Set Tracker Podcast with Kyle McCachen

Host Kyle McCachen
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Welcome to the Set Tracker "Behind the Scenes" podcast with Kyle McCachen where we sit down with the filmmakers shaping the future of cinema. We aspire to give audiences an honest look at the film art form and demystify how movies are really made.

  1. #15 Actress Sarah Dugdale on Directing and Actors: What Actually Helps Performance

    FEB 19

    #15 Actress Sarah Dugdale on Directing and Actors: What Actually Helps Performance

    In this episode of the Set Tracker Podcast, actress Sarah Dugdale (Virgin River, In the Shadow of the Moon) joins host Kyle Mccachen to talk about what actually helps — and hurts — a performance on set. Sarah and Kyle break down the director behaviours actors quietly dread, why over-directing kills spontaneity, and how leadership (not control) creates better work. She shares practical insights on why actors need space to think, how notes should be framed so they’re usable, and what trust really looks like between a director and performer. We also get into leadership on set — how tone flows downhill, why clarity beats volume, and how the best directors create environments where people feel safe enough to take risks. Whether you’re a director, producer, actor, or filmmaker trying to level up your on-set presence, this conversation is a reminder that great performances don’t come from pressure — they come from preparation, trust, and communication.

    46 min
  2. #14 Jordan Connor

    JAN 19

    #14 Jordan Connor

    Jordan Connor (Riverdale, Nurses) joins host Kyle McCachen to talk about his new actor community platform New Players LA—built to help performers train, connect, and thrive in the self-tape era. Jordan shares what he’s learned from 15 years around casting rooms and sets, why the gap between “good” and truly bookable is razor-thin, and how actors can show up grounded, professional, and playable. We also dive into how a major injury ended his football career and pushed him toward acting, how Riverdale grew from four episodes into a breakout run, and Jordan’s best audition-room advice—including the simple self-tape trick that hooks casting in the first few seconds.

    37 min
  3. #13 Anja Savcic

    2025-12-18

    #13 Anja Savcic

    In this episode, actor Anja Savcic (Loudermilk, Big Sky, Ricky Stanicky) sits down with host Kyle McCachen for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Set Tracker. Anja talks about the mindset actors need to survive in the industry: embracing rejection, staying a little “cracked,” and showing up again even when the last audition shut you down. We dive into her range in comedy and drama, the early breakout role opposite Ron Livingston, and how kindness on set—toward every department—can shape your entire career. Filmed in our Vancouver studio and finished with a roll of Super 8mm shot after the interview, this episode is a grounded, inspiring look at what persistence in filmmaking really feels like.

    1 hr
  4. #12 Jonathan Whitesell

    2025-10-14

    #12 Jonathan Whitesell

    Actor Jonathan Whitesell (The X-Files, Influencers, The Kill Team) joins filmmaker and host Kyle McCachen on the Set Tracker Behind the Scenes Podcast for an unfiltered conversation about craft, character, and emotional resilience. Jonathan opens up about his latest film Influencers — directed by Kurtis David Harder (Spiral, Z) and currently holding a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes — and what it takes to play morally grey characters with authenticity. He shares how he channels real emotion on camera without losing himself in the process, the tools he uses to decompress after intense performances, and why balancing vulnerability with self-protection is essential for longevity in acting. They talk about:🎭 How to find emotional truth in performance🎥 The difference between indie sets and studio TV productions💡 What actors need most from directors and producers🔥 Why authenticity and chemistry drive great storytelling This episode offers deep insight for filmmakers, actors, and fans of cinematic craft.

