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.

5D AGO

HOW TO: Channel Relentless Passion Into Your Work (w/ David Jacobson)

This week, we sit down with David Jacobson, marketing director at Cherry Lane Theatre — freshly reopened under A24 — to talk shepherding one of downtown New York’s most historic stages into its next era. David cut his teeth in sports marketing with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers (not to mention a brief, glorious stint working the second floor of the old times square NikeTown — RIP). Along the way, he adopted a simple philosophy passed down from his dad: the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Ask questions. Meet everyone. Be the “dumbest” person in the room. Remain a fan at heart. David stepped into Cherry Lane just months before its reopening, balancing the theater’s deep, rebellious history with A24’s modern indie sensibility. He says that running marketing there feels more like a startup than an institution. It’s a candid conversation about hustle, taste, and parlaying every job into meaningful relationships. In classic 50/50 fashion, it's another theatre/film mashup. Buckle your seatbelts! YOU GOT OLDER at the Cherry Lane Theatre The Cherry Lane Theatre Instagram HENRY WINKLER'S INSTAGRAM (random but relevant) - COMEDY FEST SUBMISSIONS -

59 min
FEB 3

HOW TO: Ideate as a Writer/Director Duo (w/ Aimee Hoffman & Elinor Howells)

This week, we sit down with 50/50 writer-director duo Aimee Hoffman and Elinor Howells about building a creative partnership that’s as honest as it is motivating. From their first days meeting at AFI to developing a shorthand that allows them to pitch wild swings and terrible ideas without judgment, they break down how trust — and taste — sharpen each other’s work. We talk about walking into every room with reps, producers, and execs armed with ideas, not just ambition, and why they’re unapologetic about aiming big: studio movies, spectacle, scale. They share the origin and on-set evolution of their acclaimed short DADDA (50/50 Horror Official Selection), including how Elinor’s presence as a writer during production fundamentally shaped the film in real time. Plus, they dive into their upcoming Florida-set feature, and why physically traveling, researching, and living inside a world is essential to writing something that feels active and alive. DADDA TRAILER Elinor's Website Aimee's Website Comedy Fest Submissions

1h 3m
JAN 27

HOW TO: Digest the Industry from a Rep's Perspective (w/ Arman Yaghmai)

This week, we’re joined by Arman Yaghmai, a coordinator at Verve, for a candid, nuts-and-bolts look at how the literary side of the industry actually works. We begin with discussing why coverage is such a crucial entry point for assistants—and how to know when you’re ready to graduate out of it. We then pull back the curtain on the inner mechanics of a lit-forward talent agency, from weekly Open Writing Assignment meetings to how information travels internally and jobs get chased. We also dive into what a signing pursuit really looks like, and why many writers land a manager long before they sign with an agent. Additionally, Arman shares what he looks for in emerging talent, what kind of pitching is most effective, and why the industry’s favorite question—“Why now?”—might be better reframed. We wrap up by defining what makes a great agent (reading, relationships, and genuine passion) and exploring how a shifting industry—and the rise of vertical content—could create new pipelines into traditional entertainment. VARIETY'S 10 ASSISTANTS TO WATCH 50/50 COMEDY FEST SUBMISSIONS

1h 7m
JAN 20

HOW TO: Disrupt the Biz with Irrational Confidence (w/ Patrick Lee)

Before Rotten Tomatoes became a cultural barometer for movies and TV, it was just a silly side project built by someone obsessed with community. In this episode, Patrick Lee traces his entrepreneurial instincts back to early adulthood — from reselling computers to launching what would become one of the most influential platforms in entertainment. He opens up about how close Rotten Tomatoes came to disappearing during the dot-com crash, the realities of downsizing, and why the era of canned tuna and instant ramen remains a badge of honor. It’s a candid look at survival, scrappiness, and building something meaningful without a safety net. We also dig into the underrated power of networking — how building out an early professional network could have easily doubled the value of Rotten Tomatoes, and how to approach networking without the usual dread. From there, Patrick lays out the two non-negotiable traits for startup success: irrational confidence and ruthless focus. We close with a conversation about his very real fear of AI (and why we should all give WALL-E a rewatch) and why real-world community and human connection may be the most valuable currency we have left. Patrick's Talk on FOCUS Patrick's Instagram VENN 50/50 COMEDY FEST SUBMISSIONS

1h 11m
JAN 15

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

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

42
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

The 50/50 Podcast

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

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