Ahead of the World Premiere of THE SNAKE at SXSW 2026, we sit down with director Jenna MacMillan to talk about bringing the film to life. Written by and starring Susan Kent, this dark comedy follows a self-destructive 40-something searching for “home.” In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, Jenna discusses how the project came together—from Read more

What does it take to color an entire afterlife? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we’re joined by colorist and Elemental Post co-creator David Tomiak to break down his work on A24’s Eternity. David discusses collaborating from pre-production, drawing from mid-century cinema, building custom film grain inspired by early Eastman stock, and balancing playful detail Read more

Award-winning editors Lam T. Nguyen and Austin Keeling join Filmmaker Mixer to break down their work on Amazon’s sci-fi thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. They dive deep into building previs in the edit, animating every on-screen graphic, shaping immersive AI POVs, and condensing massive action sequences—while collaborating closely with director Timur Bekmambetov, Read more

Movie makeup isn’t about beauty—it’s about belief. It’s about building faces that feel lived-in, truthful, and emotionally connected to the story. And that belief only works when every community can see itself reflected on screen. True cinematic makeup means understanding and tailoring products, techniques, and textures to the full spectrum of skin tones—so that all Read more

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