The Filmmakers Podcast

Leveling Up the Second Feature: George Jaques on Directing, writing and producing Sunny Dancer, Bella Ramsey & Neil Patrick Harris

How do you transition from a £500k indie debut to a massive ensemble feature starring some of the biggest names in television and film? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with returning guest, writer-director George Jaques (Black Dog), to discuss his stunning second feature, Sunny Dancer.

Set against the backdrop of a summer camp for young cancer survivors, Sunny Dancer is a funny, warm, and deeply moving coming-of-age story that actively rejects hospital drama clichés. George breaks down his entire process, from pitching the script to Bella Ramsey and casting Neil Patrick Harris over Zoom, to creating an authentic, bond-filled atmosphere for his young cast on set in Scotland.

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

Subverting the 'Sick Teen' Genre: How George wrote a script where illness takes a back seat to teenage angst, party culture, awkward romance, and joy.

The Power of 'Feral Takes': George's unique directing technique for unlocking spontaneous, hilarious, and uninhibited performances from his actors.

Directing an All-Star Ensemble: What it was like working with Bella Ramsey, Ruby Stokes, Jessica Gunning, James Norton, and Neil Patrick Harris—and how he tailored his notes for each actor.

Creating On-Set Rapport: Why George insists on week-long rehearsals, shared transport, and summer camp bonding activities to make his cast look like lifelong friends on screen.

The Second Feature Jump: The harsh financial realities of closing indie film equity, managing producer stress, and looking after your mental health in the edit suite.

Sunny Dancer (2026) — Director, Writer, Producer

Cast: Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton), Conrad Khan (Peaky Blinders), Earl Cave (The End of the F*ing World), Jasmine Elcock, Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), James Norton (Happy Valley), Neil Patrick Harris (Uncoupled), and James Blunt.

Black Dog (2023) — Director, Writer, Producer

Cast: Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way of Water), Keenan Munn-Tyson, Ruby Stokes.

🌱 FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE⁠

A feature documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. If you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share and rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review and every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a massive difference!

🎧 Subscribe, Listen & Review: Help us out by subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—but more importantly, tell your pals about this show. Thank you!

👕 ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠: Get your very own tees, hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs, and more ⁠HERE⁠.

📚 ⁠COURSES⁠: Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠POST PRODUCTION DEMYSTIFIED⁠.

🌐 ARCHIVE: Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠.

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? ⁠*Join our Patreon*⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and direct feedback on your film projects!

Written, Edited & Produced by: Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Logo & Banner Art by: ⁠Lois Creative⁠

Theme Music by: ⁠John J. Harvey⁠

🎬 George Jaques Feature Filmography & Credits🎥 Watch Food For Thought📲 Support, Merch & Courses🧡 Our Brilliant Patreon Supporters🎬 Credits
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The Green Day Road Movie: Lee Kirk on Directing Nimrods & Indie Hustle

This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, guest host Conor Boru (When the Screaming Starts) sits down with writer and director Lee Kirk to dive deep into the making of his latest feature, Nimrods.

Born from an idea pitched by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, Nimrods is a nostalgic, 90s-infused road trip comedy following three young punks driving across the country to reach a New Year's Eve Green Day concert. Lee shares the entire journey of getting the film off the ground, from drawing inspiration from classics like The Goonies and Risky Business to the practical realities of shooting along Route 66.

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

The Green Day Connection: How a conversation with Billie Joe Armstrong evolved into a fully fledged feature film.

Fictional Bands & Real Music: The process of sourcing the film's soundtrack and how Billie Joe's sons wrote an entire album for the film's hilariously chaotic in-world band, Cannibal Death March.

Crafting 90s Nostalgia: Blending modern camera work with vintage camcorder footage to authentically capture the era.

Shooting on Location: The logistical hurdles and aesthetic benefits of filming a road movie in Oklahoma City.

The Editing Suite: Why a film is truly made in the edit and the absolute necessity of being ruthless with your own script.

Stop Waiting for Permission: Lee’s ultimate advice for aspiring directors on why you must take the initiative and just start creating.

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Keep an eye out for Nimrods on the festival circuit and upcoming release schedules.

