Episode 136: A Martha’s Vineyard special report on the Joe Alves Documentary shoot. This week’s episode is a little different. It is a behind the scenes update on our ongoing feature documentary about production designer and director Joe Alves (Jaws, Close Encounters, Escape from New York, Jaws 2, Jaws 3D). I take you through our trip to Martha’s Vineyard in June 2024 to capture Joe’s return to the island for the 50th anniversary of Jaws. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over £7,000 to cover the travel, ferry, car hire, and accommodation. Every penny went into the shoot. In this episode, I share:The challenges and triumphs of making the trip possibleShooting new interviews with Joe Alves, Marty Milner, Charles de Lauzirika, and Richard DreyfussFilming at iconic Jaws locations including Menemsha and the 4th July beach.The overwhelming warmth of the Jaws community and the atmosphere of the anniversary celebrationsHow the project has evolved from a short film idea into a full feature documentaryYour support is still needed!We still have more to do, including chasing interviews with Dean Cundey, John Carpenter, Lea Thompson, and Steven Spielberg. If you would like to support the film, visit the GoFundMe link in the show notes. Thanks again for helping us push this project forward. We could not do it without you. Support the documentary GoFundMeThis podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links
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135 - Inside the historic Carlton Cinema with historian Nigel Smith
Cinema historian Nigel Smith joins Jamie to explore the hidden history of London’s picture houses. In particular the Egyptian-style Carlton in Islington. Nigel brings these spaces back to life through stories, archives, and first-hand recollections. In this episode, Nigel and Jamie discuss:How London’s old cinemas became coffee shops, bingo halls, and churchesThe difference between “going to the pictures” in the 1930s–50s and cinema-going todayHow local archives, trade papers, and oral histories help piece together forgotten storiesWhy repertory and community cinemas may hold the key to the future of film-goingNigel’s Memory Palaces project, documenting almost 100 cinema buildings with photos and storiesFind more from Nigel:memorypalaces.co.uk and Instagram @nigelsmithwalks.This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links
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134 - Inside the Movie Novelizations of the ’80s with James Kahn — Jedi, Goonies & Poltergeist
In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I talk with James Kahn, the novelist behind some of the most iconic movie novelizations of the 1980s, including Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Goonies, and Poltergeist. James shares how a chance encounter while working as an ER doctor in Santa Monica led him onto the set of ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, where he met Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, an opportunity that set his writing career in motion. We discuss:How James went from emergency medicine to Hollywood writerHis early break writing the Poltergeist novelizationThe creative freedom Spielberg gave him on Temple of Doom, The Goonies, and othersWriting Return of the Jedi under intense secrecy — including how George Lucas gave him a decoy script where Luke kills the EmperorInventing backstory details that became “canon” for decades, like Ben and Owen being brothers and hints about Anakin’s fall into the lava pitsGiving Short Round his own chapter and exploring Mikey’s POV in The GooniesHow his books helped fans relive these films long before home videoWhy a great novelization is about more than retelling a screenplayHis recent memoir, A Jedi Memoir: A Double Life, weaving together stories from Hollywood and emergency medicineIf you grew up with these books, this one’s packed with insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and moments of movie history you probably didn’t know. If you enjoy the show and want to help me keep making these conversations, please consider supporting the podcast on Patreon:All the linksThis podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links
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133 - From The Blob to Pan’s Labyrinth: Tommy Williamson Talks VFX, Guillermo del Toro and Making Movie Magic
In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I sit down with Tommy Williamson, a visual effects artist, prop maker, and lifelong creator whose career spans more than three decades. Tommy has worked on films including Spider-Man 2, Sin City, The Mist, Dune: Prophecy, and the modern masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth. Tommy shares his journey from building paper-craft UFOs as a kid to working alongside Guillermo del Toro and becoming one of the artists helping to bridge the worlds of practical effects and cutting-edge digital VFX. We also dive into his passion for prop replicas and his work as the creator behind Nerds and Makers, where he builds incredible recreations of iconic movie props. If you love behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories, prop-making secrets, and hearing from the artists who bring movie magic to life, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss:Tommy’s early love of model making and practical effectsHis first big break on the 1988 remake of The BlobAdapting to the digital VFX revolution after Jurassic ParkWorking closely with Guillermo del Toro on Pan’s LabyrinthThe creative process behind his Nerds and Makers prop replicasWhy keeping one foot in both practical and digital worlds makes him a better artistThe importance of experimentation, curiosity, and lifelong creativity“I’ve always had to make things. It’s absolutely in my DNA. Even now, I’ll work on a show all day and then spend my evenings printing a lightsaber or a blaster. I can’t not do it.” — Tommy WilliamsonYou can follow Tommy and see his incredible prop builds on Instagram: @nerdsandmakersThis podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links
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132 - Dave Barclay - My Life With Animatronics. Movies, Puppets and Beyond
Episode 132 - Dave Barclay - My Life With Animatronics. Movies, Puppets and Beyond!At just 19 years old, Dave Barclay found himself stepping into the role of chief puppeteer for Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back. It was the start of an extraordinary career in animatronics and puppetry that would see him bringing to life some of cinema’s most beloved and memorable characters. In this episode, Dave takes us back to his creative beginnings, growing up in a family of puppeteers, and the serendipitous chain of events that led from working in Hamleys toy shop to meeting Mark Hamill — and ultimately joining Stuart Freeborn’s Yoda team. We cover:His early inspirations from Planet of the Apes to making masks at home.The technical and creative challenges of performing Yoda alongside Frank Oz.Becoming chief puppeteer for Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi.Working on The Dark Crystal, Little Shop of Horrors and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.The importance of collaboration between puppeteers, animators, special effects teams and actors.The process of writing his new autobiography My Life with Animatronics, Movies, Puppets and Beyond, filled with stories and photos from across his career.Dave’s journey is a mix of artistry, technical problem-solving, and being in the right place at the right time — but also about saying “yes” when opportunity knocks. Listen now to hear stories from a man whose work has shaped how we see and believe in some of cinema’s most iconic creatures. Find Dave’s book:My Life with Animatronics, Movies, Puppets and Beyond – available now at Cool Waters Productions.All my linksThis podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning Watch more on YouTube:Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentariesAll my links
The Filmumentaries Podcast – Exploring the Unsung Heroes of Cinema. Go beyond the credits and uncover the untold stories of the filmmakers, artists, and craftspeople who bring your favorite movies to life.Hosted by filmmaker, author, and film historian Jamie Benning, The Filmumentaries Podcast offers in-depth conversations with the behind-the-scenes legends of Hollywood and beyond. Each episode features exclusive interviews with art directors, production designers, VFX artists and supervisors, editors, sound designers, animators, and other key creatives who shaped iconic films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Ghostbusters, and more. Whether you're a die-hard cinephile, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply curious about the hidden artistry of moviemaking, this podcast is your all-access pass to film history. What You’ll Discover:Rare insights into filmmaking from the people who were thereDeep dives into classic and modern movie-making techniquesStories of innovation from Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm, and beyondExclusive discussions on practical effects, CGI, set design, and film scoringA celebration of cinema’s hidden heroes New episodes twice a month. Subscribe now and follow Jamie Benning on social media: @filmumentaries on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and @jamieswb on X. Visit Filmumentaries.com for more exclusive content and behind-the-scenes insights!
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