The Filmmakers Podcast

Directing The Devil Wears Prada, Studio Pressures, and Trusting Your Cast with David Frankel

How do you adapt when a major studio cuts your post-production schedule by six weeks? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with Oscar-winning director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, The Morning Show). Fresh off the mix stage for his latest film, David pulls back the curtain on navigating massive studio pressures and the magic of true collaboration.

David reveals the intense reality of an accelerated edit after his studio pushed his release date to May 1st to replace an delayed Avengers film. He also takes us behind the scenes of The Devil Wears Prada. He explains why he originally rejected the script because it framed Miranda as a villain, how he successfully pitched her as a heroine aiming for excellence, and what it was like discovering a young Emily Blunt on a bad VHS tape.

Whether you are a student filmmaker learning the importance of clean audio, or a seasoned director wondering how to manage a massive set redesign in the courtyards of Milan, this episode is packed with unfiltered industry truth!

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:


The Accelerated Edit: How the studio's decision to move the release date to May 1st shortened post-production by at least six weeks.


The Egalitarian Set: Why David prefers to walk onto the set pretending he doesn't know what he's doing, allowing actors like Meryl Streep to organically find their own blocking.


Pivoting on the Fly: The terrifying but empowering decision to drop coverage and shoot a complex pop-star backstage scene as a single take.


Production Design Under Pressure: Redesigning a massive fashion show set for the Brera Academy courtyard with just two weeks' notice after realizing the streets of Milan offered too little control.


The Devil Wears Prada Origins: Why David originally hated the script's revenge focus, and how pitching Miranda as a heroine got the studio and Meryl Streep on board.


Casting Magic: Meeting Anne Hathaway first, and casting Emily Blunt despite her initially being unavailable due to a dragon movie.


TV vs. Film Autonomy: The stark contrast between having a "peanut gallery" of writers on Sex and the City versus the lonely autonomy of directing a feature film.


Advice for Students: The absolute importance of trusting your actors, getting proper coverage, and prioritizing perfect sound to preserve your edit.

🔗 Links & Resources:


Follow The Filmmakers Podcast on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

⁠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 amoment 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 palsabout 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, edited 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

Empire of Lies: Making an Indie Thriller on a Shoestring with Matthew Hope & Joseph Millson

What happens when an established action director strips everything away to make a micro-budget thriller in just 8 days?

This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with director Matthew Hope (The Veteran, All the Devil's Men) and returning champion, actor/producer Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, Signs of Life), to discuss their tense new two-hander, Empire of Lies.

Matthew and Joseph pull back the curtain on true guerrilla filmmaking. They break down what it is actually like to shoot a feature film in under 10 days with a crew of just 4 to 5 people, the realities of self-financing (including how Matthew pitched the investment to his wife!), and how an epiphany on the M1 motorway finally cracked the script.

We also do a massive deep dive into the business side of indie film, exploring how they utilized data analytics, Instagram, and targeted ads to independently distribute a sub-£100k movie into cinemas. If you are waiting for permission or a massive budget to make your first feature, this episode will give you the kickstart you need to just go out and shoot it!

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:


Going Micro: Matthew’s pivot from massive budget action movies to an intimate, self-funded indie.


Guerrilla Filmmaking: Shooting a feature in 8–10 days with a skeletal crew of 4-5 people (and a very obliging mother-in-law's field!).


Cracking the Script: The collaborative writing process, layering clues for rewatchability, and the M1 car ride that unlocked the twist.


Prep vs. Spontaneity: The "John Williams analogy" and why meticulous directorial prep gives actors the freedom to improvise.


Indie Distribution Masterclass: Using data analytics, social media ads, and the strategies of Jonathan Sadler to release a sub-£100k film.


Reading the Room: Experiencing live audience reactions and the unexpected themes of grief viewers took away from the film.


Working with Emerging Talent: Collaborating with first-time lead Natalie Spence, composer Ryan, and DOP Elliot Millson.

🔗 Links, Mentions & Resources:


Watch Empire of Lies — Available now on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.


Keep an eye out for Waking Slowly — The upcoming documentary about the making of Joseph Millson's directorial debut, Signs of Life.


Book Recommendation: Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide by Jonathan Sadler.


Follow The Filmmakers Podcast on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod


Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

⁠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 amoment 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 palsabout 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, edited 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

Brian Cox on Directing Glenrothan, Trusting Your Collaborators, and the Magic of the Edit

Filmmakers, you are in for an absolute treat today. We are joined by a true titan of the industry, the legendary Brian Cox. After decades of delivering iconic performances on stage and screen, Brian sits down with us to discuss stepping behind the camera for his highly anticipated feature directorial debut, Glenrothan.

