Fish's Call Sheet

What happens when a story of extraordinary courage risks being forgotten? And how can writers, filmmakers, and storytellers preserve the voices of people who changed history?In this powerful episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael Fishman sits down with award-winning playwright, screenwriter, producer, and educator Lisa Kenner Grissom for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, the art of storytelling, and the importance of giving a voice to stories that deserve to be heard.Lisa has built an extraordinary career exploring complex human relationships, difficult social issues, and the strength of women facing seemingly impossible circumstances. Her acclaimed work includes Here Comes the Night, Four Chambers, Motherland, and the award-winning short film Tattoo You. From theater to film and television, she has developed a distinctive voice that finds humanity, humor, and hope even in the most challenging subjects.At the heart of this conversation is Lisa's remarkable new television project, Fania in the Forest, a powerful historical drama inspired by the life of Holocaust survivor and Jewish resistance fighter Fania Brantsovsky.Set against the Nazi occupation of Lithuania, the story follows a courageous 16-year-old Jewish girl who escapes the Vilna ghetto and joins a band of resistance fighters hiding in the forest. Facing extraordinary danger, prejudice, and unimaginable loss, she refuses to surrender her determination to fight back, protect others, and find her family.Lisa's connection to this story began when she traveled to Lithuania and met Fania herself. That encounter helped inspire an extraordinary creative journey devoted to preserving the history of Jewish resistance, particularly the often-overlooked contributions of women.Together, Michael and Lisa explore her creative career and the responsibility of transforming meaningful history into compelling entertainment. Michael also shares his connection to Fania in the Forest, a project he is helping develop as a consultant.Recognized as a Top 5 ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship finalist and selected for the 2026 Women's List, Fania in the Forest represents the intersection of history, personal courage, artistic purpose, and the enduring power of storytelling.Lisa's creative journey also includes Following Fania, a documentary project examining the legacy of Jewish female resistance fighters, and Vilna: A Resistance Story, a musical exploring a remarkable chapter of history.This is a conversation for writers, filmmakers, history enthusiasts, educators, aspiring creatives, and anyone who believes that storytelling can preserve memory, challenge perspectives, and inspire future generations.Thoughtful, moving, and deeply meaningful, this episode celebrates the people who dedicate their lives to telling stories that matter and the extraordinary human spirit that makes those stories worth sharing.Some stories entertain us. Others remind us what humanity is capable of, why courage matters, and why we must never forget.Lisa Kenner Grissom Links:Website - https://www.lisakennergrissom.com/homeIMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7932506/Fania in the Forest - https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/staged-reading-of-fania-in-the-forestFania Post - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M8dG_LGbFhEYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

You know the shows. You love the characters. But have you ever wondered who creates the worlds that make television feel real?From The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men to Bob Hearts Abishola and Leanne, Françoise Cherry-Cohen has spent more than three decades helping shape the visual identity of some of television's most recognizable and beloved productions.In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael Fishman sits down with the distinguished production designer, art director, and set designer for a fascinating look at the creativity, craftsmanship, precision, and collaboration that bring television's most memorable environments to life.With nine Primetime Emmy nominations and three Art Directors Guild Award wins, Françoise has built an extraordinary career creating spaces that do far more than look beautiful. They establish character, support performances, enhance comedy, and help audiences connect emotionally with the stories unfolding on screen.Her remarkable career includes serving as production designer on Leanne and Bob Hearts Abishola, and art director on The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Mom, B Positive, and Bob Hearts Abishola.Her extensive work in set design spans The Conners, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, House, M.D., ER, Scrubs, Ugly Betty, The Closer, The George Lopez Show, The Drew Carey Show, Veronica's Closet, Norm, Sullivan & Son, and Mob City/Lost Angels. She has also contributed as an assistant art director on countless other shows including Extended Family.Françoise's creativity has helped establish the foundations of numerous television pilots, including The Odd Couple, The Carmichael Show, Fuller House, Mike & Molly, The Ranch, and the Nate Bargatze Project.Together, Michael and Françoise explore the extraordinary world of production design and the many creative decisions involved in transforming a written script into an environment that feels authentic, lived-in, and unforgettable.From designing a believable family home to creating the technical precision required for multi-camera comedy, this conversation celebrates an art form that audiences experience constantly but rarely stop to consider.Beyond the recognizable sets and award-winning productions is a story of artistic dedication, professional growth, collaboration, and the people whose talent makes television possible.Engaging, inspiring, and filled with appreciation for the craft of storytelling, this episode is for anyone who loves television, architecture, interior design, filmmaking, comedy, or discovering the remarkable creative minds behind their favorite shows.Because before the cameras roll, before the characters arrive, and before the audience falls in love with a story, someone must imagine and create the world where it all begins.Welcome to the world of Françoise Cherry-Cohen.Links for Françoise Cherry-Cohen:Website - https://www.cherrycodesigns.com/IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0156075/Art Director's Guild - https://adg.org/directory/1632-francoise-cherry-cohen/You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

What really happens after the cameras stop rolling? How does raw footage become the television and movies we love? And who are the creative minds making that transformation possible?In this fascinating episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael Fishman sits down with Ramy Katrib, founder and CEO of DigitalFilm Tree, for an extraordinary look inside the hidden world of Hollywood post-production, groundbreaking technology, and the collaborative artistry that brings unforgettable stories to life.Ramy and his team have helped shape some of the most recognizable productions in entertainment, including Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Rooster, Euphoria, The Conners, Roseanne, Scrubs, High Potential, The Rookie, UnReal, Florida Girls, Mayor of Kingstown, Queen Sugar, and Resident Alien.But what does it actually take to turn thousands of hours of footage into the stories that captivate millions?Together, Michael and Ramy pull back the curtain on the incredible complexity of modern filmmaking. From Sony, ARRI, and Blackmagic cameras to the growing capabilities of iPhones, they explore how camera technology, aspect ratios, digital workflows, visual effects, editing, and color grading have fundamentally transformed the way stories are captured, created, and delivered.Ramy shares his remarkable journey from filmmaker and technological innovator to building DigitalFilm Tree into an internationally connected creative powerhouse. Long before remote production became an industry necessity, he was pioneering workflows that allowed artists, editors, filmmakers, and production teams to collaborate across cities, countries, and continents.In a business where competition, secrecy, and protecting information have often created barriers, Ramy has helped champion a different philosophy: innovation through collaboration.Michael and Ramy explore what happens when technology serves creativity rather than replacing it, why the best work happens when talented people share their knowledge, and how trust, communication, and imagination help turn seemingly impossible challenges into extraordinary results.They also examine the future of the entertainment industry, the evolving relationship between cameras and post-production, and how emerging technologies are opening new possibilities for filmmakers and storytellers around the world.From beloved sitcoms to award-winning dramas, spectacular visual effects to the smallest details audiences never notice, Ramy reveals the extraordinary people, precision, and passion behind the finished images we see on screen.Insightful, inspiring, technically fascinating, and surprisingly accessible, this conversation is for television fans, filmmakers, technology enthusiasts, aspiring creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how great entertainment is actually made.Because the magic of filmmaking doesn't end when someone calls “Cut.”Sometimes, that's where the magic really begins.Ramy Katrib Links:DigitalFilm Tree Website - https://www.digitalfilmtree.com/Socials - @DigitalFilmTreeYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with Emmy-winning Foley artist and Reel Foley Sound founder Sanaa Kelley for a fascinating, playful, and eye-opening conversation about the hidden sound magic that brings film, television, video games, and media production to life.Sanaa takes viewers inside one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated crafts in entertainment: Foley. From footsteps and fabric movement to fights, falls, doors, food, weather, creatures, and tiny character details, Foley artists recreate the sounds audiences feel every second often without realizing