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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

01:07:32

HOW TO: Stretch Your $ as a Producer (w/ Josh Folan)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/05

This week on 50/50, we’re joined by producer Josh Folan, whose sharp wit and knack for organization and budgeting have made him a sought-after producer in the indie film world. Josh breaks down his purposeful approach to filmmaking — blending passion with pragmatism — and uses his feature ASK FOR JANE as a case study in how to shepherd an indie project from script to screen. Josh goes on to share why he believes in "closing your laptop" and speaking from

en

01:09:55

HOW TO: Craft an Improv-Driven Story (w/ Luke Matthews)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/29

This week on the pod, we chat with writer–director Luke Matthews, the mind behind TRICKS CAN GO WRONG — a film about an aspiring magician that doubles as a sharp metaphor for post-college life. Blending vaudevillian, Buster Keaton–style physical comedy with Fielder-esque man-on-the-street absurdity, Luke’s film plays with illusion both onstage and off. We talk about how his fascination with magic and practical effects shaped his visual storytelling, and

en

01:09:55

HOW TO: Craft an Improv-Driven Story (w/ Luke Matthews)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/29

This week on the pod, we chat with writer–director Luke Matthews, the mind behind TRICKS CAN GO WRONG — a film about an aspiring magician that doubles as a sharp metaphor for post-college life. Blending vaudevillian, Buster Keaton–style physical comedy with Fielder-esque man-on-the-street absurdity, Luke’s film plays with illusion both onstage and off. We talk about how his fascination with magic and practical effects shaped his visual storytelling, and

en

01:05:59

HOW TO: Journey from Standup to SNL — and Beyond (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/22

This week, Luke and Wyatt sit down with writer/comedian Vanessa Jackson —whose path to standup comedy began, believe it or not, in a “red carpet interview” class that was... sketchy AF. Vanessa walks us through her years in comedy, from the early open mics to her current “refinement era,” where she’s polishing instead of carving. She shares why comedy can be honed but not learned, what day jobs actually help comedians grow, and how her relationship with

en

01:05:59

HOW TO: Journey from Standup to SNL — and Beyond (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/22

This week, Luke and Wyatt sit down with writer/comedian Vanessa Jackson —whose path to standup comedy began, believe it or not, in a “red carpet interview” class that was... sketchy AF. Vanessa walks us through her years in comedy, from the early open mics to her current “refinement era,” where she’s polishing instead of carving. She shares why comedy can be honed but not learned, what day jobs actually help comedians grow, and how her relationship with

en

01:17:51

HOW TO: Learn Your Process & Own It! (w/ Wylie Anderson)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Our guest this week, Wylie Anderson, has a background in theater education, which she carries deeply into her craft as a filmmaker. So, it's no coincidence that Wylie brings a thorough understanding of learning styles and emotional intelligence into her filmmaking—skills that shine in her debut short HOW TO CRY ON COMMAND, centered on a young girl learning to navigate vulnerability in the digital age. But the crux of this episode has to do with

en

01:17:51

HOW TO: Learn Your Process & Own It! (w/ Wylie Anderson)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Our guest this week, Wylie Anderson, has a background in theater education, which she carries deeply into her craft as a filmmaker. So, it's no coincidence that Wylie brings a thorough understanding of learning styles and emotional intelligence into her filmmaking—skills that shine in her debut short HOW TO CRY ON COMMAND, centered on a young girl learning to navigate vulnerability in the digital age. But the crux of this episode has to do with

en

01:04:19

HOW TO: Steer the Ship as an Independent Musician (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/08

It's a high school reunion this week! The guys chat with singer-songwriter Ava Maybee, who gives us an inside look at what it takes to flourish as an independant musician. On this episode, Ava discusses her evolving relationship with beauty (and Luke's relationship with his hair), her songwriting process (including the challenges of taking a lyrics-first approach), and the moment she found her dream team of producers. Ava also walks us through the speech

en

01:04:19

HOW TO: Steer the Ship as an Independent Musician (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/08

It's a high school reunion this week! The guys chat with singer-songwriter Ava Maybee, who gives us an inside look at what it takes to flourish as an independant musician. On this episode, Ava discusses her evolving relationship with beauty (and Luke's relationship with his hair), her songwriting process (including the challenges of taking a lyrics-first approach), and the moment she found her dream team of producers. Ava also walks us through the speech

en

01:26:18

HOW TO: Fill Needs and Evolve as a Writer (w/ Brandon...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/01

This week on the Pod, the guys chop it up with writer/comedian Brandon Scott Wolf, who proves that putting in the work—whether it’s daily pages or building friendships—pays off in big, weird, and wonderful ways. He walks us through the very unconventional path that led to becoming a contributing writer on SNL’s Weekend Update (spoiler: it involves his iconic site DateBrandonScottWolf.com [RIP]), working with Neil Patrick Harris on Best Time Ever, and why

en

01:26:18

HOW TO: Fill Needs and Evolve as a Writer (w/ Brandon...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/10/01

