The Filmmakers Podcast

Giles Alderson
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Apr 1, 2026 • 34min

Aaron Taylor-Johnson & David Mackenzie: The Making of FUZE & Acting and Directing Without Rules

The Unconventional Making of FUZE with Aaron Taylor-Johnson & David Mackenzie How do you craft the perfect anti-hero? In this episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, host Dom Lenoir sits down with Golden Globe-winning actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick Ass Tenet), and Academy Award-nominated director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water, Relay) following the explosive premiere of their new high-octane thriller, FUZE. Aaron and David break down their unique, highly spontaneous collaborative process. David reveals why he completely abandons traditional continuity and prefers to "shoot the rehearsal," while Aaron shares his ultimate advice for actors: stop learning your lines in only one way. We also dive into the nitty-gritty of why they believe British film crews are some of the best and most adaptable in the world. If you want to know how to capture "energized naturalism" on screen and keep your actors on their toes, this is a masterclass you don't want to miss. Aaron Taylor-Johnson Aaron is a Golden Globe-winning actor known for his incredible versatility and intense character preparation. He burst onto the scene in Nowhere Boy and Kick-Ass, and has delivered standout performances in massive films like Nocturnal Animals, Tenet, Bullet Train, The Fall Guy, and Kraven the Hunter. He previously collaborated with David Mackenzie on the historical epic Outlaw King. David Mackenzie David is a highly acclaimed Scottish film director and producer known for his gritty, character-driven films. His massive 2016 hit Hell or High Water received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. His other notable works include the visceral prison drama Starred Up, the Netflix epic Outlaw King, and Young Adam. FUZE is out in CINEMAS April 3rd! For more filmmaking interviews like this subscribe to our channel and / or head to our website www.thefilmmakerspodcast.com 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, edited 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
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Mar 24, 2026 • 52min

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett on Ready or Not 2, Scream, and Directing as a Duo

The kings of modern horror-comedy are here! Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (the filmmaking collective Radio Silence who made Scream and Scream VI) join Dom Lenoir and Conor Boru to discuss their blood-soaked new theatrical hit, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026). In this deep-dive interview, Matt and Tyler reveal why they decided to return to the universe of their 2019 breakout hit, how they managed to pick up the story on the exact same day seven years later, and the joy of torturing Samara Weaving all over again. We also discuss assembling a dream horror cast including Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, and director David Cronenberg. The duo breaks down their collaborative process on set, the lessons they learned from directing franchises, and how to successfully balance terrifying tension with laugh-out-loud comedy. A masterclass for any filmmaker looking to make an impact in the genre space! 'Ready or Not 2: Here I Come' is out NOW in cinemas Radio Silence, Ready or Not 2, Ready or Not Movie, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Scream 6, Horror Filmmaking, Directing Masterclass, Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson, David Cronenberg, Indie Horror. For more filmmaking interviews like this subscribe to our channel and / or head to our website www.thefilmmakerspodcast.com 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 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
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Mar 17, 2026 • 1h 10min

How to Direct Romance & Drama: Vanessa Caswill on Adapting a Bestseller 'Reminders of Him'

In this episode, host ⁠Conor Boru⁠ sits down with director ⁠Vanessa Caswill⁠ to discuss her latest feature, Reminders of Him. Vanessa is an English director and screenwriter known for her work across television and film, including the BBC miniseries Thirteen, Little Women, and the feature Love at First Sight. Her latest film follows a young mother who, after serving time in prison, attempts to rebuild a relationship with her daughter. Facing hostility from nearly everyone around her — except a bar owner with unexpected ties to the child — she must confront her past in order to create the possibility of a better future. In the episode, they discuss: Vanessa Caswill’s career journey from TV into feature filmmaking The creative challenges of adapting a bestselling novel Practical directing techniques for working with young actors Production challenges and problem-solving on set Emotional storytelling and performance-driven filmmaking Why protecting your own creative voice is essential in the industry ...and so much more! Enjoy! REMINDERS OF HIM is out on the 13th of March | ⁠TRAILER⁠ ⁠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
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Mar 14, 2026 • 1h 11min

RE-RELEASE 'Hamnet' Producer Liza Marshall on How to Produce TV dramas with Temple, Riviera, Taboo

