In today’s THIRTIETH (!!!) episode, Cat and Makayla hit some hot topics and current events, including Makayla’s takeaways from the LA Vertical Drama Market, the proposed SAG/AMPTP agreement, some discourse from Reddit, and as always, an anecdote or two.

🌐 Connect

🎬 Production: ⁠@foxandsiren.productions⁠

📸 Makayla: ⁠@iammakaylamcintosh⁠

📸 Cat: ⁠@catyudaintea⁠

📰 Makayla’s Substack:⁠Siren Makayla Substack⁠

📰 Cat’s Substack:⁠Cat Yudain Substack⁠

📩 Email:

GateCrashers Podcast theme by the incomparable Derek Graham Sound //Website: ⁠DGSound.net⁠ Instagram: ⁠@dgrahamsound

What does it really take to break into Hollywood when the odds (and the gatekeepers) are stacked against you?

This week, we sit down with actor, writer, and creative force Philip AJ Smithey to talk about the reality behind building a career in entertainment. From navigating your early career (and a new market) to building a community that creates its own opportunities, Philip shares the mindset shifts, resilience, and sometimes a parking ticket or two that helped shape his journey.

We dive into:
✨ Turning rejection into momentum
✨ Building confidence in an unpredictable industry
✨ Why community is everything for creatives
✨ Funding projects and making things happen independently
✨ The power behind The Collaborative
✨ Balancing ambition, creativity, and self-care

Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, artist, or someone chasing a dream outside the system, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice about forging your own path — and refusing to wait for permission.

Today's Guest: Philip Smithey
IG: @philipsmithey
TikTok: @philipajsmithey
YouTube:
LowBudgetShenanigans
GrabBagComedy

The Collaborative:
The-Collaborative.pro
The-Collaborative.net

Hollywood Casting Studio:
HollywoodCastingStudio.com

🌐 Connect

🎬 Production: @foxandsiren.productions

📸 Makayla: @iammakaylamcintosh

📸 Cat: @catyudaintea

📰 Makayla’s Substack:
Siren Makayla Substack

📰 Cat’s Substack:
Cat Yudain Substack

📩 Email:

GateCrashers Podcast theme by the incomparable Derek Graham Sound //
Website: DGSound.net
Instagram: @dgrahamsound

In today’s episode, we sit down with  sound designer and composer, Dave Chick! Dave shares his journey from music school to film sound, the art of sound design in filmmaking, and how sound transforms a film. We’ll hear about his approach to collaboration, managing creative differences, and balancing versatility with specialization- his being in the horror comedy space . Discover the nuances of film scoring, the importance of relationships, and how to navigate a creative career in today's evolving landscape. 

Connect with Dave:

davechick.ca

 🌐 Connect

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

Should you just write the damn thing?
This week on GateCrashers, we are reunited in LA for a meeting about our project, The Mercy Cage. We are finally back together in person since last year's SeriesFest (!!). We sit down to rehash where we started and where we are going.
In today’s episode, we reflect on the wild ride of collaboration versus solo writing. How bouncing ideas off of each other not only fuels our creativity but also holds us accountable. We tackle decision fatigue together, and help one another get unstuck.
Plus, we share the importance of protecting intellectual property in an industry where ideas can easily get tangled. 
Still figuring this out, but it feels good to share the journey with you all! 
Read more in our novel, The Mercy Cage: 

https://open.substack.com/pub/sirenmakayla/p/prologue-the-mercy-cage?r=21niib&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

• 🌐 Connect

  🎬 Production ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions⁠⁠

  📸 Makayla: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh⁠⁠

  📸 Cat: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/catyudaintea⁠⁠

  📰 Makayla’s Substack: ⁠⁠https://rebelwaves.substack.com⁠⁠

  📰 Cat’s Substack: ⁠⁠https://catyudain.substack.com⁠⁠

  📩 Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

  
  

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

In this episode of Gatecrashers, we sit down with Krista Gano to break down what it really takes to pitch smarter, develop stronger scripts, and survive (and thrive) in today’s rapidly shifting entertainment industry.

With a deep-rooted background in Hollywood—working alongside top-tier talent and shaping projects from the ground up—Krista brings invaluable insight into how creators can cut through the noise. From her early experiences to her current work guiding writers and filmmakers, she unpacks the real cost of weak development—and how getting the right feedback before pre-production can save you time, money, and creative burnout.

We dive into the evolving power dynamic of the industry, where development is increasingly shifting into the hands of producers and creators rather than studios. Krista shares actionable strategies for crafting clear, compelling pitches, reducing friction in storytelling, and building projects that are both creatively strong and market-aware. She also brings her experience coaching creators at SeriesFest’s Pitch-A-Thon and on the road, offering a front-row perspective on what makes a pitch actually land in competitive, real-world settings.

