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PODCAST

The 50/50 Podcast

50/50 Film Festival

50% Business, 50% Creative. Hosted by 50/50 founder Luke Steinfeld (Filmmaker), and 50/50 Head of Talent Wyatt Sarkisian (Maximum Effort), the podcast builds on the mission of the platform: to nurture and empower the next generation of industry talent. Join us every tuesday as we sit down with voices from all corners of the entertainment industry, offering educational insight into process, production, and execution.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

01:02:46

HOW TO: Ideate as a Writer/Director Duo (w/ Aimee...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/02/03

This week, we sit down with 50/50 writer-director duo Aimee Hoffman and Elinor Howells about building a creative partnership that’s as honest as it is motivating. From their first days meeting at AFI to developing a shorthand that allows them to pitch wild swings and terrible ideas without judgment, they break down how trust — and taste — sharpen each other’s work. We talk about walking into every room with reps, producers, and execs armed with ideas, not

en

01:06:57

HOW TO: Digest the Industry from a Rep's Perspective...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/27

This week, we’re joined by Arman Yaghmai, a coordinator at Verve, for a candid, nuts-and-bolts look at how the literary side of the industry actually works. We begin with discussing why coverage is such a crucial entry point for assistants—and how to know when you’re ready to graduate out of it. We then pull back the curtain on the inner mechanics of a lit-forward talent agency, from weekly Open Writing Assignment meetings to how information travels

en

01:06:57

HOW TO: Digest the Industry from a Rep's Perspective...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/27

This week, we’re joined by Arman Yaghmai, a coordinator at Verve, for a candid, nuts-and-bolts look at how the literary side of the industry actually works. We begin with discussing why coverage is such a crucial entry point for assistants—and how to know when you’re ready to graduate out of it. We then pull back the curtain on the inner mechanics of a lit-forward talent agency, from weekly Open Writing Assignment meetings to how information travels

en

01:11:01

HOW TO: Disrupt the Biz with Irrational Confidence...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/20

Before Rotten Tomatoes became a cultural barometer for movies and TV, it was just a silly side project built by someone obsessed with community. In this episode, Patrick Lee traces his entrepreneurial instincts back to early adulthood — from reselling computers to launching what would become one of the most influential platforms in entertainment. He opens up about how close Rotten Tomatoes came to disappearing during the dot-com crash, the realities of

en

01:11:01

HOW TO: Disrupt the Biz with Irrational Confidence...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/20

Before Rotten Tomatoes became a cultural barometer for movies and TV, it was just a silly side project built by someone obsessed with community. In this episode, Patrick Lee traces his entrepreneurial instincts back to early adulthood — from reselling computers to launching what would become one of the most influential platforms in entertainment. He opens up about how close Rotten Tomatoes came to disappearing during the dot-com crash, the realities of

en

01:15:09

HOW TO: Establish a Dynamic Artist/Manager...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/15

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 Pretender” (seriously, we’ve scoured the internet… if you have

en

01:15:09

HOW TO: Establish a Dynamic Artist/Manager...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/15

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 Pretender” (seriously, we’ve scoured the internet… if you have

en

01:02:07

HOW TO: Develop IP as a Producer (w/ Tessa Germaine)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/06

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 about the power of setting small, incremental goals, embracing

en

01:02:07

HOW TO: Develop IP as a Producer (w/ Tessa Germaine)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2026/01/06

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 about the power of setting small, incremental goals, embracing

en

00:59:17

HOW TO: Achieve Catharsis in a Short Film (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/23

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 husband said WHAT?!) and how feedback can land very differently

en

00:59:17

HOW TO: Achieve Catharsis in a Short Film (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/23

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 husband said WHAT?!) and how feedback can land very differently

en

01:02:19

HOW TO: Work with BRANDS as a Creative (ADVERTISING...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/16

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 brands commit to agencies for the long haul, often seeing a

en

01:02:19

HOW TO: Work with BRANDS as a Creative (ADVERTISING...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/16

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 brands commit to agencies for the long haul, often seeing a

en

01:01:24

HOW TO: Approach Documentary with Artistic POV &...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/09

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 what it’s been like to study them from the inside, and why

en

01:01:24

HOW TO: Approach Documentary with Artistic POV &...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/09

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 what it’s been like to study them from the inside, and why

en

00:34:43

*BONUS EP*: Karen Zipor & Wyatt Sarkisian - Q&A w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/06

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)

en

00:34:43

*BONUS EP*: Karen Zipor & Wyatt Sarkisian - Q&A w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/06

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)

en

01:05:14

HOW TO: Toggle Between Animation and Live-Action with...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/12/02

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 producing and directing live action. Through Karen's

en

01:06:03

HOW TO: Blend Horror with Humor (w/ Eli Staub)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/25

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 love for horror and comedy—two genres that seem opposite

en

01:06:03

HOW TO: Blend Horror with Humor (w/ Eli Staub)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/25

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 love for horror and comedy—two genres that seem opposite

en

75 results

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