The Filmmakers Podcast

In this episode, host ⁠Conor Boru⁠ sits down with director ⁠Vanessa Caswill⁠ to discuss her latest feature, Reminders of Him.

Vanessa is an English director and screenwriter known for her work across television and film, including the BBC miniseries Thirteen, Little Women, and the feature Love at First Sight.

Her latest film follows a young mother who, after serving time in prison, attempts to rebuild a relationship with her daughter. Facing hostility from nearly everyone around her — except a bar owner with unexpected ties to the child — she must confront her past in order to create the possibility of a better future.

In the episode, they discuss:

Vanessa Caswill’s career journey from TV into feature filmmaking

The creative challenges of adapting a bestselling novel

Practical directing techniques for working with young actors

Production challenges and problem-solving on set

Emotional storytelling and performance-driven filmmaking

Why protecting your own creative voice is essential in the industry

...and so much more! Enjoy!

REMINDERS OF HIM is out on the 13th of March | ⁠TRAILER⁠

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

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

Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you!

⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠

Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠

 

⁠COURSES⁠

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠

 

⁠PATREON⁠

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 feedback on your film projects!

 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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

 

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Edited by ⁠@tobiasvees⁠

Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠

Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are delighted re-release this episode with Hamnet producer and TV producer Liza Marshall as she gears up for the Oscars this week!

Hosted by Giles Alderson and co-host Dom Lenoir, we sit down and chat about her experience as a producer and how she went about making TV dramas such as 'The Sins', 'Fields of Gold', 'Taboo', 'Honour' and 'Temple' and the feature films, 'Welcome to the Punch', 'Springsteen & I' and 'Before I Go To Sleep'.

We talk about how he started off working as a producer for the BBC, as well as how she worked her way up, to where she is today. She discusses how she finds writers, as well as giving constructive feedback on various different screenplays. We dive deep into the difference between film and TV and how to go about pitching them to various producers in the industry.

We talk pitching, working in the writers room and we discuss how the terrific Temple came about

We can't wait for you to hear this weeks episode with Liza. You don't want to miss it! Enjoy!

Temple is now available on Sky

Temple is a British medical crime drama television series. Created by Mark O'Rowe, and starring Mark Strong, Carice Van Houten and Daniel Mays, it is based on the Norwegian drama Valkyrien, and premiered 13 September 2019 on Sky One

 

PATREON

⁠Join our Patreon⁠ for bonus episodes, industry survival guides and feedback on your film projects.

Our new 4 tier structure is in place. Come join the community!

⁠https://www.patreon.com/thefilmmakerspodcast⁠

EVENTS & CROWDFUNDERS

Join us on ⁠ClubHouse⁠ on Thursday's 6.30 GMT ⁠https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/M5X0Qzvx⁠

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Read & Sign Up for ⁠The Wrap Up⁠ - Our weekly Newsletter with news and information from the world of film

⁠Spread the Word with Our Merch⁠ T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Masks and Water Bottles all now available in some very cool designs.

Subscribe on ⁠iTunes⁠, ⁠Spotify,⁠ ⁠Podbean⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Help us out and write us a review (a good one!), tell your friends and CHOOSE FILM.

Get in touch? Email us ⁠[email protected]⁠

Follow us on ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Check out our full episode archive at ⁠TheFilmmakersPodcast.com⁠

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is hosted and written by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠ 

Produced and edited by Robbie McKane @⁠robbiemckane⁠ & Samuel Evans ⁠@SamuelHEvans_⁠

Social Media by Kalli Pasqualucci ⁠@kallieep⁠

Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠

Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey⁠

Part of the ⁠www.podfixnetwork.squarespace.com⁠

WATCH OUR FILMS

⁠The Dare⁠ UK | ⁠Trailer⁠

⁠The Dare⁠ Canada and USA 

⁠A Serial Killers Guide to Life⁠ | ⁠Trailer⁠

⁠Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot⁠

⁠Winter Ridge⁠ UK

⁠The Isle⁠

⁠Fanged Up⁠

⁠The Marker⁠

⁠Star Wars: Origins⁠

 

MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS

Follow our Regular Hosts ⁠@LucindaRhodes⁠ ⁠@DirDomLenoir⁠ ⁠@35mmdop⁠ ⁠@philmblog⁠ ⁠@IanSharp1⁠ ⁠@Cjamesdirect⁠ ⁠@dan710ths⁠

Follow Make Your Film for Live Events with our Guests ⁠@makeyourfilm20 ⁠

Follow our Movies ⁠@thedaremovie⁠ ⁠@⁠⁠Food4ThoughtDoc⁠ ⁠@FangedUpFilm⁠ 

Raindance events ⁠www.raindance.org⁠

The Filmmakers Podcast recommends ⁠Performance Insurance⁠

Music from ⁠musicbed.com⁠

Giles Alderson’s ⁠website⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We made it to Episode 500! 🎉

After 9 years, over 600 hours of audio, and interviews with hundreds of the greatest directors, writers, actors and producers in the world, The Filmmakers Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode the best way we know how: by turning the microphones over to YOU.

