The Filmumentaries Podcast
Look no further if you want knowledgeable in-depth conversations between film historian Jamie Benning and some of the greatest artists in all the movie making crafts from effects to editing, stunts to storyboards.
Episodes
April 9, 2024 • 61 mins
For this the 100th episode it seems fitting that it’s someone who’s name I’ve known since I was 4, 5 and 6 when my imagination was first sparked, looking through my Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi comics and magazines.
That name is of course Phil Tippett, one of those incredible artists whose work transcends the films he’s worked on. His work is always full of a singularly tactile, grunginess that I love. Whether it’s the...
That name is of course Phil Tippett, one of those incredible artists whose work transcends the films he’s worked on. His work is always full of a singularly tactile, grunginess that I love. Whether it’s the...
Mark as Played
March 25, 2024 • 72 mins
For episode 99 I interviewed friend, David Whiteley. If you don't know David, you should! He's a news presenter, but also a huge Star Wars Fan. And, has made two fantastic documentaries about the subject. Firstly "The Galaxy that Britain Built" and secondly "Toy Empire". Both are a must-watch for fans like us.
David also produced a book which gathers together the interviews his conducted for "The Galaxy that Britain Built". It's ava...
David also produced a book which gathers together the interviews his conducted for "The Galaxy that Britain Built". It's ava...
Mark as Played
March 12, 2024 • 135 mins
For episode 98, I am joined by my guest from episode 2, Giles Terera, actor, writer, musician and great friend of mine. He suggested to me a few months back that we should do a commentary on The Empire Strikes Back. So last month that's just what we did. I went up to central London to his flat, armed with two mics and we sat at watched and waffled over our favourite film.
I hope you enjoy the episode. If you want to watch along, hit...
I hope you enjoy the episode. If you want to watch along, hit...
Mark as Played
February 26, 2024 • 44 mins
In episode 97 of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview helicopter stunt pilot Fred North. Fred shares his journey from a childhood fascination with helicopters to becoming a successful stunt pilot in Hollywood. He emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for oneself and having a shark-like drive to keep moving forward. Fred also discusses the art of flying a helicopter and the importance of connecting with the machine....
Mark as Played
February 17, 2024 • 60 mins
I hope you enjoyed my archival interview episodes in December 2023, one with Producer Robert Watts, the other with actor Garrick Hagon.
Well now we are back to some recent interviews, I can tell you I’ve been busy lining these up ready for 2024!
So… for the first, its a pretty big one, well it’s a very big one - Thanks to the lovely folks at ILM, I was given the chance to interview director Gareth Edwards and his FX crew on The Cre...
Well now we are back to some recent interviews, I can tell you I’ve been busy lining these up ready for 2024!
So… for the first, its a pretty big one, well it’s a very big one - Thanks to the lovely folks at ILM, I was given the chance to interview director Gareth Edwards and his FX crew on The Cre...
Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 • 48 mins
Ok, this is another one from the archives, but as with the Robert Watts recording, I’ve been wanting to put this one out in podcast form for a while too.
This is a conversation I had with actor Garrick Hagon back in 2015. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, how about Biggs Darklighter.
Yes, Garrick is well known for his mostly deleted scenes from Star Wars in which he plays Luke’s best pal. I’d met Garrick in the green room at a Star W...
This is a conversation I had with actor Garrick Hagon back in 2015. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, how about Biggs Darklighter.
Yes, Garrick is well known for his mostly deleted scenes from Star Wars in which he plays Luke’s best pal. I’d met Garrick in the green room at a Star W...
Mark as Played
January 16, 2024 • 46 mins
This is one from the archives, but I’ve been wanting to put this out in podcast for for some time now.
Its my interview with the legendary producer Robert Watts from back in July 2018.
My cameraman buddy Paddy and I visited Robert at his home, and a lovely home it was too. He was on such great form and just a delight to be with.
We arrived armed with some F1 signed caps from Hamilton and Vettel because a little birdy had told us he w...
Its my interview with the legendary producer Robert Watts from back in July 2018.
My cameraman buddy Paddy and I visited Robert at his home, and a lovely home it was too. He was on such great form and just a delight to be with.
We arrived armed with some F1 signed caps from Hamilton and Vettel because a little birdy had told us he w...
