What does the Shaka really mean—and where did it come from? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, filmmaker Steve Sue takes us inside his five-year documentary journey behind Shaka: A Story of Aloha, a playful investigative film tracing the origins of Hawaii’s most iconic hand gesture. From archival research and cultural storytelling to unexpected connections Read more

Director Mike Zarra joins Filmmaker Mixer to break down the making of Horrified — from crafting psychological tension to executing horror on an indie budget. He shares the creative decisions, production challenges, and post-production strategies that shaped the film’s final cut. Joining the conversation is Jennifer Howell, founder of The Art of Elysium and the Read more

From forgotten homesteads to treasured family heirlooms, Matthew and Katie Avant believe history lives in the objects we choose to keep. In this episode, we sit down with Nashville-based, award-winning director Matthew Avant and producer Katie Avant, creators of the documentary adventure series ROOTS & RELICS. Matthew and Katie take us behind the scenes of Read more

Composer Geoff Zanelli joins Filmmaker Mixer to break down his bold, experimental score for Gore Verbinski’s Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, opening February 13. From punk and Zappa influences to orchestral chaos, this score was designed to be anything—and everything. Zanelli dives into his collaborative process with Verbinski, recording nearly 100 musicians, transforming cello Read more

What does it take to scare an audience with music? In this episode, we sit down with composers Stuart Roslyn and Chris Elmslie, creators of the chilling score for Nightmares of Nature. Together, they break down how cinematic music is crafted to manipulate emotion, build dread, and elevate storytelling—especially in documentary and genre filmmaking. From Read more

Writer and co-director Shaun Wu joins Filmmaker Mixer to unpack the making of HENRY BY THE HOUR, an inventive indie series about a 30-something Asian man who rents himself out as a friend—spending one hour each with five different clients. Shaun breaks down how the film’s high-concept premise shaped the screenplay, how to write multiple Read more

Step inside the eerie, enchanting world of The Littles with writer/director Andrew Duplessie and head of animation Anthony Scott. In this episode, we break down the creative process behind the visually haunting and emotionally powerful animated film. The film follows 11-year-old Juliet, who stubs her toe on a loose floorboard—only to witness a mysterious glow Read more

Director and Executive Producer Stephen Surjik joins us to break down the making of Netflix’s new Western series The Abandons—a gloriously bloody, female-led frontier drama already being compared to Yellowstone. Set in the lawless 1850s Washington Territory, The Abandons follows a brutal land feud between two formidable matriarchs, played by Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey. Read more