This Scene Could Go Sideways | Andrea Zile Bish on Tone, Trust, and the Unscripted Work of Directing

Mischief and Mastery

Filmmaking doesn't always go according to plan—but for Andrea Zile Bish, that’s part of the fun. In this episode, Bish and Mishu talk about the ups and downs of directing both comedy and horror, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the vulnerable realities of post-production burnout. They also unpack the myth of the auteur, share thoughts on directing tone-sensitive scenes with care, and explore how an improv mindset can make you a more adaptive—and more generous—filmmaker.

Andrea Zile Bish is a Chicago-based film and theater director whose vibrant, genre-blending work has screened at over 20 film festivals across the U.S. Her award-winning anti-rom com Last Date and the ultra-colorful It’s Your Night, Babe! are just a taste of her eclectic slate. With a directing BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and a certificate from Second City Film School, Bish fuses traditional technique with an improvisational spirit. She co-founded Script Night in Chicago and has produced surreal, strange, and surprising work under her banner, Cathode Ray Pigeon.

We talk about:
→ The reality of directing comedy, horror, and everything in between
→ What to do when a scene “isn’t working” and there’s no time to panic
→ Editing breakdowns, deadline spirals, and the emotional math of finishing
→ Rewriting tone on the fly and protecting actors in uncomfortable scenes
→ Why post production burnout is real—and why collaboration chemistry might save you

Check out Andrea’s work at zilebish.com and follow her on Instagram @zilebish.

➕ Keep an eye out for her comedy It’s Your Night, Babe! screening around Chicago, and upcoming releases including La Law Firm and her new horror short Alone in the Woods.

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