In this massive milestone episode, hosts and working filmmakers Giles Alderson (The Dare), Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge), and Phil Hawkins (Robin and the Hoods) sit down to answer your audience questions. We strip back the curtain on our own filmmaking journeys, share the brutal realities of the indie hustle, and reflect on the greatest pieces of advice we’ve gathered from half a thousand episodes.

From chatting about micro-budget producing to remembering our legendary sit-downs with cinematic titans like Sam Raimi, Paul Schrader, Steven Knight, Ari Aster, Chris McQuarrie and Zack Snyder, this episode is a love letter to the independent filmmaking community that makes this show possible.

In this 500th Episode Q&A, we discuss:


The Origin Story: How the podcast started as a chat between friends in 2017.


The "Host" Hustle: How Giles, Dom, and Phil balance making actual feature films with running lives and the podcast.


The Greatest Advice: The best lessons we've learned from 500 episodes about overcoming the fear of failure, financing indie films, and surviving on set.


Your Questions Answered: Tackling the biggest hurdles our listeners are facing right now in 2026.


What’s Next? For the hosts and where the podcast goes from here!

Thank you for 500 episodes of listening, sharing, and making movies. We are in the business of making films, not just talking about them—now go get your next project made!

Support the show & join the community:


Subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!


Leave us a 5-star review (it helps us get to episode 1,000!)


Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod

The HOSTS films The Dare, Winter Ridge, Robin and the Hoods and many more are available to watch. Please do watch and support us.

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

A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the veganlifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review& every comment helps us share the film’s important message withmore people. Your support makes a difference!

Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you!

⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠

Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠

 

⁠COURSES⁠

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠

 

⁠PATREON⁠

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 feedback on your film projects!

 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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

 

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠

Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey

The Filmmakers Podcast, Filmmaking, Indie Film, How to direct a movie, Film Producing, Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Phil Hawkins, Screenwriting, Film Finance, Micro Budget Film, Director Interview, Film School, Cinematography, Filmmaker Q&A, Podcast Episode 500

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

On this weeks The Filmmakers Podcast are legendary creator Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and powerhouse actress/producer Hannah Walters (Boiling Point) who join Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge) to discuss their hit Disney+ series, A Thousand Blows (2026).

We delve into the true history of the Forty Elephants gang, the art of writing historical thrillers, and what it takes to produce high-end drama for global streamers. Steven also shares updates on the Peaky Blinders movie and writing the new James Bond, while Hannah discusses her mission with Matriarch Productions and her role as Eliza Moody. A masterclass in television architecture and independent producing.

A Thousand Blows is OUT NOW on Disney and Hulu

Links

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

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

Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,
or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals
about this podcast. Thank you!

⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠

Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠

 

⁠COURSES⁠

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠

 

⁠PATREON⁠

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 feedback on your film projects!

 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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

 

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠

Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey

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

In this episode, hosts Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with writer-director-producer Lincoln Fenner and lead actor Tim Cullingworth-Hudson to talk about their time-travel feature Time Rewind (2025) — an ambitious independent film made on a very limited budget that went on to win multiple festival awards and secure international distribution on Apple TV.

In their conversation, they discuss:

Building a creative partnership based on trust, passion, and shared commitment

The nearly decade-long journey of developing the film

Writing the complexities and internal logic of a time-travel story

Crowdfunding the project and navigating indie financing realities

Creative problem-solving when working with limited resources

The importance of perseverance, collaboration, and trusting your instincts

TIME REWIND is out NOW! | TRAILER

A man wakes with amnesia suspected of the murder of his teenage daughter and finds he must travel back to 1989 to save her from a bullying accident that is destined to claim her life.

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

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

Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you!

⁠PODCAST MERCH⁠

Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more ⁠MERCH⁠. ⁠https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/⁠

 

⁠COURSES⁠

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE ⁠https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/⁠

 

⁠PATREON⁠

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 feedback on your film projects!

 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

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

 

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson ⁠@gilesalderson⁠

Edited by ⁠@tobiasvees⁠

Logo and Banner Art by ⁠Lois Creative ⁠

Theme Music by ⁠John J. Harvey
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices