The 50/50 Podcast

50/50 Film Festival

5.0 (5)
FILM INTERVIEWS

50% Business, 50% Creative. Hosted by 50/50 founder Luke Steinfeld (Filmmaker), and 50/50 Head of Talent Wyatt Sarkisian (Maximum Effort), the podcast builds on the mission of the platform: to nurture and empower the next generation of industry talent. Join us every tuesday as we sit down with voices from all corners of the entertainment industry, offering educational insight into process, production, and execution.

14H AGO

HOW TO: Establish a Dynamic Artist/Manager Partnership (w/ Annika Rose & Alice Dabell)

This week, we’re joined by singer/songwriter Annika Rose and her manager Alice Dabell for a rare conversation about what it looks like to grow alongside your management as an artist. Their decade-long partnership is a truly remarkable example of trust, evolution, and shared vision—one that began when Alice first discovered Annika through a now-mythical music video cover of Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender” (seriously, we’ve scoured the internet… if you have it, please send asap). Annika’s early career saw her signing to the Simon Cowell / Louis Tomlinson imprint, followed by years of label deals, hard lessons, and major growth. Now, ten years later, Annika and Alice are fully independent—and happier than ever. Much of this episode unpacks what they’ve learned along the way, and just as importantly, what they’ve had to unlearn in order to build something sustainable on their own terms. From Alice’s perspective, we dig into how she approaches artist marketing in an increasingly congested digital landscape, and her push toward a more three-dimensional strategy. Both Annika and Alice agree: marketing shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be treated as part of the art project itself. On Annika’s side, we talk candidly about personal accountability, why artists need to stop blaming external forces for stalled progress, and how intention changes everything. We also break down the marketing strategy behind Annika’s recent singles “TAKE OFF” and “I’M GOOD. I’M GREAT,” exploring how community-building, calculated rollouts, and a sense of exclusivity—particularly through print media—have fueled both the music’s success and a deeply engaged fanbase. TAKE OFF Music Video I'M GOOD. I'M GREAT Music Video Annika's Instagram

1h 15m
JAN 6

HOW TO: Develop IP as a Producer (w/ Tessa Germaine)

This week, we sit down with Tessa Germaine (21 Laps) to trace her path through the beginning steps of Hollywood — from an early break as a coordinator on The Real Housewives of Orange County to navigating survival jobs, agency life, and the winding road toward producing. Ever wonder how working at Trader Joes can actually HELP you get a job in the biz? Well, you're in the right place. We talk about the power of setting small, incremental goals, embracing fresh starts, asking questions, and learning to walk into new environments without fear. Tessa reflects on her formative years at CAA, unpacking the stark contrast between year one and year two, and why working in the book department clarified her path toward producing. The conversation widens into the world of literary IP and its role in her current work at Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps, before coming full circle with the phenomenon of Stranger Things — from OG Tessa guarding the Duffer Brothers at Chapman University to now working at the company behind the global hit. Tessa attended October's horror fest and we look forward to seeing her again at our comedy fest in May! Welcome to the 50/50 Fam, Tessa!

1h 2m
12/23/2025

HOW TO: Achieve Catharsis in a Short Film (w/ Nishanth Ramasubramanian)

This week, we’re joined by the 2025 50/50 Horror Festival WINNER, Nishanth Ramasubramanian! Nishanth breaks down how to balance ambitious visuals with economic constraints, how to achieve real catharsis within a short film, and what it’s like co-writing deeply personal material while navigating collaboration. We also dive into the nuances of showing your work to family members (his sister’s husband said WHAT?!) and how feedback can land very differently when it’s close to home. The conversation expands into the evolving landscape of the industry — from the rise of vertical content and why directors should embrace it as a way to get reps (and leave the ego behind), to the importance of not being too precious about your work. Nishanth also shares thoughts on bridging the gap between Indian and U.S. filmmakers, and how to approach marketing your films without getting completely burnt out. NISHANTH'S LINKTREE INDIAN IN A BOX TEASER/TRAILER

59 min
12/16/2025

HOW TO: Work with BRANDS as a Creative (ADVERTISING 101 w/ Luke Keeling)

This week, UK-based Senior Creative Director Luke Keeling makes the ad world POP right before our eyes, as he breaks down what it really means to solve business problems through creativity. Luke notes how top agencies chase the narrative of a brand, sustain creativity at scale, and structure teams internally to build long-term, meaningful partnerships with clients. We explore why the strongest brands commit to agencies for the long haul, often seeing a single campaign evolve over five years or more, and how authenticity drives every decision at Uncommon Studio (where Luke works) — to the point where they only take on work they truly believe in. We also unpack Luke’s recent campaign work for Instagram/Meta, examining how advertising can double as a genuine conversation around mentorship rather than just a sales pitch. Along the way, Luke shares insights on building fame as a studio, creating cultural notoriety beyond the advertising world, and why recognizability is key to longevity as a production studio. We close the interview with some of Luke's most powerful takeaways from collaborating with some of the best high-level talent in the world. TYLER THE CREATOR: ASK IT ANYWAY LUKE'S WEBSITE

1h 2m
12/09/2025

HOW TO: Approach Documentary with Artistic POV & Journalistic Integrity (w/ Jacob Hurwitz-Goodman)

This week, we hit the ground running with documentarian/filmmaker Jacob Hurwitz-Goodman. Jacob gives us an exclusive look into his current documentary project, rooted in his deep-dive research on the “Rationalists”—a community of thinkers who live at the intersection of tech and philosophy, and seem to both dread tech/AI's inevitable takeover and welcome it with open arms. Jacob walks us through what it’s been like to study them from the inside, and why their contradictions make them such compelling documentary subjects. From there, we get into why casting is one of the most underrated components of nonfiction storytelling, and how contradictory personalities and sudden left turns make documentaries so exciting to be a part of. Jacob speaks with real passion about documentary filmmaking as a poetic and ambiguous artform. In contrast, we also discuss how some worthwhile documentaries are often overshadowed by the oversaturated, formula-driven true-crime landscape. Jacob's mission: to approach the form with more curiosity, artistry, and humanity. We also unpack his lifelong love for music, how he weaves it into the DNA of his films, and how his eclectic sensibility has shaped his path into commercial work. Jacob shares how he uses the skills, instincts, and aesthetics he’s honed as an artist to stand out—and stay grounded—in a commercial industry that can easily dilute a filmmaker’s voice. SQUAREPUSHER - DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER FAR OFF SOUNDS

1h 1m
12/06/2025 · BONUS

*BONUS EP*: Karen Zipor & Wyatt Sarkisian - Q&A w/ Johnny Marx

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a 50/50 BONUS EPISODE! This episode features this week's guest on the pod, Karen Zipor, along with 50/50 Co-Host Wyatt Sarkisian, in conversation with comedian Johnny Marx. For more information on the WORM x FILM BROS Screening, see below: WORM X FILM BROS LINK JOHNNY MARX (Q&A HOST)

35 min
12/02/2025

HOW TO: Toggle Between Animation and Live-Action with Success (w/ Karen Zipor)

This week, we chat with perhaps the truest definition of a multi-hyphenate, Karen Zipor. We begin by unpacking the uniquely ego-free culture of animation and why its constant collaboration has shaped her entire filmmaking approach. Karen breaks down the big differences between animation and live action — from timing and cost to workflow — and shares the animation-born skills she now leans on while producing and directing live action. Through Karen's calling-card animated short THE WORM'S EYE VIEW OF THE BIRD, she invited a huge number of collaborators into her vision and found strength in trusting specialists who even exceeded her abilities in specific parts of the animation process. Karen talks about meeting high-level animators, why rising in animation can feel slow (hint: projects take forever), and what being a “real” producer means — from juggling multiple roles on set to navigating relationships with creative leads. Finally, Karen shares how her producorial role on Brittany Broski’s Royal Court has evolved as the show’s rapid success reshaped the scale of production and her responsibilities along with it. ZIPPED UP FILMS (KAREN'S PROD CO) FILM BROS OF GREENWICH VILLAGE (WYATT'S WEB SERIES SHE PRODUCED!)

1h 5m
11/25/2025

HOW TO: Blend Horror with Humor (w/ Eli Staub)

This week, writer/director (and 50/50 Fest alum!) Eli Staub joins us to break down the instincts, influences, and intensely personal experiences behind his award-winning short, MODERATOR. We dig into how the movie’s horror grows out of the reality it portrays—and why telling this particular story became an essential part of Eli’s own process of unpacking trauma. We then explore with Eli his equal love for horror and comedy—two genres that seem opposite but are secretly siblings. We talk about how both allow you to tackle dark themes through subversion, surprise, and the classic setup/punchline rhythm… whether the punchline is a laugh or a jump scare. Plus: why WEAPONS is somehow one of the funniest and scariest movies of the year, our favorite comedy-turned-horror directors, and some practical “cheat codes” for writing comedy, including laugh meters and pairing characters with clashing worldviews. Lastly, Eli walks us through some big recent milestones: what it was really like getting his first manager, and the spur-of-the-moment international trip that took him (and his film) all the way to Egypt. ELI'S WEBSITE ELI'S INSTAGRAM 'MODERATOR' TRAILER This episode is sponsored by EVIDENCE CAMERAS, official sponsor of the 50/50 Horror Festival!

1h 6m

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

50% Business, 50% Creative. Hosted by 50/50 founder Luke Steinfeld (Filmmaker), and 50/50 Head of Talent Wyatt Sarkisian (Maximum Effort), the podcast builds on the mission of the platform: to nurture and empower the next generation of industry talent. Join us every tuesday as we sit down with voices from all corners of the entertainment industry, offering educational insight into process, production, and execution.

Creator

50/50 Film Festival
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

38
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

The 50/50 Podcast

Daily News

Daily News

Updated Daily