The Young Film Academy Podcast

Young Film Academy

The Young Film Academy Podcast is essential listening for young people looking to find their way into the creative industries. We chat with industry professionals who've worked on the biggest TV shows and movies, demystifying their job role, uncovering how they broke into the industry and learning what they did during their teenage years to set themselves up for success.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ségolène Veyre — How to TRAIN YOUR DOG for MOVIES!!! DOG TRAINER for FILM & TV: Working with Canine Stars on Set

    Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Ségolène Veyre, professional animal handler who specialises in training and working with dogs for film and television. From emotional performances to high-energy action scenes, Ségolène helps bring some of the screen’s most lovable—and talented—canine stars to life. But WHAT exactly goes into training a dog for the screen? How do you get consistent performances from animals across multiple takes? What’s it like working on set with directors, actors, and unpredictable four-legged co-stars? And how do you ensure animal welfare while still capturing those perfect cinematic moments? From behind-the-scenes tricks to heartwarming stories, Ségolène reveals the patience, skill, and creativity needed to turn dogs into true screen performers.

    1h 28m

  2. APR 21

    Lucy Hatherly — SCRIPT SUPERVISOR: Continuity, Detail & Keeping Film Sets on Track

    Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with script supervisor Lucy Hatherly (28 Years Later, A Thousand Blows, Snow White, The Marvels, Ted Lasso), whose role is essential in keeping film and television productions running smoothly behind the scenes. From tracking continuity to supporting directors and editors, Lucy is the bridge between script and screen. But WHAT exactly does a Script Supervisor do? How do you keep track of every detail—from performances to props—across multiple takes and shooting days? What happens when continuity goes wrong? And how does this role shape the final edit of a film or TV show? From meticulous note-taking to spotting the smallest on-set inconsistencies, Lucy reveals the hidden craft that ensures everything you see on screen makes perfect sense—even when it’s shot completely out of order.

    1h 7m

  3. APR 8

    Eleri Jones — HOLLYOAKS Director: The Art of Directing Soaps & Fast-Paced TV

    Host Dan Allen chats with Eleri Jones, director on the long-running hit soap Hollyoaks. Working at an intense pace, Eleri is responsible for bringing compelling drama to life on screen, often shooting multiple episodes across tight schedules while maintaining strong performances and visual storytelling. But WHAT exactly goes into directing a SOAP? How do you balance speed with creativity on such a fast-moving production? What are the unique challenges of working with long-running characters and evolving storylines? And how does directing soaps compare to other areas of television, film and theatre? From rapid-fire shooting days to shaping emotional, character-driven moments, Eleri gives us a behind-the-scenes look at one of TV’s most demanding and exciting directing roles. --- Eleri is a theatre and film director, originally from North Wales. She achieved a full scholarship to the University of Manchester to study Drama and Screen Studies, gaining a 1st Class Degree before training at Drama Centre London (Leverhulme Scholarship). After working as an actor and 1st AD across TV, film and theatre for 8 years, Eleri moved into directing under the guidance of BAFTA winning director Carol Wiseman and was selected as one of the first recipients of the Carne Traineeship for Directors in Wales, based at Theatr Clwyd and mentored by Tamara Harvey.  Eleri’s previous directing credits include CELEBRATED VIRGINS (Theatr Clwyd) which she also co-created, SPRINKLES (Dirty Protest), the WOMEN REDISCOVERED Film Series (Theatr Clwyd), GWYL GAEAF (Theatr Clwyd) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Charles Dickens Museum). Eleri’s work as Assistant Director includes ISLA (dir. Tamara Harvey, Theatr Clwyd/BBC 4), GOING THE DISTANCE (dir. Felicity Montagu, LBT/The Dukes, Lancaster) and MOLD RIOTS (dir. Katie Posner, Theatr Clwyd).

