The Filmmakers Podcast - podcast cover

The Filmmakers Podcast

Giles Aldersonthefilmmakerspodcast.com
A podcast about how to make film and TV by filmmakers who actually make them. Interviewing guests from the film-making world from Indie film to Hollywood and everything in between. Hosts Giles Alderson (The Dare), Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge) Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar (Wolves of War), Tori & Matthew Butler-Hart (Two Down), Phil Hawkins (Prancer: A Christmas Tale), Stephen Follows (Film Data Analyst), Christian James (Fanged Up), Andy Rodger (Three Day Millionaire) and many others explore the world behind-the-scenes of making films and TV, talking to the actors, writers, directors and producers who make them!

Episodes

How to make 16 Features in 10 Years with director and screenwriter Jamie Patterson - Justine, Tucked and Fractured

We are delighted to have director Jamie Patterson on this weeks episode. Hosted by Giles Alderson and co-host Dom Lenoir, we sit down and chat about his latest feature film Justine. We talk about how he started off making feature films in his youth and how he went from making stories in his hometown in Brighton. Jamie talks about how important it is to have multiple projects on the go and how to avoid making the wrong choices, especially when it comes down to distribution. He also discusses fund...

Apr 13, 20211 hr 36 minEp. 216

How to Make your Debut Feature Film - Jennifer Sheridan on directing Rose: A Love Story

We are delighted to have director and editor Jennifer Sheridan on this weeks episode. Hosted by Giles Alderson and co-host Andrew Rodger, we sit down and chat about her debut feature film Rose: A Love Story We talk about how she went from making award-winning short films such as 'Rocket', 'Acoustic Kitty' and 'Set Adrift', to making her directorial debut 'Rose'. She mentions how she started from editing commercials, to editing shorts. Jennifer talks about how she was inspired by a teacher, how s...

Apr 05, 20211 hr 18 minEp. 215

The Making of David Fincher’s MANK' with Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, Make Up Designer Gigi Williams, Production Designer Don Burt and Costume Designer Trish Summerville

We are delighted to bring to you our SPECIAL bumper episode on the Making of David Fincher’s BAFTA & OSCAR nominated ‘Mank’. Come join us as we go behind the scenes on how to create movie magic. We start with Giles Alderson and Andrew Rodger having a chat with 'Mank' Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt about going from Gaffer on Fincher’s Gone Girl to DoP on Mank and how he made the transition to make his debut feature film. He talks pre production, how he works with Fincher especially during the...

Apr 02, 20211 hr 49 minEp. 214

Making Independent Genre Movies with Creep, Severance, Triangle and The Banishing director Christopher Smith

We are delighted to have legendary director Christopher Smith on this weeks episode. He has been a firm favorite of host Giles Alderson who has wanted him as guest since the start and finally he is here to talk about his latest gripping film The Banishing. Joining Giles as co host is fellow director Christian James as they discuss Chris’ journey to becoming a filmmaker. His first brilliant film Creep and how he met producer Jason Newmark who has since been a team with him pretty much all his jou...

Mar 30, 20211 hr 12 minEp. 213

How to make a successful feature with no crew on an i-phone - Matthew Butler-Hart & Tori Butler-Hart talk making sci-fi Infinitum: Subject Unkown

Writer, Producer & Director 'Matthew Butler-Hart' & Actress, Writer & Producer 'Tori Butler-Hart' join us on this episode and sit down to chat with host Giles Alderson about their latest feature 'Infinitum: Subject Unknown' a film they made together, just the two of them in the crew during lockdown. Matt and Tori talk about how Sir Ian McKellen came on board and how a tweet from Edgar Wight inspired them to make a movie in the pandemic. They discuss how using locations you know is a must, why th...

Mar 23, 20211 hr 9 minEp. 212

Jessica Hynes on making her debut feature film as Writer & Director and starring in 'The Fight'

We are joined on this episode by Writer, Director, Producer and Actress 'Jessica Hynes', who sits down to chat with Giles Alderson & CJ about her brilliant directorial debut 'The Fight'. Jessica who has starred in Spaced, Learners, 2012, Shaun of the Dead, Bridget Jones 2&3, Dr Who, Son of Rambow, The Royle Family, Years and Years, & Paddington 2 to name a few, makes her directorial debut with 'The Fight' and she explains how and why she made it. We chat all about how you should leave the actor ...

Mar 16, 20211 hr 2 minEp. 211

How to turn your short film into an award winning feature with Jill Gevargizian, Writer & Director of 'The Stylist'.

