IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, better known as Radio Silence, join IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about their new film “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.” A sequel to the 2019 thriller “Ready or Not,” “Ready or Not 2” takes the story in surprising new directions while delivering the pleasures of the original. Radio Silence talks about striking that balance, approaching difficult exposition, and more in this interview. Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress-turned-filmmaker known for character-driven, formally daring films, discusses reimagining The Bride of Frankenstein. She talks about blending 1930s-style musical numbers with genre and feminine rage. She explains IMAX and lens choices, graphic-novel production design, casting surprises, and using test screenings to shape the film.

Konrad Kay, a writer-director who draws on finance and filmmaking experience, and Mickey Down, a writer-director who brings personal finance-sector perspective, discuss turning season four into a conspiracy thriller. They cover tonal influences, bold stylistic choices, tightened character density, shocking moral downfalls, and Yasmin’s radical transformation.

For her masterful work on "Sinners," Autumn became only the fourth woman in history to be nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar. She opened up with IndieWire VP Chris O'Falt about the prospect of becoming the first woman to win that award, and how being a woman in the field affected her early career and her current balance between work and family. And of course we dig into all the nerdy craft details, including a more candid conversation about the decision to use IMAX than you may have heard elsewhere. Revisit our episode with "Elvis" Cinematographer Mandy Walker, the third woman nominee in the category - open.spotify.com/episode/5iPCSArQfCBhCce1HbdsWE?si=CleehbCZTPmF7POubrB9ow Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ 0:00 - Intro 1:53 - Autumn's career and personal live leading to "Sinners." 15:00 - Why the look of "Sinners" is so personal to Autumn. 18:50 - Capturing the authentic harsh sun & muggy nights of Mississippi Delta 23:54 - The challenges and technical details of shooting on IMAX film cameras. 35:13 - Executing the surreal 'I Lied to You' sequence. 40:12 - The challenges of blending VFX and ultra high-res IMAX footage. 48:44 - The awards campaign and how it feels to potentially be the first woman to win the Best Cinematography Oscar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ira Parker, television showrunner and director known for adapting George R. R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, talks tone and craft. He explains turning Westeros into a smaller, kinder half-hour comedy. Short takes cover focusing on Dunk’s POV, using sound and editing to show his inner life, whimsical music choices, casting chemistry, and staging long, immersive fight moments.

Baz Luhrmann sits down with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to discuss EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert. While making his 2022 biopic, Luhrmann uncovered boxes of unseen Elvis footage that inspired a new kind of documentary he describes as a cinematic “dreamscape.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A rare treat today on the Filmmaker Toolkit: a deep dive into feature animation directing! Directors Byron and Jared explain how the film was essentially in pre-production, production, and post-production simultaneously across it's 5 year development. They also dug into the ways casting and character creation intertwine, and the challenge of packing every frame to the brim with detail. Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visual effects supervisor Baneham and Wētā FX senior effects supervisor Eric Saindon talk to IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit podcast about working on James Cameron's 197-minute epic — that has only seven seconds with no visual effects. Hear which sequences were most challenging to pull off, and just how much of the Avatar world is built for real alongside VFX. Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Bronstien's second feature is making waves for Rose Byrne's lead performance, but the filmmaking is equally as impressive and brave. Bronstien had a blast unpacking the expressive camera and sound design, revealed what it's like to direct Conan O'Brien, and digs into her take on therapy in movies. Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sirât is a truly unique experience, a journey not only into desert rave culture but into the desert of our minds and our souls. From the Oscar nominated sound design, to the haunting visuals and non-professional cast, Director Oliver Laxe joined the Filmmaker's Toolkit to open up about the making of a film that must be seen to be believed. Subscribe to Top Of The Line - IndieWire's new newsletter about the craft of film and TV - https://cloud.email.indiewire.com/signup/ Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices