What does it take to scare an audience with music?

In this episode, we sit down with composers Stuart Roslyn and Chris Elmslie, creators of the chilling score for Nightmares of Nature. Together, they break down how cinematic music is crafted to manipulate emotion, build dread, and elevate storytelling—especially in documentary and genre filmmaking.

From experimenting with organic and unnatural sound textures to navigating composer–producer partnerships, Stuart and Chris reveal how music becomes a narrative force. They also dive into the business side of composing: collaboration models, creative trust, and building long-term careers in film music.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, composer, or producer, this episode explores how sound design and score can transform your film—and your creative life.

Writer and co-director Shaun Wu joins Filmmaker Mixer to unpack the making of HENRY BY THE HOUR, an inventive indie series about a 30-something Asian man who rents himself out as a friend—spending one hour each with five different clients.

Shaun breaks down how the film’s high-concept premise shaped the screenplay, how to write multiple characters through a single protagonist, and what it takes to co-direct a personal, performance-driven story on an indie scale. The conversation dives into building empathy without sentimentality, using structure as storytelling, and navigating representation without reducing a character to identity.

This episode is a must-listen for filmmakers interested in concept-driven indies, character studies, and stories about modern loneliness and human connection.

Step inside the eerie, enchanting world of The Littles with writer/director Andrew Duplessie and head of animation Anthony Scott. In this episode, we break down the creative process behind the visually haunting and emotionally powerful animated film.

The film follows 11-year-old Juliet, who stubs her toe on a loose floorboard—only to witness a mysterious glow and unsettling noises coming from beneath. What begins as childlike curiosity spirals into an unforgettable, otherworldly encounter.

Andrew and Anthony reveal how they balanced innocence and fear, built a world that feels both nostalgic and unsettling, and crafted animation that elevates suspense rather than softens it. Whether you’re a filmmaker, animator, storyteller, or fan of dark fantasy adventures, this conversation is packed with inspiration and behind-the-scenes magic.

Director and Executive Producer Stephen Surjik joins us to break down the making of Netflix’s new Western series The Abandons—a gloriously bloody, female-led frontier drama already being compared to Yellowstone. Set in the lawless 1850s Washington Territory, The Abandons follows a brutal land feud between two formidable matriarchs, played by Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey. Stephen walks us through what it takes to make a Western feel dangerous again—from shooting in the Badlands and mountains of Alberta to navigating extreme weather, elevation, horses, and real wildlife on set.

We dive deep into The Abandons, Stephen's long-standing collaboration with Netflix (The Umbrella Academy, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, The Witcher), and his return to working with Gillian Anderson two decades after The X-Files. Stephen also shares how close collaboration with First Nations communities and cultural advisors shaped the show’s authenticity—on screen and behind the scenes. If you’re interested in large-scale production, historical world-building, or directing performances where power, land, and survival collide, this is a must-listen.

What makes a horror moment linger long after the credits roll? Often, it’s not what you see—it’s what you feel. In this episode, we sit down with Edward Douglas, VFX Supervisor on Longlegs and Keeper, to explore how practical effects, subtle design choices, and restraint create unforgettable fear. Edward breaks down how modern horror uses texture, imperfection, and realism to bypass jump scares and tap directly into the audience’s subconscious. We talk about the FX decisions behind Longlegs’ unsettling tone, how Keeper balances realism with dread, and why the best effects often go unnoticed. Whether you’re a filmmaker, horror fan, or creative curious about how fear is engineered, this episode reveals how invisible craftsmanship becomes emotional impact. 🎧 A must-listen for filmmakers, horror lovers, and anyone fascinated by how movies manipulate emotion.

Writer-director Austin Glasser joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss his short film The Writer, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival and stars Neal McDonough, Jefferson White, and Sara Paxton.

In this conversation, Austin breaks down writing with restraint, directing seasoned actors, navigating production limitations, and shaping a short film for festival audiences. Filmmakers will learn practical insights on actor collaboration, script-to-screen decisions, and what it really takes to premiere at a major narrative festival.

What does it really take to design horror makeup for a feature film? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with makeup designer Sian Richards to break down her work on the horror feature Sinners.Sian dives into creative decision-making, practical effects, collaboration with directors and DPs, and the real challenges of executing horror makeup on an indie feature. Filmmakers will learn how makeup design impacts storytelling, performance, and audience immersion—especially in horror.If you’re a filmmaker, film student, or horror fan curious about how fear is built on set, this episode is for you.

What do great visual effects actually look like? Hint: you’re not supposed to notice them. In this episode, we sit down with Eran Dinur, VFX Supervisor on MARTY SUPREME, to break down how modern visual effects are designed to disappear into story, performance, and cinematography. From subtle enhancements to large-scale problem solving, Eran reveals how VFX can elevate a film without ever calling attention to itself. We dive into the creative and technical challenges of supervising VFX and how to collaborate with directors and cinematographers. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker, editor, or director working with limited resources, this conversation will change how you think about visual effects. If you think VFX is only about spectacle, this episode will prove why restraint, planning, and storytelling matter more than explosions.