A podcast about
‍how great projects get made.

We explore how Wisconsin is emerging as a new destination for filmmakers. We sit down with filmmaker Nathan Deming and veteran studio executive Suzanne Jurva, two key voices behind the recent passage of groundbreaking film incentive legislation in the state. Together, they break down how this bipartisan initiative came to life, what it means for the state’s creative economy, and why it could serve as a model for regional film development elsewhere.

Nathan shares his experience shooting in Wisconsin while splitting time between LA and the Midwest, and how the lack of infrastructure highlighted the need for change. Suzanne, whose career spans DreamWorks, independent film, and tech, discusses how her studio background shaped her advocacy efforts and why she believes the state is uniquely positioned to support both indie and studio-level productions. 

This episode dives into the real challenges of regional filmmaking—from crew access to gear rental—and how smart, community-driven policy can unlock growth. We also explore the early impact of these changes, the importance of post-production and training ecosystems, and the broader economic ripple effect of investing in film.

We’re joined by Tara Hein-Phillips, CEO and co-founder of Jolt—a film distribution company using AI, data, and performance marketing to reinvent how independent and documentary films find their audiences. With a background as Chief Product Officer at Sundance, where she launched the first virtual festival and co-founded Sundance Collab, Tara brings a rare blend of creative sensibility and digital strategy to the conversation.

She shares how Jolt’s Interest Delivery Network helps filmmakers identify and activate niche audiences through community partnerships, targeted events, and iterative data testing. From climbing doc Girl Climber to the upcoming Boston-set Cathedrals, each film receives a personalized rollout aimed at maximizing impact and viewership.

We also explore how Tara’s time at Sundance shaped her approach to Jolt, the role of festivals as modern-day marketing launches, and why sustainable careers for filmmakers require a mindset shift around budgets and reach. Tara offers a timely, thoughtful perspective on what it takes to connect stories to the people who need them most.

We sit down with Steven Fishman, a veteran in entertainment payroll and a Wrapbook team member. With more than 26 years of experience at companies like Media Services and Cast & Crew, Steven brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the conversation. He shares the story of how he broke into the industry on Sunset Beach, and how he’s since played a key role in serving nearly every format—from commercials and music videos to reality TV and high-budget streaming shows.

Steven takes us behind the scenes of his decades in the business, reflecting on the evolution of entertainment payroll and the critical lessons he’s learned—like why software readiness can make or break a company, and how strong industry relationships can be the key to long-term success. He also opens up about the importance of scalable, purpose-built tools for modern productions, explaining why Wrapbook’s technology-first approach offers a refreshing contrast to the legacy systems he worked with for years.

The episode explores how technology is raising expectations across the industry—from always-available support to feature-rich apps for crew members—and how Wrapbook is uniquely positioned to meet those demands.

Join us for a candid, thoughtful conversation with someone who has not only witnessed the transformation of entertainment payroll firsthand, but who is also actively shaping its future.