Shows
Mischief and MasteryI Don’t Want to Be a Brand | Tuxford Turner on Ambition, Burnout, and Being YourselfIn this episode, Mishu talks with actor, writer, and comedy performer Tuxford Turner (they/them/tux) about starting over in L.A., learning to trust their brain again, and the deep relief of not grinding yourself to dust. They dig into internalized urgency, “insecure ambition,” and what happens when your capacity for output isn’t tied to your self-worth. Tux shares how quiet—literal and figurative—has become their compass, and what it means to resist the cultural pressure to always be making, posting, or optimizing for visibility.Tuxford Turner is an actor, comedy performer, and writer from all o...2025-07-291h 05Mischief and MasterySexy, Subversive, and Stuck | Jim Vendiola on Trust, Taste, and Creative HauntingHow do you make the work when the world feels like it’s on fire—and still believe it matters?In this episode, Mishu and filmmaker Jim Vendiola talk about ambivalence, integrity, and making art that haunts you. They dig into taste, tempo, and attention spans, the value of saying no, and what it means to trust your ideas enough to wait. They also get into the quiet thrill of writing voice memos at 2AM, how neurodivergence impacts the creative process, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your collaborators is to not make the...2025-07-2259 minMischief and MasteryWhat If You’re the Right One for the Role? | Katie Bellantone on Panic Weeks, ASMR, and Embracing Your WeirdIn this episode, Mishu and actor/ASMR creator Katie Bellantone get into the rollercoaster of working in indie film, the panic spiral between auditions, and how she stays grounded when her brain tries to sabotage her face. They talk about the difference between trying to look perfect and trying to tell the truth, navigating self-image in a visual medium, and why improv drop-ins might be the most humbling (and hilarious) way to stay loose.Katie Bellantone is an actor based in Chicago and the creator of KatieASMR, with over 400,000 YouTube subscribers and 1.5 million TikTok followers. She’s bo...2025-07-1558 minMischief and MasteryIt Doesn’t Have to Be Good Yet | Mary Tilden on Drafts, Dialogue, and Making Room for PlayIn this episode, comedian and filmmaker Mary Tilden joins Mishu to talk about the weird in-between of writing when you can’t tell if your ideas are good—or garbage. They get into how theater and improv keep her connected, how she navigates the chaos of multiple drafts, and why trusting actors might be the key to better screenwriting. It’s a playful, honest, and surprisingly precise look at process, procrastination, and the way dialogue starts to hum when you stop trying to make it perfect.Mary Tilden is a comedian and filmmaker originally from South Carolina. She co...2025-07-0859 minMischief and MasteryCreative Work Is People Work | Jamie Kreppein on Film as Care, Leadership Without Ego, and Saying Yes to the Hard StuffFilmmaker and producer Jamie Kreppein joins Mishu for a warm, honest conversation about the invisible labor that makes independent filmmaking possible—and meaningful. They talk about the structures behind the stories, the gentle power of showing up, and how leadership can look like care, especially on underfunded sets.From feature films like Roller Babiez and Year One to the community-run event Film Girlz Brunch, Jamie’s work lives at the intersection of art and relationship. She shares how production roles like AD, coordinator, or casting director offer their own kind of creative fulfillment—and why she’s just as...2025-07-0154 minMischief and MasteryWhat If Prestige TV and Instagram Had a Baby? | CJ Arellano on Going Viral, Making Art, and Knowing What’s Worth KeepingFilmmaker and screenwriter CJ Arellano joins Mishu to talk shop on platforms, posting, prestige, and playing the long game in a fragmented media landscape. With humor and insight, CJ reflects on how content creation has become a testing ground for audience connection—what hits, what flops, and why “dumb ideas” on Instagram sometimes say more than a perfectly polished pitch deck.From viral sketches to award-winning horror shorts, CJ shares how he's balancing snarky realism with real artistic stakes. They explore the tension between algorithmic engagement and emotional resonance, why TikTok might be the new soap opera, and ho...2025-06-2458 minMischief and MasteryBuild the Whole Building | Troy Pryor on Ecosystems, Ownership, and Creating What’s MissingWhat happens when you stop waiting for a seat at the table—and start building the whole building? In this episode, Troy Pryor and I talk about designing creative ecosystems, the long game of legacy, and what it actually takes to create sustainable platforms for underrepresented voices in media. We also dig into the power of “showing your work,” Troy’s early wins as a