In this episode of ACTION! Magazine The Podcast, we sit down with filmmaker Chris Baker, one half of the visionary directing duo behind the haunting new short film The Trick.

Premiering at FrightFest Glasgow, The Trick follows a seemingly ordinary night that spirals into something deeply unsettling, blurring the line between illusion and reality. What begins as a simple interaction quickly turns into a sinister psychological game that leaves both its characters and audience questioning what’s real.

Chris takes us behind the scenes of building tension, crafting atmosphere, and creating horror that lingers long after the final frame. We also explore the duo’s signature style, their transition from award-winning projects like Backmask into darker, more layered storytelling, and how their background in visual storytelling shapes the cinematic language of their work.

From the power of suggestion to the fear of losing control, this conversation dives into the deeper themes behind The Trick and what it takes to create horror that truly stays with you.

🎧 Tune in for a chilling and insightful look at modern genre filmmaking.

Step into the chaotic, hilarious world of espionage gone wrong in this week's episode of ACTION! Magazine The Podcast. We sit down with filmmaker and creator Blake Sherwyn to talk about his latest project, the satirical mockumentary pilot Chet Bond: License To Chill-a bold, absurd take on the spy genre that flips the idea of a "perfect agent" on its head Set to premiere at the Dances With Films festival in New York, the pilot follows the wildly unqualified Chet Bond, played by Jack Atkins, as he fumbles his way through MI7, leaving destruction, embarrassment, and unexpected consequences in his wake. With a standout supporting cast including Mark McClain Wilson, Mercy Malick, and Lara Ashley Miller, the project blends sharp comedy with deeper themes of identity, pressure, and redemption.

In this episode, Blake shares the inspiration behind Chet Bond, his journey from working at major agencies like CAA and WME to building his own production banner, and how viral success with projects like Lil Brick Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions helped shape his voice as a storyteller. We also dive into the challenges of creating comedy that resonates in today's landscape, the art of satire, and what it takes to turn a short-form hit into a festival-ready project.

Whether you're a filmmaker, comedy lover, or just someone who enjoys a good spy parody. this conversation offers an inside look at building original, creator-driven stories that balance humor with meaning.

Tune in for a candid, insightful, and entertaining conversation with one of comedy's rising creative voices.

Step into the chaotic, hilarious world of espionage gone wrong in this week’s episode of ACTION! Magazine The Podcast. We sit down with filmmaker and creator Blake Sherwyn to talk about his latest project, the satirical mockumentary pilot Chet Bond: License To Chill—a bold, absurd take on the spy genre that flips the idea of a “perfect agent” on its head.

Set to premiere at the Dances With Films festival in New York, the pilot follows the wildly unqualified Chet Bond, played by Jack Atkins, as he fumbles his way through MI7, leaving destruction, embarrassment, and unexpected consequences in his wake. With a standout supporting cast including Mark McClain Wilson, Mercy Malick, and Lara Ashley Miller, the project blends sharp comedy with deeper themes of identity, pressure, and redemption.

In this episode, Blake shares the inspiration behind Chet Bond, his journey from working at major agencies like CAA and WME to building his own production banner, and how viral success with projects like Lil Brick Answers the Web’s Most Searched Questions helped shape his voice as a storyteller. We also dive into the challenges of creating comedy that resonates in today’s landscape, the art of satire, and what it takes to turn a short-form hit into a festival-ready project.

Whether you're a filmmaker, comedy lover, or just someone who enjoys a good spy parody, this conversation offers an inside look at building original, creator-driven stories that balance humor with meaning.

🎬 Tune in for a candid, insightful, and entertaining conversation with one of comedy’s rising creative voices.

On this episode of ACTION! Magazine The Podcast, we sit down with Josh Sapan and Miranda Lee to talk about the mission behind the inspiring Marvels of Media Festival.