the sounds were created at all.Together, Michael and Sanaa explore how everyday objects become extraordinary storytelling tools. Sanaa transforms random objects from the studio into the emotional texture of a scene. Sanaa reveals how Foley is not just sound effects it is performance, rhythm, imagination, science, timing, and story.They also dive into Sanaa’s journey into the business, the discipline behind listening deeply, and why the best Foley work disappears into the experience. When it works, the audience does not think about the sound. They simply believe the world.With nearly three decades of experience, multiple Emmy nominations, Emmy wins for by adding to the texture of shows like Shōgun, and her extensive work across projects including Ted Lasso, Only Murders in the Building, The Walking Dead, The 100, The Flight Attendant, Riverdale, The Conners, The Midnight Club, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, and more.Funny, surprising, educational, and full of wonder, this episode will change the way you watch and hear everything on screen. Sanaa Kelley reminds us that sometimes the most powerful storytelling is not seen at all. It is heard, felt, and created by artists most people never knew were there.Sanaa Kelley Links:Reel Foley Sound Website — https://www.reelfoleysound.com/Company Socials — @reel_foley_soundIMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134085/Socials — @Sanaa.KelleyYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with director, educator, mentor, and industry trailblazer Dr. Rachel Raimist for a powerful conversation about creativity, courage, representation, and the responsibility of helping others find their voice.Rachel’s journey began when a high school teacher put a camera in her hands. That early creative opportunity helped shape the rest of her life. From those first student documentaries to her work in hip-hop, rap, feminist media, television directing, teaching, and mentorship, Rachel has spent her career proving that stories can change people, classrooms, sets, and entire industries.Together, Michael and Rachel talk about her path through the early hip-hop and rap scene, the experience of often being the only woman in the room, and the persistence it takes to build a directing career without losing your heart, family, standards, or sense of purpose.Rachel’s television credits span genres including drama, comedy, action, musicals, science fiction, fantasy, and family storytelling, with work on projects such as Elsbeth, Bel-Air, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Up Here, Sex/Life, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Fantasy Island, Diary of a Future President, Queen Sugar, Nancy Drew, and more.The conversation also explores Rachel’s extraordinary impact beyond the set. At the Directors Guild of America, she has served in major leadership roles, including work with the Women’s Steering Committee, Latino Committee, Disability Committee, and Special Projects Committee. She was appointed as a co-chair of the DGA’s Disability Committee, helping expand conversations around access, equity, and inclusion for directors and directorial team members with disabilities.Rachel also shares the mission behind The People’s Film School, which began during the pandemic as an online space for directors, writers, filmmakers, and creatives to connect, grow their craft, and learn how to break into the industry. The school describes itself simply and powerfully: “open to all.”Honest, inspiring, practical, and full of hard-earned wisdom, this episode is for anyone who dreams of directing, loves television, believes in mentorship, or understands that inclusion is not a trend it is how the industry becomes stronger.Dr. Rachel Raimist reminds us that one camera, placed in the right hands at the right time, can do more than start a career. It can help build a movement.Dr. Raimist Links:Website — https://www.rachelmakesmovies.com/The People's Film School — https://www.thepeoplesfilmschool.com/Socials —  ⁨@docraimist⁩  University Web — https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/hollywood-director-starts-new-chapter-as-uta-professor/article_566446c9-7eb1-4bba-8854-e768c7111cc7.htmlYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this energetic and revealing episode of Fish Call Sheet, Michael Fishman sits down with public relations master, bestselling author, and ZTPR President Zack Teperman for a behind-the-scenes conversation about fame, visibility, authenticity, promotion, fatherhood, and what it really takes to get the world to pay attention.Zack has spent his career helping actors, artists, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, brands, restaurants, fashion companies, products, and public figures step into the spotlight with strategy, timing, and impact. As the founder of ZTPR, he has built a high-profile agency known for crossing industries and weaving entertainment, business, lifestyle, food, fashion, and personality-driven branding into campaigns that help people tell their story and get noticed.Together, Michael and Zack talk about what actually happens behind