The Young Film Academy Podcast

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Lauren Sequeira , writer and showrunner whose work spans television development, writers’ rooms, and creating original series. From pitching ideas and developing characters to leading a team of writers, Lauren has first-hand experience navigating the complex journey of bringing a TV show from concept to screen. But WHAT exactly does a SHOWRUNNER do? How d...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Nathan Theys , commercial director and filmmaker whose work spans branded content, documentaries, and digital storytelling. Most recently, Nathan directed a documentary series for Jamie Oliver’s YouTube channel , crafting engaging stories that connect with audiences across the world while navigating the unique challenges of online content creation. But WH...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Kiff McManus, a production sound recordist with nearly 30 years of experience capturing audio for film and television. From high-speed car chases on Top Gear to intense one-shot dramas like Adolescence , Kiff has worked across some of the most demanding environments in the industry. But WHAT exactly goes into recording sound on set? How do you capture cle...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Ségolène Veyre , professional animal handler who specialises in training and working with dogs for film and television . From emotional performances to high-energy action scenes, Ségolène helps bring some of the screen’s most lovable—and talented—canine stars to life. But WHAT exactly goes into training a dog for the screen? How do you get consistent perf...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with script supervisor Lucy Hatherly (28 Years Later, A Thousand Blows, Snow White, The Marvels, Ted Lasso), whose role is essential in keeping film and television productions running smoothly behind the scenes. From tracking continuity to supporting directors and editors, Lucy is the bridge between script and screen. But WHAT exactly does a Script Supervisor...

Host Dan Allen chats with Eleri Jones , director on the long-running hit soap Hollyoaks . Working at an intense pace, Eleri is responsible for bringing compelling drama to life on screen, often shooting multiple episodes across tight schedules while maintaining strong performances and visual storytelling. But WHAT exactly goes into directing a SOAP? How do you balance speed with creativity on such...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas reflect on the incredible Young Film Academy Awards All Stars event last month and listen to exclusive interviews with students and industry professionals who attended the awards and also judged the categories, including Top Gun Maverick & Mission Impossible editor Eddie Hamilton, film critic and Girls on Film podcast host Anna Smith, along with film animal tra...

Host Dan Allen chats with Sue Quinn , acclaimed Locations Manager whose work includes the Harry Potter films, Fantastic Beasts , Love Actually  and numerous major film and television productions. Sue has helped transform real-world places into some of the most iconic locations in modern cinema. But WHAT exactly does a Locations Manager do? How do you find locations that feel magical, cinematic, an...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Annie Sulzberger , the Head of Research on Netflix’s award-winning series The Crown . Annie has spent years digging through archives, uncovering complex histories, and shaping the factual backbone behind one of television’s most ambitious and beloved dramas. But WHAT exactly does a researcher do on a major series? How do you balance historical accuracy wi...