🌱 FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE⁠

A feature documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. If you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share and rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review and comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a massive difference!

🎧 Subscribe, Listen & Review: Help us out by subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—but more importantly, tell your pals about this show. Thank you!

👕 ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠: Get your very own tees, hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs, and more ⁠HERE⁠.

📚 ⁠COURSES⁠: Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠POST PRODUCTION DEMYSTIFIED⁠.

🌐 ARCHIVE: Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠.

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? ⁠*Join our Patreon*⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and direct feedback on your film projects!

Written, Edited & Produced by: Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Guest Host: Conor Boru

Logo & Banner Art by: ⁠Lois Creative⁠

Theme Music by: ⁠John J. Harvey⁠

🎥 Watch Food For Thought📲 Support, Merch & Courses🧡 Our Brilliant Patreon Supporters🎬 Credits
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of the Filmmaker’s Podcast, host Dom Lenoir takes the reins while Giles Alderson is away in Bulgaria. We are thrilled to welcome back director Josh Greenbaum for an esteemed "hat trick" third appearance on the show, along with actor and screenwriter Sean Clements.

We dive into their new film, The Dink, a pickleball sports comedy that captures the nostalgic magic of late 90s and 2000s filmmaking. While the film brings the laughs, it also tackles universal and relatable themes like parental pressure, coaching aspirations, identity, ego, and pursuing second chances in your 40s.

Josh and Sean share their filmmaking process, discussing how to successfully direct non-actors and improvisers, the art of trimming "precious" scenes for the greater good of the movie, and what it was like collaborating with producer Ben Stiller.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

The Return of Josh Greenbaum: Celebrating Josh's third appearance on the podcast and why he was drawn to The Dink as his next project.

The World of Pickleball: Exploring the absurdity, accessibility, and real-life tennis community controversy surrounding the fastest-growing racket sport.

Nostalgic Comedy & Themes: Harking back to classic 90s/2000s comedies like Happy Gilmore, Best in Show, Dodgeball, and The Wedding Singer, while exploring universal themes of identity, ego, and parental pressure.

Screenwriting Origins: Sean Clements shares his personal journey as a former junior tennis player, his initial resistance to pickleball, and how finding an unlikely community of older players inspired the script.

Collaborating with Ben Stiller: How Ben Stiller came on board to produce, his script notes, and how he helped bring former pro tennis player Andy Roddick into the cast.

Directing Improvisers & Non-Actors: Josh’s philosophy on creating a safe set where actors aren't afraid to fail, letting comedic talents like Aaron Chen ad-lib, and guiding dramatic actors like Ed Harris and non-actors like Andy Roddick to play their roles straight for maximum comedic effect.

Kill Your Darlings (What's Good for the Movie): Sean talks about the transition from sitcom writing to feature films and a pivotal note from Josh on shortening a dramatic scene to serve the overall pacing of the film.

The Power of Music: Using needle drops (from country music to Britney Spears' "Work Bitch") and score by Dara Taylor to drive character and emotional tone.

Summer Filmmaking Advice: Dom’s closing thoughts on how filmmakers can balance taking a summer break while prepping development and location scouting for the September autumn rush.

Host: Dom Lenoir
Guests: Josh Greenbaum & Sean Clements

The DINK is our now on APPLE TV

#TheDink #JoshGreenbaum #SeanClements #Pickleball #SportsComedy #Filmmaking #Screenwriting #Directing #BenStiller #AppleTV #TheFilmmakersPodcast #IndieFilm #Podcast
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Welcome to a very special takeover episode of The Filmmakers Podcast! This week, the founders of the Female Film Club, Nicole Lieberman and Liza Van Der Smissen, take over the mic from Giles and Dom!

Founded to champion films told from the female gaze, the Female Film Club is an online platform that connects female filmmakers internationally and provides a safe, dynamic space to network and collaborate.

In this packed episode, Liza (an actor and producer who researched flawed female characters in modern film) and Nicole (a producer with a background in human rights law) sit down with two incredible industry experts.

