In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with director, educator, mentor, and industry trailblazer Dr. Rachel Raimist for a powerful conversation about creativity, courage, representation, and the responsibility of helping others find their voice. Rachel’s journey began when a high school teacher put a camera in her hands. That early creative opportunity helped shape the rest of her life. From those first student documentaries to her work in hip-hop, rap, feminist media, television directing, teaching, and mentorship, Rachel has spent her career proving that stories can change people, classrooms, sets, and entire industries. Together, Michael and Rachel talk about her path through the early hip-hop and rap scene, the experience of often being the only woman in the room, and the persistence it takes to build a directing career without losing your heart, family, standards, or sense of purpose. Rachel’s television credits span genres including drama, comedy, action, musicals, science fiction, fantasy, and family storytelling, with work on projects such as Elsbeth, Bel-Air, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Up Here, Sex/Life, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Fantasy Island, Diary of a Future President, Queen Sugar, Nancy Drew, and more. The conversation also explores Rachel’s extraordinary impact beyond the set. At the Directors Guild of America, she has served in major leadership roles, including work with the Women’s Steering Committee, Latino Committee, Disability Committee, and Special Projects Committee. She was appointed as a co-chair of the DGA’s Disability Committee, helping expand conversations around access, equity, and inclusion for directors and directorial team members with disabilities. Rachel also shares the mission behind The People’s Film School, which began during the pandemic as an online space for directors, writers, filmmakers, and creatives to connect, grow their craft, and learn how to break into the industry. The school describes itself simply and powerfully: “open to all.” Honest, inspiring, practical, and full of hard-earned wisdom, this episode is for anyone who dreams of directing, loves television, believes in mentorship, or understands that inclusion is not a trend it is how the industry becomes stronger. Dr. Rachel Raimist reminds us that one camera, placed in the right hands at the right time, can do more than start a career. It can help build a movement. Dr. Raimist Links: Website — https://www.rachelmakesmovies.com/ The People's Film School — https://www.thepeoplesfilmschool.com/ Socials — @docraimist University Web — https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/hollywood-director-starts-new-chapter-as-uta-professor/article_566446c9-7eb1-4bba-8854-e768c7111cc7.html You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show
