P.I. Filmmaker Podcast

Following last week’s episode on guerrilla filmmaking, I catch up on the responses it generated, including a remarkable story from the making of Around the World in 80 Days (1956) and the provocative Lone Gun Manifesto - a filmmaking philosophy that argues the best way to make films is to strip the process back to its absolute essentials. The episode then turns to recent developments surrounding t...

In this episode, I explore approaches to guerrilla filmmaking after spotting a group of filmmakers shooting a short film in a town square. Drawing on experiences from my features films X, Blurred Lines and Notion, I discuss filming in public spaces, working with limited resources, and how adapting to real-world locations can shape both the creative process and the finished film. Along the way, I r...

After recently attending a special 70mm screening of Return to Oz (1985), this episode explores the career and work of legendary editor, sound designer and filmmaker Walter Murch. I discuss Murch’s collaborations with George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, including The Godfather, American Graffiti, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, before looking at his influential approach to editing and his...

Independent filmmakers spend years creating work, pay to submit to festivals and hope someone decides their film deserves a platform. But what happens when the people controlling those opportunities become the filmmakers seeking financial support? After seeing that a festival director was crowdfunding their first short film, I explore the uncomfortable questions this raises about power, access and...

As my third feature ‘Notion’ moves closer to completion, I reflect on the often unseen final stages of independent filmmaking - the long process that continues after the cameras stop rolling. I discuss the reality of finishing a micro-budget feature: refining the edit, solving technical issues, stabilising shots, visual effects, colour grading, sound work and the difficult decisions around what ne...

For this episode, I caught up with actor, writer and director Heather Elise Nelson. Heather talks about her journey into acting, her experiences working across short films and features, and the opportunities and challenges that come with building a career in the film industry. We also chat about working together on ‘Blurred Lines’, where Heather played Olivia, an unprepared and argumentative actor...

Part two of a two-part conversation with actor and producer Miranda Benjamin. The episode begins with a newly recorded segment about a promotional video shoot that left Miranda with whiplash after she was asked to undertake multiple takes of a dangerous stunt - one that should have been carried out by a professional stunt performer - prompting a wider discussion about on-set safety and standing up...

This is part one of a two-part conversation with actor and producer Miranda Benjamin. In Part One, Miranda talks about her introduction to acting, studying at the University of Salford, joining a touring theatre company and transitioning into screen acting via independent filmmaking. Miranda discusses a variety of on-set experiences - including student shorts, a disastrous production in Worsley Wo...

Last weekend I travelled to London for a series of screenings and Q&As with Guillermo del Toro at the BFI Southbank (Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, Tales of Arcadia and Pan’s Labyrinth). This episode reflects on the ideas del Toro frequently returned to throughout the weekend: curiosity, disobedience, emotional truth, autobiography and “eye protein”. The filmmaker’s comments on monsters, melodr...

Recorded in the Bright Building café at Manchester Science Park, actor Johnny Byrom discusses training at RADA and the Manchester School of Theatre, working with Mike Leigh on ‘Peterloo’, independent filmmaking with One Day Films (‘Cleft Lip’) and myself (‘X’, ‘Blurred Lines’ & ‘Notion’), motion capture at Epic Games, and the realities of sustaining a creative career.

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Will Herbert - someone I met when I was a film student at the University of Salford back in 2006. Recorded outside a bar in Manchester city centre, this is a loose, honest conversation about Will’s work as a director and how his approach to filmmaking has evolved over time. From award-winning short films to commercials, comedy sketches with Joke TV and dire...

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker Matthew Hope and film marketing & distribution expert Jonathan Sadler (Magus Films). The pair talk about the self-financed feature film ‘Empire of Lies' and use it to break down the reality of getting an independent film seen - from development through to release. ​ 'Empire of Lies': https://amzn.to/4cYQXLs ​ 'Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent...

In part two of my interview with Darren Scott, the conversation shifts to post-production and what happens after a film is finished. We talk about his experiences with film festivals, revisiting the cut and sound mix after audience screenings, and the realities of distribution - including deals that appear to be opportunities but come with serious costs. The episode also covers Darren’s decision t...

For the first podcast interview, I'm joined by indie filmmaker Darren Scott. In Part 1, Darren reflects on his creative journey - from composer to theatre director, before going on to make a feature as his very first film. We talk about what those experiences taught him, the short films he made between features, and how those projects fed directly into the development and shooting of 'All...

In this episode, I talk about a situation from a recent feature film shoot where one person's unprofessionalism began to affect the entire production. Through a day-by-day account, I explore how a project can be disrupted when someone's attitude and approach to their role is laissez-faire - and, at times, borderline passive-aggressive - and what that reveals about professionalism, responsi...

In this episode, I talk about discovering that some of my short films had been removed from TMDb for not being considered "films". That leads into a wider discussion about who gets to define what a film is and what that reveals about gatekeeping in cinema, at a time when filmmaking is more accessible than ever. NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmak...

In this episode, I talk about the programme for the 2026 Manchester Film Festival and what it reveals about how many festivals actually operate - who gets selected, what gets prioritised, and what that means for independent filmmakers. I also share a couple of personal experiences with film festivals and answer a listener question about writing personal stories. NOTE: This podcast reflects my pers...

In this episode, I talk about the final five shots captured for 'Notion' and why films often take far longer to finish than people realise. From old-school rear projection to the unpredictable realities of indie filmmaking, it's a reflection on persistence, problem solving and getting a film across the finish line. I also discuss the Palme d'Or winning film 'It Was Just An Accident' by Jafar Panah...

In this episode, I return to the recent online criticism of my feature film Blurred Lines and discuss what those responses reveal about how some film students understand criticism and film analysis. From there, I discuss the reality of making micro-budget films. Drawing on my own experiences making an independent feature with a tiny crew, deferred payments and improvised solutions, I explore the g...

In this episode, I talk about a recent one-word review of ‘Blurred Lines’ and revisit the wave of student ratings the film received when it was first released last year. I unpack what those responses say about perception, knowledge and understanding, the financial risk of independent filmmaking, and the culture of criticism in film education - and where standards and humility fit into all of it. N...

A reflection on blind ambition, compromise and ethical responsibility in filmmaking, informed by teaching experiences where practical advice was overlooked. NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

I’ve been thinking about starting a filmmaking podcast for a long time. Ultimately, I’m not getting any younger…so here goes. This is the diary of an independent filmmaker in the middle of post-production on his third micro-budget feature film. Episode 1 is an introduction to the podcast - a podcast that will be raw, unedited, and unpolished. An audio notebook about process, uncertainty, and finis...