The Filmmakers Podcast

Giles Alderson
  • 4.8 (57)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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!

  1. 16H AGO

    Steven Knight & Hannah Walters: Creating A Thousand Blows, Peaky Blinders & Boiling Point

    On this weeks The Filmmakers Podcast are legendary creator Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and powerhouse actress/producer Hannah Walters (Boiling Point) who join Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge) to discuss their hit Disney+ series, A Thousand Blows (2026). We delve into the true history of the Forty Elephants gang, the art of writing historical thrillers, and what it takes to produce high-end drama for global streamers. Steven also shares updates on the Peaky Blinders movie and writing the new James Bond, while Hannah discusses her mission with Matriarch Productions and her role as Eliza Moody. A masterclass in television architecture and independent producing. A Thousand Blows is OUT NOW on Disney and Hulu Links ⁠FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE.⁠ A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review & every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠ Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠   ⁠COURSES⁠ Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠   ⁠PATREON⁠ Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠ Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠ Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Making a microbudget indiefilm, Crowdfunding to Apple TV: The Story of 'Time Rewind' with writer-director Lincoln Fenner & actor Tim Cullingworth-Hudson

    In this episode, hosts Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with writer-director-producer Lincoln Fenner and lead actor Tim Cullingworth-Hudson to talk about their time-travel feature Time Rewind (2025) — an ambitious independent film made on a very limited budget that went on to win multiple festival awards and secure international distribution on Apple TV. In their conversation, they discuss: Building a creative partnership based on trust, passion, and shared commitment The nearly decade-long journey of developing the film Writing the complexities and internal logic of a time-travel story Crowdfunding the project and navigating indie financing realities Creative problem-solving when working with limited resources The importance of perseverance, collaboration, and trusting your instincts TIME REWIND is out NOW! | TRAILER A man wakes with amnesia suspected of the murder of his teenage daughter and finds he must travel back to 1989 to save her from a bullying accident that is destined to claim her life. ⁠FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE.⁠ A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review & every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠ Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠   ⁠COURSES⁠ Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠   ⁠PATREON⁠ Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠ Edited by ⁠@tobiasvees⁠ Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠ Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m

  3. FEB 19

    How Bart Layton Turned a Novella into an 85% Rotten Tomatoes Hit with latest feature film Crime 101

    BAFTA-winning filmmaker Bart Layton (The Imposter, American Animals) joins Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss his massive new crime thriller, Crime 101 (2026). In this deep-dive interview, Bart reveals how he assembled a powerhouse cast including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan. We discuss his process for adapting Don Winslow’s novella, why he prefers 'character-driven tension' over CGI spectacle, and the technical challenges of filming high-speed car chases on the L.A. freeways.Whether you’re a fan of Michael Mann-style thrillers or looking to learn how to bridge the gap between documentary and fiction, this is a masterclass you cannot miss. FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Edited by @tobiasvees Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  4. FEB 14

    The Nun Director Corin Hardy: From Music Videos to Sundance to Hollywood Horror 'WHISTLE'

    In this episode, host Giles Alderson (The Dare) sits down with acclaimed director Corin Hardy for an in-depth conversation about craft, career trajectory, and working within the horror genre. Corin Hardy is an award-winning filmmaker, illustrator, sculptor, and writer known for a striking visual style that blends the macabre with the epic and the beautiful. After studying theatre design at Wimbledon School of Art, Hardy created the award-winning stop-motion short Butterfly (2004), which launched his directing career. He went on to direct acclaimed music videos for major artists, before making his feature debut with The Hallow, which premiered at Sundance and won multiple international awards. He later directed the global horror hit The Nun, part of The Conjuring Universe, and most recently completed his latest feature Whistle. In this episode, we discuss: Corin’s early creative upbringing and DIY beginnings in practical FX Transitioning from shorts and music videos into feature filmmaking The making and impact of his debut feature The Hallow How he landed the directing role on The Nun Working within major studio franchises vs independent filmmaking His newest feature Whistle and what audiences can expect Crafting visual storytelling through storyboarding ...and so much more! A must-listen episode for directors, horror fans, and anyone interested in the intersection of visual design, genre storytelling, and career progression in the film industry. WHISTLE is out NOW! | TRAILER FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Edited by @tobiasvees Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  5. FEB 12

    SEND HELP: Sam Raimi (Evil Dead), Zainab Azizi & actor Dylan O’Brien on creating an Original Thriller for Cinema

    Welcome back to The Filmmakers Podcast!Filmmakers, today is a massive double-header. We are taking a deep dive into the survival horror sensation that everyone is talking about: Send Help.In the first half, we are joined by the architectural minds behind the film. First, he is a man who needs no introduction — the architect of modern horror and the superhero blockbuster. From the cabin in the woods of Evil Dead to the original Spider-Man trilogy and the madness of Doctor Strange, please welcome the legendary Sam Raimi!He is joined by his powerhouse producing partner and the President of Raimi Productions, Zainab Azizi. Zainab has been the driving force behind a string of recent hits, including the high-concept thriller 65, the Netflix hit Don't Move, and the upcoming Locked. Together, they break down how they navigated a grueling 11-week shoot in Australia and Thailand to bring this visceral story to life.Then, in part two, we sit down with the film’s co-lead. He’s an actor who has evolved from a YA icon in The Maze Runner into one of the most versatile performers working today — shining in everything from Love and Monsters to playing Dan Aykroyd in Saturday Night and his award-winning turn in Twinless. He is here to talk about playing the boss-from-hell turned helpless survivor: Dylan O’Brien!Grab your notebooks... let’s welcome Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi, and Dylan O’Brien! SEND HELP is out in cinemas NOW! | TRAILER FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Edited by @tobiasvees Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  6. FEB 3

    Making the BAFTA-Nominated 'I SWEAR': Producers Piers Tempest & Georgia Bayliff + Director Kirk Jones

    In this special episode, we go behind the scenes of the 6-time BAFTA-nominated film I Swear (2026) with the filmmaking team! In Part 1, Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with producers Piers Tempest (The Wife, William Tell) and Georgia Bayliff (Paradise Highway) from Tempo Productions. They discuss the reality of financing independent British drama in 2026, how they packaged a film about Tourette’s syndrome as a crowd-pleasing theatrical event, and the role of a producer during a busy awards season. In Part 2, Giles and Dom are joined by writer/director Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee, Everybody’s Fine). Kirk reveals why he returned to his indie roots for this passion project, the challenge of directing Robert Aramayo's transformative performance (nominated for Best Actor), and how he raised finance and balanced humor with the gritty reality of the true story. I Swear is OUT NOW on PRIME VIDEO Links FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written, produced and edited by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 32m

  7. JAN 29

    Oppenheimer, Mercy & The Dark Knight trilogy producer Chuck Roven: From humble begginings to Winning the Oscar.

    The reigning Academy Award winner for Best Picture joins the show! Legendary producer Charles "Chuck" Roven (Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight Trilogy) sits down with Giles Alderson to discuss his pulsing new sci-fi thriller, Mercy (starring Chris Pratt & Rebecca Ferguson). In this masterclass on producing, Chuck breaks down his unique career path from stuntman to the founder of Atlas Entertainment. He reveals how he packages massive films independently (like American Hustle and 12 Monkeys), the challenges of producing for visionary directors like Christopher Nolan and Timur Bekmambetov, and why he believes Mercy's concept of an "AI Judge" is a terrifying glimpse into our future. We discuss: The Mercy Reunion: Bringing Chris Pratt and director Timur Bekmambetov back together 18 years after Wanted. The "Atlas" Model: How to develop and package blockbuster IP outside of the studio system. The Oppenheimer Journey: Lessons learned from producing the Best Picture winner and working with Cillian Murphy. Managing Visionaries: How to support directors like David O. Russell and Zack Snyder while protecting the budget. The Stuntman Roots: How his early days on Hawaii Five-O shaped his approach to action safety. Mercy is in CINEMAS NOW Links FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written, produced and edited by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    58 min

  8. JAN 23

    The Reality of Low-Budget Filmmaking: Making "A Gangster's Life" with Tony Cook & Zak Fenning

    In this special episode, host (and Executive Producer!) Giles Alderson sits down with actor/producer Tony Cook (Dune: Part Two) and director Zak Fenning to break down the making of their new British crime-comedy, A Gangster's Life. Joined by fellow filmmakers Dom Lenoir the team reveals exactly how they pulled off a low-budget feature film that spans two countries (London and Greece) without breaking the bank. They discuss the "hustle" behind casting rising stars like Jonny Weldon (One Day, House of the Dragon) and Rina Lipa (in her feature debut), and the challenges of self-distributing a genre film in 2026. We discuss: The "Two-Country" Shoot: Logistics of moving a low-budget crew from London to Greece. Casting Coups: How to attach big names (Rina Lipa, Jonny Weldon) to an indie project. Actor to Producer: Tony Cook on taking lessons from the set of Dune: Part Two into indie producing. Visual Style: How Zak used his background as a DoP to give the film a "high budget" look. The Reality of Release: Navigating the UK digital market and finding an audience. A Gangster's Life is out now on Digital Platforms. Links FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take amoment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/   COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/   PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com   CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written, produced and edited by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative  Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 18m
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4.8
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Giles Alderson
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    476
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Filmmakers Podcast

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