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!
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Episodes

The Lesson - Director Alice Troughton on making her debut feature and why it can take five years.

This week BAFTA winning director Alice Troughton joins us to chat about her debut movie The Lesson starring Richard E Grant, Julie Delpy, Stephen McMillan and Daryl McCormack. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sat down with Alice to discuss why it took five years to get to the screen, how it suddenly all came together and working with a brilliant team. They also discuss: The despicable art of monstrous men. Script changes and themes. Why music is important. Feeling responsible for crews health and s...

Sep 25, 202354 minEp. 359

Can you make an indie film with your friends? 'Bolans Shoes' writer and director Ian Puleston-Davies and producer Terri Dwyer prove you can.

Hey filmmakers podcast family, we have on two amazing guests in director and writer Ian Puleston-Davies and returning legend Terri Dwyer to talk making Bolans Shoes which in is UK cinemas now! They sit down at the Everyman cinemas in London the night after their premiere to discuss making the film with Giles Alderson and guest host Nina Kristofferson ! They also discuss: Working with your friends, why we make films, the fear we possess and imposter syndrome. As a debut director why it's importan...

Sep 18, 20231 hr 9 min

MASTERCLASS in directing TV with Daredevil, The Witcher and One Piece director Marc Jobst

On this weeks episode Director Marc Jobst gives you a Masterclass in directing tv series. Marc who has directed episodes of TV series including: Daredevil, The Punisher, Hannibal, Eastenders, Casualty, Upstairs Downstairs, Lark Rise to Candleford, The Musketeers, Hemlock Grove, Luke Cage, Jupiters Legacy and the brand new NETFLIX series One Piece which he also serves as Exec Producer. He sits down with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss all things TV directing including: What the differenc...

Sep 11, 20231 hr 12 minEp. 357

How to make indie films for under $200 with director Isaac Nabwana 'Once Upon a Time in Uganda'

Join us this week as we chat to self taught Ugandan writer, director and producer Isaac Nabwana all about how he makes his action packed and often hilarious indie films with his community, created Wakaliwood makes them for under £200 each. He also stars in the feature documentary 'Once Upon a Time in Uganda'. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir had a great chat with Isaac all about his beginnings as a filmmaker and why he wanted to make movies. We talk how he went from music to movies. How he borrowed...

Sep 05, 202355 minEp. 356

'Strays' & 'Barb & Star go to Vista del Mar' director Josh Greenbaum on making R rated comedies

We welcome director Josh Greenbaum on The Filmmakers Podcast to talk making R-rated comedy Strays starring Will Ferrell and Jamie Fox. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir had a chat with Josh all about making his doggy comedy and how he made it work. Josh who has directed the brilliant Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar and TV including Fresh of the Boat and New Girl discusses working with animals creating an emotional pull with R rated comedy, working with big stars and why you need to root for the ch...

Aug 28, 202359 minEp. 355

How to Make an Amazon Prime hit film as your debut movie with Red, White and Royal Blue director and screenwriter Matthew López

Red, White and Royal Blue director and screenwriter Matthew López join us this week to chat making hit movie as your debut feature. Based on the best selling novel of the same name Matthew discusses why this film came to him and why he wanted to make it. He sits with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir in an apartment suite in the heart of London to discuss making the film They discuss: Why he is not talking about writing on this episode (hint WGA writers strike) Pitching to the studio. How he chose h...

Aug 21, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 354

Trailblazing Indie Filmmakers Jane Gull and Karen Newman on making award winning feature film 'Love Without Walls'

On this weeks episode we welcome director Jane Gull and producer Karen Newman who made the award winning indie film Love without Walls. They chat with Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir about creating, writing, financing and distributing their brilliant indie film. They also discuss: Cinema Q&A tour tips and tricks. Why Jane wrote the film and why networking is important. Their distribution deal and how they got it. Dealing with large cast and many locations Issue on set and over coming challen...