Mark as Played
December 29, 2023 • 33 mins
Uncover the secrets of Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1's breathtaking visual effects. VFX supervisors Jeffrey Sutherland and Simone Coco share insights on collaboration, challenges, and the art of crafting cinematic magic. Step behind the scenes and explore the dynamic world where reality meets creativity.
I was recently given the opportunity, by the folks at ILM, to talk to two VFX supervisors that worked on Mission Impo...
I was recently given the opportunity, by the folks at ILM, to talk to two VFX supervisors that worked on Mission Impo...
Mark as Played
December 18, 2023 • 95 mins
Now, for this exciting episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Spina.
Tom is an avid Star Wars enthusiast, restoration specialist, and the founder of Tom Spina Designs and Regal Robot. In our conversation, we delve into his early love for Star Wars and those toys, his passion for computer graphics on his Amiga, his brief stint as a TD in live TV, and his current work in restoring historical movie props. We also touch on his...
Tom is an avid Star Wars enthusiast, restoration specialist, and the founder of Tom Spina Designs and Regal Robot. In our conversation, we delve into his early love for Star Wars and those toys, his passion for computer graphics on his Amiga, his brief stint as a TD in live TV, and his current work in restoring historical movie props. We also touch on his...
Mark as Played
November 25, 2023 • 40 mins
For this episode, the second of November 2023, I spoke with director, producer and editor Jeremy Coon.
Jeremy was the producer on the 2007 film Napoleon Dynamite. But I spoke to him in his editor director capacity about the new documentary “A Disturbance in the Force’, which I was lucky enough to see at the UK premiere in London last week.
The documentary chronicles the story behind the bizarre and legendary Star Wars Holiday Special...
Jeremy was the producer on the 2007 film Napoleon Dynamite. But I spoke to him in his editor director capacity about the new documentary “A Disturbance in the Force’, which I was lucky enough to see at the UK premiere in London last week.
The documentary chronicles the story behind the bizarre and legendary Star Wars Holiday Special...
Mark as Played
November 18, 2023 • 65 mins
In this episode (number 90!!), I share an enlightening conversation with the creators of the "RoboDoc" series - a comprehensive documentary on the iconic sci-fi film, RoboCop. The team includes directors Chris Griffith and Eastwood Allen, and producer Gary Smart.
The trio talks in-depth about how they transformed their passion project into a widely acclaimed series over several years. They reveal that their journey was far from smoo...
The trio talks in-depth about how they transformed their passion project into a widely acclaimed series over several years. They reveal that their journey was far from smoo...
Mark as Played
October 30, 2023 • 61 mins
If you listened to episode 87 you’ll have heard my conversation with the British Film Institutes Douglas Weir. He’s Technical and Remastering lead there and does great work with his team to restore and release films from British classics to lost gems.
He invited me back to talk to him and his colleague Vic Pratt - film historian and Video Publishing Producer.
So I got together with them both at BFI Southbank last week to talk about s...
He invited me back to talk to him and his colleague Vic Pratt - film historian and Video Publishing Producer.
So I got together with them both at BFI Southbank last week to talk about s...
Mark as Played
October 25, 2023 • 86 mins
For this episode, number 88, I spoke with Mac Smith about the path he took to his career as Supervising Sound Editor and employee of Skywalker Sound, via marching bands, a chance meeting with Walter Murch, being propelled into the industry working for Robert Zemekis on Castaway. And so much more.
Listen in for the full story.
Thanks to the folks at Skywalker Sound for helping set this up.
All the links!
Listen in for the full story.
Thanks to the folks at Skywalker Sound for helping set this up.
All the links!
Mark as Played
October 9, 2023 • 67 mins
For this episode, number 87 I spoke to The British Film Institute’s Remastering and Technical lead Douglas Weir. Doug had recently introduced a screening of Jaws at the BFI back in June of this year. It wasn’t just any old print of Jaws, it was a near pristine dye transfer print that a colleague of Doug’s found in the archive.
After the screening which was amazing, I contacted Doug to see if he’d come on the podcast to talk about th...
After the screening which was amazing, I contacted Doug to see if he’d come on the podcast to talk about th...
Mark as Played
September 28, 2023 • 56 mins
For this episode, number 86, I spoke with VFX Supervisor Charmaine Chan.
We chatted back in mid June 2023 on a boiling hot day here in London. We talked about Charmaine's entry into the industry via running a website about a particular girl group that you might have heard of.
She then went onto to be a researcher and compositor at ILM, and most recently a VFX supervisor on Gareth Edwards' visually dazzling, “The Creator” - out on 29t...
