The Filmumentaries Podcast

Jamie Benning
  • 4.9 (63)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Filmumentaries Podcast – Exploring the Unsung Heroes of Cinema. Go beyond the credits and uncover the untold stories of the filmmakers, artists, and craftspeople who bring your favorite movies to life. Hosted by filmmaker, author, and film historian Jamie Benning, The Filmumentaries Podcast offers in-depth conversations with the behind-the-scenes legends of Hollywood and beyond. Each episode features exclusive interviews with art directors, production designers, VFX artists and supervisors, editors, sound designers, animators, and other key creatives who shaped iconic films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Ghostbusters, and more.  Whether you're a die-hard cinephile, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply curious about the hidden artistry of moviemaking, this podcast is your all-access pass to film history. What You’ll Discover: Rare insights into filmmaking from the people who were thereDeep dives into classic and modern movie-making techniquesStories of innovation from Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm, and beyondExclusive discussions on practical effects, CGI, set design, and film scoringA celebration of cinema’s hidden heroes New episodes twice a month. Subscribe now and follow Jamie Benning on social media: @filmumentaries on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and @jamieswb on X.  Visit Filmumentaries.com for more exclusive content and behind-the-scenes insights! 

  1. BONUS - Crowdfunding for the LA Trip

    3D AGO · BONUS

    BONUS - Crowdfunding for the LA Trip

    This is a short bonus episode with a very specific purpose. Patrick Tyndall and I are in the middle of a GoFundMe campaign to get us back to Los Angeles to finish filming Not Your Average Joe, our documentary about legendary production designer Joe Alves. This episode is me explaining where the project is at, what we’ve already achieved, and why this upcoming LA trip feels so important. We’ll be in Los Angeles from 22–28 February 2026, filming interviews and B-roll that cover some key chapters of Joe’s life and career, including: Joe’s short but intense motor racing career, including racing alongside Dickie SmothersThe story of Joe introducing a major Hollywood actor to racing, setting them on a path to a serious motorsport careerAn interview with Alec Gillis the effects artist who built the articulated sharks for Jaws 3A conversation with Ann Dusenberry, who worked closely with Joe on Jaws 2An interview with Dean Cundey, cinematographer on Escape from New YorkOngoing efforts to involve Steven Spielberg in the projectThe documentary has only been shot over a relatively small number of days so far, all fitted around regular jobs and family life, but the material we’ve captured already has been incredible. This next trip is about joining the dots and getting the remaining pieces that will allow us to bring Joe’s story properly over the finish line. At the time of recording, the GoFundMe is sitting at around $1,000, and we need roughly $3,000 to make the trip work. Any contribution helps, but just as importantly, sharing the campaign on social media genuinely makes a difference. If you’ve ever enjoyed the podcast, the articles, or the behind-the-scenes conversations, this is me asking for a bit of help to make sure this story gets told.  Donate here! This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    6 min
  2. 143 - The Farmer and the Shark - with John Campopiano and Jim Beller

    JAN 27

    143 - The Farmer and the Shark - with John Campopiano and Jim Beller

    In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I’m joined by filmmaker John Campopiano and producer Jim Beller to talk about their new documentary, The Farmer and the Shark. The film centres on Craig Kingsbury, a farmer from Martha’s Vineyard who appeared in Jaws (1975), playing Ben Gardner, the local fisherman whose abandoned boat is discovered by Chief Brody early in the film.   From that small but unforgettable role, the documentary explores Craig’s life, his connection to the island, and how his story intersects with the legacy of Jaws. John Campopiano is the director of the film and is known for documentaries including Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary and Pennywise: The Story of IT. Jim Beller is one of the producers of The Farmer and the Shark - former producer of my Inside Jaws - A Filmumentary and all round Jaws expert. I should note that I haven’t seen the finished film yet, so this conversation focuses on the making of the documentary, how the project came together, why Craig Kingsbury’s story stood out, earning trust, and shaping a film around a real person whose life briefly intersected with a cinematic landmark. If you’re looking for a calm, thoughtful conversation about film history, storytelling, and the people behind the scenes, I hope this episode provides a welcome distraction. Guests John Campopiano — DirectorJim Beller — ProducerFilms Discussed The Farmer and the SharkJaws (1975)Support the Podcast - If you enjoy The Filmumentaries Podcast, you can support the show on Patreon. Your support helps cover the time, research, travel, and production costs involved in making these episodes. Thanks for listening. This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    37 min
  3. 142 - New Mike Hodges Book - By Jon Spira

