Filmmaker Mixer

Executive Producer ZB Siwek joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of the sci-fi anthology Merge, a feature film built from award-winning short films exploring humanity’s relationship with advanced technology.
Now streaming on Amazon Prime, Merge combines stories about AI, digital afterlives, and neural enhancement into a dystopian anthology often compared to Black Mirror. In this conversation, Siwek breaks down the creative and logistical process of assembling the film, working with multiple directors, and finding the right strategy for the VOD marketplace.
Filmmakers will learn how short films can evolve into feature projects, how anthology films are structured, and what to know about navigating distribution in today’s streaming landscape.

Join cinematographer Wes Cardino as he takes us behind the lens of Nobody Wants This. 
Whether you’re an aspiring cinematographer or an indie filmmaker, Wes shares practical tips on lighting, camera setups, and creating mood that supports story.
Perfect for filmmakers wanting to elevate their craft.

Director Gabriel Bernini joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of Blood Barn, a retro supernatural slasher inspired by the gritty, low-budget horror films of the 1980s. Shot in just 11 days, the film embraces practical creature effects, DIY filmmaking, and the chaotic energy that defined classic cabin-in-the-woods splatter movies.The film was shot at Long View Farm Studios in Massachusetts, a legendary recording studio with a history of famous musicians—and reported hauntings. Gabriel talks about using this unique location, collaborating with co-writer Alexandra Jade, and the creative problem-solving required to make an ambitious indie horror film on a tight schedule.In this episode, filmmakers will learn about practical effects, fast indie production strategies, directing horror performances, and how limitations can actually strengthen a film’s creative identity.

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, filmmaker J.R. Stokes joins us to discuss Beautiful Pam, a stark and emotionally grounded film following addiction, identity, and survival.
Stokes breaks down the creative and practical decisions behind the film—from working within tight constraints to building trust with actors and crafting empathy without sentimentality. Filmmakers will gain insight into portraying difficult subject matter with honesty, restraint, and purpose.

What does it take to create a bold comedy pilot that lands at Slamdance? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we talk with Zoe Tyson and Louie Rinaldi, the creators behind Daddies Boi. They break down writing razor-sharp comedy around aging and identity, directing emotionally risky material, and shaping a 14-minute pilot that feels expansive, funny, and dangerous. Filmmakers will learn about crafting tone, collaborating as co-creators, navigating pilot