IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

Beloved Director Guillermo del Toro sits down with the Filmmaker Toolkit to talk about making his dream film, and how 'Frankenstein' has been a part of each of his prior films. Then del Toro opens up about an end to his era of monster movies, and how achieving this lifelong goal may be the start of a new chapter in his filmmaking style. Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down the latest insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new Yorgos Lanthimos film is always an event at IndieWire, and 'Bugonia' might be his most topical and direct one yet. Yorgos digs into the key decisions that make this tense character piece feel so large in scope (including shooting in a small basement in VistaVision), and how his collaborations with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons deepened even further. Listen to the Screen Talk Podcast. Every Friday IndieWire editors Anne Thompson & Ryan Lattanzio break down the latest insider news from Hollywood and debate the latest films and series. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indiewire-screen-talk/id893977298 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and director Nia DaCosta joins IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to dive deep into her 1950s-set adaptation of Hedda Gabler. DaCosta explains how the film's lush look and sound came from years of building her team, and how the brilliance of the lead performances from Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss allowed for incredibly layered character studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Scott Cooper sat down for a revealing and personal conversation about helming this anticipated and highly scrutinized biopic. Cooper talks about Bruce Springsteen's intense involvement in the film, making a movie that felt as raw as Nebraska sounds, and how telling this story from The Boss's life helped him process his own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An IndieWire favorite, director Kelly Reichardt returns to Toolkit with her new film The Mastermind. Reichardt told us about working with Josh O'Connor, putting her own spin on the heist genre, and the cast-and-crew road trip it took to get the movie made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creator of one of the hottest shows of the Fall joined IndieWire's Chris O'Falt for a spoiler-packed deep dive deep into the psychology of the characters and how he constructed the perfect seven episode arc. He also shares how Mark Ruffalo and ⁠Tom Pelphrey helped shape the complex men they play.⁠ This is a must listen for fans of the hit crime drama, and for those interested in Brad's career following 'Mare of Easttown.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creator of 'Reservation Dogs' is back with a new series staring Ethan Hawke as a man investigating crimes and corruption in Oklahoma. Sterlin shared some of the noir stories that inspired him, and explains why he never wants to leave Oklahoma for Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Derek Cianfrance joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, “Roofman.” A true story about an escaped criminal who hides out in an abandoned toy store, “Roofman” is a comedy — and thus a departure for the typically serious Cianfrance. He talks about how and why he wanted to make this movie at this moment, and explains the many benefits of shooting on film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who's a good boy? Indy, the star of this new horror film told entirely from his point of view. Director Ben Leonberg brought Indy into the office for a fun chat about filming a movie in his own home for 3 years, usually about 17 inches off the ground. Listen for how Ben used clever filmmaking to craft a great performance from of a dog who doesn't know he's an actor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his solo directorial debut after making 'Good Time' and 'Uncut Gems' with his brother Josh, Benny Safdie pushed his signature chaotic style to a deeper, more personal place. From his rigorous authenticity in the ring, shooting the relationship with the same style as the fights, and convincing The Rock of all people to gain muscle, you'll want to hear how Benny went all out for this larger than life true story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The master of recreating real crisis is back. Director Paul Greengrass joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to discuss his newest survival thriller based on a true story from the 2018 California Wildfires. Greengrass explains why he changed his approach to filming the fires after the tragedies earlier this year, and how his background as a journalist lead to the creation of his signature style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer-director Shane Black joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, the action-comedy “Play Dirty.” They discuss Black’s approach to adapting author Donald Westlake, why he likes to set action movies at Christmas, and how he finds the right balance between violence, humor, and poignancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast with Chris O’Falt (IndieWire) Welcome to the Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast, hosted by IndieWire’s Chris O’Falt. This week we dive into one of the most urgent conversations in nonfiction filmmaking: the role of artificial intelligence. Like many in the film community, Chris is deeply wary of what AI means for the art form we love—but ignoring it isn’t the answer. In this episode, Chris speaks with Stephanie Jenkins, longtime producer with Ken Burns and cofounder of the Archival Producers Alliance (APA). Jenkins has been at the forefront of setting industry guardrails for AI in documentary filmmaking, spearheading the APA’s Best Practices for the Use of Generative AI in Documentaries and helping launch the AI Toolkit for Nonfiction Filmmakers. Together, they explore the promises, pitfalls, and pressing ethical questions surrounding AI in documentaries—drawing from surveys, real-world examples, and the lived experience of filmmakers working with archival materials. If storytellers and film lovers don’t engage in this conversation, Silicon Valley will shape the future of nonfiction for us. Tune in to hear an eye-opening discussion and join the dialogue on how documentary filmmakers can protect creativity, history, and truth in the age of AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director and co-writer Justin Tipping joins Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about his surreal new horror film from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Tipping explains how he found his visual language at the intersection between horror and sports, how working with Peele liberated and protected him, and why he cast comic Marlon Wayans in a terrifying role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” Reiner discusses returning to the characters who launched his career, working as an actor for Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, and how digital capture made his job easier than on “This is Spinal Tap” in 1984. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s IndieWire’s Filmmakers Toolkit, Chris O’Falt talks with writer-director Andrew DeYoung about his dark comedy Friendship—now streaming on HBO Max. He reveals how he shaped Tim Robinson’s offbeat energy, uncovered a vulnerable side of Paul Rudd, and crafted a breakup story that’s as funny as it is unsettling—proving comedy hits harder when rooted in truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mario Van Peebles joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill for a live version of Filmmaker Toolkit to talk about his directorial debut, “New Jack City.” In a conversation that followed a 35mm screening of the 1991 gangster classic, Van Peebles discusses casting the film, finding its visual language, and the influence of his father Melvin Van Peebles on his approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Josh Greenbaum took IndieWire behind the scenes of the planning, shooting, and editing of his Emmy nominated documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-winning director Jon Cassar joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill for a special episode on Jon’s 31 rules for television directors. These are things he’s learned over the course of 30-plus years and over 200 episodes of TV that range from the technical to the political — all of them vital to sustaining a career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" is a documentary that knows to tell the story of Sly Stone's life and music, you need exceptional craft and storytelling discipline. From depicting music with experimental visuals, to convincing some of music's biggest names to talk on camera, listen to these two filmmakers, musicians, and friends explain how the story was told mattered as much as what they included. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brennan Lee Mulligan, executive producer and GM of "Dimension 20," offers IndieWire a peak inside the dimensional dome and discusses how cinematic tools, from editing and art design to sound effects and physical props, can help enhance Actual Play storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a real treat for animation fans, a deep dive into the art and process with the beloved creator of Samurai Jack, Dexter's Lab, Primal, and now the new Netflix movie Fixed. Genndy explained why he fought for 2D animation to keep the dogs less gross, walks us through his process with voice actors, and reveals how Fixed was almost the latest Warner Bros. movie shelved for a tax break. PLUS fans of Primal should stick around to the end for an update on Season 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary TV creator R. Scott Gemmill joins the Toolkit to breakdown one of this years biggest shows: 'The Pitt.' Gemmill lifts the curtain on the show's medical accuracy, revealing how doctors consulted from script to set to screen. We think you'll enjoy hearing this master of television discussing what it took to launch yet another hit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Rubens, the man who created and became Pee-Wee Herman, has eluded a documentary about his life for a long time. While Matt Wolf was finally able to make a film exploring this complicated artist, it came at a price. Listen to Matt recount his artistic battle with Rubens as they shot the doc, and the shocking personal details he uncovered that bound them together. You have to hear this one to believe it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First time director Michael Shanks joined us on Toolkit for a fascinating discussion about the crazy intimacy of directing a real life couple, his roots as an Aussie kid binging After Effects tutorials, and why his particular brand of body horror needed to be very dry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As one of the writers behind Lonely Island, and the director of hits like 'Popstar and 'Hot Rod', director Akiva Schaffer was a brilliant choice to helm a revival of one of cinema's most iconic comedy franchises. We dig into the craft behind the comedy, from casting serious actors to going for broke on a particular snowman sequence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Toolkit we want to explore the challenges facing filmmakers today, and a growing concern is A.I. But we find for all the promises and fears of what A.I.will do, there are few conversations about what A.I. is actually able to do right now. Writer and director Scott Z. Burns has the perfect case study for us: trying to write a sequel to his and Steven Soderbergh's 'Contagion' using A.I. screenwriters and film critics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenneth Lonergan, one of our host's favorite filmmakers, joins Toolkit to reflect on his first film as a director, 'You Can Count On Me.' He walks us through his transition from writer to the director's chair, and shares stories of working with Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney on the film that would be their Sundance breakthrough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to talk about rebooting the 1997 slasher classic. Robinson discusses integrating the original cast members into the story (warning: spoilers!), balancing horror and comedy, and the influence of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” on her summer thriller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Aster returns to the toolkit for the fourth time with his fourth film, a paranoid social thriller about the summer of 2020 told in a way only this filmmaker can. Ari explores the origins of the film's politics, how he made a western so modern the guns are phones, and unpacks the incredible final act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toolkit is taking an ongoing look into the current