The 50/50 Podcast

This week, we're joined by composer Nicolas Snyder, whose work can be heard in acclaimed animated series like SCAVENGERS REIGN and COMMON SIDE EFFECTS, both on HBO Max. Nicolas reflects on his path to composing—from playing in bands and studying narrative writing to discovering that his meticulous, trained approach to crafting sentences was secretly training him to become a songwriter. We also discuss his long-running creative partnership with creator/showrunner Joe Bennett, how their collaboration evolved organically over time, and why Nicolas rejects the idea of being a musical genius. Instead, he embraces imperfection as a creative strength, arguing that uniqueness and humanity matter far more than technical perfection. Plus, we dive into his composing process, from working with samples and juggling multiple projects to learning the art of delegation. Lastly, he shares valuable advice for filmmakers on how to communicate more effectively with composers. Common Side Effects (HBO) Common Side Effects INTRO SCAVENGERS REIGN (HBO) NICOLAS INSTA New Show - DEALIES Submit Your Horror Short!

This week, we're joined by Variety TV reporter Ethan Shanfeld. From his early days studying journalism at Northwestern and freelancing for outlets like Nylon and Pitchfork to landing major cover stories at his current employer, Variety, Ethan breaks down what makes a great pitch email, how he prepares for interviews without over-preparing, and why every celebrity requires a completely different approach. We dive deep into his unforgettable SEVERANCE cover story, including the surreal experience of interviewing Ben Stiller and Adam Scott over a 4pm dinner at an Italian restaurant on Manhattan's West Side Highway—without quite knowing what he was walking into. Along the way, we discuss building trust with interview subjects, broaching the tough questions, and navigating the ever-present publicists in the room. Plus: stories from interviewing a silver-handed Benny Safdie, an incredibly candid Miley Cyrus, and the unique challenge of sitting down with Nintendo's notoriously guarded president through a translator. Welcome to the 50/50 fam, Ethan! Ethan Shanfeld - Variety Page Ethan Shanfeld - Twitter Subit your Horror Short!

This week, we speak with Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett, director's assistant on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY. She breaks down her journey from interning at Viola Davis’s production company in its early days to now carving out her own path as a writer in television. She talks about starting her career in Atlanta, realizing she needed to make the leap to Los Angeles, and balancing a day job at a management company while quietly dedicating an hour every day to writing. Using the relationships and industry knowledge she gained in talent representation, Mahalia eventually signed a shopping agreement and sold her script — all before many people around her even knew what she was building. We also get into the realities of surviving the entertainment industry, and how hardship and rejection can ultimately sharpen your voice as a writer. Mahalia opens up about working with Randall Einhorn on Abbott Elementary, the value of mentorship, and why strong characters and clear comedic engines are the foundation of great TV writing. Plus, we discuss representation, collaboration, and what it looks like to build a creative partnership with a manager who truly understands your voice. MAHALIA INSTAGRAM SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR!

This week, we sit down with 50/50 FESTIVAL WINNER Myles Hodder! We dive into his upbringing in Newfoundland — “straight off the rock” — to becoming an award-winning comedy director. A Second City-trained performer who originally started as an actor, Myles breaks down how a small addition to his commercial directing reel unexpectedly became the project that won him 50/50 Comedy, and why simplicity almost always wins in comedy. We also get into the mechanics of directing funny material — from balancing improv with preparation on set to the importance of timing, rhythm, and why some of the best comedy lives in close-ups. Plus, Myles shares his approach to navigating the wave of industry meetings that followed the festival, including how to take the pressure off generals and build long lasting relationships. MYLES WEBSITE THREE COLORS SCREENING: BUY YOUR TIX NOW! SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR FEST RACHEL - John Early/Kate Berlant/Andrew DeYoung

