Fish's Call Sheet

Michael Fishman shares a behind the scenes view of the entertainment industry, celebrating the talented people who make film, television, and streaming production possible.

Fish's Call Sheet is a tv podcast hosted by Michael Fishman, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Michael Fishman hosts Fish's Call Sheet, a tv show with 36 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #12

  John Boyd: Pedestals, Pressure, and the Art of the Perfect Camera Shot

  Aug 18, 20261h 33mS3

  In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet , Michael sits down with camera operator John Boyd for a fascinating, funny, and deeply appreciative look at the craft behind the camera. John takes viewers inside the fast-moving world of multi-cam sitcoms and soap operas, where every move matters, every frame has purpose, and the camera team has to capture comedy, emotion, timing, and truth in real time. From the outside, a pedestal camera may look like equipment. In John’s hands, it becomes part instinct, part choreography, part storytelling, and part athletic performance. Together, Michael and John explore how he found his way into the business, what it takes to operate at the highest level, and the hidden complexity behind capturing iconic television moments. John shares the secrets of moving with actors, anticipating performances, adjusting under pressure, and working as part of a team where timing can make or break a scene. This conversation opens a window into one of the most essential jobs on set, the person who helps decide what the audience sees, feels, remembers, and replays. With warmth, technical insight, great stories, and a clear love for the business, John Boyd reminds us that the magic of television is not only in front of the camera. Sometimes, it is in the hands, eyes, instincts, and heart of the person operating it. John Boyd Links: Television Academy — https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/john-boyd IMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5048933/ Pedestal Camera— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_pedestal You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #11

  Zabrina Matiru: The Artist Behind the Face. Makeup, Identity, and the Power of Feeling Seen

  Aug 11, 20261h 13mS3

  In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet , Michael sits down with makeup artist and designer Zabrina Matiru for a beautiful, revealing, and deeply human conversation about the artistry, trust, and care behind every face audiences see on screen. Born in Kenya, shaped by a multicultural upbringing, and later building her career in Canada, Zabrina brings a rare perspective to her work that's rooted in color, texture, travel, identity, and compassion. She shares her journey into the entertainment industry, from discovering makeup through design and special effects, to building a career helping actors transform into characters while still feeling safe, respected, and seen. Together, Michael and Zabrina explore the makeup chair as one of the most intimate spaces on a set. It is where performers begin their day, where characters come to life, where trust is built, and where the tone for an entire production can be set in a matter of minutes. Zabrina opens up about character design, continuity, aging, illness, fantasy, beauty, skin tone, representation, and why the best makeup often works so well that audiences never notice it. This conversation also reaches beyond entertainment. Zabrina speaks powerfully about confidence, authenticity, and the pressure people feel to fit into narrow standards of beauty. With honesty and heart, she reminds us that individual beauty is far more interesting than trying to look like everyone else. Insightful, practical, emotional, and unexpectedly inspiring, this episode gives viewers a new appreciation for the artists who help shape what we see and the caregivers who help people feel comfortable in their own skin. Zabrina Matiru Links: Zabrina's Website — https://zabrinamatiru.com/ Socials — @zabrinamakeup IMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1339480/ IATSE Site — https://ourwork.ca/blogroll/posts/member-spotlight-zabrina-matiru-on-black-history-black-futures-month/ You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #10

  How Hollywood Fights Are Really Made with Caleb Spillyards - The Body, the Camera, and the Story Behind the Battles