Fresh off a phenomenal premiere at TIFF (complete with a massive standing ovation!), Brian breaks down his deeply egalitarian approach to filmmaking. He shares the brilliant story of how his producer, Neil Zegler, flat-out told him he was the only person who could direct this movie, and how he leaned heavily on his DP to bring the vision to life.

We dive into the nitty-gritty of the craft: why Brian prioritizes script, story, and actors over rigid shot lists and storyboards, the delicate art of directing yourself and "staying out of your own way," and how assembling a powerhouse cast—including Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson, and brilliant young talent—elevated the entire production. Plus, he shares some invaluable lessons from the cutting room, including why they had to switch editors and dramatically restructure a crucial waterfall scene.

Topic of the Week: Make sure you stick around for the outro, where we break down Brian's philosophy in our Topic of the Week: The Egalitarian Set: Why the Best Directors Don't Micro-Manage. We discuss why letting go of control and trusting your Heads of Department is actually an indie director's greatest superpower.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

The Push to Direct: How producer Neil convinced Brian he had to take the helm of Glenrothan.

The TIFF Premiere: The emotional experience of screening the film and receiving a standing ovation.

The Egalitarian Set: Why Brian threw out rigid storyboards to focus entirely on the script, the story, and the actors.

Directing Yourself: The secret to acting in your own movie and learning how to "stay out of your own way."

Casting Magic: Working with heavy hitters like Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson alongside rising young stars.

The Realities of the Edit: Navigating post-production hurdles, switching editors, and the brilliant decision to move a crucial waterfall scene to later in the film.

Brian’s Ultimate Advice: Why a director’s greatest superpower is trusting their department heads and valuing everyone's creative contribution.

Links & Resources:

Follow The Filmmakers Podcast on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify—it really helps us keep bringing you these incredible masterclasses!

⁠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 amoment 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 palsabout 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, edited 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

"The ultimate indie film success story! Writer and director Ian Tuason joins Giles Alderson to discuss his massive breakout horror hit, Undertone.

Made for just $500,000, Undertone sparked a bidding war at Fantasia Fest, was acquired by A24 in a 7-figure deal, and is now crushing the global box office ($20M and counting).

Ian breaks down how he crafted 'the scariest movie you'll ever hear' by making an audio-driven horror film where only one speaking character (Nina Kiri) is ever shown on screen.

We dive deep into the emotional reality of indie filmmaking, as Ian reveals what it was like to shoot the film in his childhood home where he previously cared for his terminally ill parents. We also discuss his background in 360-degree VR horror and how this massive indie hit led to him being hired by Jason Blum and James Wan to write and direct Paranormal Activity 8.

A truly inspiring masterclass in utilizing your limitations!

Links & Resources:


Go see Undertone in cinemas now!


Follow The Filmmakers Podcast on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod


Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

⁠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 amoment 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 palsabout 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, edited 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

How to Make a Hit Rom-Com: Will Packer & Kat Coiro on You, Me & Tuscany

Are romantic comedies officially making a massive comeback? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, we sit down with powerhouse producer Will Packer (Girls Trip, Ride Along, Straight Outta Compton) and hitmaking director Kat Coiro (Marry Me, She-Hulk, Dead to Me) to discuss their stunning new theatrical release, You, Me & Tuscany.

We dive deep into the nuts and bolts of the industry, looking at how Kat transitioned from making her first feature for just $150k in 11 days, to commanding massive international sets. Will drops absolute gold on what producers are actually looking for when they hire directors, and how to successfully pitch (and stick to) your ideas in the studio system.

Whether you are an indie filmmaker starting in the "run-and-gun" world or a producer looking to mount an international shoot, this episode is a masterclass in collaboration, scheduling, and leadership.

🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:


Why romantic comedies are coming back in a big way.


Kat’s indie roots: Making her first feature for $150k and shooting in 11 days.


The logistics and challenges of producing in a foreign country.


Adapting to the different cultures of international film crews.


Starting in the "run-and-gun" world and knowing how to pivot on set.


Why directing is exactly like being the "conductor of an orchestra."


Why every director should learn all aspects and roles of filmmaking.


The absolute, make-or-break importance of scheduling.


What producers actually look for when picking directors.


Pitching your vision and sticking to your ideas.


The magic of true collaboration and why you must always respect your audience.

🔗 Links & Resources:


Go see You, Me & Tuscany in cinemas now!


Follow The Filmmakers Podcast on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod




Enjoying the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

⁠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 amoment 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 palsabout 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, edited 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