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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

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

01:00:47

HOW TO: Turn Vulnerability into Creative Power (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/18

This week, we sit down with actor/ singer Lesley Chiang for a fascinating conversation that begins in the heart of the Hong Kong entertainment scene. Lesley breaks down the unique structure of the industry she grew up in—where performers are contracted to a single production company or channel, unlike the freelance, network-hopping model in the U.S. As a third-generation entertainer, she reflects on how deeply acting runs in her blood, and the profound

en

01:00:47

HOW TO: Turn Vulnerability into Creative Power (w/...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/18

This week, we sit down with actor/ singer Lesley Chiang for a fascinating conversation that begins in the heart of the Hong Kong entertainment scene. Lesley breaks down the unique structure of the industry she grew up in—where performers are contracted to a single production company or channel, unlike the freelance, network-hopping model in the U.S. As a third-generation entertainer, she reflects on how deeply acting runs in her blood, and the profound

en

01:03:36

HOW TO: Walk the Tightrope Between Authenticity and...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/12

This week, we sit down with editor and creator Jack Lawrence Mayer to talk about the delicate art of receiving notes and navigating conversations with producers and executives. From knowing which feedback sharpens your vision to recognizing when to hold your ground, Jack breaks down how to approach general meetings with confidence, intention, and creative clarity. We also dive into his journey as the editor of TRICKS CAN GO WRONG—and the origin story of

en

01:03:36

HOW TO: Walk the Tightrope Between Authenticity and...

The 50/50 Podcast ·

2025/11/12

This week, we sit down with editor and creator Jack Lawrence Mayer to talk about the delicate art of receiving notes and navigating conversations with producers and executives. From knowing which feedback sharpens your vision to recognizing when to hold your ground, Jack breaks down how to approach general meetings with confidence, intention, and creative clarity. We also dive into his journey as the editor of TRICKS CAN GO WRONG—and the origin story of

en

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

01:07:32

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

65 results

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