We are joined on this episode by director, producer and screenwriter Jill Gevargizian who sits down to chat with Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir about her brilliant directorial debut the clever horror film 'The Stylist' and how she turned it from a short into a full-length feature film. Jill talks about learning how to trust your crew and how you must have your vision locked in. We talk crowd funding and how to raise the finance when you are on a very tight budget. Jill also dives into her method on...

Mar 09, 20211 hr 13 minEp. 210

How to Make and Release a micro budget Indie Film - Joshua Smith on making his Western, Road Trip Comedy film 'BuckShot'

We are joined on this Friday Special release episode by director, producer and screenwriter Joshua Smith who sits down to chat with Giles Alderson about his western, road trip, comedy, music feature film ‘Buckshot’. Josh talks about working on big features as an assistant and how a chance meeting set him on his career path. We talk crowd funding and raising finance and making your script fit to the budget you have. We casting and making Buckshot and getting a big name attached. Josh also give sc...

Mar 04, 20211 hr 6 minEp. 209

Matthew Modine - on Stranger Things, Wrong Turn, Acting, Directing and working with legendary filmmakers.

Legendary Actor Matthew Modine joins us to chat about his latest role in the highly-anticipated reboot of 'Wrong Turn' as well as working with amazing directors, Stranger Things as well as a career and life on set. Matthew, who has starred in many Hollywood films such as 'Full Metal Jacket', 'Birdy', 'Vision Quest', 'Shortcut', 'Memphis Belle', 'Dark Knight Rises', '47 Meters Down', and hit TV shows such as 'Weeds' and 'Stranger Things'. sits down (in his Make Up Chair) to chat to writer & direc...

Mar 02, 202158 minEp. 208

How to make a Sky Original Feature with 'To Olivia' Director & Writer John Hay and Producer Donall McCusker

Giles Alderson sits down with Director and screenwriter John Hay & producer Donall McCusker to discuss their latest film 'To Olivia', now on Sky, which is the story of the tumultuous marriage between actress Patricia Neal and renowned writer Roald Dahl. It stars the fantastic Keeley Hawes and Hugh Bonneville and is a beautiful, heart warming , well made and brilliantly directed film. Donall McCusker has produced films such as 'Falling for Figaro'. 'Division 9', 'Kajaki', 6 Days' and the 'Hurtloc...

Feb 22, 20211 hr 24 minEp. 207

Going from a Micro Budget to a £1M Feature - Producer Emma Biggins and Director & Writer Oliver Milburn talk making SCHOOLS OUT FOREVER

'Schools Out Forever' Producer 'Emma Biggins' and Director 'Oliver Milburn' join Director & Producer, Giles Alderson (The Dare) and Dan Richardson (Food For Thought) for a mini reunion to discuss their first feature 'The Harsh Light of Day' and Emma and Oliver's latest feature School's Our Forever' which is available to buy on all platforms NOW! Oliver discusses how he shifted focus in the business and left directing behind for a few years and the reason why, how they released 'The Harsh Light o...

Feb 16, 20211 hr 24 minEp. 206

How to Write, Direct & Produce three award winning feature films with 'Tony', Hyena' and 'Muscle' Director 'Gerard Johnson'

Joining us on this weeks podcast is Director, writer and producer Gerard Johnson who sits down with Giles Alderson (The Dare) and Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge) to discuss how he directed the movie 'Tony' (2009), Hyena (2014) and his latest feature Muscle (2019). We spoke about what it was like working with swingers, yes swingers! How Gerard creates his distinctive shooting styles and his workshops with actors to help set the scene. He mentioned how important it is to have close relationships on-set ...

Feb 09, 202158 minEp. 205

HOSTS - How to Make a Micro Budget Debut Horror, Sci fi Hit with Adam Leader, Rich Oakes & Neal Ward

This week Giles Alderson chats with Adam Leader, Richard Oakes & Neal Ward about their wonderful feature film ‘Hosts’. Which is a fantastic, home invasion, horror thriller with elements of sci-fi. It has already got to the top of the charts and it’s an incredible journey. Adam Leader & Richard Oakes directed the movie, they also produced it. Adam wrote it and Richard was the cinematographer. Neil is the star of the movie and he’s also been in features film such as ’Two Graves’ & ’24 Little Hours...

Feb 02, 20211 hr 3 minEp. 203

Aaron Moorhead & Justin Benson on How to make indie movies with Hollywood actors - SYNCHRONIC Directors, Producers, Writer and cinematographer

Directors Aaron Moorhead & Justin Benson chat to Giles Alderson and Robbie McKane about their feature film 'Synchronic', a mind-altering, sci-fi thriller, horror starring Hollywood stars Jamie Dornan (The Fall, Fifty Shades of Grey franchise) and Anthony Mackie (The Avengers franchise, Detroit) as two New Orleans paramedics who encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug. On this episode we talk about co-directing and how they managed multiple jobs, including Aaron as a cinem...

