Red Carpet Rookies

Today’s guest is an exciting first for the show, a preeminent name in the world of film and television education. With a frankly incredible amount of qualifications and facets to his CV including a Doctorate from the University of Bristol, our guest now sits as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the National Association of Television Production Executives, as a member of Bafta AND an adv...

With a varied career that has spanned both post-production, advertising and production company management, Charlie sits today as the Studio Manager of the world’s oldest film studio at Ealing in London, home to historic productions such as 1955’s The Ladykillers, as well as more recent fare like Oscar-winning Darkest Hour, Shaun of the Dead, and of course, Downton Abbey.  Today we discuss: (01:46)...

With beginnings running clubs within London’s late night comedy scene, today’s guest has weaved his way through a multifaceted career becoming Senior Partner at United Agents where he shepherds the careers of none other than Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Sharon Horgan and many more. In addition to his agenting, he has Executive Produced projects including Emmy nominated hit Derek, and a multitu...

Today's guest is master of colour and image, Cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey. With beginnings in Northern Ireland, Seamus has traversed the world crafting the look of an incredible array of work from Rolling Stones documentaries and emotive dramas like Nocturnal Animals to blockbuster faire like Avengers Assemble and The Greatest Showman. Along the way he picked up two Oscar nominations for...

Today's guest is BAFTA and Turner prize nominated multi hyphenate Director - Writer - Producer - Photographer and Artist , Sam Taylor Johnson OBE. Starting her creative life as an art student in London, Sam rose to prominence as part of the Young British Artists movement of the 1990s alongside the likes of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, exhibiting memorable works such as a video portrait of Da...

Today, I am lucky to be joined by one of the world’s most influential costume designers. She's designed the iconic looks of Cinderella, Mary Poppins Returns, and Shakespeare in Love, as well as forging a lasting relationship with Martin Scorsese, with whom she collaborated to design the Wolf of Wall Street, Gangs of New York, and many more. Along the way, she has picked up the small sum of 15...

Our first animator on the show, Joe Haidar tells us how he got into the animation industry, as well as, incredible stories from his time in the business. He tells us how he pitched the idea of Disney's Hercules, why some animators got paid millions of dollars in the 90s and what it was like to animate Robin Williams' Genie on Aladdin! This episode's key moments: (03:48)  Joe's...

In today’s episode we’re joined by one of the world’s greatest Cinematographer’s, Jeff Cronenweth. Born into the film business, he grafted his way through the rungs of the camera department and music video scene of the 1990s and after shooting videos for the likes of George Michael and Janet Jackson, got the call from David Fincher to take the reins of Fight Club. From there it's been a run o...

What you’re about to listen to is a piece of film history. This episode’s guest Peter Lamont was recognized as one of the world’s greatest Production Designers helping to design the sets of 18 James Bond movies, James Cameron’s aliens and even Titanic for which he was awarded an Oscar. He was known by all he interacted with for his gentlemanly demeanour, fairness to crew and genuine creative maste...

From Texas to the side of Steven Spielberg, Bonnie Curtis has had a journey. Known as one of the most regarded Producer's in the film industry, Bonnie worked her way from Steven Spielberg's Assistant, all the way through to his Producer and now runs her own film production partnership with previous podcast guest Julie Lynn.  In this episode which I think may be my favourite I've eve...

From Dune to Skyfall, Prisoners and 8 Mile, today’s guest is one of the best in the business. In this episode, Donald discusses watching the Queen act at the 2012 Olympics, how he became one of Eminem’s entourage and gives a look behind the curtain at the problems of the industry. Tune in to hear a masterclass of lessons for the business with a side order of Hollywood tales. Though this was record...

From short film maker, to Oscar nominated Editor, Julian Clarke's story is one that many Red Carpet Rookies would like to follow.  In this conversation we learn how he transitioned from low budget Canadian content editing to District 9, the turning point that changed everything. Julian explains what is what like to edit aliens you can't see on the screen yet (hint: a guy holding a big st...