Josh, a longtime media executive who helped shape the era of prestige television during his years leading AMC Networks, founded Marvels of Media to spotlight and support autistic creators working in film, animation, and digital media. Alongside him, Miranda Lee, a festival programmer and access consultant who is on the autism spectrum, plays a key role in curating the program and advocating for greater accessibility and representation in the arts.

Presented by the Museum of the Moving Image, the festival celebrates autistic media-makers through film screenings, panels, workshops, and community events that bring together filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals.

Pop culture has a new voice, and we’re sitting down with the creator herself. In this episode, we chat with Maddy Myer about the inspiration behind her fan-first podcast Maddy Mania, launching March 5th. From wrestling and K Pop to television and fandom culture, Maddie shares how her personal passions, professional experience, and love for community shaped the show. Tune in to hear what it takes to turn fandom into a platform, the stories behind her favorite pop culture moments, and why obsession can truly be an art form.

In this episode, we sit down with Argentine filmmaker Eduardo Braun Costa to talk about his debut narrative short following its Sundance premiere. We dive into the coming-of-age story behind the film, the personal childhood experiences that inspired it, and how humor and drama come together to capture youth, friendship, and survival. Eduardo also shares insights into his creative process, transitioning from music videos to narrative filmmaking, and what premiering at Sundance means for the next chapter of his career.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Bill Chen to discuss his powerful short film Chicken, an emotionally charged coming-of-age story that explores masculinity, identity, and the lasting impact of silence within male culture. Bill shares the deeply personal inspiration behind the film, his approach to telling difficult stories with honesty and nuance, and how his upbringing shaped his creative voice. We also dive into the film’s festival journey, the importance of conversations around vulnerability and belonging, and how cinema can open space for reflection and dialogue.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker and multi hyphenate creative Carlitos Do Souto to talk about his bold new feature film Radio Sky and the journey of bringing an ambitious independent project to life.

Carlitos shares behind the scenes insight into writing, directing, and acting in Radio Sky, a film set in space that pushes creative and logistical boundaries on an indie scale. We dive into the realities of building a film from the ground up, navigating limited resources, and finding inventive solutions on set while staying true to a strong creative vision.

He also reflects on his path as an emerging filmmaker and entrepreneur, the lessons learned while developing his debut feature, and what it means to premiere a first feature at a major festival. This conversation is packed with practical insight, honest reflections, and inspiration for filmmakers working outside the studio system.

A must listen for anyone interested in independent filmmaking, creative risk taking, and turning ambitious ideas into reality.

In this episode, we are joined by Irish harpist and singer Joy Shannon for a joyful and inspiring conversation about her creative journey. Joy reflects on her music career and how years of composing, performing, and working within Irish folklore and dark folk traditions helped shape her transition into documentary filmmaking.

We talk about her latest Tolkien inspired work, including the release of her single “Song of the Rohirrim” and the instrumental album In the Forest Singing Sorrowless, and how storytelling through music naturally led her toward visual narratives. Joy shares valuable lessons she has learned navigating the creative field as a woman, speaking openly about resilience, intuition, and finding purpose through art.

This episode is filled with warmth, insight, and encouragement, offering an uplifting listen for anyone carving out their own creative path across music, film, and the wider arts.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Jonny Durgan, double Cannes Lion-winning writer-director, as he discusses his gripping new short film, G.S.W. Following a remarkable festival run—including HollyShorts London, Foyle Film Festival, and multiple BIFA-qualifying screenings—G.S.W. is set for a San Francisco theatrical run at The Roxie Cinema from January 2–7, 2026.

Jonny shares the inspiration behind the film, which follows paramedics Beth (Genevieve O’Reilly) and Jo (Kya Brame) confronting a life-and-death crisis during a school shooting, as well as his journey from advertising to filmmaking. He opens up about working with acclaimed actors like Genevieve O’Reilly, Kya Brame, and Gemma Whelan, and how his experience in commercials shaped his storytelling approach for the screen.