Two of my great loves are anecdotes and life advice.
So amidst the carnage of 2020, I thought, ‘hmm...what if we put these together?'
The result was Red Carpet Rookies, a filmmaking interview podcast that teases out not only the amazing life stories of those in the entertainment business, but advice for how you can do it too.
From guest tales of growing up with The Jackson Five to producing for Spielberg, building the Titanic and so much more, whether you’re a keen upcoming filmmaker or simply love a great dinner party story, we've got something for you.
Today’s guest began her career as one of the youngest ever executives at Sony where she was part of the team that brought the now iconic ‘fully onscreen’ movie Searching to our screens, as well as many other projects such as Broken Hearts Gallery, executive produced by none other than Selena Gomez. Since then, like a young Reed Hastings she’s made the move into the world of media and technology with her film and tv networking company, Callo. My guest is Fassa Sar.
We hear from film critics every week, but how on earth do you become one? I sat down with one of the UK's primarily filmies to find out.
A sit down with leading Irish film & TV Producer, Ed Guiney. We discuss how he got his start in the business and stories of younger days in Dublin with Director Lenny Abrahamson, how to find fellow filmmakers, tips for getting noticed in film & TV jobs, and how no matter where you start, the most important thing is to have something to say.
I may be tooting my own horn here but this has got to be one of the best podcasts on joining the art department around! Words of wisdom from an unbelievable selection of guests live from the BFDG Awards.
Today’s guest is simply one of the most accomplished Production Designers in the world today. Picking up three Oscars on his journey, Stuart is the man behind legendary works such as Notting Hill, The English Patient, The Elephant Man and most famously, designing Hogwarts.
One of the most legendary costume designers of all time, Colleen started out on features including Michael Mann’s Manhunter before designing the likes of The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia and the Fantastic Beasts Series. Most notable about her career though, is her relationships with Directors Tim Burton and Rob Marshall which produced Edward Scissorhands, Chicago, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, and more.
Beginning her career casting under the legendary Juliet Taylor, she later went out alone, casting beloved titles including Forrest Gump, The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia and Scent of A Woman. It has been her collaborations though that have made up a bulk of her incredible career, notably her three films with Steven Spielberg, and a collaboration with Martin Scorsese, that runs all the way back to the 80s including Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed and many, many more.
Starting her career producing commercials she transitioned to James Cameron's famous VFX house Digital Domain, where she worked on titles including 47 Ronin, Her and a multitude of David Fincher projects including Zodiac and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Since leaving DD, she has progressed to be a VFX producer of hits such as Black Panther Terminator Dark Fate, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
With an extensive career featuring parts in iconic films such as Robert Altman’s Gosford Park, you will likely know him best from turns in Downtown Abbey, Mary Poppins Returns and most recently as the loveable Higgins in Apple TV’s smash hit - Ted Lasso.
Today’s guest is a multi-hyphenate animator, director, writer, and storyboard wizard. Gaining an early directing credit working on Disneyland's Cranium Command he was soon thrust into feature direction on historic classics such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Atlantis: The Lost Empire and of course, Beauty and the Beast, the first animated movie to ever be nominated for best picture.
Beginning her career in production working on films such as Tim Roth’s The War Zone, Lucy made the move to Casting where she has flourished to one of the world’s most successful casting directors working on projects including Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, Venom Let There Be Carnage and recently the much lauded Matt Reeves Batman.
A director, producer, writer, actor, and even studio owner, today's guest has straddled both a career in his native language, all the while succeeding in Hollywood. Beginning with Icelandic home grown faire, he has since directed the likes of 2 Guns with Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington, Everest with Jake Gyllenhaal and most recently, Idris Elba in Beast.
Sitting as the leader of one of the world's greatest film schools, (alumni Roger Deakins), Jon gives a masterclass on how to apply to film school and whether you should go.
Manager of the world's oldest film studio at Ealing in London, Charlie tells us his story of entering the business, what studio managers do and advice for starting production companies.
The perfect listen for any aspiring actors, writers or comedians, Duncan gives a masterclass in what it takes to be an agent and get noticed as a talent.
With one of the world's most varied cinematography careers, Seamus McGarvey is the perfect man to learn how he did it and what lessons he has for you too.
BAFTA nominated Director Sam Taylor Johnson takes us through her journey into the film business and advice for why short films are the way to go, how to manage actors and more.
With three Oscar wins to her name, Sandy is one of the world’s most influential costume designers. In this episode she tells her story of getting into the business and her costume design process, as well as stories from set life with Daniel Day Lewis, Margot Robbie and Robert De Niro.
Our first animator on the show, Joe Haidar tells us how he got into the animation industry, as well as, incredible stories from his time in the business. He tells us how he pitched the idea of Disney's Hercules, why some animators got paid millions of dollars in the 90s and what it was like to animate Robin Williams' Genie on Aladdin.
After getting the call from David Fincher to take the reins of Fight Club, it's been a run of legendary movies including, One Hour Photo and Gone Girl as well as The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo both of which he picked up Oscar nominations for.
Peter Lamont stood as one of the world's greatest Production Designers having been a part of 18 James Bond movies, Aliens and even Titanic, for which he won an Oscar. In this episode, he tells his stories from 70 years in the industry.