    JAN 6

    142 - New Mike Hodges Book - By Jon Spira

    Jon's Kickstarter Link Summary In this conversation, Jon Spira discusses his new book 'I'll Settle for Nothingness: Conversations with Mike Hodges', detailing the genesis of the book, his friendship with the legendary filmmaker, and the exploration of Hodges' versatile career. The discussion covers many things including the making of 'Morons from Outer Space', the challenges of unproduced films, and the emotional journey of writing the book. Spira also shares insights into Hodges' legacy, his experiences with the BFI, and the Kickstarter campaign for the book's publication. Takeaways The book is a collection of conversations with Mike Hodges. Jon Spira's friendship with Hodges developed through their shared love of cinema. 'Morons from Outer Space' is a film that has gained a cult following despite its initial failure. Hodges was a versatile filmmaker, working across various genres. The Terminal Man is a significant film that was poorly marketed and overlooked. Hodges had many unproduced films that reflect his creative vision. The BFI is preserving Hodges' legacy through his film archive. Spira aims to honor Hodges' memory through this book. The emotional journey of writing the book was profound for Spira. The Kickstarter campaign is a way to celebrate Hodges' work and legacy.  This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    43 min
  4. 141 - Rob Spera - Film/TV Director’s Field Manual

    12/23/2025

    141 - Rob Spera - Film/TV Director’s Field Manual

    Rob Spera is a film and television director, educator, and the author of Film/TV Director’s Field Manual: 70 Maxims to Change Your Filmmaking. With decades of experience directing features, episodic television, and theatre, Rob brings a deeply practical, human-centred approach to directing and leadership. In this conversation, we discuss: Why Rob describes his book as an “anti-textbook”The idea that the camera’s job is to photograph subtextBuilding non-redundant frames that invite the audience to participateWhy kindness and psychological safety are essential creative toolsLetting go of control and empowering collaboratorsWhat “write what you know” really meansHow directors can practise their craft between jobsFilm/TV Director’s Field Manual – available via Amazon and Rob’s website HAPPY HOLIDAYS! This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    50 min
  5. 140 - Lucas Wars - With Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche

    12/09/2025

    140 - Lucas Wars - With Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche

    In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I’m joined by Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche, the writer and artist behind the acclaimed graphic novel Lucas Wars, which tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of Star Wars from a deeply personal, human perspective. Laurent shares his background as an entertainment journalist and how years of research, interviews, books and documentaries fed into the script. Renaud talks about coming from a traditional animation and storyboarding background, studying at Gobelins in Paris, and how cinematic visual language shaped the way he approached the book’s artwork. We discuss: Why the emotional journey of George Lucas became the heart of the storyHow the pair condensed vast amounts of historical research into a tightly structured graphic novelThe challenge of visually dramatising meetings, offices and creative conflictThe relationship between Lucas and Spielberg, and how it shapes both volume one and the upcoming sequelThe meaning behind the iconic twin suns coverVisiting Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm after the book’s releaseBalancing historical accuracy with storytellingWhy Lucas Wars connected with readers beyond the core Star Wars fandomWe also talk about the upcoming second volume, which covers The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and how expanding into Spielberg’s world adds a new layer to the story. As always, if you enjoy the podcast and would like to support what I do, you can find me on Patreon, and the show is also available on YouTube if you prefer to watch the interviews. BUY IT HERE This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    58 min
  6. 139 - Art Directing from Titanic to House of the Dragon with Dominic Masters

