What makes video game music different from film scores? Award-winning composer and sound designer Dylan Schmitz joins us to break down the art and technology behind interactive game audio. From writing music that can loop for hours without becoming repetitive to building adaptive soundtracks sharing what it takes to bring virtual worlds to life.

We also discuss his journey into the industry, the importance of networking and portfolio building, plus practical advice for aspiring composers and sound designers looking to break into game development. Whether you're a gamer, musician, or creative professional, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the sounds we often take for granted.

First time returning guests Joseph Cox and Dylan Anglin update us on their indie feature films in production!

We discuss the gap between the film you shoot, and the one audiences see. They also explore the risks of pulling from real life and how to shape personal material into something honest without alienating people.

On the business side, they cover funding, producers, festival strategy, distribution options, and even Blu-rays as a surprising revenue stream. Overall, it’s a practical, honest look at balancing ambition with execution when making a low-budget feature.

In this episode, Bill talks honestly about what it takes to stay employable in a shifting industry and the aftermath of the LA fires.

We get specific about the working actor’s toolbox, headshots, reels, and relationships with crews and how he approaches 20-take days—giving editors options without losing consistency. We also dig into navigating director notes, protecting chemistry with scene partners, and keeping ego out of the room.

A story from A Soldier’s Secret highlights what preparation really looks like—deep research, listening, and letting behavior emerge naturally instead of forcing it. We close with practical tactics: memorizing efficiently, handling last-minute script changes, making thin dialogue playable.

A single detour can change everything. When actress Katie Kinman walked into a new studio in Lexington, a chance encounter with a former agent leading to her role in 2025's Dead Man’s Wire and her red carpet moment in Venice.

In this episode, Katie pulls back the curtain on how casting actually evaluates auditions—why bold, specific choices rise above safe reads. We break down the hidden mechanics of the industry: how approvals move through producers, why the script is the foundation of everything.

Two worlds collide as Jon—marketer, longtime curator of Snapchat Stories shares how mobile-first storytelling, research-driven writing, and emerging tech all coexist in one creative life. We talk about the behind-the-scenes discipline of shaping vertical stories that trained millions to think in transitions, and how that same editorial rigor carries into screenwriting, brand work, and a fast, focused daily writing routine.

Olivia Dennis nearly quit acting once but now she’s all in. In this episode we break down the realities of acting for camera: unlearning stage habits, scaling performances, and her technique of the “moment before” to bring auditions to life. Olivia also shares the mental side of auditions—doing the work, letting go, and handling callbacks that never come—plus a directors note that changed how she approaches heavier material.

Forget the tortured artist myth. In this episode, we sit down with Quinn Dorian for a conversation about what actually fuels good creative work—sleep, boredom, better habits, and surrounding yourself with people who make you want to show up. Quinn opens up about moving from panic attacks and a packed science track into a life centered on design, songwriting, and foregoing going it alone and starting a band

This episode is about collaboration, trust, and choosing the right team. We also get practical—first-year band plans, releasing music without burning out, and using social media without letting it eat your brain. We close with the story behind her newest music video Blind Spots, a song about caretaking, lost time, and finally choosing yourself. If you’re building something creative and want to do it without destroying yourself, this one’s for you.

What makes someone take on the slow, exhausting work of building a film festival—and keep going long after the novelty wears off? In this episode, we sit down with the Cindependent Film Festival founder Allyson West to talk about the emotional drive behind turning a scrappy idea into a year-round indie film community in Cincinnati.
We explore the less visible side of festival building: choosing care over clout, the weight of responsibility to artists, the burnout that comes with volunteer leadership, and the quiet wins that make it worth it—watching filmmakers feel seen, audiences grow, and connections turn into real momentum. It’s an honest look at the passion, patience, and conviction it takes to build something that lasts, without losing the soul that started it.

Actress Sophia Castelanos joins us to break down the shift from stage to screen. She shares how she prepares emotionally demanding roles using Meisner-based techniques, how she releases heavy scenes without carrying them home, and what green screen work really requires when you’re reacting to threats that don’t exist yet.

We also dig into the side of acting most people never see: researching casting calls, vetting projects, shaping a reel with intention, and knowing when to say no. Sophia reflects on early-career survival mode versus long-term strategy, navigating typecasting, expanding range, and why sustainable acting takes both discipline and courage.

 What if the stick-figure family on the back of a minivan is actually a body count? In this episode, we sit down with Jamison Braly, a filmmaker whose path from wedding videography to viral horror shorts proves that smart constraints beat big budgets. Jameson breaks down how one-room setups, small casts, and borrowed locations can elevate story and performance, why his 23-minute short struggled while tighter work thrived, and how weddings quietly trained him to move fast, adapt, and treat every moment like a one-take scene. We dive into writing for clarity, thinking like a producer, building strong crew culture, and why horror is the perfect low-budget training ground—even if it’s not your end goal. If you’re trying to start, scale smarter, and make story louder than gear, this one’s for you.