meaningful partnerships with clients. We explore why the strongest bra...

This week, we hit the ground running with documentarian/filmmaker Jacob Hurwitz-Goodman. Jacob gives us an exclusive look into his current documentary project, rooted in his deep-dive research on the “Rationalists”—a community of thinkers who live at the intersection of tech and philosophy, and seem to both dread tech/AI's inevitable takeover and welcome it with open arms. Jacob walks us through w...

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a 50/50 BONUS EPISODE! This episode features this week's guest on the pod, Karen Zipor, along with 50/50 Co-Host Wyatt Sarkisian, in conversation with comedian Johnny Marx. For more information on the WORM x FILM BROS Screening, see below:  WORM X FILM BROS LINK JOHNNY MARX (Q&A HOST)

This week, we chat with perhaps the truest definition of a multi-hyphenate, Karen Zipor. We begin by unpacking the uniquely ego-free culture of animation and why its constant collaboration has shaped her entire filmmaking approach. Karen breaks down the big differences between animation and live action — from timing and cost to workflow — and shares the animation-born skills she now leans on while...

This week, writer/director (and 50/50 Fest alum!) Eli Staub joins us to break down the instincts, influences, and intensely personal experiences behind his award-winning short, MODERATOR. We dig into how the movie’s horror grows out of the reality it portrays—and why telling this particular story became an essential part of Eli’s own process of unpacking trauma. We then explore with Eli his equal...

This week, we sit down with actor/ singer Lesley Chiang for a fascinating conversation that begins in the heart of the Hong Kong entertainment scene. Lesley breaks down the unique structure of the industry she grew up in—where performers are contracted to a single production company or channel, unlike the freelance, network-hopping model in the U.S. As a third-generation entertainer , she reflects...

This week, we sit down with editor and creator Jack Lawrence Mayer to talk about the delicate art of receiving notes and navigating conversations with producers and executives. From knowing which feedback sharpens your vision to recognizing when to hold your ground, Jack breaks down how to approach general meetings with confidence, intention, and creative clarity. We also dive into his journey as...

This week on 50/50, we’re joined by producer Josh Folan, whose sharp wit and knack for organization and budgeting have made him a sought-after producer in the indie film world. Josh breaks down his purposeful approach to filmmaking — blending passion with pragmatism — and uses his feature ASK FOR JANE as a case study in how to shepherd an indie project from script to screen.  Josh goes on to share...

This week on the pod, we chat with writer–director Luke Matthews , the mind behind TRICKS CAN GO WRONG — a  film about an aspiring magician that doubles as a sharp metaphor for post-college life. Blending vaudevillian, Buster Keaton–style physical comedy with Fielder-esque man-on-the-street absurdity, Luke’s film plays with illusion both onstage and off. We talk about how his fascination with magi...

This week, Luke and Wyatt sit down with writer/comedian  Vanessa Jackson  —whose path to standup comedy began, believe it or not, in a “red carpet interview” class that was... sketchy AF.  Vanessa walks us through her years in comedy, from the early open mics to her current “refinement era,” where she’s polishing instead of carving. She shares why comedy can be honed but not learned, what day jobs...

Our guest this week, Wylie Anderson, has a background in theater education, which she carries deeply into her craft as a filmmaker. So, it's no coincidence that Wylie brings a thorough understanding of learning styles and emotional intelligence into her filmmaking—skills that shine in her debut short HOW TO CRY ON COMMAND, centered on a young girl learning to navigate vulnerability in the digital...

It's a high school reunion this week! The guys chat with singer-songwriter Ava Maybee,  who gives us an inside look at what it takes to flourish as an independant musician. On this episode, Ava discusses her evolving relationship with beauty (and Luke's relationship with his hair), her songwriting process (including the challenges of taking a lyrics-first approach), and the moment she found her dr...

This week on the Pod, the guys chop it up with writer/comedian Brandon Scott Wolf, who proves that putting in the work—whether it’s daily pages or building friendships—pays off in big, weird, and wonderful ways. He walks us through the very unconventional path that led to becoming a contributing writer on SNL’s Weekend Update (spoiler: it involves his iconic site DateBrandonScottWolf.com [RIP] ),...

This week, Luke and Wyatt banter with the brilliant Britt Berke! Britt's knowledge accrued as a theatre director applies not only to the stage, but universally. We discuss topics such as how to communicate with actors using precise, supportive language (ie getting actors out of their own heads!!), how to discover the "note behind the note," and how to establish a unique point of view on a script,...

Prep your kits! Because this week, we chat with Nadia Reese Stone, who provides us with a unique glimpse into on-set life through the boldy-winged eye of a makeup artist.  Through Nadia, we learn that makeup artists are some of the most essential, yet overlooked and undervalued people in the industry. And Nadia proves just why we need them; she walks us through visual touchstones such as prostheti...

This week, the guys sit down with writer-director-professor  Aviv Rubinstien to talk about turning constraints into creative opportunities. Aviv shares how starting in horror taught him the value of budget limitations, why teaching sharpens his writing and widens his network, and how he’s built career longevity as a storyteller. We also dig into the lessons behind his meta road-trip movie, what to...

This week, acclaimed artist/designer/director Jonathan Zawada reports to us live from the Australian countryside, where he details his long list of collaborations with artists like Flume, Mark Pritchard, and Radiohead's Thom Yorke.  In true 50/50 Spirit, we unpack with Jonathan the intricate overlap between art, music, math, and identity. From translating sound into visuals to navigating the fine...

This week, Alaman Diadhiou joins the pod. The guys discuss with Alaman what it really takes to carve out your own lane in the industry—and why you shouldn’t listen to people telling you to stay in theirs.  They dig into the mindset shifts that keep you moving forward: realizing what’s good for you (not just what others expect), learning to compete with yourself instead of everyone else, and switch...

This week, 50/50 Class President (UTA Coordinator) Noah Wolfson joins us on the show. He breaks down why the balance of power has shifted into the hands of creators—and what that means for the industry at large. We explore how AI is streamlining production and cutting costs, while also threatening the traditional entertainment job pipeline. Plus, Noah shares how to network without making it transa...

This week on the 50/50 Podcast, Bebe Katsenes joins us (LINDA wig sadly not included) to talk about the art of building a live comedy show from the ground up. She shares how her improv roots inform her standup, the origin story behind her and Johnny Marx’s beloved character LINDA, and how she keeps audiences coming back month after month. We also dive into the challenges of finding your comedic vo...

Take notes, people, because this is the ultimate how to episode! This week, we’re joined by Gabby Fiszman, co-founder of Odd One Out Films (with previous pod guest Maria Quesada). In this episode, Gabby walks us through exactly how she and Maria started Odd One Out on their own terms, through building trusted networks with their closest friends and collaborators. Additionally, we touch on how to s...

Ever wonder what it's like smoking cigarettes with Natasha Lyonne outside of UCB at the age of 15? Well, you're in the right place. This week, we chat with comedian/writer/performer RUBY KARP! Credits include AFTER MIDNIGHT on CBS, THE CHARLIE PUTH SHOW, and Ruby's debut Off-Broadway stint, I DON'T TRUST ADULTS!  We dig deep into the trials and tribulations of childhood fame, how social media is v...