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Ben Bishop: The accidental cowboy filmmaker
Description
Ilse sits down with filmmaker and multi-hyphenate Ben Bishop (Dogwood, Hold Your Horses, Hamster in My Head) for a conversation that’s equal parts filmmaking pep talk and comedy hour. They talk about growing up in Arkansas, writing without film school, and why creative people need to stop waiting for permission and just make the weird thing.
Between talk of cowboy hats, HGTV obsessions, and the occasional haunted hamster, Ben shares how curiosity—not credentials—built his career. From building sets with his dad to writing features with friends, his story is proof that the best projects start when you stop asking “how” and just start.
Follow Ben on IG @_benbishop, check out Hamster in My Head premiering Dec 3 at The Davis Theater, and keep an eye out for Dogwood—where cowboys, kindness, and grit still ride tall.
Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias
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Ilse Will Say is an Intrepida Entertainment podcast, hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Produced and edited by Jacob Cagle. Music by Eric Backus. Photography by Joel Maisonet.
The views and opinions expressed on Ilse Will Say are entirely those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views of any employers, sponsors, or innocent bystanders. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Nothing said here is professional advice. We're here for the laughs, y'all.