Plus, we explore:

• Why simplicity and clarity win in pitching
• The critical role of feedback and script consulting
• How AI is impacting development and production
• The rise of vertical content—and why cinematic quality still matters
• Building healthy, collaborative sets in a high-pressure industry
• How to target audiences without losing your voice

If you’re a filmmaker, writer, or creator looking to sharpen your pitch, protect your budget, and take control of your development process—this episode is your blueprint.

🎧 Gatecrashers is all about breaking the rules, bypassing the gatekeepers, and building the career you want—on your terms.

🎧 Guest: Krista Gano

PITCHING WORKBOOK: https://www.workingartistgroup.com/pitch-ready-workbook

Christa Gayno's Website - https://workingartistgroup.com/
This Is How My Brain Works Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-how-my-brain-works/id1541234567

Series Fest - https://seriesfest.com

• 🌐 Connect

  🎬 Production ⁠https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions⁠

  📸 Makayla: ⁠https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh⁠

  📸 Cat: ⁠https://instagram.com/catyudaintea⁠

  📰 Makayla’s Substack: ⁠https://rebelwaves.substack.com⁠

  📰 Cat’s Substack: ⁠https://catyudain.substack.com⁠

  📩 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

  
  

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

What does it mean to truly champion your community—and tell stories that matter?

In this episode of Gatecrashers, we sit down with filmmaker Pat Longstreth, founder of the Hindsight Film Festival, to explore the power of storytelling that starts at home and ripples outward. From building a film festival backed by legendary documentarian Ken Burns to creating his deeply moving documentary Iron Family, Pat is redefining what it means to amplify voices that are often overlooked.

Iron Family follows the creative life of Jazmine Faries, a young artist with Down syndrome, as she transforms her imagination into original theatrical productions staged by her family. The film is intimate, uplifting, and a testament to the power of self-expression, independence, and unwavering support.

We dive into:

• How Pat chooses the subjects for his documentaries
• The collaborative process behind telling deeply personal stories
• The inspiration behind launching the Hindsight Film Festival
• Why Iron Family is a film that stays with you long after it ends
• And what it really takes to champion your community—without waiting for permission

This conversation is a reminder that the most powerful stories aren’t always the loudest—they’re the ones built with care, trust, and heart.

 Iron Family is now available on streaming platforms.
 Learn more about the Hindsight Film Festival: https://www.hindsightfilmfestival.com/

Follow Gatecrashers for more conversations with filmmakers and creatives who are breaking rules, building their own doors, and telling the stories that need to be told.

🎧 Guest: Pat Longstreth
Website: http://patricklongstreth.com/
Iron Family: https://ironfamilyfilm.com/

🎬 More from Pat:
The Day That Shook Georgia (Trailer): https://vimeo.com/702605491
The Life of Bill Baggs (Trailer): https://vimeo.com/525125922

Hindsight Film Festival: ⁠https://www.hindsightfilmfestival.com/⁠                             https://www.youtube.com/@HindsightFilmFestival

  www.instagram.com/hindsightfilmfestival

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

Ever sent an email you wish you could take back?

We’ve all been there- hitting send before the edit is done, sharing BTS too early, communication mishaps happen.

That doesn't make it less embarassing.

Today, Cat and Makayla yap about lessons learned the hard way, with some spicy industry hot takes along for the ride.

• 🌐 Connect
  🎬 Production: https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions
  📸 Makayla: https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh
  📸 Cat: https://instagram.com/catyudaintea
  📰 Makayla’s Substack: https://rebelwaves.substack.com
  📰 Cat’s Substack: https://catyudain.substack.com
  📩 Email: [email protected]

  
  

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

What if the fastest way into the film industry right now… isn’t through the traditional system at all?

This week on Gatecrashers, we sit down with Isabel Dréan - screenwriter, director, producer, and digital visionary — whose career is a masterclass in reinvention. From her early days acting and directing in Montreal, to writing horror and psychological thrillers, to becoming a go-to writer for Christmas films (with five produced scripts in just 18 months), Isabel has consistently stayed ahead of where the industry is going — not where it’s been.

And now? She’s at the forefront of one of the biggest shifts in entertainment: vertical series.

With her series The Blind Bride of the Scarred Mafia Boss hitting #1 on VIGLOO, Isabel breaks down why vertical storytelling isn’t a downgrade — it’s a global expansion. We get into the real opportunities for writers and creators right now, how these projects are getting financed and produced at lightning speed, and why you don’t need an agent to start working in this space.

