The Hotsheet Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode, filmmakers Michael Hirschorn and Tara Malone take us behind the scenes of their Discovery ID / HBO documentary Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise , exploring the complex intersections of body image, TikTok culture, feederism, power dynamics, consent, and online culture. Rather than following a traditional true-crime formula, Michael and Tara reveal why they cho...

What drives King Charles III's lifelong commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation? In this fascinating conversation, award-winning filmmaker Nicolas Brown takes us behind the scenes of creating Finding Harmony , the groundbreaking documentary exploring King Charles III's decades-long environmental advocacy—long before climate change became a mainstream glob...

What does it really take to create a hit NHL hockey documentary series on Amazon?  In this exclusive interview, Showrunner and Director, Daniel Amigone, pulls back the curtain on producing, Face Off–Inside the NHL on Amazon Prime, the most talked-about hockey docuseries. Daniel shares behind-the-scenes insights into sports documentary production, revealing how access, trust, and authentic storytel...

The Hotsheet--Your Insider's Guide to the Entertainment Industry Behind the Scenes: YouTube & Amazon: Partners  What does it take to turn a fast-growing sport into a must-watch series? In this in-depth interview, Executive Producer Dan Bradley, breaks down the making of “Partners,” a hit pickleball documentary—from funding and production to storytelling, distribution, and audience growth. As p...

The Hotsheet--Your Insider's Guide to the Entertainment Industry Behind the Scenes: Hulu: Pam & Tommy Before social media, one video changed celebrity culture forever. In this revealing interview, Rob Siegel, showrunner & screenwriter, joins The Hotsheet to break down the making of Pam & Tommy —the series that revisits one of the most controversial moments in internet history. From ada...

The Hotsheet--Your Insider's Guide to the Entertainment Industry Behind the Scenes: National Geographic: Limitless What does it really take to live longer — and how far would you go to find out? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of Limitless with Bengt Anderson, Senior Vice President of National Geographic, to explore how cutting-edge longevity science, high-risk challenges, and cinematic s...

The Hotsheet: Your Insider's Guide to the Entertainment Industry Behind the Scenes–Netflix: Who Killed Malcolm X? What really happened the day Malcolm X was assassinated? And why did it take more than 55 years for the truth to begin coming out? In this powerful episode of The Hotsheet Podcast, hosts Jenn Nelson and Sean Dryke sit down with filmmaker and director Phil Bertelsen to unpack the making...

The Hotsheet: Your Insider's Guide to the Entertainment Industry Behind the Scenes–Netflix: Skyscraper LIVE What does it take to broadcast a free solo climb live to the world? In this fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation, legendary television producer Al Berman reveals the nearly 20-year journey to bring Skyscraper Live to life — the groundbreaking live TV event featuring world-renowned free...

Step behind the scenes of one of television’s most intense survival series with Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer Brian Bitterfeld and discover what it’s really like filming on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. In this in-depth conversation, Brian shares firsthand stories from the field—where “reality TV” truly means real survival. From brutal subzero te...

Filmmaker and Academy Award nominee Joe Berlinger is one of the most influential voices in true crime documentary filmmaking. Often described as a “true crime hit factory,” Berlinger prefers the title social justice documentarian—a role that reflects his commitment to ethical storytelling and real-world impact. In this masterclass-style true crime podcast episode, Berlinger reflects on his decades...

MARINES is a four-part Netflix documentary series (released November 2025) that delivers an unprecedented unfiltered look inside the U.S. Marine Corps’ 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during a high stakes Indo-Pacific deployment. Often described as the nation’s “911 force,” the MEU is shown as it trains, deploys, and operates at sea, revealing both the intensity of modern military readiness a...

Like most couples, Rod & Alison had relationship issues. Driven by a need for help, they made the decision to get therapy, only this was in front of an audience of millions, on Showtime’s Couples Therapy. In this episode, the couple shares their story and why they agreed to share their problems on TV, going through 20 weeks of intense therapy that was both challenging and enlightening.