Aug 15, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 353

Making 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' with director Jeff Rowe and Exec Producer Ramsay McBean

On this weeks episode we have writer and director Jeff Rowe and Exec Producer Ramsay McBean talking all about how they made the new feature film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem with Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir had a chat with Jeff and Ramsey from their turtle lairs on animation, story structure and keeping it improvised. They also discuss: How to pitch to studios. Moving from writing to directing. Overseeing productions and winning projects at Paramoun...

Aug 07, 20231 hr 9 minEp. 352

How to make a successful low budget Indie feature with Dan Clark and Kelly Wenham - A Kind of Kidnapping

On this weeks episode we welcome director & writer Dan Clark and actress & writer Kelly Wenham to discuss their indie film A Kind of Kidnapping, how they turned their short film into a feature, got the team together, raised finance, shot principal photography in twelve days, and made the movie in difficult circumstances. The sit down for a chat with Giles Alderson to discuss the film and also: Their writing processes. Filmmaking abusive relationships and how to avoid them. Why you have t...

Aug 01, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 351

Business of Film IV - How is the SAG strike affecting you as creatives, filmmakers and directors & more.

On our 350th episode --- The Business of Film Explained is BACK and we dive into the SAG Strike and how this will affect you as creatives, filmmakers and directors. The fab Stephen Follows joins Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins to discuss what is happening with the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Strike, how long could it go on for and can we can shoot in the UK and Europe? We also discuss how much Studios profited in 2022 and what the actors are asking for. Is this an opportunity for indie...

Jul 25, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 350

Masterclass: Making an Oscar winning short film with director Chris Overton

On this weeks episode we have a MASTERCLASS in short film making with Chris Overton who won an Oscar for his short film The Silent Child. Chris chats with Giles Alderson about the steps to making 10 award winning short film (with 4 in post) with his company Slick Films which he runs with his partner Rachel Shenton. The also discuss why he wanted to learn his craft as a filmmaker before making his first feature film, what it was like winning an Oscar, how he did it and how you can too. Plus: Why ...

Jul 18, 20231 hr 13 minEp. 349

Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson & Eddie Hamilton talk making Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.

On this weeks podcast we are joined by actors Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson and editor Eddie Hamilton to discuss making Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. First up Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead) and Rebecca Ferguson (Silo, Dune) have fun with hosts Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir discussing all things acting and being on set of a Mission Impossible film, being directed by Christopher McQuarrie and creating the characters. Secondly we have a great natter with editor Eddie Ham...

Jul 11, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 348

Christopher McQuarrie: Story structure, screenwriting, directing and Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning

The magnificent legend that is Christopher McQuarrie joins Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir for a full hour to talk story, structure, creating magic, working with Tom Cruise and directing Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. We also discuss: His debut movies, Public Access, The Way of the Gun and wining an Oscar for Usual Suspects. Working with Tom Cruise and pushing boundaries in film-making. In-depth into his mind on story and structure of making films. Trouble shooting moments and lookin...

Jul 03, 20231 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 347

How to go from Indie film to studio blockbuster with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts director Steven Caple Jr. and actors Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback

On part 2 of our Transformers: Rise of the Beasts special with chat going from indie films to huge studio movies with director Steven Caple jr. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir are also joined by Judas and the Black Messiah actor Dominique Fishback and In the Heights star Anthony Ramos to chat about making a Transformers movies. They also discuss: How Stephen pitched for the director gig. How he shot the huge fight sequences. Why he cut out big finished sequences from the final edit and why he had ...

Jun 27, 202354 minEp. 346

'Greatest Days' director Coky Giedroyc on how to make a big budget movie outside the studio system.

On this weeks episode director Coky Giedroyc tells us how she made her latest feature 'Greatest Days'! Coky, who has not only directed the feature 'How to Build a Girl' and many many TV shows including Sherlock, Penny Dreadful and Save Me, sat with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss making a musical based on a stage show with Take That songs!. She also discusses: Financing a big budget film outside of the studio system. What is like to shoot in a foreign country. Guiding new actors through...

Jun 23, 20231 hrEp. 345

Lorenzo di Bonaventura - How to make Hollywood movies, raise finance, find directors with 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' producer.

