This week, we have one of our greatest conversations to date with the incredible producer, Andy Horwitz. He is proof that hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of persistence  can turn your dreams into reality. We cover his entire career, from starting out on The Dark Knight, to producing American Hustle, to founding his own independent production company and producing his first two features in one year. 

Andy Horwitz is a film and television producer and entertainment executive with over 19 years of experience in the entertainment business. He is the founder and CEO of Big Swell Entertainment, a next-generation production company built to navigate the evolving Hollywood landscape. Prior to launching Big Swell in 2023, Horwitz spent 15 years at Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment, most recently serving as Executive Vice President. During his time at Atlas, he helped produce tentpole films, independent features, television series, and podcasts across the studio and independent film systems, with the company’s productions collectively generating over $8.5 billion worldwide. 

His producing credits include J.C. Chandor’s TRIPLE FRONTIER, David O. Russell’s AMERICAN HUSTLE, and David Ayer’s SUICIDE SQUAD, as well as THE HOLLOW POINT and MOJAVE. His work spans the full filmmaking process, from development and financing through production and release, and he has built a deep network of creative relationships throughout the industry.

Since launching Big Swell Entertainment, Horwitz has established the company as a home for the next generation of producers and filmmakers. The company currently has several high-profile projects in development, with two films in post-production and another slated to begin production in 2027.

Andy is also a big supporter of Angel City Pitbulls, a non-profit dedicated to changing the public perception of pit bulls through rescue, adoption, foster care, education, and owner support in the Los Angeles area.

You can learn more by going to AngelCityPits.org.

Check out filmup.co/filmup-podcast for more information about the podcast and all of FilmUp’s initiatives!

Today's guest is the hardworking, insightful, and inspiring producer, Siena Oberman, whose accomplishments and staggering body of work make it hard to believe she hasn't been working in the industry for decades. We have a fascinating conversation about how Siena founded and continues to run a successful production and financing company, how filmmakers can finance and produce their films in an ever-evolving industry, and the exciting signs of growth we're seeing across the film industry.

Siena is the founder of Artemis, a production finance company focused on audience-driven visionary filmmakers. She’s been involved in producing and financing over 25 features, including COMPANY, DEAD MAN’S WIRE, FAIRYLAND, THE GOOD MOTHER, and MAINSTREAM, and has executive produced projects including SUNNY starring Angelina Jolie and SKIN directed by Guy Nattiv. With experience across development, production, and financing, her films have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, Telluride, Venice, and Berlinale. She is a Variety Producer to Watch, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and NextGen Leader in the Creative Coalition.

Siena is also a big supporter of Prevent Child Abuse America, a non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens.

You can learn more by going to preventchildabuse.org.

Check out filmup.co/filmup-podcast for more information about the podcast and all of FilmUp’s initiatives!

Today, we sit down with the talented producer, Jonathan Hsu, for one of our most poignant discussions about the cathartic and healing power of filmmaking. 

Jonathan Hsu is an award-winning producer and founder of Hsubox Productions Inc.. He built his career with no cash, no contacts, and no shortcuts. From NYU student films and no-budget music videos to award-winning films and commercial campaigns for global brands. He learned what it takes to get hired, stay hired, and grow from passion projects into a sustainable film business. Now he shares the playbook for doing the same. He has partnered with global brands including Apple, Netflix, Meta, and more. His Oscar qualified work has been selected and awarded at Sundance, Slamdance, Berlinale, Busan, and Tribeca. Jonathan is dedicated to both the craft and business of filmmaking, and is excited to see the stories of the next generation of creators.

Jonathan is also a big supporter of Caring Across Generations, a non-profit dedicated to changing the culture and policy of care in America. You can learn more by visiting CaringAcross.org.
Check out filmup.co/filmup-podcast for more information about the podcast and all of FilmUp’s initiatives!

This week’s guest is a powerhouse producer with dozens of incredible credits under her belt. Beyond her myriad of award-winning films, she is a professor at Columbia University and a vocal advocate pushing back against the growing challenges in the producing profession. Please welcome Mynette Louie!
Mynette is a Spirit Award-winning, Emmy and Critics Choice-nominated producer. Her credits include Suzanne Andrews Correa’s Sundance 2026 selection THE HUNTRESS, Eric Lin’s Locarno-winning Tribeca 2025 selection ROSEMEAD (Vertical), Heidi Ewing’s Sundance-winning, Spirit Award-nominated I CARRY YOU WITH ME (Sony Pictures Classics), Carlo Mirabella-Davis’ Tribeca-winning, Gotham-nominated SWALLOW (IFC Films), Jennifer Fox’s Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Spirit Award-nominated THE TALE (HBO), Karyn Kusama’s THE INVITATION (Drafthouse/Netflix), and Martha Stephens & Aaron Katz’s Spirit Award-winning LAND HO! (Sony Pictures Classics). Louie serves on the Board of Directors of Film Independent, the Producers Branch Executive Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and is a member of Producers United and the Television Academy. She was named one of Business Insider’s “12 Movie Producers at the Top of Their Game to Watch in 2020 and Beyond,” Ted Hope’s “21 Brave Thinkers of Truly Free Film,” and Indiewire’s “100 Filmmakers to Follow on Twitter.” She is also an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Co-Head of Creative Producing at Columbia University’s graduate film program. A native New Yorker, Louie graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University, where she studied Chinese literature and film. Mynette has chosen to support The Jed Foundation for this episode. Learn more about ways to support them at jedfoundation.org. Check out filmup.co/filmup-podcast for more information about the podcast and all of FilmUp’s initiatives!

