Build the Whole Building | Troy Pryor on Ecosystems, Ownership, and Creating What’s Missing

Mischief and Mastery

What happens when you stop waiting for a seat at the table—and start building the whole building? In this episode, Troy Pryor and I talk about designing creative ecosystems, the long game of legacy, and what it actually takes to create sustainable platforms for underrepresented voices in media. We also dig into the power of “showing your work,” Troy’s early wins as a host and director, and how to protect momentum when you’re juggling a dozen parallel projects.

Troy Pryor is the founder of Creative Cypher, a portfolio of entertainment brands (including XL Film Fest, Cypher Newsroom, and Dark Berry Productions), and currently serves as Vice President of SAG-AFTRA Chicago. His award-winning projects span film, television, and live media, and his directorial debut on TV One’s Change Agents set the tone for a career grounded in collaboration and impact. In 2024, he won a Telly Award for the short film An Outfit, and continues to lead platforms that bridge industry access gaps with intention and scale.

We talk about:
→ Why community-centered work is harder—and more valuable
→ The “proof of concept” trap and how to move beyond it
→ Why a good brand pitch sounds like a conversation
→ How to protect your calendar from busy work
→ Taking a studio-style approach to local storytelling

Upcoming:
🎬 XL Film Festival runs August 14–23 in Chicago
📍 Info + lineup: creativecypher.org/xl-fest
🎟️ RSVP for the Magnolia Pictures advance screening of 40 Acres on June 19th, 7:30pm at AMC River East 21: RSVP here

Follow Troy’s work:
Instagram: @creativecypher & @xlfilmfestival
More at: creativecypher.org

Listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.