host and director, and how to protect momentum when you’re juggling a dozen parallel projects.Troy Pryor is the founder of Creative Cypher, a portfolio of entertainment brands (including XL Film Fest, Cyph...2025-06-1958 minMischief and MasteryMake It Look Expensive | Shelby Gamble on Scrappy Sets, Queer Grit, and Getting the Shot AnywayFilmmaker Shelby “SB” Gamble joins me for a conversation about scrappy sets, strange stories, and the tension between polish and personal vision. We talk about learning to trust your instincts on shoots, the differences between commercial and narrative work, and how to stay creatively motivated when you’re wearing five hats.Shelby Gamble is a Chicago-based filmmaker, cinematographer, and video content producer with a sharp eye for story and a soft spot for the strange. By day, Shelby shoots polished campaigns for hotels, restaurants, and global brands. By night, he’s in the basement (literally) making indie queer fi...2025-06-1759 minMischief and MasteryYou’re Not Too Late | Julia Relova on Scarcity, Saying No, and Starting AnywayIn this episode, Julia Relova and I talk about that tender mix of creative joy and quiet comparison—what happens when you see a story close to your own finally break through, and the voice in your head says, “Does that mean I’ve missed my chance?” We get into scarcity mindset, energy tracking, and the sometimes-tricky shift from generous collaborator to intentional boundary-setter.Julia Relova is a queer Filipino-American filmmaker, creative producer, and community builder based in Chicago. She co-founded Rm. 19 Productions, a company committed to telling stories that center women—both on screen and behind the camera...2025-06-1256 minMischief and MasteryNothing Big Has to Happen | Katherine Quinn on Small Stakes, Stillness, and Writing What’s TrueIn this episode, Katherine Quinn and I explore what it means to tell stories that resist spectacle. We talk about choosing stillness over fuss, pacing that invites pause, and the creative rebellion of writing conflict-averse characters—on purpose.Katherine is a New York-based writer and filmmaker whose work has screened at the Long Youth Film Festival, The New York Monthly Film Festival, and Cinema Arts Center’s Filmmaker Soirée. A magna cum laude graduate of Binghamton University, she sees filmmaking as the intersection of her passions—writing, acting, music, and fashion. In her words, her goal isn’t t...2025-06-1050 minMischief and MasteryMake It Yours or Don’t Bother | Ryan Satterfeal on Acting, Audacity, and Why Specificity WinsRyan Satterfeal is a multi-award-winning actor, writer, and musician whose curiosity led him from garage bands to community theater—and eventually, to screen roles in Chicago Med, commercials, and indie films like Life Unexpected, Poser, and Clown Shoes. In this conversation, we talk about why he still reads scripts with both his actor and writer brain, how he handles risk and mischief in the audition room, and what it means to trust your impulses without letting your craft become automatic.Ryan shares how he finds the “sentence of a scene,” navigates vague direction, and finds his footing in the...2025-06-0551 minMischief and MasteryStaying Seen Without Selling Out | Ruth Kaufman on Saying No, Showing Up, and Still Loving the WorkActor, author, voiceover artist, improv performer—Ruth Kaufman has worn a lot of hats. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to stay present and committed in a saturated industry, even when the wins are hard to see. From casting breakdowns and shifting expectations to how self-tapes changed the emotional math of auditioning, Ruth shares how she’s managed to keep her love for the work without losing herself to the chaos of the market.She’s been a Marvel attorney, a best actress nominee, and a comedic novelist, and has thousands of VO credits under...2025-06-031h 01Mischief and MasteryBuild What You’d Want to Come Back To | Colin Parker on Taste, Chemistry, and Leading with IntentionSome projects come together in a rush. Others take years of quiet build-up, trust, and timing. In this episode, Mishu and Colin unpack what it takes to move a project from an idea to the finish line—without burning out your team or yourself. They talk about clear communication on set, why structure matters even in creative chaos, and how to stay flexible while holding on to your vision.Colin has worked on everything from The Bear to The Batman, but his own short film FISH EYE won “Best Editing of the Year” at the Midwest Film Festiv...2025-05-2955 minMischief and MasteryThis Scene Could Go Sideways | Andrea Zile Bish on Tone, Trust, and the Unscripted Work of DirectingFilmmaking doesn't always go according to plan—but for Andrea Zile Bish, that’s part of the fun. In this episode, Bish and Mishu talk about the ups and downs of directing both comedy and