On this weeks episode we chat with Hollywood legend Lorenzo di Bonaventura! He chats to Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir about his career, on set advice and how to produce movies. He also talks about: What he looks for in directors. Filming huge set pieces. Shooting and getting permission in remote locations. How they find the transformers stories. Why learning psychology and reading history is vital for filmmakers. How he raises finance and why getting a good script takes time. Transformers: Ris...

Jun 19, 202342 minEp. 344

Lucy Boynton & Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Director Stephen Williams talk making a period studio 'indie' film 'Chevalier'

On this week episode we chat with the director and stars of 'Chevalier'. Actors Kelvin Harrison Jr and Lucy Boynton and Director Stephen Williams join Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir. They talk making a studio indie film Why you should tailor the text as a director when you are not the screenwriter. Why you are only as good as your collaborators. Why Stephen used screen-grabs to inspire the crew. Why he directed TV and met JJ Abrams. On set 'moments' and advice. What works for actors on set. And w...

Jun 13, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 343

The Boogeyman's Rob Savage talks how to Direct & Adapt a Stephen King classic.

Director Rob Savage (Host) joins us to chat about his latest horror feature 'The Boogeyman'. He sits down with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss how he made the leap to studio movie and creating horror scares. They also discuss: How to shoot scare ad big horror scenes. Pitching, how he got in the room and what to do when in there. Casting incredible actors. Lighting and the 'Moon Ball'. How a light-saber and Disney helped create a defining image. Any why major issues and mistakes can lead...

Jun 05, 202357 min

Rob Marshall & John DeLuca on making The Little Mermaid, longstanding collaborations and re creating Disney's live action classic.

On this weeks episode Oscar winning director and producer team Rob Marshall (Chicago) and John DeLuca (Mary Poppins Returns) chat with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir about re-creating Disney's classic The Little Mermaid as a live action epic. They also discuss: Using under water stages. Virtual Backgrounds. Shooting huge action sequences. Casting a classic. Longstanding collaborations. and how their previous work made them perfect for The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid is in Cinemas NOW PATRE...

May 30, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 341

How to make festival films, raise finance and win awards with 'Under the Fig Trees' writer and director Erige Sehiri

On this weeks episode director, producer and writer Erige Sehiri joins us to talk How to make festival films, raise finance and win awards with her debut move Under The Fig Trees. Joining Giles Alderson as fellow host this week is Female Film Club's CEO Liza van der Smissen! Erige, Giles and Liza discuss: How to make festival films and win awards. Why you should just start. How she raised finance. How she got the film finished . Why she made the film over two years and how to make continuity wor...

May 24, 202358 minEp. 340

The Business of Film Explained III : How the writers; strike and AI affects filmmakers with Stephen Follows, Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins

How will will the writers strike and AI affect filmmakers? On the 3rd episode of our new strand on the filmmakers podcast called The Business of Film Explained we go deep in facts, stats, percentages and figures of film-making with film data researcher Stephen Follows and directors, producers and screenwriters Giles Alderson , Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins ! Why is the WGA writers strike happening? What are the studios offering? Can UK writers and producers work in the UK and Hollywood right now? ...

May 16, 20231 hr 17 minEp. 339

The Highs and Lows of making your indie film with Connor O'Hara director and writer of 'Kindling'.

The trials and tribulations of making your debut indie film with Kindling director and writer Connor O'Hara Connor joins Giles Alderson and Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar to talk making indie films They discuss: How you feel on release of your film. Going from Short to feature. Why it took eight years to get Kindling made. Getting a producer on board. Why teh director can be a plug hole of a sink. The producer / director relationship The importance of creating a creating atmosphere on set. Kindling is O...

May 09, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 338

'Make Your Film' LIVE from London Independent Film Festival with Debs Paterson, Coz Greenop & Francis Annan

This week we are LIVE (well it was recorded LIVE) at Genesis Cinema at the Make Your Film event from the London Independent Film Festival. with guests: Debs Paterson who is known for helming the Paramount + TV series Halo, Disney's Willow, Strike Back, A discover of Witches and the feature films Africa United and The Skywalker Legacy. Coz Greenop the director of the films Dark Beacon, Demon Baby, The Last Heist, Sweet Street, Velvet and House Red and has just wrapped on his latest feature It All...

May 01, 20231 hr 14 minEp. 337

Dexter Fletcher: The 'Rocketman' director talks filmmaking and his latest feature 'Ghosted'

Dexter Fletcher , the award winning director join us to talk making Wild Bill, Sunshine on Leith, Eddie the Eagle, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman and his latest feature Ghosted staring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. Dexter also chats with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir about: -Pitching for movies. -First film vs studio movie . -Why is still has work to harder and harder. -Action and stunts. -Why rehearsals are v important . -Responding to notes. -Why he started directing as an actor. -Dealing with p...

Apr 24, 202352 minEp. 336

'The Last of Us' - Making the hit TV series with cinematographer Eben Bolter

On this episode, award winning cinematographer Eben Bolter, who talks about HBO's huge TV show The Last of Us. Eben is the DoP of feature films such as, Confine, Chicken, Night Teeth, iBoy, Acres and Acres, Level Up, Road Games and The Hoarder and TV shows such as The Woman in White, The Feed, The Girl Before, Avenue 5, The Last of Us and the upcoming Marvel series Secret Invasion. He chats to Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir about: Making over 100 short films The Last of Us on set process The art ...

Apr 18, 20231 hr 13 minEp. 335

Florian Zeller - Making an Oscar winning film as your debut movie. The director & screen writer of 'The Father' discusses his new film 'The Son' starring Hugh Jackman.

Oscar winner Florian Zeller join us to talk his Anthony Hopkins starring The Father and his latest film The Son. Florian's debut feature The Father was nominated for7 Academy Awards, winning Best Adapted screenplay and nominated for six bafta's sits down for a chat with Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir in London and they discuss: -Adapting his plays in feature films -Mental health and male suicide in films -His writing process -Why he often doesn't rehearse and kept actors apart before filming -How...

Apr 11, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 334

Masterclass in filmmaking: From Theatre to Film with Allelujah, Notes on a Scandal and Iris director and writer Sir Richard Eyre

On this weeks show we welcome Sir Richard Eyre director of the Oscar nominated Iris, Notes on a Scandal and the recent feature film Allelujah. Richard sits down for a chat with Giles Alderson, Tori Butler-Hart and Matthew Butler -Hart all about his career up until this point. They talk about: Moving from Theatre to TV and TV to film How he learnt on the job and became a better director. The importance of rehearsal The differences between actors How editing is key to making a film work And he giv...

Apr 04, 202359 minEp. 333

Making Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves with directors John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and producer Jeremy Latcham

On this weeks episode we welcome Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves with directors John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and producer Jeremy Latcham Hosts Christian James and Huw Siddle chat with the gang about how they made their huge blockbuster. The story behind D&D How the MCU got started On set of a bug budget film How you make a film that makes you laugh, cry and cheer in one and the new rise of genre. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is released in cinemas Friday 31st...

Mar 28, 202354 minEp. 332

The Business of Film Explained II : How and why you can be a filmmaker with Stephen Follows, Giles Alderson and Phil Hawkins

One the 2nd episode of our new strand on the filmmakers podcast called The Business of Film Explained we go deep in facts, stats, percentages and figures of film-making with film data researcher Stephen Follows and directors and producers Giles Alderson and Phil Hawkins -We discuss how we got our films made. -Is there a typical route to becoming a film director -Why is their a gender equality in directors -Getting your film on Netflix and the benefits for filmmakers/ -What percentage of director...

Mar 21, 20231 hr 23 minEp. 331

From Shorts to a Netflix debut feature film with 'I Used To Be Famous' writer-director Eddie Sternberg

On this lovely Tuesday, we chat with writer-director Eddie Sternberg ! He chats with Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir about his filmmaking journey to get his debut feature film I used to be famous (2022) made. They discuss: - networking events - the thing about making shorts - balancing building a career and making a living - developing a feature script - getting I used to be famous made - pitching to Netflix - learnings from making the first feature - working with a neurodivergent cast Watch I U...

Mar 14, 20231 hr 27 minEp. 330
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