    1h 4m
  5. #11 Cassandra Naud

    2025-09-26

    #11 Cassandra Naud

    Cassandra Naud is an actress and producer known for the "Influencer "and “Influencers” franchise. She joins Set Tracker to talk about building a breakout indie film, crafting her character "CW" as a compelling villain, and the small-crew advantages that let you move fast, stay nimble, and capture magic when shooting on locations like Bali and France. We get into: how journaling in-character shaped CW, prepping to kill nerves on set (read the script three times, come with a POV), coping with the post-wrap crash, and why kindness + set etiquette still matter. We also hit festival highlights (Fantasia, FrightFest London, Rio Theatre Vancouver, Screamfest, Brooklyn Horror, FilmQuest, Whistler) and wearing many hats—from acting to producing to wardrobe. Influencer hits Netflix on Dec 1. The sequel Influencers lands on Shudder in December, currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Variety calling it a “good-looking, sharp-edged revenge thriller.” Listen if you’re into: acting craft, villain psychology, indie tactics, festivals, and sustainable creative careers. Timestamps 02:00 Why the sequel clicked & audience reactions 05:45 Festival run + BC roots 08:00 Empathy without excuses: shaping a villain 12:10 “Disgust,” social media, and moral compass 14:20 Prep stack: film refs, research, journaling 20:30 Confidence vs. nerves: day-one checklist 24:00 Presence on bigger sets 26:10 Wearing many hats (acting/producing/wardrobe) 34:45 Post-wrap crash: routines that help 42:10 Small-crew superpowers 55:00 Three on-set tips: be kind, respect etiquette, come prepared

    57 min
  6. #10 Tony Tost, Writer/Director, Westerns, and the Art of Tension

    2025-08-15

    #10 Tony Tost, Writer/Director, Westerns, and the Art of Tension

    In this episode of the Set Tracker Behind the Scenes Podcast, host Kyle McCachen talks with writer/director Tony Tost (Longmire, Damnation) about his debut feature film Americana, starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The White Lotus) and Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, Richard Jewell). Opening in theaters today from Lionsgate, Americana is a gripping neo-Western about love, loyalty, and survival on the edge of the law. Tony shares how his rural upbringing, love of samurai films, and passion for epic, morally complex stories shaped his creative voice. He breaks down the elements that keep him coming back to the Western genre—open landscapes, impossible moral choices, and the constant threat of violence—and why he’s drawn to loaded, one-on-one conversations where the subtext is deadlier than any gunfight. From writing his way into Hollywood with Longmire to creating Damnation, and now directing Americana, Tony discusses how he builds toward moments of action and catharsis, navigates tone, and crafts characters whose friction drives the story forward. He also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from working with Sweeney and Hauser, the improvisational moments that made it into the final cut, and the “movie gods” twists that shaped the shoot. For aspiring filmmakers, this episode is a masterclass in carving out a creative lane, writing to your strengths, and making the leap from writer to director—while staying true to the story only you can tell. Follow Tony Tost Twitter: @tonytost Instagram: @tonytost

    1h 11m
  7. #9 Ava Maria Safai - Writer / Director

    2025-07-31

    #9 Ava Maria Safai - Writer / Director

    This episode features writer and director Ava Maria Safai, whose debut feature Foreigner premiered at Fantasia Festival and is making waves in the indie film world. A multi-hyphenate artist who began her creative journey in music, Ava shares her approach to building unforgettable characters, crafting scripts with emotional depth, and bringing a distinct visual style to the screen. Hosted by filmmaker Kyle McCachen, this conversation explores Ava’s transition from musician to director, how she collaborates with actors, and why personal storytelling is her creative engine. Whether you're dreaming up your first film or deep in production, this episode offers grounded insight and inspiration for filmmakers at every level. To learn more about Set Tracker’s mission to support the next generation of filmmakers, visit www.settracker.com. Follow Ava on Instagram @avamariasafai and check out her film @foreignerthefilm. More about her work at www.avamariasafai.com.

    1h 13m
  8. #8 Mark O'Brien - Actor / Writer / Director

    2025-05-22

    #8 Mark O'Brien - Actor / Writer / Director

    This episode features award-winning actor, writer and director Mark O’Brien (Arrival, The Righteous, Halt and Catch Fire), who shares candid lessons from set life, audition rooms, and the director’s chair. Hosted by filmmaker Kyle McCachen, the conversation dives into the realities of the film industry—from director insights on how to inspire the cast and crew to pro-actor tips on landing callbacks and getting booked. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned pro, this episode delivers hard-earned insights you won’t want to miss. To find out more about Set Tracker's mission to inspire the next generation of filmmakers, visit www.settracker.com. And to follow Mark O'Brien on instagram, visit @https://www.instagram.com/markobrienforeal

    1h 5m
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Welcome to the Set Tracker "Behind the Scenes" podcast with Kyle McCachen where we sit down with the filmmakers shaping the future of cinema. We aspire to give audiences an honest look at the film art form and demystify how movies are really made.

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