Step inside the sonic world of Jeff Toyne, the acclaimed composer known for blending orchestral virtuosity, modern technology, and a deeply story-driven musical voice. In this episode, Jeff breaks down his recent work on Apple TV’s Palm Royale, starring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett—explaining how he effortlessly merges jazz, Latin rhythms, and orchestral color to evoke the luxe, sun-drenched world of the late 1960s with a modern cinematic edge.
We explore Jeff’s creative process, his hybrid scoring techniques, the challenges of creating period-inspired music that still feels fresh, and how contemporary composers harness technology to elevate emotional storytelling.
Award-winning filmmaker Susie Singer Carter, director of the powerful documentary No Country for Old People, sits down with us to reveal the shocking truths inside America’s broken elder-care system. From understaffed nursing homes to the emotional toll on families, Susie exposes what’s really happening behind closed doors — and what we can do to change it.
In this episode, we explore Susie’s personal journey, the systemic failures she uncovered, the courage of caregivers, and the urgent reforms needed to protect our aging population. If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one in long-term care — or you expect to age someday — this conversation is essential.
Step inside the dark, emotionally charged world of Sacrificios, the Mexican psychological horror thriller which made its World Premiere at the 2025 Austin Film Festival. In this episode, we sit down with Writer/Director Mauricio Chernovetzky and Writer Alexander Ioshpe to explore the film’s haunting origins, personal inspirations, and the profound examination of grief, faith, and the impossible choices a parent might face. Whether you’re a filmmaker, horror fan, or storytelling enthusiast, this conversation reveals what it takes to build a deeply personal, psychologically intense film that challenges the audience at every turn.
Director Ritesh Gupta (The Red Mask) joins us for a deep dive into his bold new horror film which premiered at FrightFest 2025. The Red Mask stars Helena Howard, Inanna Sarkis, Jake Abel, and Kelli Garner — and it’s not your typical slasher.
Ritesh reveals how this meta-thriller flips the remake trope, explores the war between creators and fans, and uses horror as a lens for cultural identity and internet obsession.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, or horror fan — this episode peels back the mask on what it takes to make a fresh classic in a world obsessed with remakes.
Step inside the visionary minds of writer/director duo Kerry Carlock and Nick Lund-Ulrich and producer Jennifer Sorenson, the filmmaking team behind the bold and genre-bending fantasy film SUFFER. Blending the American West with mythic fantasy, SUFFER follows Ida Blye, a young handmaiden with traumatic wounds and dangerous magic, on a feminist quest to dismantle the Scarlet Prince’s dark reign.In this conversation, we explore how Kerry and Nick built an epic world on a tiny budget, worked with a minimal crew, and created a story that challenges the traditional Hero’s Journey. Featuring a haunting, nearly silent performance from Naomi McDougall Jones, SUFFER asks one powerful question: What happens when the hero’s strongest weapon is their collective voice?We dive into microbudget worldbuilding, reinventing genre tropes, directing silence, and why now is the perfect time for stories that inspire resistance, courage, and unity.
In this episode, we sit down with Production Designer Brittany Hites, the creative force behind REGRETTING YOU — the emotional new film starring Allison Williams and Mckenna Grace, based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover.
Brittany takes us behind the scenes to explore how production design shapes storytelling — from visualizing grief and betrayal to creating spaces that reflect healing and rediscovery. Discover how color, texture, and set choices deepen emotional connection and elevate cinematic storytelling.
🎬 Whether you're a filmmaker, designer, or storytelling fan, this episode reveals how production design brings characters’ inner lives to the screen.
Step inside the unsettling world of Self-Help, the internet-fueled cult thriller acquired by Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting for a North American VOD and streaming release. In this exclusive conversation, Emmy Award–winning director Erik Bloomquist reveals the inspirations and creative process behind the film, which follows a college student who infiltrates a dangerous “self-actualization” community led by an enigmatic guru.
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker Zoé Eisenberg, writer and director of Chaperone — the acclaimed age-gap romance drama that’s taking Hawai‘i (and the indie world) by storm.
After its world premiere at Slamdance, where it won the Jury Award for Best Breakout Feature, Chaperone has captivated audiences across the islands during its limited theatrical run — and now available on Digital + VOD.
Critics are calling it “Hawai‘i’s May/December,” and with its 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Chaperone dives deep into questions of desire, morality, and power dynamics — all set against the lush, cinematic backdrop of Hawaii.
Join us as Zoé shares how she approached a story both intimate and provocative, the challenges of shooting in paradise, and how Chaperone opens up a nuanced conversation about age, agency, and emotional truth.
Step inside the world where music brings characters, creatures, and entire universes to life. In this episode, we sit down with Trevor Hoffmann, a celebrated video game and children’s animation composer whose diverse musical upbringing—spanning classical piano, church music, orchestral composition, Southern gospel, indie touring, and EDM ghost writing—shapes his unmistakable sound.
Trevor has composed for major animated series including Lego Friends, My Little Pony, Bossy Bear, Strawberry Shortcake, and the award-winning Deepa & Anoop (winner of Best Music at the 2023 Kidscreen Awards). As a prolific song producer, he has collaborated with Disney, Netflix, HBO, Nickelodeon, Wildbrain, and Fremantle, producing more than 400 songs for artists and television.
Join us as we explore Trevor’s creative process, the evolving landscape of video game and animation music, the business of composing for major studios, and how he blends emotion, storytelling, and technical precision to craft unforgettable soundscapes.
From Disney to espionage, composer Curtis Green is crafting soundtracks that move the world. As the composer of Daniel Dae Kim’s new spy thriller series Butterfly, Curtis brings cinematic depth and emotional tension to a story of secrets, identity, and danger. A longtime protégé of Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (UP, Inside Out, Coco), Curtis has scored acclaimed Disney+ projects including Dug Days, Zootopia+, and even the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.
In this episode, we explore Curtis’s creative process, how he builds sonic worlds, what he learned from Giacchino, and how he approaches music that fuels both laughter and suspense. Perfect for filmmakers, composers, and anyone who loves behind-the-scenes film storytelling.
🎬 Topics: film scoring, composing for streaming, spy thrillers, Disney animation, mentorship in Hollywood, creative storytelling through sound.
Step behind the magic (and the mayhem) with Chelsea Bruland, stunt coordinator for Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red.
In this episode, Chelsea shares how she built the action world of Auradon — where fairy tale royalty, rebellion, and high-energy musical sequences collide. From designing fight choreography that’s both safe and spectacular, to balancing Disney magic with real-world stunt precision, Chelsea gives a rare look into the art and adrenaline of movie stunt work. Whether you’re a filmmaker, choreographer, or Disney fan, this conversation is a masterclass in crafting heart-pounding, character-driven action. 🎬 Descendants: The Rise of Red — now streaming on Disney+.
Award-winning editor Michael P. Shawver (known for his work on Black Panther and Creed) joins us to discuss his latest project, Sinners. In this episode, we dive deep into the craft of film editing—how pacing shapes suspense, how choices in rhythm and structure build tension, and what it takes to bring a director’s vision to life in the editing room. Shawver reveals behind-the-scenes insights on working with raw footage, sculpting character arcs, and finding emotional truth in the cut.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, editor, or movie fan, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the invisible art of editing—and how it transforms Sinners into a gripping cinematic experience.
Composer and producer Trevor Hoffmann (CASMA nominee, Lego Friends, Deepa & Anoop, Nurture: Doki’s Delivery) joins us to talk about crafting emotion through sound. From the playful worlds of kids’ animation to the immersive landscapes of interactive media, Trevor shares how he blends classical orchestration with modern pop textures to create unforgettable musical storytelling. We dive into his creative process, the art of scoring for characters and gameplay, and what it means to compose music that truly connects.
#TrevorHoffmann #GameComposer #AnimationMusic #FilmScoring #CASMA #VideoGameMusic #ComposerLife #Podcast #BehindTheScore #MusicProduction #SoundtrackMagic #FilmmakerMixer
In this episode, we dive into the unbelievable true story of Martin McNally, the man who hijacked an American Airlines plane in 1972 in a bid to emulate the legendary DB Cooper. What followed was a five-day nationwide manhunt, full of twists, misdirection, and audacious criminal daring. We chat with filmmakers Eli Kooris and Joshua Shaffer who bring this story to life in their film American Skyjacker. We discuss the making of the documentary adaptation of the Top 20 Apple Podcast American Skyjacker, exploring how filmmakers reconstruct historical crime, track elusive characters, and uncover the lesser-known details that make this story one of the wildest in true crime history. If you’re fascinated by audacious heists, sky-high suspense, and real-life mysteries, this episode is for you.
In this episode we sit down with casting maestro Susanne Scheel, the force behind the stellar ensemble of Kathryn Bigelow’s political thriller A House of Dynamite. From assembling a global cast to discovering unexpected breakout talent, Susanne opens up about the unseen art of casting for high-stakes filmmaking. We explore how she navigates script, director vision, star power and surprise actors — and how that all comes together to shape the story we see on screen. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to cast a film of this scale — or how a casting director thinks — this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.
In this episode, we sit down with writer-director GG Hawkins to unpack her bold new feature I Really Love My Husband. What happens when the honeymoon phase fades, when our desires shift, when perfection can feel suffocating? GG takes us through conception, casting, shooting in Panama, balancing improvisation and script, and what she hopes audiences will take away. She also shares personal reflections about love, settling, creative risk, and what it means to follow your gut in art and relationships.
In this episode, we chat with director Rachel Israel and producer Shai Korman about their compelling new film The Floaters. The story follows struggling musician Nomi, who takes a last-resort job mentoring the misfit campers at her childhood Jewish summer camp — a place filled with nostalgia, chaos and the chance to reconnect.
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 says about community, competition, and creativity. If you’re a filmmaker, sport-enthusiast, or simply love behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is for you.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with filmmaker Ellen Rodnianski, director of American Baby, a moving and unflinching story about a young girl facing pregnancy, judgment, and isolation in small-town Texas. Ellen opens up about the film’s deeply human themes — from teenage motherhood to the silent struggles young women face when their world turns upside down.
In this episode, we sit down with writer-director Spencer King to unpack his tense new thriller The Wilderness, produced by Aaron Paul and Amy Berg and starring Hunter Doohan (Netflix’s Wednesday) and Lamar Johnson (The Last of Us). Set against the stark Utah desert, The Wilderness follows a group of teenage boys forced into a manipulative “wilderness therapy” program—where survival means more than just making it out alive.