  Aug 4, 20261h 11mS3

  In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet , Michael sits down with stunt performer and fight coordinator Caleb Spillyards for a raw, energetic, and revealing conversation about the world of stunts, screen fighting, and what it really takes to make action look effortless. Caleb shares his journey into the entertainment industry, the grind of building a career one opportunity at a time, and the physical demands required to perform, coordinate, and survive in one of the most intense parts of production. From training and preparation to trust, timing, safety, and storytelling, Caleb breaks down the discipline behind the moments audiences feel but rarely understand. Together, Michael and Caleb explore how great fight scenes are built — not just through choreography, but through character, camera, rhythm, emotion, and purpose. They talk about the responsibility of protecting performers, the teamwork required to sell danger safely, and why the best action is never just about impact. It is about making the audience believe the stakes. Caleb also opens up about sharing his knowledge online, helping filmmakers, performers, and creators understand how to design action that feels cinematic, clear, and connected to story. Honest, physical, practical, and full of hard-earned insight, this episode gives viewers a deeper respect for the artists who put their bodies on the line to bring unforgettable moments to screen. Caleb Spillyards Links: IMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3710906/ Socials — @CalebSpillyards Website — www.calebspillyards.com YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@calebspillyards You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #9

  Lynda Tarryk: Learning Every Seat Before Taking the Chair — The Hidden Path to Primetime Director

  Jul 28, 20261h 13mS3

  In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet , Michael sits down with director Lynda Tarryk for an inspiring, practical, and deeply insightful conversation about what it really takes to build a lasting career in television. Lynda is a three-time Children’s & Family Emmy-nominated television director , with credits including The Conners , Night Court , Lopez vs. Lopez , The Upshaws , How I Met Your Father , and Raven’s Home . Tarryk shares her remarkable journey from starting as a page, to working as a switcher, becoming an Associate Director, and ultimately earning her place as an accomplished television director with credits across some of the most beloved comedies on screen. She reveals how her Associate Director background gives her a technical advantage with cameras, editing, and pace. Her story is a masterclass in preparation, persistence, humility, and learning the business from every angle before stepping fully into leadership. Together, Michael and Lynda dive into the rhythm of a working set, the pressure of live decision-making, the technical precision behind multi-camera comedy, and the people skills required to guide actors, crews, producers, and departments toward one shared vision. Lynda also opens up about teaching the next generation, passing on hard-earned knowledge, and why great directing is about far more than calling “action.” This conversation is for anyone who loves television, dreams of directing, wants to understand how a set actually works, or believes that the strongest leaders are often the ones who took the time to learn every job along the way. Honest, funny, wise, and full of real industry insight, Lynda Tarryk reminds us that success is not just about getting the opportunity. It is about being ready when the call comes. Lynda Tarryk Links: Website — https://www.lyndatarryk.com/ IMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1413749/ You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #8

  Paige Blankenship: Building a Creative Life from the Ground Up - How Producers Turn Chaos Into Success

  Jul 21, 20261h 25mS3

  In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet , Michael sits down with producer Paige Blankenship for an inspiring and practical conversation about what it really takes to build a life in production. Paige shares her journey from coming into the entertainment industry, rising from the bottom, and learning how to create her own path in a business that rarely hands anyone a roadmap. From a small town to shining in Hollywood. With experience across feature films, branded content, events, and production leadership, Paige brings a clear-eyed view of what producers actually do: they organize the impossible, protect the vision, solve problems before most people see them, and will projects into existence. Together, Michael and Paige talk about the grit behind producing, the courage required to bet on yourself, the personal growth that comes from doing hard things, and the responsibility to give back while still building forward. Paige also shares the kinds of projects that light her up, including work with comedy, heart, purpose, and social impact. This conversation is honest, energizing, and deeply useful for anyone who wants to understand how entertainment really gets made. It is about ambition without entitlement, leadership without ego, and the creative force required to turn an idea into something real. For artists, producers, filmmakers, dreamers, and anyone trying to build their own path, Paige Blankenship offers a powerful reminder: sometimes the job is not waiting for permission — it is becoming the person who makes it happen. Paige Blankenships' Links: Socials — @Blank_Paige_films IMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5446761/ LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/blank-paige-films Women In Media — https://womennmedia.com/profile/paige-blankenship/ Website — https://blankpaigefilms.com/work You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheet We are building an interactive SubStack. You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheet Thank you for supporting our show

  ListenShow Notes

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