    11/25/2025

    139 - Art Directing from Titanic to House of the Dragon with Dominic Masters

    In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I speak with art director and supervising art director Dominic Masters, whose decades-long career spans some of the biggest films and series of the last 40 years. He grew up around movie sets thanks to his father, the legendary production designer Tony Masters (2001: A Space Odyssey, Papillon, Dune), and started his own journey at 19 when he spent eight months in China on Tai-Pan — the first Western movie ever shot there.  Dom talks about learning the foundational skills of drafting, the early struggles of finding work in the British film industry of the mid-80s, and the unique lifestyle of moving from production to production — that strange micro-community that forms on set, often in far-flung locations.   We cover his experiences on Titanic working under James Cameron, the shift from physical sets to set extensions and digital workflows, the evolution of the art department, and how shows like House of the Dragon demand an enormous level of coordination, creativity and technical precision. We also talk about the British Film Designers Guild, the camaraderie that forms in the art department, and his personal creative outlets, photography and music, that keep him balanced between jobs.  It’s a wide-ranging, honest conversation with someone who has seen the industry evolve from the studio backlots of the 1970s to enormous contemporary productions. Topics discussed Growing up around film sets and learning from legendary designersHis first job on Tai-Pan in 1985 and the experience of shooting in ChinaThe hierarchy and craft of the art departmentCollaboration with directors, designers, construction and VFXWorking on Titanic and the extraordinary scale of the buildThe Harry Potter films, James Bond films, and shifting directorsThe intensity and scale of House of the DragonSurviving the freelance lifestyle and industry downturnsCreative outlets outside the jobGuest Dominic Masters – Art Director / Supervising Art Director Selected credits: House of the Dragon, Belfast, Wonder Woman, Now You See Me 2, Casino Royale, Harry Potter, Titanic, The World Is Not Enough, The Avengers. This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    1h 10m
  7. 138 - Jay Glennie on "The Making of Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon A Time ...In Hollywood"

    11/11/2025

    138 - Jay Glennie on "The Making of Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon A Time ...In Hollywood"

    In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast I speak with author and film historian Jay Glennie about his new book, The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time ...In Hollywood. Jay has a real gift for pulling together people, memories and materials, and this book is packed with insight from the cast and crew, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Quentin himself.We get into how long Quentin carried the idea for the film, the script secrecy following The Hateful Eight leak, and the vital work of the ADs, casting team, DP, production designer and producers. Jay talks about the careful balancing act of handling contradictory memories, how he preserves the voices of the people he interviews, and how he approaches a project that is still fresh in everyone’s mind. We also look at what comes next in his ten book Tarantino series. Big thanks to Jay and to TITAN books. Buy Jay Glennie’s book - published by TITAN. This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    40 min
  8. BONUS - John Walsh on Writing The Art And Making of Gladiator 2 Book

    11/05/2025

    BONUS - John Walsh on Writing The Art And Making of Gladiator 2 Book

    In this bonus episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, host Jamie Benning, that's me... talks with author and filmmaker John Walsh about his new book The Art and Making of Gladiator II. Walsh discusses how he was approached by Abrams Books and Paramount Pictures to chronicle the creation of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel, offering rare insights into the production design, visual effects, and creative collaboration behind one of the most ambitious films of the decade. The conversation explores how Walsh handled the challenge of documenting a still-in-production movie, his access to thousands of behind-the-scenes images, and the process of balancing art direction, photography, and storytelling in an official studio book. We also look ahead to Walsh’s next project — a deep dive into The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and reflect on the enduring value of physical “making-of” books in today’s digital film culture. BUY THE BOOK HERE This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube: Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries All my links

    32 min
See All (151)

4.9
out of 5
63 Ratings

About

The Filmumentaries Podcast – Exploring the Unsung Heroes of Cinema. Go beyond the credits and uncover the untold stories of the filmmakers, artists, and craftspeople who bring your favorite movies to life. Hosted by filmmaker, author, and film historian Jamie Benning, The Filmumentaries Podcast offers in-depth conversations with the behind-the-scenes legends of Hollywood and beyond. Each episode features exclusive interviews with art directors, production designers, VFX artists and supervisors, editors, sound designers, animators, and other key creatives who shaped iconic films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Ghostbusters, and more.  Whether you're a die-hard cinephile, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply curious about the hidden artistry of moviemaking, this podcast is your all-access pass to film history. What You’ll Discover: Rare insights into filmmaking from the people who were thereDeep dives into classic and modern movie-making techniquesStories of innovation from Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm, and beyondExclusive discussions on practical effects, CGI, set design, and film scoringA celebration of cinema’s hidden heroes New episodes twice a month. Subscribe now and follow Jamie Benning on social media: @filmumentaries on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and @jamieswb on X.  Visit Filmumentaries.com for more exclusive content and behind-the-scenes insights! 

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Benning
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Jamie Benning - Filmumentaries.com
  • Show Website
    The Filmumentaries Podcast

You Might Also Like