Feb 02, 202157 minEp. 204

The Writer's Journey with Christopher Vogler on screenwriting, filmmaking and the Heroes Journey

This week Giles and fellow filmmaker, director and screenwriter Matthew Butler-Hart sit down and chat with Christopher Vogler, who has written the highly acclaimed book ‘The Writers Journey’, in which he talks all about the heroes journey and his twelve steps that he created to making story. We go into depth about mythology, where stories are born and emotional connections. We also touch on how the hero’s journey is sowed into our well-being. We dive into his career at Disney and how he formed t...

Jan 19, 20211 hr 6 minEp. 202

How to Write, Direct & Produce your own micro budget, debut feature film with Silent Night’s Will Thorne

Joining us on this weeks podcast is Director, writer and producer Will Thorne who sits down with Giles Alderson (The Dare) and Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar (Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot) to discuss how he made his debut movie Silent Night. Not only did the movie go into cinemas during Covid but has done incredibly well on VOD and DVD. Will discuss the inception, how he wrote it, brought the producers on board and got distribution. He also talks about making shorts and working in TV before break...

Jan 12, 20211 hr 12 minEp. 201

Making Films, End of 2020 and a Film Quiz with the Filmmakers Podcast hosts.

The Filmmakers Podcast presents an all star cast of our regular cohosts talking filmmaking in 2020 and taking part in a End of Year Movie Quiz. Featuring the man himself Giles Alderson, producer extraordinaire Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar, the multi-talented Ian Sharp, pantheon directors Christian James, Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins, actor and activist Dan Richardson, ever-popular DOP Andrew Rodger and Producer/Editor Robbie McKane Who will claim the ultimate quiz prize? PLUS win something for yourself...

Dec 29, 20202 hr 5 minEp. 199

Upending the Rom-Com Genre with Filmmakers Kimberley and Amy Datnow on their feature Daddy Issues

Giles and regular co-host Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar chat to sister filmmakers Kimberley Datnow and Amy Datnow to discuss their quirky, playful romantic comedy Daddy Issues. Kim and Amy share how they both found themselves in the industry from different perspectives, how they decided to form a production company and how they wrote, financed and produced Daddy Issues, using a handful of crew, a group of UCB comedy actors and a reference book of rom-coms from the 90s and 00s. EPISODE LINKS Watch Daddy...

Dec 22, 20201 hr 22 minEp. 198

How to Make an Action-Packed Caper Thriller with Director James Kermack and his feature Knuckledust

This week we welcome back previous guest of the show writer, director and actor James Kermack to do a deep dive masterclass on how he made his 2nd feature Knuckledust. James was last with us on Episode 21 of the Filmmakers Podcast, talking about his debut feature Hi-Lo Joe, he returns now having moved up significantly in budget to chat to Giles and Robbie about Knuckledust, an action thriller/caper with nods to Guy Ritchie, Quentin Tarantino and Nicolas Winding Refn. We cover everything in this ...

Dec 14, 20201 hr 19 minEp. 197

How to Develop Your Screenwriting Career with actor Jordan Waller, writer and star of Two Heads Creek and Off the Rails.

This week Giles Alderson and fellow director Christian James sit down and chat with acclaimed actor and writer Jordan Waller, to discuss his satirical horror Two Heads Creek as well as his career in film and television. Jordan’s starred in The Darkest Hour, Love and Friendship and the ITV historical drama series Victoria, all whilst developing his screenwriting career, with Two Heads Creek and his upcoming film Off the Rails starring Judi Dench and Sally Phillips. Jordan talks about his start in...

Dec 08, 20201 hr 15 minEp. 196

How to write Hook, Dracula and Contact with Screenwriter James Hart

Giles and regular co-host Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar chat to screenwriter and producer James V. Hart, known for his writing on Hook, Bram Stocker’s Dracula and Contact. Jim expands on his story mapping tool The Hart Chart, how it came about when re-writing Dracula with Francis Ford Coppola, and how he has used it ever since in his own and writing and to help other screenwriters through workshops. We get a full backstory into how Hook and Dracula went from the scripts no one wanted before eventually ...

Dec 01, 20201 hr 21 minEp. 195

Borat 2 Writer and Producer Dan Mazer in our AFM Talk on Screenwriting, Producing and Directing

Listen to our full talk at the American Film Market for earlier this month with regular hosts Giles Alderson and Ian Sharp joined by writer, director and producer Dan Mazer to discuss filmmaking on both an indie and studio level. Dan talks about his start in the world of film through his writing for television with Sacha Baron Cohen on Da Ali G Show, how from there he got involved with writing and producing the features Ali G Indahouse, Borat and Bruno. Whilst continuing to write further feature...