horror, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the vulnerable realities of post-production burnout. They also unpack the myth of the auteur, share thoughts on directing tone-sensitive scenes with care, and explore how an improv mindset can make you a more adaptive—and more generous—filmmaker.Andrea Zile Bish is a Chicago-based film and theater director whose vibrant, genre-blending work has screened at over...2025-05-2753 minMischief and MasteryStop Writing for the Audience—Start Telling the Truth | Jordan Tragash on Structure, Discomfort, and the UnravelingWhat happens when a filmmaker stops writing from the outside in—and starts building stories from the subconscious out? In this episode, Jordan Tragash joins Mishu for a conversation that gets into experimental structure, emotional disorientation, and the creative tension between clarity and chaos. They explore the value of discomfort, the illusions of control, and why Jordan has no interest in telling you what his films are about.Jordan is a writer-director and creative producer named “One To Watch” by The Guardian in 2024 after the release of his debut feature BAM!, which earned audience awards at Wicked Queer...2025-05-221h 03Mischief and MasteryWrite the Cult, But Make It Believable | Jennie McMurtry on Story, Risk, and Rewriting the VillainWhat makes a story resonate—and what’s the cost of writing one that doesn’t play it safe? In this episode, Jennie McMurtry joins Mishu to talk about screenwriting in the indie world, from crafting high-stakes pilots to rewriting cult thrillers that feel unnervingly plausible. They chat about the pressure of self-producing, learning when to ask for money (and when to call in favors), and the liberating joy of writing unhinged women, flawed villains, and characters that push back against lazy tropes.Jennie is a Chicago-based screenwriter, story editor, and founder of the Chicago Film Events commun...2025-05-2054 minMischief and MasteryThe Edit Is Where You Lose Your Mind (and Maybe Find the Movie) | Kyle Leland on Structure, Fear, and FinishingWhat happens when you stop trying to be Wes Anderson and start figuring out what’s actually yours to say? In this episode, filmmaker, writer and editor Kyle Leland Cullerton joins Mishu for a refreshingly candid conversation about fear, delusion, and creative self-awareness. They talk about the high-stakes neurosis of editing, the discipline of outlining, and why learning to tolerate imperfection might be the only way to finish anything worthwhile.Kyle grew up in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood and got his start working on the studio film Wanted at just 17. Since then, he’s directed nearly 30 shorts and mu...2025-05-151h 00Mischief and MasteryMake the Set Safe First | George Ellzey Jr. on Creative Burnout, Boundaries, and Leading with CareWhat does it mean to direct with care in an industry that often forgets its people? In this episode, George Ellzey Jr. joins Mishu for an unflinching and heartfelt conversation about navigating burnout, building emotionally safe sets, and resisting the achievement spiral. They explore the quiet rewards of creative leadership, how to protect your joy when the hustle hits hard, and why making room for humanity on set might be the most radical thing you can do.George is a Chicago-based director and screenwriter known for his award-winning short Cottage Grove (now streaming on AMC+) and his...2025-05-131h 03Mischief and MasteryThe Joke That Scares You | Rey Tang on Risk, Recognition, and Writing Toward SurpriseWhat does it mean to chase a joke without losing yourself? In this episode, Rey Tang—a Chicago-based writer, photographer, filmmaker, and performer—joins Mishu for a conversation about finding her comedic voice while navigating feedback, audience expectations, and the realities of making a creative career sustainable. They talk about letting go of perfectionism, writing toward surprise instead of shock, and learning to take risks without chasing edginess.Rey performed stand-up at the 2024 SNL Showcase at the Annoyance Theater and was a Comedy Gazelle Vouch finalist that same year. She’s performed at Laugh Factory, Zanies, and Hollyw...2025-05-0858 minMischief and MasteryYou Are the Infrastructure: Remsy Atassi on Indie Film, Audience Building, and Real-World DIYWhat if you stopped waiting for permission and started thinking like a studio? In this episode, Remsy Atassi—a Chicago-based Syrian-American filmmaker—joins Mishu for a grounded, no-nonsense talk about the changing landscape of indie film distribution. They unpack why relying on festivals and acquisitions may be a trap, how to budget with an eye toward self-distribution, and what it takes to build—and serve—your own audience from the ground up.Remsy directed the 2022 award-winning feature Bad Animal, now streaming on Amazon Prime. His latest documentary The Legend of Kingdom Come, about comic book icon Alex Ross, ju...2025-05-061h 00Mischief and MasteryWhat Does Your Voice Sound Like? Tim Corpus on Creating and Composing Music Without Losing YourselfWhat happens when you stop writing what’s expected—and start composing like yourself? In this episode, Tim Corpus shares what it means to develop a creative voice you can actually recognize in your own work. We talk about what makes a temp track helpful (and when it’s not), taking creative swings in client work, and how years of writing for others led Tim back to the sound that felt most honest.Tim is a Filipino-American composer and arts manager whose work spans concert music, film, and interactive media. He’s had performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kenn...2025-05-0158 minMischief and MasteryWhen Showing Up Feels Pointless, Do It Anyway | Jorge Salas on Auditions, Adaptability, and Building the Work Brick by BrickWhat happens when you chase the adrenaline of live performance—and find yourself building a whole second life? In this episode, Jorge Salas joins Mishu to talk about getting into acting later than most, navigating the sometimes brutal psychology of auditions, and staying flexible in both life and craft. We dig into how Jorge’s background in tech gave him unexpected tools for acting, why he values emotional range over "hitting the mark," and how he’s preparing for his next big creative leap.Jorge’s recent credits include stage work with AstonRep (Buried Child, Jeff-nominated), Meat Machine...2025-04-2951 minMischief and MasteryFollow the Butterfly | Alex Rembold on Quitting the Job, Starting the Jam, and Finding Joy in the WeirdWhat if the most meaningful thing you ever made wasn’t your biggest show—but the space you created for someone else to play? In this episode, Alex Rembold talks about leaving a soul-crushing job to start Catjam, the community-driven open mic series he founded to give others permission to show up, sound weird, and feel welcome. We talk about shifting from competitive to collaborative mindsets, the invisible power of musical vulnerability, and what it means to build something out of kindness rather than branding.Alex is a songwriter, music director, and producer who works with The Seco...2025-04-2448 minMischief and MasteryYou Don’t Have to Wait to Be Professional | Madelynn Wierda on Trusting Yourself Before They Tell You You’re ReadyWhat does it mean to call yourself an actor before the industry gives you permission? In this episode, Madelynn Wierda talks about navigating the awkward in-between of student and professional, how she chooses roles based on instinct, and why setting your own tone on set can make all the difference. We explore the mental side of auditioning, asking questions before you arrive, and letting go of “aspiring” in favor of actually doing the work.Madelynn is a Chicago-based actor who’s extensively trained in both theatre and film, currently pursuing her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. She’s played...2025-04-2252 minMischief and MasteryWhat If Story Didn’t Require Conflict? Donald Conley on Empathy, Tension Without Trauma, and Stories Without VillainsWhat if the point of a story wasn’t conflict—but something more subtle, more layered, and more human? In this episode, award-winning director and producer Donald Conley joins Mishu to talk about the evolving shape of story, the language of tension, and how Nonviolent Communication changed the way he writes characters, builds scenes, and approaches collaboration.Donald Conley is a filmmaker whose work orbits themes of justice, memory, and emotional honesty. He’s produced documentaries distributed by Netflix, PBS, and Max—including Dallas, 2019, a 5-part socio-political series for Independent Lens. His short documentary Matriarch and narrative short Ab...2025-04-1756 minMischief and MasteryThe Film Stalled—Then We Started Over | Cassidy Tee & Kristina Mercado on First ChairWhat does it look like to grow into a role you didn’t expect to take on—and do it with someone who trusts you, even before you trust yourself? In this episode, Cassidy Tee and Kristina Mercado talk about their collaboration on the short film First Chair, navigating setbacks, building momentum from scratch, and making decisions in real time with creative instincts as their compass.Cassidy Tee is a filmmaker and screenwriter whose work blends suspenseful world-building with grounded character drama. Based in Chicago and drawn to the psychological thriller space, she’s directed a variety of ind...2025-04-1547 minMischief and MasteryLet the First Pancake Burn | Emma Palizza on Starting Messy and Laughing AnywayEmma Palizza has stopped waiting for permission—and she’s not dragging a boulder uphill just to be "seen." In this episode, she talks candidly about leaving the Chicago theater grind, recalibrating her definition of success, and rediscovering joy in creative work. Whether it's saying no to bad plays, launching a podcast with her best friend, or watching her first podcast episode explode in plays despite the chaos—Emma reminds us that joyful process can be better than exhausted polish.An actor and sometimes writer, Emma trained at the School at Steppenwolf and Second City, performing with compan...2025-04-1050 minMischief and MasteryYou Don’t Need Permission | Shane Dresch on Making It Work Without a Big Budget, a Full Crew, or a Perfect PlanBefore you hit play, go watch Sleepwalking—a surreal, floating, time-bending music video Shane directed for Mario McClean: Watch here. Then come back and hear how it came together—one melted phone prop and 4-hour beach shoot at a time.In this episode, Shane Dresch breaks down the emotional math and creative strategy behind directing, designing, and assembling deeply personal visual work. We talk about building a story around a feeling, knowing when to kill your darlings (goodbye, train scene), and the long-tail confidence you build by actually finishing things—especially when you’re doing it all yourself...2025-04-0857 minMischief and MasteryWhat If You Didn’t Push So Hard? Elissa Wolf on Curiosity, Casting, and Letting the Work BreatheWhat if the most powerful creative move you made was choosing to pause? In this episode, Elissa Wolf unpacks the subtle and often overlooked moments that shape her approach to theater—whether she’s in rehearsal, navigating a career shift, or nerding out over Shakespeare’s linguistic breadcrumbs. We talk about slowing down as a strategy, making room for actors to explore without pressure, and how simple tools—like reading lines without emotion—can change the direction of a performance or a process.Elissa is a multi-hyphenate creative who works across the Midwest and East Coast as a teaching...2025-04-0347 minMischief and MasteryArmin Korsos on Momentum, Documentaries, and Saying Yes Too Soon (On Purpose)Why wait until everything’s perfect to start something new? In this episode, Armin Korsos shares how saying yes now—even before you’re “ready”—can spark organic growth, community, and career-shifting momentum. Born in the Cayman Islands and now based in Chicago, Armin is a filmmaker known for emotionally vivid imagery and a global lens—both in his documentaries and branded storytelling. He’s also the founder of Caymanite, a creative studio built to bring authentic brand stories to life with impact.Armin is the co-creator of Filmmaker Friday, a monthly event series that brings together local creatives...2025-04-0140 minMischief and MasteryThe Premiere’s Over | Jon Silver on Burnout, Festivals, and Letting GoWhat happens when you get everything you asked for—and it still doesn’t feel great? In this episode, Jon Silver talks candidly about navigating the tail end of a feature film rollout, the unexpected burnout of the festival circuit, and what it really means to build an audience when your control over exhibition is limited. We talk about the tension between gratitude and disillusionment, the DIY hustle of indie comedy, and how distribution can be just as humbling as it is thrilling.Jon comes to indie filmmaking from a comedy background. He’s the co-founder of Sho...2025-04-0157 minMischief and MasteryNobody Prepares You for This Part: Imani Davis on Finishing a Film, Podcasting and Figuring Out the RestSo much of the film industry is shrouded in secrecy—and Imani Davis is here to crack it open. In this episode, we talk about her podcast Players as well as what happens after you make the movie: the emotional labor, the financial blind spots, and the strategic chaos of trying to get your work seen. A producer, writer, and curator, Imani is a film programmer at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles, where she’s worked on events featuring filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Sofia Coppola, and the Daniels. She’s also the founder of PROOF, the Cinematheque’s first-ev...2025-04-0150 minMischief and MasteryWelcome to Mischief & Mastery with Mishu HilmyCreativity is messy, unpredictable, and full of sharp turns. Mischief & Mastery with Mishu Hilmy brings you real conversations with artists, filmmakers, and fearless makers who wrestle with doubt, chase inspiration, and shape chaos into something real. Episodes drop weekly. Sign up for the mailing list at mischiefpod.comEmail us anytime at podcast@ohhmaybe.com and follow us @mischiefpod2025-03-2002 min
Hit the Mark!Episode 27: Mishu HilmyPART 2 OF THE BEST FRIEND SERIES. Mishu Hilmy and Mark met back in 301 at UCB and have been absurdly great friends immediately. And they are quite different but are total peas in a pod. We talk about Purpose, journals, and soothsayers. This is a great one with some fun conflict2012-12-281h 06