    1h 1m

  4. MAR 25

    ALL STARS SPECIAL - Young Film Academy Awards BIG Showdown / Celebration Special

    Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas reflect on the incredible Young Film Academy Awards All Stars event last month and listen to exclusive interviews with students and industry professionals who attended the awards and also judged the categories, including Top Gun Maverick & Mission Impossible editor Eddie Hamilton, film critic and Girls on Film podcast host Anna Smith, along with film animal trainer and handler Grace Dickinson.  About YFA Awards ALL STARS: On Saturday 28th February 2026, Young Film Academy hosted a once-in-a-generation showdown, bringing together standout filmmaking talent from across our programmes since 2016. Nominees and their guests joined us for a spectacular evening of red-carpet glamour, industry insiders, show-stopping prizes and an afterparty to remember — all at the historic Genesis Cinema in London, where Charlie Chaplin famously performed. The best films and performances from 10 years of the annual YFA Awards went head-to-head to claim an ALL STAR title, and the million-dollar question was finally answered – what is the best YFA film EVER made? 10 years, 10 categories — judged by star-studded industry professionals, including Jamie Campbell, Executive Producer of Netflix smash-hit Sex Education and an Audience Award for Best Comedy, decided by YOU.  Students past and present had the opportunity to reconnect, network and meet their next filmmaking collaborators. This milestone event was testament to YFA’s commitment to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and a showcase of the astounding work they produce.

    58 min

  5. JAN 28

    Sue Quinn — HARRY POTTER Locations Manager: Finding the Perfect Places for Film & TV

    Host Dan Allen chats with Sue Quinn, acclaimed Locations Manager whose work includes the Harry Potter films, Fantastic Beasts, Love Actually and numerous major film and television productions. Sue has helped transform real-world places into some of the most iconic locations in modern cinema. But WHAT exactly does a Locations Manager do? How do you find locations that feel magical, cinematic, and authentic—while still working in the real world? What goes into securing, managing, and protecting locations on huge productions like Harry Potter? And what are the unexpected challenges of filming in castles, historic buildings, and public spaces? From spellbinding sets to logistical nightmares, Sue takes us behind the scenes of one of the most vital roles in filmmaking—where creativity meets coordination, and every location tells a story.

    57 min

  6. JAN 7

    Annie Sulzberger — THE CROWN head researcher! Bringing History to Life on Screen

    Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Annie Sulzberger, the Head of Research on Netflix’s award-winning series The Crown. Annie has spent years digging through archives, uncovering complex histories, and shaping the factual backbone behind one of television’s most ambitious and beloved dramas. But WHAT exactly does a researcher do on a major series? How do you balance historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling? Where do you even begin when you’re responsible for verifying decades of royal history? And what are the challenges of portraying real people, some still alive, on an international stage? From sourcing rare documents to advising actors, writers and directors, Annie takes us behind the scenes of The Crown to reveal how history becomes drama, and how careful research can elevate a story to something truly iconic.

    1h 19m
  7. CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 🎅 | The ULTIMATE 2025 MOVIE QUIZ

    12/24/2025

    CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 🎅 | The ULTIMATE 2025 MOVIE QUIZ

    It’s time for a festive showdown! Dan Allen takes the host’s chair for a special Christmas & 2025 Movie Quiz, putting film knowledge to the test as Ellen Thomas, Ruby, and Lewis go head-to-head. From  2025 releases to festive film trivia, surprises, and wild guesses, anything can happen. Who really knows their movies? Who’s bluffing their way through the answers? And who will be crowned Movie Quiz Champion of 2025? Grab a mince pie, play along at home, and see if you can beat the panel in this end-of-year movie quiz spectacular. 🎄🍿🎬

    1h 8m

  8. 11/26/2025

    Teddy Blanks — TITLE DESIGNER for GRETA GERWIG and HOLLYWOOD - Crafting Iconic Opening Sequences and the Art of Text on screen Storytelling

    Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Teddy Blanks, acclaimed title designer and co-founder of CHIPS, the New York-based design studio behind striking title designs for films and series such as Nosferatu From concepts to final frames, Teddy takes us inside the creative process of building visual identities that stay with audiences long after the credits roll. But WHAT exactly goes into making great TITLES ? How do typography, pacing, and sound design shape a viewer’s first emotional connection to a film or show? What’s it like collaborating with directors like Greta Gerwig and Robert Eggers? And how can emerging filmmakers use design to elevate their own storytelling?

    1h 7m
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About

The Young Film Academy Podcast is essential listening for young people looking to find their way into the creative industries. We chat with industry professionals who've worked on the biggest TV shows and movies, demystifying their job role, uncovering how they broke into the industry and learning what they did during their teenage years to set themselves up for success.

Information

  • Creator
    Young Film Academy
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Young Film Academy Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Young Film Academy Podcast