Filmmaker Mixer

Step inside the sonic world of Jeff Toyne, the acclaimed composer known for blending orchestral virtuosity, modern technology, and a deeply story-driven musical voice. In this episode, Jeff breaks down his recent work on Apple TV’s Palm Royale, starring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett—explaining how he effortlessly merges jazz, Latin rhythms, and orchestral color to evoke the luxe, sun-drenched world of the late 1960s with a modern cinematic edge.We explore Jeff’s creative process, his hybrid scoring techniques, the challenges of creating period-inspired music that still feels fresh, and how contemporary composers harness technology to elevate emotional storytelling.

Award-winning filmmaker Susie Singer Carter, director of the powerful documentary No Country for Old People, sits down with us to reveal the shocking truths inside America’s broken elder-care system. From understaffed nursing homes to the emotional toll on families, Susie exposes what’s really happening behind closed doors — and what we can do to change it.In this episode, we explore Susie’s personal journey, the systemic failures she uncovered, the courage of caregivers, and the urgent reforms needed to protect our aging population. If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one in long-term care — or you expect to age someday — this conversation is essential.

Step inside the dark, emotionally charged world of Sacrificios, the Mexican psychological horror thriller which made its World Premiere at the 2025 Austin Film Festival. In this episode, we sit down with Writer/Director Mauricio Chernovetzky and Writer Alexander Ioshpe to explore the film’s haunting origins, personal inspirations, and the profound examination of grief, faith, and the impossible choices a parent might face. Whether you’re a filmmaker, horror fan, or storytelling enthusiast, this conversation reveals what it takes to build a deeply personal, psychologically intense film that challenges the audience at every turn.

Director Ritesh Gupta (The Red Mask) joins us for a deep dive into his bold new horror film which premiered at FrightFest 2025. The Red Mask stars Helena Howard, Inanna Sarkis, Jake Abel, and Kelli Garner — and it’s not your typical slasher.Ritesh reveals how this meta-thriller flips the remake trope, explores the war between creators and fans, and uses horror as a lens for cultural identity and internet obsession.Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, or horror fan — this episode peels back the mask on what it takes to make a fresh classic in a world obsessed with remakes.

Step inside the visionary minds of writer/director duo Kerry Carlock and Nick Lund-Ulrich and producer Jennifer Sorenson, the filmmaking team behind the bold and genre-bending fantasy film SUFFER. Blending the American West with mythic fantasy, SUFFER follows Ida Blye, a young handmaiden with traumatic wounds and dangerous magic, on a feminist quest to dismantle the Scarlet Prince’s dark reign.In this conversation, we explore how Kerry and Nick built an epic world on a tiny budget, worked with a minimal crew, and created a story that challenges the traditional Hero’s Journey. Featuring a haunting, nearly silent performance from Naomi McDougall Jones, SUFFER asks one powerful question: What happens when the hero’s strongest weapon is their collective voice?We dive into microbudget worldbuilding, reinventing genre tropes, directing silence, and why now is the perfect time for stories that inspire resistance, courage, and unity.