Olissa Rogers (Casting Director)
Olissa is an Emmy Award-winning casting director, honored for her work on African Queens: Njinga. Her impressive casting credits span across massive television and film hits, including Netflix's Wednesday, Apple TV's Ted Lasso, Damsel, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Olissa dives deep into the casting process, offering vital advice for independent filmmakers on how to attach the right talent to a project and what casting directors look for when building an ensemble.

Miriam Spritzer (Journalist & Philanthropist)
Miriam is a highly accomplished international journalist reporting for major media outlets across the globe, bringing South American perspectives to the U.S. and vice versa. Alongside her media work, she is an elected board member of the Golden Globe Foundation, an independent nonprofit that donates millions to support underrepresented voices in film, television, and journalism through grants and mentorships. Miriam shares her expertise on how filmmakers can successfully pitch their projects to the press, get media coverage, and navigate the world of international entertainment journalism.

Follow and Subscribe:

Learn more about the Female Film Club and join their community at their website! https://femalefilmclub.com/

Subscribe to The Filmmakers Podcast for more weekly deep-dives into the craft and business of making movies.

🎥 Watch Food For Thought

🌱 FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE⁠

A feature documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. If you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share and rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review and every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a massive difference!

🎧 Subscribe, Listen & Review: Help us out by subscribing and leaving a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—but more importantly, tell your pals about this show. Thank you!

👕 ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠: Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs, and more ⁠HERE⁠.

📚 ⁠COURSES⁠: Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠POST PRODUCTION DEMYSTIFIED⁠.

🌐 ARCHIVE: Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠.

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? ⁠*Join our Patreon*⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and direct feedback on your film projects!

Written, Edited & Produced by: Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Logo & Banner Art by: ⁠Lois Creative⁠

Theme Music by: ⁠John J. Harvey⁠

📲 Support, Merch & Courses🧡 Our Brilliant Patreon Supporters🎬 Credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to The Filmmakers Podcast! This week, host Dom Lenoir sits down with actors Common and Alexandria Riley to discuss their complex roles in the hit Apple TV+ sci-fi series, Silo.

In this short but sweet episode, we dive deep into the intense psychological journeys of
their characters and the highly collaborative environment that brings
the massive world of Silo to life.

🎬 In This Episode We Discuss:

Dom Lenoir hosts a conversation with actors Common and Alexandria
Riley about their work on the television series Silo.

The actors discuss how their characters navigate incredibly
difficult situations during the current season.

Common explains his character's journey of breaking down his
identity after being aligned with judicial powers.

Common details his character's transition toward fighting for the
greater good.

Alexandria explores the tension of her character being placed in an
impossible position.

The actors share insights into the on-set conflicts and relationship
dynamics under pressure.

Common and Alexandria praise showrunner Graham Yost for his
excellent leadership.

The guests highlight Graham Yost's accessibility and his effort to
know everyone's names on set.

Alexandria emphasizes the strong family vibe and genuine care shared
among the cast and crew.

Watch Food For Thought

🌱 FOOD FOR THOUGHT⁠ documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE ⁠HERE⁠

A feature documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of
the vegan lifestyle around the world. If you enjoyed the film, please
take a moment to share and rate it on your favourite platforms. Every
review and every comment helps us share the film’s important message
with more people. Your support makes a massive difference!

📲 Support, Merch & Courses

🎧 Subscribe, Listen & Review: Help us out by subscribing and
leaving a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your
podcasts—but more importantly, tell your pals about this show. Thank
you!

👕 ⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠: Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water
bottles, mugs, and more ⁠HERE⁠.

📚 ⁠COURSES⁠: Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST
PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠POST PRODUCTION DEMYSTIFIED⁠.

🌐 ARCHIVE: Check out our full episode archive on how to make films
at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠.

🧡 Our Brilliant Patreon Supporters

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on
filmmaking? ⁠*Join our Patreon*⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival
guides, and direct feedback on your film projects!
🎬 Credits

Written, Edited & Produced by: Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Logo & Banner Art by: ⁠Lois Creative⁠

Theme Music by: ⁠John J. Harvey⁠

Silo Apple TV+, Common Silo, Alexandria Riley, Graham Yost, The
Filmmakers Podcast, Dom Lenoir, Silo cast interview, Sci-Fi television,
acting masterclass, television production, Apple Original series.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices