Behind the Slate
Behind the Slate is your backstage pass to Playtime Studio. Hosts Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce mix sharp analysis with real talk about writing, filmmaking, and the struggles of bringing stories to life. New episodes drop every Saturday — because great stories deserve more than just the spotlight.
Episodes
In this episode of Behind the Slate, Jules and Devon dive into one of the most overlooked elements of filmmaking — sound. From the subtle hum of ambience that builds tension to the perfectly timed cue that sparks emotion, sound design can make or break a story.
This week on Behind the Slate, Jules and Devon dive into the projects that didn’t go according to plan. From busted shoots and broken gear to lost funding and creative clashes, they unpack the real stories behind filmmaking failures — and how those moments can shape better creators. Honest, funny, and painfully relatable, this episode reminds us that every setback is just another step in the story.
This week on Behind the Slate, Jules and Devon crack open Michael Donovan Horn’s Bone Face, a chilling slasher script that drags us deep into the woods of Camp Marigold. What starts as a farewell party for a counselor spirals into blood-soaked terror when the urban legend of Bone Face steps out of the shadows.
We break down what makes this script tick, from its classic slasher DNA to its clever twists that...
Before the dialogue, before the soundtracks, there was silence—and yet cinema spoke volumes. In this episode of Behind the Slate, Jules and Devon journey back to the era of Chaplin, Keaton, and Murnau to uncover how the earliest filmmakers crafted stories that still shape the way movies are made today.
From expressive performances and groundbreaking camera work to the editing techniques that defined visual...
In this episode of Behind the Slate, Jules and Devon break down Gianna Lutz and Andrew Evans’ indie horror The Texas Witch. Set in Jacksonville Forest, the story blends campfire folklore with modern fear—missing people, grief, clout-chasing YouTubers, and the chilling legend of Emily Covington.
We unpack what makes the script tick: its sharp pacing, grounded dialogue, and layered character arcs. Plus, we d...
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce get candid about writing your very first screenplay, using Buster and Kilo as a case study. From overstuffed characters and tone confusion to pacing missteps and clunky dialogue, they break down the traps every beginner falls into—and why finishing that “messy first script” is actually the most important step. With laughs, lessons, and encouragement not to give up, this epis...
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce pull back the curtain on Ripper, the original crime thriller series in development at Playtime Studio. In this episode, they dig into the hidden easter eggs sprinkled throughout the scripts — from detectives to victims — where names aren’t random at all but carefully chosen nods, some lifted from real history, others invented to build a deeper mythology. The hosts explore ho...
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce wander into the haunting quiet of Alone – Fragments of a Lost World. With barely a word spoken, this short film explores isolation, memory, and what remains after everything falls apart. The hosts break down its striking visuals, meditative pacing, and eerie use of sound, while debating whether it’s a story of survival or a metaphor for grief.
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce crack open the chilling two-minute short film Alive, based on the viral two-sentence horror story about waking to the sound of hammering—only to realize you’re inside a coffin. They explore how such a tiny concept packs such massive dread, break down the film’s pacing, sound design, and gut-punch ending, and imagine alternate takes that could make it even more terrifying.
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce take listeners deep into the eerie, small-town chaos of The Coming. From its slow-burn tension to its unsettling final reveal, they unpack the script’s mix of romance, dread, and creeping alien menace. Along the way, they imagine the perfect casting, explore how to capture its atmosphere on screen, and debate whether its ending should leave the audience in shock… or total si...
Jules Mercer and Devon Pierce dive deep into the haunting world of Silence as the Smoke Settles. From gripping character arcs to cinematic possibilities, they break down what makes this script a standout, share their dream cast picks, and explore how it could come alive on screen.
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