This week on the Pod, the guys chop it up with writer/comedian Brandon Scott Wolf, who proves that putting in the work—whether it’s daily pages or building friendships—pays off in big, weird, and wonderful ways. He walks us through the very unconventional path that led to becoming a contributing writer on SNL’s Weekend Update (spoiler: it involves his iconic site DateBrandonScottWolf.com [RIP]), working with Neil Patrick Harris on Best Time Ever, and why

en

01:08:25

HOW TO: Direct with Clarity and Voice (w/ Britt Berke)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/09/24

This week, Luke and Wyatt banter with the brilliant Britt Berke! Britt's knowledge accrued as a theatre director applies not only to the stage, but universally. We discuss topics such as how to communicate with actors using precise, supportive language (ie getting actors out of their own heads!!), how to discover the "note behind the note," and how to establish a unique point of view on a script, even when said script is more than 100 years old. We also

en

01:08:25

HOW TO: Direct with Clarity and Voice (w/ Britt Berke)

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/09/24

This week, Luke and Wyatt banter with the brilliant Britt Berke! Britt's knowledge accrued as a theatre director applies not only to the stage, but universally. We discuss topics such as how to communicate with actors using precise, supportive language (ie getting actors out of their own heads!!), how to discover the "note behind the note," and how to establish a unique point of view on a script, even when said script is more than 100 years old. We also

en

01:08:22

HOW TO: Embrace Makeup as an Essential Part of the...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/09/10

Prep your kits! Because this week, we chat with Nadia Reese Stone, who provides us with a unique glimpse into on-set life through the boldy-winged eye of a makeup artist. Through Nadia, we learn that makeup artists are some of the most essential, yet overlooked and undervalued people in the industry. And Nadia proves just why we need them; she walks us through visual touchstones such as prosthetics, creature design, and elevated beauty looks. Nadia

en

01:08:22

HOW TO: Embrace Makeup as an Essential Part of the...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/09/10

Prep your kits! Because this week, we chat with Nadia Reese Stone, who provides us with a unique glimpse into on-set life through the boldy-winged eye of a makeup artist. Through Nadia, we learn that makeup artists are some of the most essential, yet overlooked and undervalued people in the industry. And Nadia proves just why we need them; she walks us through visual touchstones such as prosthetics, creature design, and elevated beauty looks. Nadia

en

01:11:37

HOW TO: Turn Your Limitations into Storytelling...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/09/03

This week, the guys sit down with writer-director-professor Aviv Rubinstien to talk about turning constraints into creative opportunities. Aviv shares how starting in horror taught him the value of budget limitations, why teaching sharpens his writing and widens his network, and how he’s built career longevity as a storyteller. We also dig into the lessons behind his meta road-trip movie, what to do—and what not to do—when making a loosely scripted film

en

01:02:29

HOW TO: Make Self-Gratifying Art That Resonates With...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/08/27

This week, acclaimed artist/designer/director Jonathan Zawada reports to us live from the Australian countryside, where he details his long list of collaborations with artists like Flume, Mark Pritchard, and Radiohead's Thom Yorke. In true 50/50 Spirit, we unpack with Jonathan the intricate overlap between art, music, math, and identity. From translating sound into visuals to navigating the fine line between advertising and fine art, Jonathan shares how

en

01:02:29

HOW TO: Make Self-Gratifying Art That Resonates With...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/08/27

This week, acclaimed artist/designer/director Jonathan Zawada reports to us live from the Australian countryside, where he details his long list of collaborations with artists like Flume, Mark Pritchard, and Radiohead's Thom Yorke. In true 50/50 Spirit, we unpack with Jonathan the intricate overlap between art, music, math, and identity. From translating sound into visuals to navigating the fine line between advertising and fine art, Jonathan shares how

en

01:19:53

HOW TO: Find Your Center Between Competing Passions...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/08/20

This week, Alaman Diadhiou joins the pod. The guys discuss with Alaman what it really takes to carve out your own lane in the industry—and why you shouldn’t listen to people telling you to stay in theirs. They dig into the mindset shifts that keep you moving forward: realizing what’s good for you (not just what others expect), learning to compete with yourself instead of everyone else, and switching out of the “I’m not doing enough” spiral. Plus: the

en

01:19:53

HOW TO: Find Your Center Between Competing Passions...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/08/20

This week, Alaman Diadhiou joins the pod. The guys discuss with Alaman what it really takes to carve out your own lane in the industry—and why you shouldn’t listen to people telling you to stay in theirs. They dig into the mindset shifts that keep you moving forward: realizing what’s good for you (not just what others expect), learning to compete with yourself instead of everyone else, and switching out of the “I’m not doing enough” spiral. Plus: the

en

50 results

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