Filmmaker Mixer

Join us for a lively and inspiring conversation with Ryan Cooper (producer) and Josh Flanagan (director) about the mockumentary comedy Pickleheads — the world’s first feature-film dive into the booming sport of pickleball. We explore: how the idea was born, what drew them to the quirky and fast-growing pickleball scene, the challenges of making a sport-based mockumentary, casting surprises, movie-making secrets, and what this film ...

In this episode, we sit down with Austin-based filmmaker Kelly Lipscomb, whose new documentary Bite to Bite makes its World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival. The film follows a single giant Bluefin tuna from the icy Atlantic waters of Nova Scotia to Tokyo’s legendary Tsukiji Market — tracing a story of tradition, survival, and the global seafood economy. We explore how this cinematic odyssey reveals the human cost of overfishin...

In this episode, we sit down with director Salvador Espinosa and writer/actress Tato Alexander to talk about their sharp, emotional, and uncomfortably relatable new film Don’t Know How To Be. The story centers on Majo and Cris—a thirty-something couple whose birthday celebration at his parents’ home turns into a full-blown generational showdown. What starts as a hopeful day spirals into a chaotic engagement party that forces everyo...

In this episode, we sit down with Austin-based filmmakers Nick and Josh Holden, the writing-directing-producing duo behind their new feature film about family, integrity, and the fine line between selling out and staying true.

Their film follows novelist Benny Dink, whose career and love life implode just before his 40th birthday. When he returns home to Louisiana for his sister’s wedding, he’s forced to confront the compromises of ...

In this episode, we sit down with Ironheart director Angela Barnes and cinematographer Alison Kelly to talk about the visual power and emotional depth behind Marvel’s highly anticipated series. From crafting the look of Riri Williams’ world to balancing high-tech action with human connection, they share how they built a superhero story grounded in authenticity and innovation.

Discover the creative collaboration that shaped the next ...

Before social media, there were forums. Before viral TikToks, there were inside jokes on message boards. The Last Mixtape tells the story of White Collar Rhymes (WCR) — nine rappers from across the world who bonded online in the early 2000s, creating beats, rhymes, and community long before “internet rap” was a thing.

20 years later, these strangers turned collaborators finally came together to record in person, balancing day jobs w...

With 235 million views since its Netflix debut, KPop Demon Hunters has become the streamer’s most popular film of all time. At the heart of its global success is the groundbreaking sound design crafted by Michael Babcock — Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor, and Re-recording Mixer. Michael shares how he infused the polished, high-energy world of K-pop into the film’s sonic landscape, blending layered vocals, reverb, and beats...

Join the Filmmaker Mixer as we sit down with sibling filmmakers Scout and Max Purdy to explore their heartfelt coming-of-age feature, Pilgrim. With a sharp micro-budget of just $5,000, Scout and Max, along with their father, Doug, crafted a poignant narrative about a 15-year-old named Joe who embarks on a coastal hike after her mother’s death — confronting grief, family bonds, and personal growth along the way. Discover how the fat...

Director Nico Ballesteros was just 18 when he found himself inside Kanye West’s inner circle, camera in hand. Over six years and more than 3,000 hours of footage later, he created In Whose Name? — a raw, unflinching chronicle of genius, chaos, fame, and self-destruction. In this episode, Nico discusses trust, access, and what it means to capture the private life of one of the most scrutinized figures in music. Joining in the conver...

What does it take to visually capture the essence of a Latin Grammy-winning superstar like Karol G? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Mecky Creus — whose eye behind the camera helped shape the stunning Netflix documentary Karol G: Mañana Será Bonito (Tomorrow Was Beautiful).

Mecky shares how he crafted intimate and cinematic visuals that balance the glamor of global stardom with raw emoti...

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we chat with Charlene Akuamoah, the visionary costume designer behind Netflix’s new series Bet, a bold live-action adaptation of the manga Kakegurui. Charlene breaks down her process—from custom tartans and exaggerated silhouettes to the high-fashion gala looks that push the show’s visual storytelling into overdrive.

Discover how she used fashion to signify hierarchy, rebellion, and power, and how...

Join us on the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast for a deep dive into the mind-bending thriller Cognitive! We sit down with lead actress Rachel Fleischer, the legendary Charles Fleischer, and visionary director Evan Richards to uncover the story, the madness behind making it, and what it takes to craft a film that bends time itself. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more filmmaker insights, interviews, and podcast episode...