We also dive into:

• How Isabel pivoted genres — and why it changed everything
• Writing commercially without losing your voice
• The structure of addictive, bingeable vertical episodes
• What platforms are actually looking for
• Why speed and volume are becoming superpowers for writers
• Where the money is flowing globally (and how to tap in)
• How to shift your mindset to "Green-light" 

Plus, Isabel shares insights from her work mentoring writers around the world, her global network THE HUB, and what it really takes to become a “produce-ready” creator in today’s industry.

If you’ve been waiting for permission to break in — this is it.

Follow Gatecrashers for more conversations with rule-breakers, system disruptors, and creators building careers on their own terms.

🎧 Guest: Isabel Dréan
Website: https://www.isabeldrean.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabeldrean/
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3956465/

• 🌐 Connect
  🎬 Production: https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions
  📸 Makayla: https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh
  📸 Cat: https://instagram.com/catyudaintea
  📰 Makayla’s Substack: https://rebelwaves.substack.com
  📰 Cat’s Substack: https://catyudain.substack.com
  📩 Email: [email protected]

  
  

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

How do you go from law school to casting hundreds of projects for Netflix, Disney, and beyond?

Emmy-winning casting director Paul Ruddy joins Gatecrashers to share his unconventional journey into Hollywood—and the real factors that determine who gets cast.

From building a career rooted in relationships to leading casting on 250+ projects as Head of Casting at FlareFlow, Paul breaks down how the industry is evolving in real time—from traditional television to vertical dramas and micro-content.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Paul’s path from law school to a 25+ year casting career
• Why relationships and trust are the currency of this industry
• How casting is evolving in the age of streaming and digital platforms
• The rise of innovative casting and discovering new talent
• Union vs. non-union dynamics—and what actors need to understand
• How industry protocols shape opportunity (and access)
• The balance between experience, instinct, and risk-taking in casting

Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with real-world insight on how to navigate—and succeed in—an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing entertainment landscape.

🎧 Guest: Paul Ruddy, CSA

• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulruddycasting/
• 🎬 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1344712/

• 🌐 Connect
  🎬 Production: https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions
  📸 Makayla: https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh
  📸 Cat: https://instagram.com/catyudaintea
  📰 Makayla’s Substack: https://rebelwaves.substack.com
  📰 Cat’s Substack: https://catyudain.substack.com
  📩 Email: [email protected]

GateCrashers Podcast theme by Derek Graham Sound

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/dgrahamsound

 In this episode of the GateCrashers Podcast, Cat and Makayla sit down with filmmakers Aris Federman and Zoe Dunay, the creative duo behind Blue Oak Productions and Echo Grove Media, to talk about their unconventional journey from acting and entrepreneurship within the world of filmmaking.

Aris and Zoe share how they learned filmmaking through real-world experience, the school of hard knocks, (and a little “YouTube University”). How they built two sister production companies together, and developed their passion projects along the way, including their powerful short, Tin Soldiers, which is having an award-winning festival run. The conversation dives into the realities of the film industry, from the creative process and editing for emotional impact to navigating union vs. non-union sets, pitching clients, and funding passion projects through commercial work.

They also break down smart festival strategies, why networking is a long game, and how creating a positive, collaborative environment on set leads to better storytelling. Plus, some expert travel tips for filmmakers hauling gear around the world!

If you are a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or storyteller looking to turn ideas into action, this episode is packed with insights on collaboration, execution, and building a sustainable creative career.

In this episode:

• The origin story of Blue Oak Productions

• Learning filmmaking through hands-on experience

• Making Tin Soldiers and telling meaningful mental health stories

• The importance of trust, collaboration, and communication on set

• Union vs. non-union filmmaking

• Using commercial work to fund creative projects

• Film festival strategy and community building

• Travel hacks for filmmakers with gear

 Film is a team game- and the best stories happen when the right people come together.

LINKS for Aris and Zoe:​‪@WilliamArisFederman‬ ​ ⁨@ZoeDunay⁩ BlueOakProductions.comEchoGroveMedia.cominstagram.com/zoedunayinstagram.com/arisfederman

🌐 Connect
🎬 Production: https://instagram.com/foxandsiren.productions
📸 Makayla: https://instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh
📸 Cat: https://instagram.com/catyudaintea
📰 Makayla’s Substack: https://rebelwaves.substack.com
📰 Cat’s Substack: https://catyudain.substack.com
📩 Email: [email protected]

GateCrashers Podcast theme by the incomparable Derek Graham Sound // 

Website: ⁠⁠http://Dgsound.net⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠ instagram.com/ dgrahamsound