This week, we sit down with writer and comedian Grace Guy to unpack the complicated, often unspoken dynamics of assistant culture in the entertainment industry. Drawing from her own experience as a former assistant, Grace shares the inspiration behind her deeply personal play Deckhand—a sharp, emotionally charged story about a boss and assistant trapped together on a boat. We dive into the love/hate tension that defines so many of these relationships, and the uncomfortable truth that while assistants are often told their proximity to power will lead to opportunity, that promise rarely materializes. Grace also opens up about recognizing when it’s time to leave a job, the importance of self-care and building a real support system, and the danger of tying your dreams to someone else’s success. The conversation then shifts to her creative process—how she approaches writing “forced proximity” stories, and the journey of developing Deckhand, including testing it in front of audiences ahead of its Edinburgh run. TIX FOR 50/50 COMEDY FESTIVAL MAY 3RD!! Grace's Insta (see upcoming show dates & more!) DECKHAND SHOW Books Mentioned: Artist's Way, Rick Rubin's Book, Anne Lamont (Bird by Bird, Good Writing)

This week, we sit down with director/producer Talia Light Rake to talk about what it really means to self-empower as an artist. Talia dives into redefining her creative identity, how aligning who you are with what you make can unlock new momentum, and the unexpected ways social media gave her work legitimacy and reach. We also get into her algorithm-driven networking events—bringing creatives together across cities—and the recent success of her indie pilot Too Romantic. TICKETS for 50/50 FILM FESTIVAL (MAY 3rd) TOO ROMANTIC Pilot (FESTIVAL DATES ETC) HEAVY SHOVEL PRODUCTIONS TALIA'S INSTA

This week, we sit down with Jared Corwin, Co-Executive Director of Silverlake Shorts. After feeling stuck following his first feature, Jared found renewed purpose by helping launch a monthly, sold-out, non-profit film festival alongside collaborator Benjamin Sharpe. What started as a grassroots community event has grown into a meaningful creative engine—one that’s not only spotlighting emerging filmmakers, but actively shaping Jared’s own career as a writer and animator. We dive into the evolution of the festival, from screening films to funding them through their fellowship program, and what kinds of projects they’re looking to support. Jared also shares insights on expanding beyond Los Angeles, including a recent festival in Atlanta, and how the organization is thinking about local audiences as well as potential collaboration with the broader studio system. The conversation widens into the state of the LA film scene, the cultural value of short films, and Jared’s mission to elevate shorts to the same artistic stature as features—all while helping bring filmmaking energy back to Los Angeles in a major way. SILVER LAKE SHORTS Website SILVER LAKE SHORTS Instagram SUBMIT TO 50/50 COMEDY FESTIVAL

This week, we sit down with actor/comedian Natalie Ortega to talk about carving out your own lane in an industry that rarely hands you one. Natalie shares how she found her niche in musical comedy (and why it’s not just because the bar is low), her complicated relationship with stand-up, and why she believes actors shouldn’t sit around waiting for the next audition. We get into her time performing in Wicked on Broadway — including the unspoken rules of the Broadway social scene — and what she learned on set alongside Brett Goldstein and J.Lo, where stand-up unexpectedly became her greatest asset. Natalie also opens up about her evolving relationship with agents and managers, and how taking initiative in your own career changes everything: do more for yourself, and your reps will too. Plus, we dive into her creative partnership with Cam Gavinski on PARTNERS, what’s next for the project, and some exciting TV development news on the horizon. NATALIE'S INSTA (Watch PARTNERS HERE TOO!) Submit Your Comedy Short

This week, filmmaker Elijah Davis breaks down how he swung big on his debut feature, Three Colors: Pan African — and what it actually took to get it made. We talk about the influence of French cinema on the film’s visual language, and Elijah’s larger mission: creating real authorship opportunities for Black creatives across every department. He shares how funding the first portion of the project as a proof of concept unlocked momentum — and why fundraising proved to be one of the most difficult stretches of the process. We also discuss representation theory and Elijah’s perspective on the relationship between Blackness and media — who gets to tell stories and who controls the frame. Finally, he opens up about balancing all of this while working full-time as an assistant at WME — and what it means to build a filmmaking career from inside the industry machine. THREE COLORS INSTAGRAM/TRAILER THREE COLORS IMDB THREE COLORS LETTERBOXD SUBMIT TO 50/50 FESTIVAL

