We have a new Dude of the Day, and it’s Jacob Staudenmaier! His 50/50 Nominated Film, BOYS, answers the very simple question: What do Boys do tho?... 

But when Jacob isn’t calling out the delicate turf war of masculinity, he is a jack-of-all trades filmmaker whose consistent output of professional grade shorts is awe inspiring. 

In this episode, we discuss how a viral promposal to Emma Stone unexpectedly sparked Jacob's filmmaking career, how he filmed a festival short in just three hours, and the simultaneous restrictions and privileges of shooting on film. Some of Jacob's work below! 

PEPPERONI

BABY

EMMA STONE, PROM?

This week, we’re joined by Rachel Brodsky, accomplished music/pop culture journalist. We spoke for just over an hour about what it's like to chart your own path in media and criticism, and what we in the film industry can learn from the film critic. Rachel shares the early words of encouragement that nudged her toward writing and analyzing pop culture, and how learning to think critically shaped her voice as a journalist.

Rachel brings up the challenges of breaking free from the algorithm to become your own curator, and how to sharpen your taste in an overwhelming media landscape. Rachel also reflects on her experiences interviewing actors like Mikey Madison and Eva Victor — including a behind-the-scenes look at Eva’s upcoming film, SORRY, BABY.

Rachel's Rolling Stone Article about SORRY, BABY linked here! 

In film, a "calling card" refers to a project, often a short film, designed to showcase a filmmaker's talent, style, and vision to potential collaborators and industry professionals (Wyatt didn't know this so we figured he'd learn it if he read the episode description). 

Well, this week, 50/50 Alum Maria Quesada gives us the ultimate download on HER Calling Card, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, which she wrote, directed, produced, and STARRED in! She takes us through how to allow comedy to be enhanced with stellar visuals, how to take ego out of directing yourself, and spills her secrets on how to film a traffic scene on a small budget set. 

We also cover how family allows us to show love through humor, how to find projects that are authentically you, and we delve into her production company, Odd One Out Films, which she co-runs with Gabby Fiszman (future guest on the pod)! 

Maria's short was an offical selection of the 2025 50/50 Comedy Festival, and we look forward to having her back next year! 

LINK TO ODD ONE OUT PRODS

This week, we're diving headfirst into the wild world of animation with creators Torey Strahl and Elena Ridker. From knowing when it’s time to stop waiting for permission and start making your own work, to surviving the endless loop that is the Network Pitching Process, Torey and Elena share real talk on balancing creative ambition with commercial realities. We also get into the tricky business of separating your art from your income — and why that might just save your sanity.

If you're a cartoon nerd, an aspiring showrunner, or just curious about how an animated series gets made, this one's for you. Check out Torey and Elena’s offbeat animated series Buzzards Bay now streaming on Adult Swim’s YouTube channel. Elena’s already a 50/50 Comedy Festival alum, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome Torey into the 50/50 family!

LINK TO BUZZARDS BAY HERE! 

This week, we sit down with writer/actor/musician Michael Doshier, who gives us a glimpse into the glamour of his thorough artistic process. We touch on topics such as finding confidence on set, surrounding yourself with collaborators who share passion as a driving force, and how to successfully find your niche in the festival circuit, ending up with a reliable distributor.

We loved having Michael at the last 50/50 festival, and we’re so glad that he’s now a part of the 50/50 Family.

All the World’s a Stage on this week’s episode of the 50/50 Podcast. Joaquin Madrid Larranaga not only introduces us to the complex world of finding work in the Theatre, but also (like the true multihyphenate he is) applies his stage managerial knowledge to the world of Film. And there is a LOT to learn. We touch on non traditional paths in the arts, technical skills vs. people skills, and what it really takes to create a thriving on set environment resulting in long-lasting relationships.

It was so special having Joaquin join us at the last 50/50 festival, and we look forward to furthering his involvement in the 50/50 community.

This week, we share a laugh with stand up comic Johnny Marx. We dive into the science behind crafting jokes, the differences in processing conceptual and personal material, and how Johnny manages to bridge the gap between his own voice and the styles of his comedic heroes. Johnny also stresses the importance of enjoying every stage of the comedic process; from writing to booking to hitting the stage. Want to learn how to escape the endless hamster wheel of bringer shows? THIS episode is for you. 

Johnny is a 50/50 alum and repeat attendee of the festival, and we couldn't be more grateful to have him in our orbit. 

This week, we talk with the incredibly grounded and talented Cady Mariano. Cady provides invaluable insight into what it truly takes to stay resilient, hopeful, and energized as an actor in an unpredictable industry.

We unpack the power of rehearsals, how actors contribute to a collective creative vision, and the  different directing styles that shape the on-set experience. This conversation is both eye-opening and encouraging, touching on how to keep your mental health in check, bring playfulness to your performance, and approach feedback with grace and grit. Cady is a frequent collaborator of multiple 50/50 alumni, and we're so excited to welcome her to the fam! 

LIGHTS, CAMERA, TRAILERS. This week, Andrew Gerstenblatt invites us into the captivating world of the movie trailer. Andrew’s passion radiates with depth and nuance as he makes a compelling case for trailers-- not merely as marketing tools, but as a distinct and often underappreciated art form. Andrew guides us through the intricate process of crafting trailers, oftentimes communicating directly with directors and studios, playing a unique role in each film's rollout. Andrew has been a consistent supporter of 50/50 and we're thrilled with how this conversation turned out. Enjoy! 

This week, we break down the representation space with manager Max Gonzalez. We discuss weathering the trecherous waters of the talent agency; Max stresses the importance of supporting a system while also maintaining a sense of self. We also chat about how to successfully advocate for and communicate with creatives, and attempt to pinpoint where the Film/TV market is at any given point. Max Gonzalez is a true force to be reckoned with - you won't want to miss this one!