#310: From West Point to Hollywood: Building a Filmmaking Career with Sean Mullin, USMA ‘97

Service Academy Business Mastermind

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

____

Sean Mullin is an award-winning filmmaker known for his feature film debut, AMIRA & SAM, which won multiple film festivals and was distributed by Drafthouse Films. He co-wrote and co-produced SEMPER FI with Oscar-nominated director Henry-Alex Rubin, and produced ALLEGIANCE, both of which saw theatrical releases. Sean directed the documentary KINGS OF BEER and IT AIN’T OVER, the highest-grossing theatrical documentary of 2023, about baseball legend Yogi Berra. A former Army officer and first responder on 9/11, Sean holds an MFA from Columbia University and a B.S. from West Point. He is represented by UTA and runs Five By Eight Productions in Los Angeles.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Sean about:

• Filmmaking with Sean Mullen: From West Point to filmmaking
• Family Influence: How Sean’s entrepreneurial roots shaped his creative vision.
• Notable Projects: It Ain’t Over, the West Point rugby doc, and working with Buzz Aldrin’s family.
• Building Five by Eight Productions: Growing a successful production company.
• Creative Wisdom: Sean’s advice on chasing passion and making it in the film world

Timestamps:

• 00:08 Sean's Unique Career Path
• 01:59 Early Influences and Creative Upbringing
• 04:24 Military Service and Transition to Filmmaking
• 08:18 First Feature Film: Amira and Sam
• 10:56 Documentary Journey: Kings of Beer and It Ain't Over
• 15:40 Current Projects and Teaching
• 25:07 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

Connect with Sean

• LinkedIn

Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Sean Mullin for joining me this week. Until next time!

- Scott Mackes, USNA ’01