It’s time for a festive showdown! Dan Allen takes the host’s chair for a special Christmas & 2025 Movie Quiz , putting film knowledge to the test as Ellen Thomas , Ruby , and Lewis go head-to-head. From  2025 releases to festive film trivia, surprises, and wild guesses, anything can happen. Who really knows their movies? Who’s bluffing their way through the answers? And who will be crowned Mov...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Teddy Blanks , acclaimed title designer and co-founder of CHIPS , the New York-based design studio behind striking title designs for films and series such as Nosferatu From concepts to final frames, Teddy takes us inside the creative process of building visual identities that stay with audiences long after the credits roll. But WHAT exactly goes into maki...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Yemi Bamiro , fresh off the back of his BFI LFF screening of his latest film, Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story. His work includes One Man and His Shoes and Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World . Yemi’s documentaries blend striking visuals with cultural insight, exploring how media, identity, and powe...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Grace Dickinson , a professional animal trainer and handler who works with exotic animals for film and television . From big cats to crocodiles and rats, Grace has brought some of the screen’s most unforgettable creatures to life, safely, ethically, and with a deep respect for the animals she works with.  She has worked for and alongside one of Europe’s m...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Steven Bernstein , acclaimed cinematographer, director, and writer , whose work includes the Oscar-winning Monster , Like Water for Chocolate , White Chicks, Scary Movie, SWAT and more. Steven has built a career not only behind the camera but also as a teacher and author, helping filmmakers understand the deep connection between image and story. But WHAT...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with cinematographer Vince Knight , whose striking visuals have shaped everything from genre films to glossy TV and music videos. Vince’s recent work includes the viral horror phenomenon Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its twisted sequel Blood and Honey 2 . But WHAT exactly does a CINEMATOGRAPHER do? How do they translate a director’s vision into powerful...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Nick de Semlyen , editor of Empire Magazine —the UK's coolest and world’s biggest movie magazine—and author of Wild and Crazy Guys and The Last Action Heroes . Nick has spent years interviewing Hollywood legends, chronicling the rise and fall of blockbuster icons, and shaping how we talk about movies. From the glory days of ‘80s action heroes to the...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with BAFTA & OSCAR-NOMINATED production designer Suzie Davies , whose incredible work includes Saltburn, Conclave, Mr. Turner , Peterloo , The Lost King , and The Zookeeper’s Wife. Suzie has collaborated with some of the BEST directors around, including Mike Leigh and Emerald Fennell. Suzie has built a reputation for her meticulous attention to historical...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas sit down with writers Max, Miles and Emma to talk all things story, structure and scribbling under pressure — as they take us behind the scenes of writing the epic short film G.L.A.D.I.S for YFA’s prestigious Project Paradiso. Hear how the idea came to life, how three brains tackled one script, and what it's REALLY like writing for a film that shoots in Sicily...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with actors Scottie, Anoushka and Mallika about their unforgettable adventure starring in an amazing short film shot in Sicily — part of YFA’s prestigious Project Paradiso. Hear what it’s REALLY like stepping into character on set! And how it feels to have a MASSIVE crew staring at you as you bring your character to life! And discover how the whole thing came...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with students Nils, Anna, Isobel and Eidan about their incredible experiences shooting an amazing short film in Sicily, as part of YFA's prestigious Project Paradiso. Find out what it's REALLY like on set! And how YOU can get selected! And what goes into MAKING IT HAPPEN through the power of crowdfunding and bake sales! Project Paradiso is a prestige...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Alex Gray, a storyboard artist and director who has worked with brilliant directors such as Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad) and Rose Glass on Love, Lies, Bleeding. HOW GOOD AT DRAWING do you REALLY need to be? And how can you turn YOUR PASSIONS into a FILM INDUSTRY SIDE HUSTLE?  How much FREEDOM does a STORYBOARD artist have? Are they the ones WHO REALLY CO...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Danusia Samal, a London-born actress, writer and jazz singer who has appeared in The Great, Ghost in the Shell, as well as writing for Gangs of London and Netflix's Bodies. Danusia is one of the founding members of GREEN RIDER, an actor-led movement, using contractual and cultural influence to create a fairer and greener TV & film industry.  NOW...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with OSCAR-NOMINATED Irish director and producer of ANIMATED films, Nora Twomey. Nora has directed 'The Breadwinner', 'My Father's Dragon' and more. She is one of the co-founders of CARTOON SALOON, alongside Tomm Moore and Paul Young. Cartoon Saloon is a legendary animation studio based in Kilkenny City, Ireland. Nora has worked as an...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with James Everett, who has worked in the Art Department on Bridgerton, The Winter King, The Gallows Pole, The Power, The Souvenir Pt. 2, Fast and Furious 9. James has also worked as a Supporting Artist on historical productions such as Vanity Fair , World on Fire , Vikings: Blood and Conquest , Father Brown , and The Personal History of David Copperfield .  F...

Hosts Dan Allen and Ellen Thomas chat with Lish Steiling, an Emmy and James Beard winning culinary producer . She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and for over 25 years has worked in the culinary arts and food service industries. For over seven years she was the VP of Culinary Operations and Productions for the celebrity chef, Giada De Laurentiis. Do you LOVE food?  What are the...