We chatted back in mid June 2023 on a boiling hot day here in London. We talked about Charmaine's entry into the industry via running a website about a particular girl group that you might have heard of.
She then went onto to be a researcher and compositor at ILM, and most recently a VFX supervisor on Gareth Edwards' visually dazzling, “The Creator” - out on 29t...
Mark as Played
September 15, 2023 • 57 mins
For this episode, number 85, the firstone of September 2023, I have VFX supervisor of choice for both Spielberg and Scorcese, namely Pablo Helman.
Pablo and I spoke back in June 2023 about his career path and his work for Stephen and Marty. There will be a video version available for those of you that contribute via patreon on the second tier.
Pablo left his home of Argentina in the early 1990s to work in the VFX industry in Californ...
Pablo and I spoke back in June 2023 about his career path and his work for Stephen and Marty. There will be a video version available for those of you that contribute via patreon on the second tier.
Pablo left his home of Argentina in the early 1990s to work in the VFX industry in Californ...
Mark as Played
This time I have the pleasure of sharing my conversations with Skywalker Sound’s Co-Supervising Sound Editor Matthew Wood, Sound Designer David W Collins and Re-recording Mixer Danielle Dupre.
I spoke with Matthew and David together and then separately with Danielle.
Matthew and David are Emmy nominated for Mandalorian Chapter 24, Matthew his also nominated for his work on Obi Wan Kenobi Part VI (6)
Danielle has also been nominated fo...
I spoke with Matthew and David together and then separately with Danielle.
Matthew and David are Emmy nominated for Mandalorian Chapter 24, Matthew his also nominated for his work on Obi Wan Kenobi Part VI (6)
Danielle has also been nominated fo...
Mark as Played
August 18, 2023 • 49 mins
For this, the second special Emmy nominees episode I got to speak with friend of the podcast and former guest VFX Animation Supervisor Hal Hickel (check out episode 68 for that conversation) along with Grady Cofer, Production Visual Effects Supervisor.
We chat about their work on the show, the balance of innovation and tradition, the use of certain tools of their trade and the collaborative nature of VFX work.
Links
Return of the Jedi...
We chat about their work on the show, the balance of innovation and tradition, the use of certain tools of their trade and the collaborative nature of VFX work.
Links
Return of the Jedi...
Mark as Played
August 15, 2023 • 63 mins
Welcome to this special episode of the Filmumentaries Podcast. Episode 82 in fact.
Today is a small diversion from the usual. Rather than film history, I have three guests who are very much part of the film now, or TV now. These three gentlemen are at the forefront of VFX on Disney+’s Emmy award nominated show, Andor. Genuinely one of my favourite shows for a long time. So for this month, August 2023, there will be three episodes, ...
Today is a small diversion from the usual. Rather than film history, I have three guests who are very much part of the film now, or TV now. These three gentlemen are at the forefront of VFX on Disney+’s Emmy award nominated show, Andor. Genuinely one of my favourite shows for a long time. So for this month, August 2023, there will be three episodes, ...
Mark as Played
July 27, 2023 • 71 mins
For this episode, the second of July 2023, I spoke with Puppet Film Director and Creature Effects Artist Kevin McTurk. Kevin and I first connected on Facebook a couple of years ago, maybe it was more than that. We’ve been trying to find a suitable time to have him on the podcast since then.
Well now is the time as Kevin has a project on Kickstarter as we speak. Kevin directs these amazing short films using puppetry and wonderfully ...
Well now is the time as Kevin has a project on Kickstarter as we speak. Kevin directs these amazing short films using puppetry and wonderfully ...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Start your day with The Bright Side, a new daily podcast from Hello Sunshine. Co-hosted by journalist, TV host, and podcaster, Danielle Robay and Emmy-nominated journalist, host, and producer, Simone Boyce, The Bright Side brings your daily dose of culture and inspiration – with the latest trends, celebrity interviews, and real conversations with women doing amazing things while navigating life’s transitions, big and small. The Bright Side is a talk show created to inspire, educate, and empower women as they tackle life each day and add joy to their morning routines. Join Danielle and Simone and the Hello Sunshine community every weekday for entertainment, culture, wellness, books, and more.
Winning is an everyday mindset, and the coaches are here to help. Hosts Craig Robinson and John Calipari use their on-court wisdom to solve your off-court problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.