

IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
Chris O'Falt
Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. From screenwriting to film language to cinematography, we'll be examining the innovative ways today's best filmmakers are getting their visions out into the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 4, 2024 • 34min
'Robot Dreams' Director Pablo Berger
If the title "Robot Dreams" sounds familiar, this was one of the Animated Features nominated for last year's Oscars. Now expanding wide over the summer, it's the perfect time to catch up on this darling story of friendship and New York City in the 80s. Hear how Pablo fell in love with animation directing, and how he inspired his animators with films from silent comedy masters like Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2024 • 57min
'The Curse' Creator, Writer, & Star Benny Safdie
The co-director of "Good Time" and "Uncut Gems" returns to Toolkit to discuss his collaboration with Nathan Fielder on their bizarrely fascinating series, "The Curse." Always a student of filmmaking, Benny walks us through what he learned making a show unlike anything we've ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 2024 • 29min
'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' Director George Miller
George Miller, the visionary behind the Mad Max franchise, shares insights into his latest film, 'Furiosa.' He discusses his relentless drive to elevate the action genre and the intricate storytelling that defines his work. Listeners learn about the innovative blend of traditional and digital techniques used during production, alongside casting details that highlight Anya Taylor-Joy's unique talents. Miller also emphasizes the deep connection between characters and their vehicles, enriching the franchise's dynamic universe.

May 23, 2024 • 30min
'Girlfight' Director Karyn Kusama
The director of several modern classics, like Jennifer's Body and The Invitation, joins us to discuss her feature debut Girlfight, now on Blu-Ray from Criterion. Kusama reflects on working with Michelle Rodriguez in her first movie role, and her intentions from several decades ago, and how the film has aged since. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2024 • 57min
'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show' Creator Jerrod Carmichael
After coming out to the world on his HBO special Rothaniel, the writer, actor, and comedian brings us even deeper into his personal life with this new reality show. Jerrod joined us for a deep conversation about the power of the camera to reveal truth, what it took for him to fall in love, and how he collaborated with his crew to relinquish control of his own image. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 2024 • 37min
'True Detective: Night Country' Director Issa López
The show-runner and director for the fourth season of this classic series joins us to explore how she brought the central True Detective themes and mysteries to a brand new landscape; the dark and frozen tundra of Alaska's months long winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 9, 2024 • 48min
'I Saw The TV Glow' Director Jane Schoenbrun
After this and "We're All Going to the World's Fair" Schoenbrun has emerged as one of our most fully formed new indie filmmakers, using a mastery of genre and form to expose audiences to complex and fascinating ideas. They spoke with us about making their much anticipated new movie, as well as reflected on their journey to directing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 9, 2024 • 24min
'The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed' Director Joanna Arnow
The director of the funniest movies in a long time joins the Toolkit today to discuss her bold new work of auto-fiction. Arnow explains how she arranged this series of small vignettes to create something grander that speaks to a greater truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2024 • 29min
'The Fall Guy' Director David Leitch
David has been a stunt performer, one of the top stunt co-ordinators in the business, and now is one of the biggest action directors of the last decade with films like of "Atomic Blonde" and "Bullet Train." He joins Toolkit to break down making his newest film as a love letter to stunts and the way Hollywood used to make action flicks. And we get into his biggest stunt of all: pulling off a rom-com in the middle of a huge action movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 1, 2024 • 27min
'Vanderpump Rules' Executive Producer Alex Baskin
Veteran producer Alex Baskin takes us behind the scenes of one of the best non-scripted shows on television. Hear how they balance reality with emotional storytelling, and how they prevented last season's 'Scandoval' from breaking the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices