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PODCAST

Mischief and Mastery

Creativity isn’t tidy—it’s risky, chaotic, and full of surprises. It’s full of breakthroughs and breakdowns, moments of flow and moments of doubt. Join Mishu Hilmy for unfiltered conversations with artists, filmmakers, musicians, and fearless makers who thrive in the unknown, embrace imperfection, and create at the edge of possibility. This is your front row seat to the self-doubt, unexpected wins, and messy emotional work of making something real. But craft isn’t just about feeling—it’s about

education film interviews

All Episodes

59:28

Make It Look Expensive | Shelby Gamble on Scrappy...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/06/17

Filmmaker Shelby “SB” Gamble joins me for a conversation about scrappy sets, strange stories, and the tension between polish and personal vision. We talk about learning to trust your instincts on shoots, the differences between commercial and narrative work, and how to stay creatively motivated when you’re wearing five hats.Shelby Gamble is a Chicago-based filmmaker, cinematographer, and video content producer with a sharp eye for story and a soft spot for the strange. By day, Shelby shoots

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56:43

You’re Not Too Late | Julia Relova on Scarcity,...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/06/12

In this episode, Julia Relova and I talk about that tender mix of creative joy and quiet comparison—what happens when you see a story close to your own finally break through, and the voice in your head says, “Does that mean I’ve missed my chance?” We get into scarcity mindset, energy tracking, and the sometimes-tricky shift from generous collaborator to intentional boundary-setter.Julia Relova is a queer Filipino-American filmmaker, creative producer, and community builder based in Chicago

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50:07

Nothing Big Has to Happen | Katherine Quinn on Small...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/06/10

In this episode, Katherine Quinn and I explore what it means to tell stories that resist spectacle. We talk about choosing stillness over fuss, pacing that invites pause, and the creative rebellion of writing conflict-averse characters—on purpose.Katherine is a New York-based writer and filmmaker whose work has screened at the Long Youth Film Festival, The New York Monthly Film Festival, and Cinema Arts Center’s Filmmaker Soirée. A magna cum laude graduate of Binghamton University, she sees

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51:13

Make It Yours or Don’t Bother | Ryan Satterfeal on...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/06/05

Ryan Satterfeal is a multi-award-winning actor, writer, and musician whose curiosity led him from garage bands to community theater—and eventually, to screen roles in Chicago Med, commercials, and indie films like Life Unexpected, Poser, and Clown Shoes. In this conversation, we talk about why he still reads scripts with both his actor and writer brain, how he handles risk and mischief in the audition room, and what it means to trust your impulses without letting your craft become

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61:08

Staying Seen Without Selling Out | Ruth Kaufman on...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/06/03

Actor, author, voiceover artist, improv performer—Ruth Kaufman has worn a lot of hats. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to stay present and committed in a saturated industry, even when the wins are hard to see. From casting breakdowns and shifting expectations to how self-tapes changed the emotional math of auditioning, Ruth shares how she’s managed to keep her love for the work without losing herself to the chaos of the market.She’s been a Marvel attorney, a best actress

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55:32

Build What You’d Want to Come Back To | Colin Parker...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/29

Some projects come together in a rush. Others take years of quiet build-up, trust, and timing. In this episode, Mishu and Colin unpack what it takes to move a project from an idea to the finish line—without burning out your team or yourself. They talk about clear communication on set, why structure matters even in creative chaos, and how to stay flexible while holding on to your vision.Colin has worked on everything from The Bear to The Batman, but his own short film FISH EYE won “Best

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53:13

This Scene Could Go Sideways | Andrea Zile Bish on...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/27

Filmmaking doesn't always go according to plan—but for Andrea Zile Bish, that’s part of the fun. In this episode, Bish and Mishu talk about the ups and downs of directing both comedy and horror, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the vulnerable realities of post-production burnout. They also unpack the myth of the auteur, share thoughts on directing tone-sensitive scenes with care, and explore how an improv mindset can make you a more adaptive—and more

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63:12

Stop Writing for the Audience—Start Telling the Truth...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/22

What happens when a filmmaker stops writing from the outside in—and starts building stories from the subconscious out? In this episode, Jordan Tragash joins Mishu for a conversation that gets into experimental structure, emotional disorientation, and the creative tension between clarity and chaos. They explore the value of discomfort, the illusions of control, and why Jordan has no interest in telling you what his films are about.Jordan is a writer-director and creative producer named “One

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54:24

Write the Cult, But Make It Believable | Jennie...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/20

What makes a story resonate—and what’s the cost of writing one that doesn’t play it safe? In this episode, Jennie McMurtry joins Mishu to talk about screenwriting in the indie world, from crafting high-stakes pilots to rewriting cult thrillers that feel unnervingly plausible. They chat about the pressure of self-producing, learning when to ask for money (and when to call in favors), and the liberating joy of writing unhinged women, flawed villains, and characters that push back against lazy

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60:42

The Edit Is Where You Lose Your Mind (and Maybe Find...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/15

What happens when you stop trying to be Wes Anderson and start figuring out what’s actually yours to say? In this episode, filmmaker, writer and editor Kyle Leland Cullerton joins Mishu for a refreshingly candid conversation about fear, delusion, and creative self-awareness. They talk about the high-stakes neurosis of editing, the discipline of outlining, and why learning to tolerate imperfection might be the only way to finish anything worthwhile.Kyle grew up in Chicago’s Boystown

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63:07

Make the Set Safe First | George Ellzey Jr. on...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/13

What does it mean to direct with care in an industry that often forgets its people? In this episode, George Ellzey Jr. joins Mishu for an unflinching and heartfelt conversation about navigating burnout, building emotionally safe sets, and resisting the achievement spiral. They explore the quiet rewards of creative leadership, how to protect your joy when the hustle hits hard, and why making room for humanity on set might be the most radical thing you can do.George is a Chicago-based

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58:15

The Joke That Scares You | Rey Tang on Risk,...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/08

What does it mean to chase a joke without losing yourself? In this episode, Rey Tang—a Chicago-based writer, photographer, filmmaker, and performer—joins Mishu for a conversation about finding her comedic voice while navigating feedback, audience expectations, and the realities of making a creative career sustainable. They talk about letting go of perfectionism, writing toward surprise instead of shock, and learning to take risks without chasing edginess.Rey performed stand-up at the 2024

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60:08

You Are the Infrastructure: Remsy Atassi on Indie...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/06

What if you stopped waiting for permission and started thinking like a studio? In this episode, Remsy Atassi—a Chicago-based Syrian-American filmmaker—joins Mishu for a grounded, no-nonsense talk about the changing landscape of indie film distribution. They unpack why relying on festivals and acquisitions may be a trap, how to budget with an eye toward self-distribution, and what it takes to build—and serve—your own audience from the ground up.Remsy directed the 2022 award-winning feature

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58:44

What Does Your Voice Sound Like? Tim Corpus on...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/05/01

What happens when you stop writing what’s expected—and start composing like yourself? In this episode, Tim Corpus shares what it means to develop a creative voice you can actually recognize in your own work. We talk about what makes a temp track helpful (and when it’s not), taking creative swings in client work, and how years of writing for others led Tim back to the sound that felt most honest.Tim is a Filipino-American composer and arts manager whose work spans concert music, film, and

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51:10

When Showing Up Feels Pointless, Do It Anyway | Jorge...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/29

What happens when you chase the adrenaline of live performance—and find yourself building a whole second life? In this episode, Jorge Salas joins Mishu to talk about getting into acting later than most, navigating the sometimes brutal psychology of auditions, and staying flexible in both life and craft. We dig into how Jorge’s background in tech gave him unexpected tools for acting, why he values emotional range over "hitting the mark," and how he’s preparing for his next big creative

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48:31

Follow the Butterfly | Alex Rembold on Quitting the...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/24

What if the most meaningful thing you ever made wasn’t your biggest show—but the space you created for someone else to play? In this episode, Alex Rembold talks about leaving a soul-crushing job to start Catjam, the community-driven open mic series he founded to give others permission to show up, sound weird, and feel welcome. We talk about shifting from competitive to collaborative mindsets, the invisible power of musical vulnerability, and what it means to build something out of kindness

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52:30

You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Professional | Madelynn...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/22

What does it mean to call yourself an actor before the industry gives you permission? In this episode, Madelynn Wierda talks about navigating the awkward in-between of student and professional, how she chooses roles based on instinct, and why setting your own tone on set can make all the difference. We explore the mental side of auditioning, asking questions before you arrive, and letting go of “aspiring” in favor of actually doing the work.Madelynn is a Chicago-based actor who’s

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56:54

What If Story Didn’t Require Conflict? Donald Conley...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/17

What if the point of a story wasn’t conflict—but something more subtle, more layered, and more human? In this episode, award-winning director and producer Donald Conley joins Mishu to talk about the evolving shape of story, the language of tension, and how Nonviolent Communication changed the way he writes characters, builds scenes, and approaches collaboration.Donald Conley is a filmmaker whose work orbits themes of justice, memory, and emotional honesty. He’s produced documentaries

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47:12

The Film Stalled—Then We Started Over | Cassidy Tee &...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/15

What does it look like to grow into a role you didn’t expect to take on—and do it with someone who trusts you, even before you trust yourself? In this episode, Cassidy Tee and Kristina Mercado talk about their collaboration on the short film First Chair, navigating setbacks, building momentum from scratch, and making decisions in real time with creative instincts as their compass.Cassidy Tee is a filmmaker and screenwriter whose work blends suspenseful world-building with grounded character

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50:36

Let the First Pancake Burn | Emma Palizza on Starting...

Mischief and Mastery ·

2025/04/10

Emma Palizza has stopped waiting for permission—and she’s not dragging a boulder uphill just to be "seen." In this episode, she talks candidly about leaving the Chicago theater grind, recalibrating her definition of success, and rediscovering joy in creative work. Whether it's saying no to bad plays, launching a podcast with her best friend, or watching her first podcast episode explode in plays despite the chaos—Emma reminds us that joyful process can be better than exhausted polish.An

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46 results

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