This week, we sit down with director Posy Dixon — currently deep in production on a documentary about cult musician Planningtorock — a project that’s evolved into something far more collaborative than traditional nonfiction. In a rare creative dynamic, Posy's subject is actively writing the film alongside her, shaping a kind of career-long retrospective that blurs the line between observer and participant. We talk about what happens when a documentary becomes co-authored, and how identity sits at the center of Posy’s creative practice. We also rewind to her early days at VICE — a time she describes as chaotic, formative, and creatively liberating — and unpack what it means to be thrown into the deep end with freedom to experiment. Plus, Posy shares stories from her collaboration with former 50/50 guest Luke Keeling on an Instagram campaign featuring Tyler, the Creator. The shoot was unscripted, high-pressure, and built around A-level talent — requiring a different kind of preparation that Posy navigated with clarity and grace. POSY'S WEBSITE LUCA (her prod co) CREATE ANYWAY - Tyler The Creator Instagram Campaign Planningtorock (Musician) BEULAH LOVES DANCING (Planningtorock) Submit to the 50/50 Comedy Fest

This week, we sit down with 50/50 writer-director duo Aimee Hoffman and Elinor Howells about building a creative partnership that’s as honest as it is motivating. From their first days meeting at AFI to developing a shorthand that allows them to pitch wild swings and terrible ideas without judgment, they break down how trust — and taste — sharpen each other’s work. We talk about walking into every room with reps, producers, and execs armed with ideas, not just ambition, and why they’re unapologetic about aiming big: studio movies, spectacle, scale. They share the origin and on-set evolution of their acclaimed short DADDA (50/50 Horror Official Selection), including how Elinor’s presence as a writer during production fundamentally shaped the film in real time. Plus, they dive into their upcoming Florida-set feature, and why physically traveling, researching, and living inside a world is essential to writing something that feels active and alive. DADDA TRAILER Elinor's Website Aimee's Website Comedy Fest Submissions

Before Rotten Tomatoes became a cultural barometer for movies and TV, it was just a silly side project built by someone obsessed with community. In this episode, Patrick Lee traces his entrepreneurial instincts back to early adulthood — from reselling computers to launching what would become one of the most influential platforms in entertainment. He opens up about how close Rotten Tomatoes came to disappearing during the dot-com crash, the realities of downsizing, and why the era of canned tuna and instant ramen remains a badge of honor. It’s a candid look at survival, scrappiness, and building something meaningful without a safety net. We also dig into the underrated power of networking — how building out an early professional network could have easily doubled the value of Rotten Tomatoes, and how to approach networking without the usual dread. From there, Patrick lays out the two non-negotiable traits for startup success: irrational confidence and ruthless focus. We close with a conversation about his very real fear of AI (and why we should all give WALL-E a rewatch) and why real-world community and human connection may be the most valuable currency we have left. Patrick's Talk on FOCUS Patrick's Instagram VENN 50/50 COMEDY FEST SUBMISSIONS

This week, we sit down with Tessa Germaine (21 Laps) to trace her path through the beginning steps of Hollywood — from an early break as a coordinator on The Real Housewives of Orange County to navigating survival jobs, agency life, and the winding road toward producing. Ever wonder how working at Trader Joes can actually HELP you get a job in the biz? Well, you're in the right place. We talk about the power of setting small, incremental goals, embracing fresh starts, asking questions, and learning to walk into new environments without fear. Tessa reflects on her formative years at CAA, unpacking the stark contrast between year one and year two, and why working in the book department clarified her path toward producing. The conversation widens into the world of literary IP and its role in her current work at Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps, before coming full circle with the phenomenon of Stranger Things — from OG Tessa guarding the Duffer Brothers at Chapman University to now working at the company behind the global hit. Tessa attended October's horror fest and we look forward to seeing her again at our comedy fest in May! Welcome to the 50/50 Fam, Tessa!