From Texas to the side of Steven Spielberg, Bonnie Curtis has had a journey. Known as one of the most regarded Producer's in the film industry, Bonnie worked her way from Steven Spielberg's Assistant, all the way through to his Producer and now runs her own film production partnership with previous podcast guest Julie Lynn.
From Dune to Skyfall, Prisoners and 8 Mile, today’s guest is one of the best in the business. In this episode, Donald discusses watching the Queen act at the 2012 Olympics, how he became one of Eminem’s entourage and gives a look behind the curtain at the problems of the industry. Tune in to hear a masterclass of lessons for the business with a side order of Hollywood tales.
In this conversation we learn how Julian transitioned from low budget Canadian content editing to District 9 and how Peter Jackson brought a rag tag team of unknowns together for something special. We also get into the building of the edit in A Handmaid's Tale and Deadpool, two titles that you wouldn't think are related in their creation but share a dark humour to them both.
It's not every day you get to sit down with a Pixar storyteller but in this episode we did just that. With a clear passion for writing, Meg LeFauve dives into her process with many pearls of wisdom along the way. It's simply a must listen for anyone wanting to finally finish that script they've been working on and get out there!
In this ep, we go deep on character creation as we learn how Erin Benach changed her life to from book design to costume making. We hear the REAL story behind Ryan Gosling's Drive Jacket, what it was like talking costume with Lady Gaga and what tips she'd give aspiring designers.
I've been excited about releasing this episode. Not only is Michael a world renowned hair stylist and designer, he grew up with the JACKSON 5. Through today's chat we discuss Michael's beginnings in the business, cutting hair for the likes of Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone and Tom Cruise and hear the story of why David Fincher (jokingly) nearly ended his career!
As a young writer, Asha is the perfect person to learn from and we delve into all things writers want to know from how the writing department functions, to fitting in the room and even how to sell a show to Netflix! Along the way we also hear stories of her crazy time at American Horror Story, what it's like to put voices to the characters of Archer and more.
Having worked with pretty much every iconic director from Spielberg to Coppola, 'Gentleman' Jim Plannette stands atop of the movie industry. In the episode we discuss the ins and outs of being a gaffer, why Steven Spielberg took his advice on E.T. and the real story behind that famous final shop of Ocean's 11.
This week it's all about Producing. Julie Lynn sits down to explain age old questions like what does a Producer ACTUALLY do? Is making shorts a good idea for new starters? Of course we also hear about her experiences Producing the Oscar nominated Albert Nobbs, Jake Gyllenhaal led blockbuster Life and more.
In the final episode of series one, Mike has a relaxed chat with his friend and standby prop man, Graham Robinson. Graham shares amazing tales of his journey from music to the film business with discussions of rockstar nights out, spray painting cows and a multi-million dollar film unit watching him drop a dead fly!
This week Mike sits down with Oscar-winning Lord of The Rings set designer, Grant Major! Grant eloquently tells of his journey from young graphic designer to one of the world's leading Hollywood creatives, what he learned from Peter Jackson and how it feels to have influenced culture with his set designs.
This week Mike chats to Simon Crook about his journey from on-set driver to one of the business' most in-demand international Location Managers! Simon shares how walking past a Clint Eastwood movie first gained his interest in the industry, as well as tales of Tom Cruise and what it's like to race 50 cars across the desert for Mad Max!
This week Mike chats to one of the nicest and most talented guys in the business, Bill Corso! As personal makeup designer to Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford and more Bill has certainly seen it all. He shares stories of Jim Carrey writing himself a cheque for $10 million, advice for junior make up artists and how he visualised winning his Oscar!
Today's guest is a concept artist who has worked on most blockbusters you've ever heard of! Mike sits down for an in-depth chat on creativity and originality and Dom shared his experiences of pitching Godzilla with Gareth Edwards, as well as being one of the first people on the ground for Star Wars Rogue One. On top of that, Dom recounts his amazing first film experience on The Fifth Element and explains why concept art might be going the wrong way...and how to fix it!
An exciting week on Red Carpet Rookies as Mike sits down with Deadpool Director Tim Miller! Tim discusses his beginnings in animation, how he only got to direct his first movie at 50 and why he's glad that for all the challenges that came along the way. If that wasn't enough, Tim shares thoughts on his Netflix collaboration with David Fincher and why film studios will be 'fossils' if they don't keep up with the streamers! Thank you to US producer Zack Hardy for this episode.
This week Mike chats with Oscar winning Lord of The Rings Costume Designer, Ngila Dickson. Ngila tells Mike of her fashion business beginnings in New Zealand before losing it all and ultimately pushing through to her Hollywood successes. Ngila shares why she chose to do Lord of The Rings, discusses 'low-grade' sexism against the costume department and why the Green Lantern suit famously turned out as it did!
In this first episode of Red Carpet Rookies, Mike sits down with Set Decorator turned Production Designer, Sonja Klaus. Sonja discusses her beginnings in the industry including early days with Andy Serkis, her rise to become Ridley Scott's go to Set Decorator and her thoughts on the future of the business. She even shares an anecdote about taking the X-Men First Class helicopter for a personal errand!
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