We are delighted re-release this episode with Hamnet producer and TV producer Liza Marshall as she gears up for the Oscars this week! Hosted by Giles Alderson and co-host Dom Lenoir, we sit down and chat about her experience as a producer and how she went about making TV dramas such as 'The Sins', 'Fields of Gold', 'Taboo', 'Honour' and 'Temple' and the feature films, 'Welcome to the Punch', 'Springsteen & I' and 'Before I Go To Sleep'. We talk about how he started off working as a producer for the BBC, as well as how she worked her way up, to where she is today. She discusses how she finds writers, as well as giving constructive feedback on various different screenplays. We dive deep into the difference between film and TV and how to go about pitching them to various producers in the industry. We talk pitching, working in the writers room and we discuss how the terrific Temple came about We can't wait for you to hear this weeks episode with Liza. You don't want to miss it! Enjoy! Temple is now available on Sky Temple is a British medical crime drama television series. Created by Mark O'Rowe, and starring Mark Strong, Carice Van Houten and Daniel Mays, it is based on the Norwegian drama Valkyrien, and premiered 13 September 2019 on Sky One   PATREON ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides and feedback on your film projects. Our new 4 tier structure is in place. Come join the community! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thefilmmakerspodcast⁠ EVENTS & CROWDFUNDERS Join us on ⁠ClubHouse⁠ on Thursday's 6.30 GMT ⁠https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/M5X0Qzvx⁠ SUPPORT THE PODCAST Read & Sign Up for ⁠The Wrap Up⁠ - Our weekly Newsletter with news and information from the world of film ⁠Spread the Word with Our Merch⁠ T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Masks and Water Bottles all now available in some very cool designs. Subscribe on ⁠iTunes⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ ⁠Podbean⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us out and write us a review (a good one!), tell your friends and CHOOSE FILM. Get in touch? Email us ⁠thefilmmakerspodcast@gmail.com⁠ Follow us on ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ Check out our full episode archive at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠ CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is hosted and written by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠  Produced and edited by Robbie McKane @⁠robbiemckane⁠ & Samuel Evans ⁠@SamuelHEvans_⁠ Social Media by Kalli Pasqualucci ⁠@kallieep⁠ Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠ Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey⁠ Part of the ⁠www.podfixnetwork.squarespace.com⁠ WATCH OUR FILMS ⁠The Dare⁠ UK | ⁠Trailer⁠ ⁠The Dare⁠ Canada and USA  ⁠A Serial Killers Guide to Life⁠ | ⁠Trailer⁠ ⁠Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot⁠ ⁠Winter Ridge⁠ UK ⁠The Isle⁠ ⁠Fanged Up⁠ ⁠The Marker⁠ ⁠Star Wars: Origins⁠   MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS Follow our Regular Hosts ⁠@LucindaRhodes⁠ ⁠@DirDomLenoir⁠ ⁠@35mmdop⁠ ⁠@philmblog⁠ ⁠@IanSharp1⁠ ⁠@Cjamesdirect⁠ ⁠@dan710ths⁠ Follow Make Your Film for Live Events with our Guests ⁠@makeyourfilm20 ⁠ Follow our Movies ⁠@thedaremovie⁠ ⁠@⁠⁠Food4ThoughtDoc⁠ ⁠@FangedUpFilm⁠  Raindance events ⁠www.raindance.org⁠ The Filmmakers Podcast recommends ⁠Performance Insurance⁠ Music from ⁠musicbed.com⁠ Giles Alderson’s ⁠website⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 9, 2026 • 1h 30min

Episode 500 Special! Filmmaking Advice: Audience Q&A, IndieFilm determination & Director Secrets with Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins

We made it to Episode 500! 🎉 After 9 years, over 600 hours of audio, and interviews with hundreds of the greatest directors, writers, actors and producers in the world, The Filmmakers Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode the best way we know how: by turning the microphones over to YOU. In this massive milestone episode, hosts and working filmmakers Giles Alderson (The Dare), Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge), and Phil Hawkins (Robin and the Hoods) sit down to answer your audience questions. We strip back the curtain on our own filmmaking journeys, share the brutal realities of the indie hustle, and reflect on the greatest pieces of advice we’ve gathered from half a thousand episodes. From chatting about micro-budget producing to remembering our legendary sit-downs with cinematic titans like Sam Raimi, Paul Schrader, Steven Knight, Ari Aster, Chris McQuarrie and Zack Snyder, this episode is a love letter to the independent filmmaking community that makes this show possible. In this 500th Episode Q&A, we discuss: The Origin Story: How the podcast started as a chat between friends in 2017. The "Host" Hustle: How Giles, Dom, and Phil balance making actual feature films with running lives and the podcast. The Greatest Advice: The best lessons we've learned from 500 episodes about overcoming the fear of failure, financing indie films, and surviving on set. Your Questions Answered: Tackling the biggest hurdles our listeners are facing right now in 2026. What’s Next? For the hosts and where the podcast goes from here! Thank you for 500 episodes of listening, sharing, and making movies. We are in the business of making films, not just talking about them—now go get your next project made! Support the show & join the community: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Leave us a 5-star review (it helps us get to episode 1,000!) Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod The HOSTS films The Dare, Winter Ridge, Robin and the Hoods and many more are available to watch. Please do watch and support us. ⁠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 a moment 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 Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠ Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey The Filmmakers Podcast, Filmmaking, Indie Film, How to direct a movie, Film Producing, Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Phil Hawkins, Screenwriting, Film Finance, Micro Budget Film, Director Interview, Film School, Cinematography, Filmmaker Q&A, Podcast Episode 500 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 2, 2026 • 33min

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
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Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 7min

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
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Feb 19, 2026 • 35min

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
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Feb 14, 2026 • 53min

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
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Feb 12, 2026 • 43min

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

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