IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

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

IndieWire's Chris O'Falt sat down with the director of the Sundance darling turned Best Picture nominee for an in depth discussion of the film's subtle beauties. From Joel Edgerton's near wordless performance, to the 360 degree all natural light sets and the use of editing to evoke memory, you'll learn why 'Train Dreams' packs such a punch on an indie budget. Watch the video version of this conversation and read our full breakdown of the making of 'Train Dreams' here: https://www.indiewire.com/p/netflix-train-dreams-clint-bentley/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Feig, filmmaker known for comedy and genre films, discusses directing The Housemaid and his Hitchcockian tone. He talks about seeding clues for repeat viewings and shaping shocks at the midpoint. Hear about rigorous test screenings, finding locations that rewrite the script, balancing thrills with release, and scoring choices including a Taylor Swift finale cue.

In this engaging conversation, Susanna Fogel, the talented filmmaker and co-creator of 'Ponies,' dives into the show's unique exploration of two women as CIA spies during the Cold War. She shares insights on the lengthy development process, the creative decisions that shaped the storyline, and how they crafted a vibrant Moscow using Budapest as a backdrop. Susanna also discusses balancing comedy and drama, the intricacies of character development, and the importance of visual storytelling, all while maintaining a playful, wish-fulfillment vibe in production design.

Park Chan-wook, acclaimed South Korean director known for visually bold, intense films like Oldboy, discusses No Other Choice. He explains adapting the story from America to Korea. He describes the house as a character, bonsai as a psychological metaphor, bold stylistic shifts, immersive sound design, and the chilling role of AI in the film's ending.

Kleber Mendonça Filho joins the FIlmmaker Toolkit to break down the making of his thrilling, poignant, and playful drama 'The Secret Agent.' From his deep relationship to star Wagner Moura to the social commentary embedded in every part of the film, this is a fascinating deep dive into a very rich film. 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

Kristen Stewart has a wild passion for film form, and our conversation about her directorial debut proves it. From the deep relationship she formed with star Imogen Poots, to her love of sound design and breaking apart the images like photographs in the edit, listen into the start of the Kristen Stewart Director era. 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

Co-Writer, Director, and Producer Mona Fastvold joins the Toolkit for an in depth discussion of her incredible new period musical. We dig into the research which birthed the transfixing movements and sounds of the film, the challenges star Amanda Seyfried faced preparing for the role, and how Fastvold and partner Brady Corbet execute epic scale on indie budgets. 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

In this engaging chat, filmmaker Josh Safdie, known for his work on Uncut Gems, delves into the making of his new film, Marty Supreme. He shares insights on his childhood ping pong rivalry and how it influenced his relationship with winning. Safdie explains the meticulous research behind recreating the 1980s table tennis scene and the sonic choices that shape the film's atmosphere. Notably, he recounts serendipitously meeting Timothée Chalamet before his fame, a pivotal moment that impacted casting and character development.

James Cameron, the visionary writer and director known for groundbreaking films, shares insights on 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.' He discusses his rigorous casting process and the impactful performance of Una Chaplin. Cameron elaborates on the balance of spectacle and intimate storytelling, revealing his editing challenges while maintaining audience perspective. He also dives into the evolution of performance capture technology, emphasizing its significance in preserving actor intentions. The conversation touches on the fusion of nature, science, and cinematic magic in his work.