The Filmmakers Podcast
Two British filmmakers interview directors, writers, and producers on the practical craft and business of making movies and TV shows.
A practical, in-the-weeds guide to the film industry, hosted by two working British indie filmmakers. The show demystifies the entire process, from securing financing and tax credits to directing A-list actors and navigating new technologies like AI. It's less a celebrity chat show and more a peer-to-peer masterclass, filled with shop talk and actionable advice for those in the trenches of production.
“Unlike many film podcasts, the hosts are active directors and producers themselves, allowing them to ask highly specific, process-oriented questions that go beyond typical press junket fare. This shared experience creates a collegial, candid atmosphere where guests openly discuss budgets, on-set challenges, and career missteps.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by working UK filmmakers Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir, The Filmmakers Podcast offers a weekly deep dive into the craft and business of film and TV. Alderson and a rotating team of co-hosts interview industry professionals, from indie directors to Hollywood A-listers, about their creative process, financing, and career survival strategies. The show positions itself as being for filmmakers, by filmmakers, focusing on how projects get made and "how not to f*** it up."
Credentials & credits
- Giles Alderson: Director (Wolves of War, The Stranger in our Bed, The Dare)
- Giles Alderson: Producer (Three Day Millionaire, A Serial Killer's Guide to Life)
- Giles Alderson: Writer (The Dare, Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot)
- Giles Alderson: BAFTA and BIFA voting member
- Dom Lenoir: Director (Winter Ridge)
- Dom Lenoir: Producer and indie film event organizer (#Makeyourfilm)
Other ventures
- Make Your Film (live event series co-founded by Alderson and Lenoir)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01How to Direct A-List Talent: Ol Parker on Office Romance, Rom-Coms, Rejection & Set Etiquette
A masterclass in directing big stars and managing tone in comedies, with practical advice on attracting talent from the director of 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again'.
- 02The New Rules of Hollywood AI: Jonathan Yunger on Billion-Dollar Slates, Streamer-Approved AI...
A crucial and candid discussion on the controversial role of AI in filmmaking, featuring a producer working at the intersection of Hollywood franchises and new tech.
- 03Directing Indie Folk Horror: Alex Noyer on Funding, 40% Tax Rebates, Two-Camera Setups...
A granular breakdown of the financial and logistical realities of independent filmmaking, including navigating international tax incentives and production challenges.
- 04Business of Film: The New Rules of Film Financing: AI, Gen Z, and Getting Your Movie Made...
A special panel episode that serves as a survival guide for the current independent film market, featuring experts on data, AI, and distribution.
What you'll be asked on this show
The interview opens with a lengthy, solo introduction by the host, detailing the guest's career and setting the stage for the conversation. The host, typically Giles Alderson, often establishes a personal connection by referencing a prior meeting or shared history. Questions are practical and process-driven, stemming from the hosts' own knowledge of filmmaking—they ask about specific challenges like casting, securing funding, or managing tone. They create a relaxed atmosphere by allowing guests to speak at length and following interesting anecdotes, with co-hosts sometimes playing a specific role, like a skeptic, to create a dynamic debate.
Primarily hosted by Giles Alderson, often with co-hosts Dom Lenoir or Phil Hawkins, the show is highly conversational. Episodes begin with a detailed, laudatory introduction for the guest over a gentle score. The hosts frequently use their own filmmaking experiences to frame questions and build rapport, sometimes talking over each other in a friendly, enthusiastic manner.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
10 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“What was the initial spark of inspiration for this project?”
This question is often used early on to understand the guest's personal connection to the story and their core motivation.
process
2- Q.01
“How do you build and maintain a specific tone from the script stage through to the final edit?”
Asked to directors to get a deep dive into their process of communicating creative vision to the entire crew.
- Q.02
“Can you walk us through the casting process for this film?”
This is a recurring question to understand the practical steps of attaching actors, from indie to A-list talent.
advice
2- Q.01
“What goes into the letter or the first phone call you make to get a major actor on board?”
The hosts seek practical, actionable advice for other filmmakers on how to attract top-tier talent.
- Q.02
“How do you advise filmmakers to not 'blow it' on that first crucial call with an actor?”
A follow-up that drills down on the soft skills and etiquette required when dealing with stars.
money
1- Q.01
“Can you explain the financial or logistical decisions behind choosing a location or a specific technology?”
This question targets the business side of filmmaking, exploring how money and logistics shape creative choices.
craft
2- Q.01
“How do you feel the craft of [a specific genre] has changed over the last 5-10 years?”
This is used to place the guest's work within a broader industry context and discuss evolving trends.
- Q.02
“What's the difference in your approach when directing huge stars versus an actor with a smaller role?”
Aimed at experienced directors, this question seeks to uncover the nuances of managing different personalities and statures on set.
controversy
1- Q.01
“When you faced criticism or accusations of 'ruining the industry,' did it make you question your approach?”
This question is deployed to explore a guest's resilience and conviction when dealing with controversial projects or ideas.
industry
1- Q.01
“How do you see new technologies like AI fitting into the filmmaking toolkit?”
The hosts often use this to gauge a guest's philosophy on the future of the industry and the human element in art.
Signature segments
- · Opening tagline: 'how to make them, and how not to f*** it up'.
- · Intro sequence with film set sounds, culminating in a director shouting 'And... ACTION!'
- · Detailed, laudatory guest introductions over a gentle piano score.
- · Regular 'Business of Film' panel episodes.
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The show books a mix of established Hollywood directors (Ol Parker, David Frankel), blockbuster stars (Brian Cox), and independent writer-directors (Alex Noyer), alongside industry executives and tech innovators. The common thread is their direct involvement in the craft and business of creating film and television.
- Alex Noyeron Directing Indie Folk Horror: Alex Noyer on Funding, 40% Tax Rebates, Two-Camera Setups, Ensemble ...
- Jonathan Yungeron The New Rules of Hollywood AI: Jonathan Yunger on Billion-Dollar Slates, Streamer-Approved AI, Ar...
- Ol Parkeron How to Direct A-List Talent: Ol Parker on Office Romance, Rom-Coms, Rejection & Set Etiquette
- Daniel Roheron From Shorts to Docs to Features with Oscar Winner Daniel Roher on Directing Leo Woodall & Dustin ...
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Estimated: With an audience of aspiring and professional filmmakers, sponsors include prosumer technology (Windows 11), business hiring platforms (LinkedIn), and major consumer brands. This suggests a target demographic of creative professionals and prosumers.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- Who are the main hosts of The Filmmakers Podcast?
- The primary hosts are Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir, who are both active filmmakers in the UK. They are often joined by other industry professionals as co-hosts.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a weekly interview-based podcast where the hosts talk with directors, writers, producers, actors, and other film professionals about their work and careers.
- Is The Filmmakers Podcast still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes on a weekly basis.
- Who is the intended audience for this podcast?
- The show is made for aspiring and working filmmakers, film students, and anyone interested in the practical, behind-the-scenes process of making movies and TV shows.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on all major audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, with video versions of the interviews on their YouTube channel.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]The Filmmakers Podcast Official Websitethefilmmakerspodcast.com
- [02]Giles Alderson Official Websitegilesalderson.com
- [03]Giles Alderson - The Talent Managerthetalentmanager.com
- [04]Dom Lenoir - Stage 32 Profilestage32.com
- [05]Exit 6 Film Festival - Interview with Dom Lenoirexit6filmfestival.com
- [06]The Filmmakers Podcast - Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
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