Nov 24, 20201 hr 14 minEp. 194

Sales & Distribution: Getting Your Film Seen with a High Impact Distribution Plan with Shaked Berenson

Giles chats with producer, writer and international film sales veteran Shaked Berenson in this very special masterclass on how to guide your movie through the complex world of distribution. After an unconventional start in the film industry, Shaked built up his own distribution empire in the form of his company Epic Pictures. After wanting to work closer to filmmakers, Shaked now runs The Horror Collective, a personalised distributor that aims to give horror filmmakers high impact release and ma...

Nov 17, 20201 hr 5 minEp. 193

How to Pitch your Movie to Get the Green Light with John Livesay & Producer Aaron Scotti

This week we’re shaking things up a bit with a masterclass on pitching your dream project to studios and financiers. Joining Giles Alderson is regular co-host Director/Producer Dom Lenoir as they both sit down with presentation and pitching expert John Livesay and Producer of the indie hit The Peanut Butter Falcon Aaron Scotti to talk pitching your film. John covers different formats for your elevator pitch, including how to reverse engineer your concept for an unfamiliar audience, encouraging c...

Nov 10, 202055 minEp. 192

Dominic Monaghan on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Lost and his latest film Pet

Giles is joined by regular co-host Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar as they sit down and chat with cult actor Dominic Monaghan to discuss the psychological thriller Pet, a bold, unsettling chamber piece starring Dominic in the lead role of Seth. Dom shares stories of his humble beginnings as an actor in the Manchester youth performance scene, why he got into acting and how he moved from regional theatre to acting on the stage in London to being cast in one of the biggest movie franchises of a generation -...

Nov 03, 20201 hr 3 minEp. 191

Julie Delpy: Actor, Screenwriter & Director on filmmaking, acting and her latest feature 'My Zoe'

Giles and Robbie are humbled to sit down and chat with the incredible tour de force that is Julie Delpy. Whilst many of us may know and love her from Richard Linklater’s the 'Before' series or her work with Kieslowski on the Three Colours trilogy, we also know her prolific directing career from her debut 'Looking for Jimmy' all the way up to her latest feature 'My Zoe'. Julie talks frankly about her personal philosophy about film-making, her love of sci-fi and her directing process from writing ...

Oct 27, 202059 minEp. 190

Writing & Directing a BFI & BBC Films backed debut movie Body Of Water with film-maker Lucy Brydon

This week Giles sits down (virtually) with the amazing Lucy Brydon, writer and director of Body of Water a beautifully made female-led drama backed by BBC Films and Film London. Lucy reveals how she made her start in film whilst teaching in China, getting into short films and production work before starting work on Body of Water which started life as a short film. We hear about the development process, from pitching the film as a short at festivals, to applying to the Film London development lab...

Oct 19, 20201 hr 13 minEp. 189

How to Make a Disney+ Superhero Hit with Director Anna Mastro

This week Giles and Robbie interview Anna Mastro to talk about how she built herself up from assistant to established film and tv director, accumulating in her new film Secret Society of Second-Born Royals, streaming now on Disney+. Anna talks about her start working as a development assistant and script reader for directors McG and J.J. Abrams, working in music videos and television before getting her debut feature Walter made with Milo Ventimiglia, Neve Campbell and William H. Macy. We also ta...

Oct 12, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 188

The Dare - Behind the Mask. Part 2 of our Special ep with the cast and crew from The Dare

This is Part 2 of ‘The Dare’ podcast special as our hosts own movie is now released in the UK!You can find the movie on SkyStore, Amazon, iTunes, Playstation, Virgin Store, Google Play etcGiles Alderson (director & co writer) Julian Kostov (producer) and Andrew Rodger (cinematographer) pick up where the left off on Part 1 and are joined by cast members Bart Edwards (The Witcher), Alexandra Evans (Redistributors), Richard Short (Mary Kills People) and Devora Wilde (The Tombs).They wrap up their e...

Oct 09, 202047 minEp. 222

'The Dare' podcast special! Making our horror film with the cast & crew

This is ‘The Dare’ podcast special as our hosts own movie is now released in the UK! You can find the movie on SkyStore, Amazon, iTunes, Playstation, Virgin Store, Google Play etc Giles Alderson (director & co writer) Julian Kostov (producer) and Andrew Rodger (cinematographer) are joined by the co-writer & cast of film for this special episode of podcsat In the first section they chat with co-writer Jonny Grant (Arthur & Merlin) about how the film came about, how Giles and Jonny wrote it, How J...

Oct 06, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 221
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