the red carpet the pressure, the preparation, the relationships, the media moments, and the delicate art of keeping clients happy while telling the truth about what promotion really requires. They reflect on their own time together at events, why Michael’s rare authenticity stands out in an industry often built on polish, and how the best PR is not about pretending to be something you are not. It is about knowing who you are, shaping the message, and putting it in front of the right people.Zack also pulls back the curtain on what makes a successful PR stunt, why most people underestimate visibility, and the hard-earned lessons behind his books Enough of the Bull$hit! and Cut the Bull$hit. This is a conversation for creators, entrepreneurs, performers, business owners, dreamers, and anyone with talent, a product, a service, or a story that deserves to be seen.But beneath the strategy and swagger is Zack’s deepest joy: being a dad. In one of the most human parts of the conversation, he shares how fatherhood grounds him, motivates him, and reminds him what success is really supposed to mean.Bold, funny, practical, heartfelt, and full of no-BS wisdom, this episode is about more than press. It is about courageously stepping into your story, owning your value, and learning how to let the world know you are here.Zack Teperman LinksZTPR Website — https://ztpr.net/Socials — @ZackTepermanYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with writer, actor, and comedian Tyree Elaine for a funny, honest, and deeply personal conversation about comedy, courage, criticism, and finding your true voice.With credits including The Conners, The Last O.G., Lil Kev, Black Jesus, Laff Tracks, 50 Central, and Last Comic Standing, Tyree has built a career across stand-up, television writing, acting, and original digital comedy. But this conversation goes far beyond the résumé.Tyree opens up about getting back on stage, facing public criticism, overcoming personal challenges, and learning how to step fully into the voice that was always hers. She and Michael talk about the vulnerability behind comedy, the pressure of being seen, and the strength it takes to keep creating when the world has opinions about who you are, what you say, and how you show up.The episode also reveals the trust between Michael and Tyree, including the ways Michael has been a safe space for her through creative and personal seasons of growth. Together, they explore the difference between performing for approval and speaking from truth and why the most powerful comedy often comes from the places we had to survive.Warm, hilarious, revealing, and inspiring, this conversation is for anyone who has ever had to find their voice again, walk back into the spotlight, or turn pain into purpose.Tyree Elaine reminds us that comedy is not just about getting laughs. Sometimes, it is how we heal, how we fight back, and how we finally tell the truth out loud.Tyree Elaine Links"Her YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@TyreeElaine/videos Socials — @TyreeElaineIMDB — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6250638/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_Tyree%20E You can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael Fishman sits down with director, producer, mentor, and longtime friend Andrew D. Weyman for a deeply personal conversation about television, leadership, creativity, racing, and the quiet power of kindness.Andy’s career spans some of the most recognizable shows in television, including Roseanne, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, The King of Queens, Ellen, Cybill, The Gregory Hines Show, Still Standing, My Two Dads, Malibu Country, and many more.  But for Michael, Andy is more than an acclaimed director with an extraordinary résumé. He is a friend, a teacher, and one of the inspirations who helped Michael believe directing could be part of his own future.Together, Michael and Andy look back at a relationship forged through nearly four decades of television history, including their shared connection to Roseanne and the lessons that come from watching great directors lead a set with clarity, confidence, humor, and heart.Andy opens up about his illustrious career, what it takes to direct comedy, how to guide actors, how to protect the rhythm of a scene, and why the best leaders create space for people to do their strongest work. The conversation also shifts off the stage and onto the track as Andy shares his love of racing Porsches, the discipline behind speed, and the connection between focus, timing, instinct, and trust.At the heart of the episode is a shared belief between Michael and Andy: kindness is not weakness. Kindness is strength. It is a leadership tool, a creative force, and a way to build sets where people feel safe enough to take risks and do meaningful work.Personal, funny, inspiring, and rich with television history, this conversation is for anyone who loves sitcoms, dreams of directing, studies leadership, or believes the strongest people in the room do not need to be the loudest.Andrew D. Weyman Links:IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0923396/TMDB - https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1215073-andrew-d-weyman?language=en-USYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with Production Designer, Creative Executive, and Studio Connelly founder James Pearse Connelly for a vibrant, revealing, and highly visual conversation about how television’s most memorable worlds are built.James  is an Emmy-recognized world-builder for some of television’s biggest stages, competitions, specials, and live events. He has helped shape the look and feel of some of the most recognizable shows and events in entertainment. His work includes projects such as Wheel of Fortune, The Voice, The Masked Singer, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Top Chef, RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale, The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, The Roast of Kevin Hart and many more. Together, Michael and James take the audience inside the creative process of turning an empty space into a world the audience instantly understands. They discuss design as storytelling, the pressure of creating for beloved formats, the collaboration required across departments, and the challenge of building spaces that must work for performers, cameras, crews, audiences, and brands all at once.James shares stories from designing major cultural moments, including the new era of Wheel of Fortune, where he balanced nostalgia, fan expectations, and the future of one of television’s most iconic game shows.  He also opens up about the scale and speed of designing for live spectacle, including the Tom Brady Roast, which required arena-sized comedy, live broadcast precision, and a massive design turnaround.His designs are not just for sets, they include real word homes and the painstaking details required for the renovation of the iconic Goonies house in Oregon.This conversation highlights James’s work both on and off camera, his creative leadership, his award-recognized career, and the imagination it takes to design environments audiences feel before they ever think to notice them.Insightful, energetic, and full of practical creative wisdom, this episode is for anyone who loves television, design, production, live events, competition shows, or the invisible architecture behind unforgettable entertainment.Links for James Pearse Connelly:Website - https://studioconnelly.com/Socials - @JPConnellyIMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1766326/Television Academy - https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/james-pearse-connellyYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show

In this episode of Fish’s Call Sheet, Michael sits down with director, writer, producer, and scientist Dr. Valerie Weiss for a fascinating conversation about creativity, courage, sustainability, and the science of storytelling.Valerie’s journey is anything but ordinary. Before directing across film and television, she earned a doctorate in science and learned how to ask big questions, test ideas, adapt to results, and keep searching for the truth. Now, she brings that same curiosity and discipline to the screen. using the scientific method not just in the lab, but in the creative process.She has directed projects including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Outer Banks, Echoes, Mixtape, The Archer, and A Light Beneath Their Feet, while also serving on DGA sustainability committees and advocating for more sustainable production practices.  She is an award-winning filmmaker and scientist with a Harvard Ph.D., and her public bio highlights work across action, thriller, drama, science fiction, comedy, streaming, broadcast, and features. Together, Michael and Valerie explore what it means to chase a dream before the path is obvious, how failure becomes part of success, and why the best creative breakthroughs often come from experimentation. Valerie shares how she approaches character, story, genre, performance, and audience engagement with both artistic instinct and scientific precision.They also discuss Valerie’s passion for sustainability, the responsibility creators have to the world around them, and the power of entertainment to inspire change without losing joy, emotion, or momentum. From directing major television series to developing meaningful projects that connect with audiences in fresh ways, Valerie offers a rare look at how intellect, heart, preparation, and imagination can work together.Insightful, inspiring, and full of practical wisdom, this conversation is for filmmakers, dreamers, science lovers, storytellers, and anyone trying to build a creative life with purpose.Valerie Weiss reminds us that failure is not the opposite of success. Sometimes, it is the experiment that gets you closer to the story you were meant to tell.Valerie Weiss Links:Website - http://www.valerieheatherweiss.com/Socials - @valerie.weiss.directorAFI - https://watch.afi.com/talent/valerie-weissYou can find and follow us across social media @FishsCallSheetWe are building an interactive SubStack.You can watch episodes on YouTube @FishsCallSheetThank you for supporting our show