What 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 music videos, won over 20 awards for his series Hammersmith, and had a 48 Hour Film Project short screen internationally at the 2018 Festival de Cannes. His work has appeared in campaigns for the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bud Light, and Subaru.

We get into:
→ Why subtext is the real emotional currency of a scene
→ The terror of the first draft—and the secret weapon of the outline
→ Why a good edit requires a little bit of madness
→ Wrestling with imposter syndrome and calling it commitment
→ Making short films that actually feel like you

🎟 Buy tickets for the 3rd annual Screen Time showcase at the Davis Theater (May 29): Eventbrite link

Learn more at vimeo.com/kalopsiafilms
Follow Kyle on Instagram at @kyle_leland_

Listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.