The Filmumentaries Podcast

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I discuss the evolution of film history with author John Walsh, focusing on his latest book about the Doctor Who films starring Peter Cushing. We explore the significance of these films in the context of the Doctor Who franchise, the challenges of adapting television to film, and the changing perceptions of these works over time. The conversation also...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Ryan Condal, the writer and showrunner of HBO's House of the Dragon. We discuss Ryan's journey from being a fan of film to becoming a successful screenwriter and showrunner, the impact of iconic films like Star Wars on his career, and the hard work and resilience required in the film industry. Ryan shares insights into the role of a showr...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with filmmaker Alexandre Poncet about his journey in documentary filmmaking, particularly focusing on the behind-the-scenes stories of iconic figures in the film industry. We discuss the challenges and insights of producing documentaries, the importance of narrative structure, and the art of editing. Poncet shares his experiences working on do...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with writer and executive producer David Mandel, known for his work on iconic comedies like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Veep. The conversation explores Mandel's early influences, his transition from television to film, the differences in production between the two mediums, and the importance of ensemble casts in comedy. We also delve i...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Gino Acevedo, a renowned makeup and special effects artist known for his work on films like Lord of the Rings and Alien 3. Gino shares his journey from a childhood fascination with monster movies to becoming a professional in the film industry. He discusses his early inspirations, the pivotal moments that led him to pursue a career in spe...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview film composer Daniel Pemberton, who shares his journey from a young music enthusiast to a sought-after composer in the film industry. The conversation explores Pemberton's early influences, his transition from television to film, and the challenges of scoring for established directors like Guy Ritchie. Pemberton emphasizes the importance o...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with T Dan Hofstedt, a talented animator who has worked on major Disney projects such as Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan. Tidan shares his journey into animation, influenced by his father's work at Disneyland and his early exposure to the art form. He discusses his education at CalArts, his first job at Hanna Barbera, and his experiences wor...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with documentary director John Spira about his new series, Real Britannia, which explores the history of British cinema. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of creating the series, the importance of uncovering lesser-known films, and the role of humor in documentary filmmaking. John shares insights into the filmmaking process, the significa...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Justin Berger, author of 'The Empire Strikes Back, Unauthorized Timeline, 1975-2020.' We discuss Justin's lifelong love for Star Wars, the inspiration behind his timeline book, and the announcement of a new project focusing on 'Return of the Jedi.' The conversation highlights the importance of preserving film history and the contributions...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Michael Pangrazio, a renowned matte painter and art director known for his work on iconic films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars. The conversation delves into Pangrazio's journey into the world of matte painting, his experiences at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and the creative processes behind some of the most memorabl...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I celebrate the 50th episode milestone with the second part of a conversation with Lorne Peterson, a former model maker at ILM, discussing the evolution of model making and special effects in film, the impact of CGI, and the challenges faced during the transition to digital effects. The conversation highlights key moments in film history, the collabor...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Lorne Peterson, a founding member of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) and chief model maker for iconic films including the original Star Wars trilogy. Lorne shares his journey into the world of filmmaking, the innovations he brought to model making, and the collaborative environment at ILM that fostered creativity. He discusses the design...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Paul Franklin, a renowned visual effects supervisor at DNEG, about his journey into the world of visual effects, the founding of Double Negative, and his experiences working with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan. The conversation delves into the evolution of visual effects in filmmaking, the importance of collaboration among departmen...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I explore the historical and cultural significance of the Regent Street Cinema with Sara Varani. We discuss the cinema's rich history, its adaptation during the pandemic, and the unique experience it offers to audiences. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between honoring the past and embracing future technologies in t...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with VFX guru Craig Barron about his journey into the world of visual effects, starting from his childhood fascination with movies to his pivotal role at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Craig shares insights into his experiences working on iconic films like Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, discussing the artistic and technical challe...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries Podcast, I speak with Garrett Brown, the inventor of the Steadicam. We discuss Brown's early influences, his journey into invention, and the development of the Steadicam, which revolutionized filmmaking by allowing for stable handheld shots. Brown shares anecdotes from his career, including the challenges he faced and the impact of his invention on the film in...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I engage in a deep conversation with documentary director Frank Pavich. We explore Frank's journey into filmmaking, his experiences in film school, and the evolution of his career, particularly focusing on his acclaimed documentary 'Jodorowsky's Dune.' The discussion highlights the challenges and triumphs of documentary filmmaking, the importance of c...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I welcome director John Spira, known for his documentary 'Elstree 1976'. The conversation explores John's journey into filmmaking, the impact of film school, and his transition into documentary work. We discuss the making of 'Elstree 1976', audience reception, and the importance of preserving stories from those on the fringes of the film industry. Joh...

My friend and colleague Jason Henry, director of Disney+'s Prop Culture, suggested that he should interview me for my own podcast. A "getting to know Jamie Benning episode" he said. The day before we were due to record, Jason suggested our mutual friend and presenter of Prop Culture, Dan Lanigan should host the interview. So here is Dan Lanigan, presenter, producer, prop collector turning the tabl...

Bonus episode. I released episode 40 today. My conversation with author John Glennie. But as it's close to Christmas, I thought "what the heck"... lets put out episode 41 too. Both are with authors of great movie books that you should be adding to your Christmas list. So, here's my chat with author John Walsh about his new book Escape from New York The Official Story of the Film, available now! Tw...

Welcome to episode 40 of The Filmumentaries Podcast. Now I am a lover of movie books. I own a lot of them. I have owned more than I now have. Some favourites include Alan Arnold’s Once Upon a Galaxy - The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, Paul Sammon’s Future Noir - The making of Blade Runner, Steven Bach’s – Final Cut. So many to name. But what I didn’t know, I am embarrassed to say, that I had...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I'm joined by guests Frank Pavich, Dan Lanigan, and Soby, we discuss the fascinating story of Alejandro Jodorowsky's Dune and the recent auction of its pitch book, which sold for $3 million. We also explore the cultural significance of the pitch book, the impact of community involvement in the auction, and the broader implications of art ownership in...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview renowned producer Howard Kazanjian, known for his work on iconic films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. The conversation delves into Howard's early career, the evolution of the studio system, and his collaboration with George Lucas. Howard shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of major productions, the imp...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I discuss the intricate sound design of the film Dune with sound designers Mark Mangini and Theo Green. We explore the importance of sound in creating immersive cinematic experiences, the collaborative process between sound and visual effects, and the innovative techniques used to develop unique sounds for the film. The conversation highlights the sig...

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview editor Sean Barton, who shares his journey into the film industry, his experiences working on iconic films like Quadrophenia and Return of the Jedi, and his insights into the evolution of film editing from traditional methods to digital techniques. The conversation explores the impact of editing on performances and the challenges faced by...