It's not every day you get to sit down with a Pixar storyteller but in this episode we did just that. With a clear passion for writing, Meg LeFauve dives into her  process with many pearls of wisdom along the way. It's simply a must listen for anyone wanting to finally finish that script they've been working on and get out there!  

Today's interview with esteemed Hollywood Costume Designer Erin Benach was an awful lot of fun. Hearing about her journey from book design, to movie making was super inspiring and proves that anyone can make it in Hollywood if they have the drive. Of course, we had to show she builds her characters like Ryan Gosling's Driver in....duh - Drive, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in a Star is Bo...

I've been excited about releasing this episode. Not only is Michael a world renowned hair stylist and designer, he grew up with the JACKSON 5.  Through today's chat we discuss Michael's beginnings in the business, cutting hair for the likes of Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone and Tom Cruise and hear the story of why David Fincher (jokingly) nearly ended his career!

Our first writer! Today's episode we sit down with the wonderful Asha Michelle Wilson. As a young writer, Asha is the perfect person to learn from and we delve into all things writers want to know from how the writing department functions, to fitting in the room and even how to sell a show to Netflix! Along the way we hear stories of her crazy time at American Horror Story, what it's lik...

This week brings another verified legend of the business to the Red Carpet Rookies studio. Having worked with pretty much every iconic director from Spielberg to Coppola 'Gentleman' Jim Plannette stands at the top of the movie industry.  In the episode we discuss Jim growing up in a film business family as son to gaffer, Homer Plannette. He tells us the story of meeting Jimmy Stewart at...

We're back! And what a way to return with one of the loveliest, most talented people in the business.   Today's guest is Film and Television Producer Julie Lynn. With beginnings as a First Amendment Lawyer, Julie soon transferred her skills to the movies, first producing small independent works such as Mike Nichols' Wit and Rodrigo Garcia's Nine Lives. In the years since formin...

Hello hello. Sorry it's been a while. It hasn't been easy to secure another series as good as the last but we've bloody done it. Coming soon Red Carpet Rookies Series 2 featuring the makers of film including Casino Royale, Ocean's 11, Drive, Aliens, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Archer, A Star is Born, Birds of Prey, District 9, E.T, To The Bone, American Horror Story, The A...

In the final episode of series one, Mike has a relaxed chat with his friend and standby prop man, Graham Robinson. Graham shares amazing tales of his journey from music to the film business with discussions of rockstar nights out, spray painting cows and a multi-million dollar film unit watching him drop a dead fly! Graham's 'book that everyone must read' - 'Mr Tickle' by...

This week Mike sits down with Oscar-winning Lord of The Rings set designer, Grant Major! Grant eloquently tells of his journey from young graphic designer to one of the world's leading Hollywood creatives, what he learned from Peter Jackson and how it feels to have influenced culture with his set designs. Grant's 'book that everyone must read' - 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noa...

This week Mike chats to Simon Crook about his journey from on-set driver to one of the business' most in-demand international Location Managers! Simon shares how walking past a Clint Eastwood movie first gained his interest in the industry, as well as tales of Tom Cruise and what it's like to race 50 cars across the desert for Mad Max! Simon's 'book that everyone must read&apos...

This week Mike chats to one of the nicest and most talented guys in the business, Bill Corso! As personal makeup designer to Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford and more Bill has certainly seen it all. He shares stories of Jim Carrey writing himself a cheque for $10 million, advice for junior make up artists and how he visualised winning his Oscar! Bill's 'book that everyone must re...

Today's guest is a concept artist who has worked on most blockbusters you've ever heard of! Mike sits down for an in-depth chat on creativity and originality and Dom shared his experiences of pitching Godzilla with Gareth Edwards, as well as being one of the first people on the ground for Star Wars Rogue One. On top of that, Dom recounts his amazing first film experience on The Fifth Ele...

An exciting week on Red Carpet Rookies as Mike sits down with Deadpool Director Tim Miller! Tim discusses his beginnings in animation, how he only got to direct his first movie at 50 and why he's glad that for all the challenges that came along the way. If that wasn't enough, Tim shares thoughts on his Netflix collaboration with David Fincher and why film studios will be 'fossils&ap...