David Bresenham, a former attorney turned reality TV producer, shares his journey from Harvard Law to producing hit shows like 90 Day Fiancé . Bresenham emphasizes the importance of real emotions and genuine connections in storytelling, especially when telling stories about love, relationships, and the human experience.

Asabi Lee,  post executive reality TV producer and award winning horror film writer,  thinks this is a great time to be a creator. In this energizing conversation, we discuss why it’s  important to adapt to change, how to leverage new AI tools, how horror films can convey powerful messages, the rise of micro content creation, and how to take control of your own creative journey.

Seasoned director of photography, Jeremy Schneider, dives into the evolution of competition shows, from his start in news, to his first big break on The Apprentice, to the enduring appeal of Taylor Sheridan’s, The Last Cowboy , and the show's unique blend of reality TV and authentic cowboy culture. Jeremy also talks about his innovative camera rigs for action shots on AMC’s Ride with Norman Reedus...

The billion dollar question is: what is happening in Hollywood? The entertainment industry is in flux, but TV editor Tony Maglio from the Hollywood Reporter tells us why and breaks it all down from mergers, to L.A. leaving Hollywood, to tariffs,  sports viewing and the impact of A.I. Tony also offers his predictions for 2026.

Emmy award winning Executive Post Producer, Kiran Malhotra, shares her transition from traditional filmmaking to AI filmmaking in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry. In this riveting discussion, we learn what AI filmmaking is, who is doing it and how it works. Kiran also reflects on her experiences in post-production on the hit TV show, Alone.

It’s no coincidence that Boardwalk Pictures is pushing the boundaries of unscripted entertainment and producing Netflix hit after Netflix hit when Andrew Fried is the CEO. Good leadership comes from the top, and Andrew is the man behind Netflix mega hits; Cheer, American Sweethearts, Chef’s Table, AKA Charlie Sheen, and Val among many other Emmy Winning shows. In this candid and humble interview,...

From combat veteran to reality TV executive producer to working with Liver King - Justin Fitzpatrick shares his wild ride of a career. Justin discusses who the real Brian Johnson (aka Liver King) is, the man behind the business empire “ancestral lifestyle”. We talk about why he did steroids, the challenges of freelance life,  the risks of entrepreneurship, and introduce his new venture, Ranch Revi...

n this episode, emergency medicine physician Dr. Julie Cullen - the real life “Dr. Robby” in HBO’s The Pitt - discusses the positive impact of the show on the medical community, the realities of working in high-stress environments, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the challenges faced by healthcare workers today, especially post-COVID. As portrayed accurately in the show, Dr. Cullen emphasizes the i...

Former senior director of development at ESPN, and strategic creative producer, Adam Neuhaus shares his expertise and how to develop a good storytelling idea, the power of the sports narrative, how to build a community around a project, and the impact of the creator economy. Adam discusses the challenge of identifying good ideas, the importance of discernment in ideation, and the reality of reject...

In this engaging episode on The Hotsheet a paranormal camera team delves into the world of paranormal investigations, exploring their experiences and insights after dedicating their careers to documenting the supernatural. They discuss the various types of hauntings, the impact of trauma on paranormal experiences, ghost encounters, exorcisms, the emotional and physical effects of these phenomena,...

In this eye-opening episode of the Hotsheet Podcast, we dive into the world of viral content creation with Lizzie, the producer behind the sensational YouTube film "I Slept With 100 Men in on Day" about Lily Phillips, an OnlyFans creator who made headlines with her bold stunt. Join us as we explore the challenges and motivations of online creators, the societal implications of their actions, and t...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Bill Winters, a four-time Emmy award-winning director of photography. From capturing iconic figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Snoop Dogg to working on Netflix hits, Bill shares his journey behind the lens. Discover his passion for retro tech, the art of cinematography, and the stories that have shaped his illustrious career. Whether it's the challenges of...

Join us for an insightful conversation with George McTeague, an Emmy award-winning executive producer and showrunner who has been at the forefront of culture-defining television for over two decades. From his early days at MTV to creating groundbreaking shows like "Live PD," George shares his journey, the challenges of the TV industry, and the evolution of content creation. Discover the stories be...