Welcome back to Season 7 of The FilmUp Podcast! We're kicking the season off with a very special guest. Emmy award-winning cinematographer, Adam Newport-Berra, ASC!

Adam is an Emmy and ASC Award–winning cinematographer born and raised in the woods of Oregon—where he continues to live.
A graduate of New York University, Adam has lensed a range of acclaimed features, shorts, television, music videos, and commercials. In 2019, Variety named him one of its “Artisans Elite.” His work on The Last Black Man in San Francisco led to a premiere at Sundance and competed at the Camerimage Film Festival. His films have competed at Cannes, Telluride, NYFF, SXSW, TIFF, and beyond.
In television, Adam shot the pilot of FX’s The Bear and the final two episodes of HBO’s Euphoria (Season 1). He won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Half-Hour Series for his work on The Studio, for the episode “The Oner.”
Adam’s commercial work has also earned multiple Cannes Lions, and his music video collaborations include Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West, earning multiple VMA nominations for cinematography.
Adam has chosen to support The Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR for this episode. Learn more about ways to support them at hollywoodtheatre.org.

Check out filmup.co/filmup-podcast for more information about the podcast and all of FilmUp's initiatives! 

This week we are thrilled to be joined by Michael Wormser!

Michael is a Los Angeles–based producer, writer, director, and creator of Teche™, a film finance modeling platform built to help producers and investors clearly model capital stacks, recoupment waterfalls, and investor returns in real time. He is also one of the founders of Cinemand Pictures. His list of producing credits is extensive, and he previously served as Head of Production at Maker Studios and was profiled in the PGA’s Produced By magazine as a “go-to producer.”

Michael is also a big supporter of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a non-profit hospital with an emphasis on teaching, that’s dedicated to caring for children, teens, young adults, and families as well as making discoveries to enhance the health and lives of these communities, especially the underserved populations of LA.
To learn about ways you can support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, visit https://www.chla.org/

We've got an awesome conversation with an awesome guest this week. Welcome AJ Bleyer to the podcast!

AJ is a high-octane director and the founder of Advent Films, a creative production house known for its visually arresting, high impact work. AJ is also a trusted shooter for many of the world’s most prestigious brands including Ferrari, McLaren F1, Aston Martin, Red Bull, Riot Games, Amazon, and more.

He’s also become a known industry speaker for brands like RED, Adobe, Fujinon, Dell, NVIDIA and more. He’s delivered a TEDx talk, and many on-stage keynotes at events like Adobe MAX and NAB.

AJ is also a big supporter of ManifestWorks, a non-profit that connects those impacted by foster care, homelessness and incarceration with job opportunities and provides ongoing life and professional skills to support long-term success.

To learn more about how you can get involved and support Manifest Works, visit https://www.manifestworks.org/

You may recognize today's guest from one of the many great show's and movies she's been in. This week we have the pleasure of welcoming Ayden Mayeri!

Ayden is an Actor and Director from Northern California. With performances in dozens of shows and movies including Paul Feig’s Jackpot!, Mr. Throwback with Steph Curry, New Girl, and Veep, just to name a few, she has quickly established herself as a star on the rise. Her directorial debut, Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story, had its world premiere at SXSW Film Festival 2026 and won the Jury Award for Documentary Feature Film.

Most recently she starred in the Tribeca 2025 Untold Stories feature film, Honeyjoon, and can be seen opposite Cameron Diaz in Netflix’s upcoming action comedy Bad Day, and the Rachel Bloom ABC series Do You Want Kids.

Ayden is also a big supporter of The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrants to push policies that promote freedom of movement, full human rights, and the vigorous civic action that strengthens this democracy.

To learn about ways you can support CHIRLA, visit https://www.chirla.org

Today’s guest is a true talent who’s work can be seen all over the big and small screen. This week we’re thrilled to be joined by Valerie Weiss!

Valerie is an award winning director, writer, and producer of film and television. After receiving her PhD from Harvard Medical School, she decided to embark into the entertainment industry, and it seems like she made the right choice. Valerie has directed dozens of episodes of some of the most popular shows on television such as Outer Banks, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Ginny & Georgia, as well as directed multiple features like Mixtape and The Archer. She is also co-chair of the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee.

Valerie is also a big supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, a non-profit dedicated to building a future in which people live in harmony with nature by conserving and restoring biodiversity, reducing humans’ environmental footprint, and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.

To learn more about ways you can contribute to the World Wildlife Fund, visit https://www.worldwildlife.org/support

This week we are thrilled to have Paris Schulman on the podcast! Paris began his career as a record producer and film composer. In 2010, he founded RiTE MEDIA, a creative content studio based in Atlanta. Over the years, RiTE has developed and produced hundreds of stories spanning commercials, narrative, and music visuals.

Rite Media’s expertise and resources are on emerging technologies like Virtual Production and Bolt CineBot robotic cameras, and they have deployed these solutions on some of the most notable films and series of the last decade, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 & 3, Stranger Things, and many more.

Paris is also a big supporter of Earth Echo International, a non-profit that collaborates with youth around the world to provide knowledge and develop tools that drive meaningful environmental action to protect and restore our ocean planet. 

You can learn more about ways to support them by visiting earthecho.org