In this episode, we sit down with producer Joseph Restaino to talk about What We Hide , a gripping new film that dives into the lives of two sisters who make an unthinkable choice after their mother’s fatal overdose. Fearing the foster system will separate them, they hide the body—but their lie threatens to unravel, forcing them to confront how far they’ll go to protect one another. Joseph shares what drew him to the project, the challenges of producing such an emotionally charged story, and how...
Aug 25, 2025•23 min•Season 19Ep. 9
In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of production design with Olga Devuyst, the creative force behind the visual storytelling of F Mary Kill . Olga shares her journey in shaping the film's unique aesthetic, blending elements of satire, suspense, and modern dating culture. Discover how she collaborated with director Laura Murphy to create a setting that mirrors the film's themes of digital-age romance and true crime intrigue. From the use of digital overlays to the strategic design...
Aug 21, 2025•22 min•Season 19Ep. 8
What happens when a rebellious tooth fairy teams up with a cuddly troll and a brilliant goblin scientist? You get A Tooth Fairy Tale — an imaginative adventure where unlikely heroes must save their magical worlds from menacing spiders. We sit down with co-writer Richard Dane Scott to talk about crafting this whimsical story, building a fantasy universe that balances humor and heart, and why magical tales still capture the imagination of audiences young and old.
Aug 18, 2025•27 min•Season 19Ep. 7
Journey into the heart of Middle-earth's music with composer Stephen Gallagher and Grammy-winning score mixer Mark Willsher. In this episode, we explore their collaboration on the 2024 anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim . Discover how they created powerful new compositions, the challenges of blending traditional and modern instruments, and the process of bringing the world of Rohan to life through sound. Whether you're a Tolkien enthusiast or a film music aficionado, this ...
Aug 14, 2025•24 min•Season 19Ep. 6
What if a discovery hidden within our DNA could change everything we thought we knew about ourselves? On this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with writer-director Stephen Portland to discuss his mind-bending new film Universal —a sci-fi thriller grounded in very real genetic science. The film follows Leo and Naomi, a British academic couple spending a romantic weekend in a remote cabin. But when a mysterious woman appears claiming to have found a secret code embedded in the so-called “j...
Aug 10, 2025•23 min•Season 19Ep. 5
In this episode of the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast , we’re honored to be joined by award-winning filmmaker and physicist Mark Levinson ( Particle Fever , The Bit Player ) to discuss his latest film, The Universe in a Grain of Sand . A cinematic meditation on how we perceive and interpret the world, the film explores the interplay between science and art—from quantum computing to avant-garde cinema. Levinson invites us on a thought-provoking journey that connects scientific discovery with artistic ex...
Aug 09, 2025•25 min•Season 19Ep. 4
Join us as we sit down with director Evan Matthews to explore the making of his provocative new feature, Motherland . Set in a chilling dystopian world where the state raises children and personal choice is forbidden, Motherland asks: what does it truly mean to be a parent? Evan shares his journey—from daring sci-fi shorts to guiding powerful performances, navigating indie challenges, and collaborating with his exceptional cast. Whether you’re a film buff, a parent, or passionate about storytell...
Aug 06, 2025•27 min
In this episode of the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast , we sit down with directors Ryan Hartsell and Scott Berman to discuss their visionary project, Resolution: A Cinephonic Rhapsody for the Soul , a cinematic journey that fuses music and storytelling in collaboration with The Polyphonic Spree. Set to the band’s album Salvage Enterprise , the film is a sensory and emotional experience that explores themes of resilience, renewal, and transformation. Hartsell and Berman walk us through how this genre-bl...
Aug 04, 2025•27 min•Season 19Ep. 2
On this episode of the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast , we're joined by Nick Johnson the director of Sunburnt Unicorn , a visually arresting coming-of-age fantasy set in a surreal, unforgiving desert. The story follows an injured teenager who, in order to survive and save his father from the clutches of the mysterious Cactus King, assumes the persona of a mythical unicorn. Blending symbolism, magical realism, and raw emotional stakes, Sunburnt Unicorn is a bold journey through identity, imagination, an...
Aug 01, 2025•16 min•Season 19Ep. 1
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with award-winning editor Wax Taber , the creative force behind PBS's The Class , which premiered at SXSW EDU. Wax edited four of the six episodes and served as the finishing editor for the entire docuseries. The Class follows six high school seniors from Deer Valley High School in Antioch, California, as they navigate the college application process during the COVID-19 pandemic—supported by the relentless guidance of their advisor, Mr. Cam. It’s ...
Jul 28, 2025•26 min•Season 18Ep. 10
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with screenwriter and producer Suzanne Weinert , the creative force behind the gripping new crime drama The 8th Day , starring Darren Mann (from Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 ) and Phoebe Tonkin ( The Originals , Babylon ). The film is now available in select theaters and on VOD . Set in a gritty small Texas town, The 8th Day tells the intertwined story of two small-time criminals, a mysterious elderly woman with a hidden past, and a young woman desperat...
Jul 21, 2025•24 min•Season 18Ep. 9
In this episode of the Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with director George Ellzey Jr. to discuss his poignant new drama Cottage Grove . George shares how the film navigates themes of identity, perception, and emotional vulnerability within a deceptively simple setup. We talk about his creative influences, how the film was shaped in the edit, and what it's like bringing subtle, character-driven stories to life in the indie space. Whether you're a filmmaker, a fan of quiet tension, or just love a go...
Jul 14, 2025•26 min•Season 18Ep. 8
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with actor Mickey O’Sullivan to talk about his latest film, Room Six —a chilling psychological thriller that unfolds in a remote motel, where secrets, paranoia, and family tensions run deep. Known for his intense performances in Chicago P.D. and The Chi , Mickey dives into the making of Room Six , how he approached the complex character of "Red," and why he’s drawn to roles that keep both him—and the audience—on edge. We explore the challenges of ...
Jul 10, 2025•27 min•Season 18Ep. 7
Award-winning director Pete Chatmon joins the Filmmaker Mixer to talk about building a career behind the camera with style, vision, and purpose. Known for his work on hit series like The Flight Attendant , Insecure , Silicon Valley and Yellowjackets , Pete has directed over 65 episodes of television across comedy and drama. He shares insights into balancing tone, elevating scripts, and finding longevity in an ever-changing industry. We also dive into his indie roots with Premium starring Zoe Sal...
Jul 07, 2025•26 min•Season 18Ep. 6
Award-winning editor Richard Overall joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss his work on the BAFTA-nominated animated feature Kensuke’s Kingdom . Richard shares insights into shaping the film’s breathtaking 2D animation, collaborating with voice talents like Cillian Murphy and Sally Hawkins, and balancing adventure with heartfelt emotion. We also dive into his career in animation, from editing The Amazing World of Gumball to directing voice performances on Elliott from Earth . Tune in for a behind-the-...
Jun 30, 2025•33 min•Season 18Ep. 5
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with director and screenwriter Kat Gueli and actress Catharine Daddario to talk about their new film The Tributaries . The film traces the intersecting paths of characters navigating sorrow, memory, and the elusive hope of healing. Kat shares her vision behind the screenplay and how she approached the film’s layered narrative. Catharine gives insight into her performance, character development, and what drew her to the project. Together, they open...
Jun 26, 2025•27 min•Season 18Ep. 4
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with Zach Green and Devin O'Rourke, the creative minds behind the indie sci-fi comedy Foil . They share their journey from conceptualizing the story to premiering at the Dances with Films Festival and securing distribution with Cranked Up Films. Discover the challenges and strategies involved in bringing an independent film to audiences, and gain insights into the evolving landscape of indie film distribution.
Jun 25, 2025•27 min•Season 18Ep. 3
In this powerful episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we speak with Cameron S. Mitchell and David T. Mitchell , the filmmakers behind Disposable Humanity , which premiered at Slamdance . The film follows a family as they uncover the haunting legacy of the Nazi Aktion T4 program — a state-sanctioned campaign that murdered over 300,000 disabled people and laid the ideological groundwork for the Holocaust. We discuss the ethical responsibility of representing disability and trauma on screen, the family’s j...
Jun 16, 2025•36 min•Season 18Ep. 2
In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer , we sit down with Crystal Grooms Mangano, the accomplished music supervisor behind the Netflix series The Madness . With a career that bridges the worlds of music and film, Crystal shares insights into what it takes to shape a show's emotional tone through music, the art of choosing the perfect song, and how she collaborates with directors, editors, and composers to create unforgettable sonic moments. We dive deep into her latest project, The Madness , a fast-...
Jun 09, 2025•24 min•Season 18Ep. 1
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 television. She joins us to discuss her award-winning body of animated shorts — featured in over 60 festivals worldw...
Jun 05, 2025•21 min•Season 17Ep. 10
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 noir sensibility. We explore the psychology of wardrobe, how collaboration with directors and actors br...
Jun 02, 2025•28 min•Season 17Ep. 9
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 justice system.
May 28, 2025•22 min•Season 17Ep. 8
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 unforgettable score. Listen in and get inspired!
May 26, 2025•28 min•Season 17Ep. 7
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 the Lambs . Eva shares how a chance encounter evolved into a years-long friendship and collaboration...
May 23, 2025•19 min•Season 17Ep. 6
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 Western to life. From working with demonic lore to musical grit, hear how her vision shaped one of t...
May 19, 2025•28 min•Season 17Ep. 5
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 in the Americas. Talley shares how she crafted a film that is as much about the preservation of histo...
May 14, 2025•28 min•Season 17Ep. 4
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 challenges of bringing the world of Macondo to life through sound, and how their work pays tribute ...
May 12, 2025•46 min•Season 17Ep. 3
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 Florida, and learn about the challenges and triumphs of bringing this unique tale to life....
May 08, 2025•36 min•Season 17Ep. 2
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 life. Get ready for laughs, insights, and a peek behind the curtain of modern mockumentary filmmaking....
May 05, 2025•29 min•Season 17Ep. 1
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 the surface.
May 01, 2025•18 min•Season 16Ep. 10