state of independent filmmaking, and today we have some rare good news to report; indie collectives are on the rise! Two of the filmmakers behind Omnes, which produced this year's 'Eephus' and the new release 'No Sleep Till' join us to discuss how these artists share the burdens of indie filmmaking from financing through production and release. For more on the Omnes Collective, listen to our episode with 'Eephus' director Carson Lund Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our favorite insights into David Lynch's filmmaking comes from Dean Hurley, Lynch's all around sound guy and one of the master's closest collaborators for decades. Hurley reveals that to create one of a kind art, one must have a one of a kind creative process. Listen to our deep dive into Lynch's approach to sound, his process itself was a piece of art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill about “This is Spinal Tap.” Released in 1984 to widespread acclaim, Reiner’s debut feature created a new form of comedy that inspired countless hours of “mockumentary” TV episodes and films in the decades to follow. On the occasion of the film’s theatrical re-release in a new 4K restoration, Reiner reflects on its making and the challenges he faced getting the movie out into the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The writer, director, and star of the Sundance hit and new A24 release joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to break down their directorial debut. Eva was forthright about the challenges of learning how to direct (including a graduate level film class of sorts supervised by Barry Jenkins) and also explored how she balanced a gentle tonal approach to a tough subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The director of 'Top Gun: Maverick' returns to the big screen with his latest feat of cinematic speed. If you want to understand how they really shot F1, this is the interview to listen to. Kosinski breaks down why putting cameras on an F1 car was harder than an a fighter jet, and he reveals the key role VFX played in embedding this movie within an active F1 racing season. Watch more interviews with today's top directors - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_oEavFHbDlFCGlOmGO71Tvzb1qEHofCg&si=9pUCNArDCxcyrX2b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After reigniting the zombie movie over two decades ago with the groundbreaking '28 Days Later,' Boyle returns to the directors chair along with his writing partner Alex Garland to innovate in the horror space once again. He breaks down the advanced iPhone rigs they used to capture a new sense of violent speed, and digs into the surprisignly emotional aspects of this sequel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director, executive producer, and longtime "What We Do In The Shadows" editor Yana Gorskaya discusses why all directors should have to edit a TV comedy, the ambitious designs, props, and worldbuilding that went into creating an afterlife for its Staten Island vampires, the joys of shooting on film for the series finale, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The acclaimed writer and director of 'Past Lives' is back to explore the rules and rituals of love in the modern age once again. This time she draws on her own history as a matchmaker to craft a story that dissects romance tropes, and how we define value in other people, and ourselves. Watch full episodes of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_oEavFHbDlFCGlOmGO71Tvzb1qEHofCg&si=WtwVXZZl-g-YC83a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This send up of the interview format from our friends at Dropout challenges comedians to conduct conversations as elaborately created characters. From complex special effects and costumes to the reality breaking meta-narrative, there is a lot to dig into with this series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs, two of the three co-creators of "Hacks" and two of its writers and directors, talk to IndieWire about giving Ava and Deborah an antagonistic relationship like never before in Season 4. The pair discuss how their team has continued to evolve the filmmaking language of the show and set new challenges for themselves — namely, a Late Night show for Deborah — while still bringing a half-hour Max comedy in on time. Watch full episodes of the Filmmaker Toolkit on YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_oEavFHbDlFCGlOmGO71Tvzb1qEHofCg&si=9pUCNArDCxcyrX2b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Filmmaker Toolkit sat down with the director of one of the most exciting, entertaining, and truthful pieces of cinematic non-fiction we've seen in a long while. The three part HBO docu-drama follows the succession battle that occurs when the 86 year old leader of an enormous Renascence Faire decides to step down as king. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emmy winning creator of 'Succession' is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit to discuss his feature directorial debut. Jesse was an erudite guest, exploring his writing process and how he approached some of the same themes of wealth and power as his previous work in new ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we welcome a true bucket list guest to the podcast, the incomparable Wes Anderson. Wes's new film draws inspiration from art history, bombastic historical figures, and his father in law. He talks us through these influences, and how watching old movies with his daughter has affected his film diet, and in turn his filmmaking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The steady hand behind the last four Mission: Impossible films is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit, but this Mission brings a different tone than before. Partly due to the attempt to tie the entire nearly three decade old series into the story, but also to allow enough budget and time to execute the two most impressive and dangerous sequences we've yet seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The incredibly thoughtful Craig Mazin returns to the podcast to break down the narrativelyl complex second season of the hit HBO series. With favorite characters leaving, morally murky new ones to introduce, and constantly shifting perspectives Craig had his hands full guiding the audience through this part of the video game adaptation. Listen to learn what went into every big decision this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Seth Rogen leads the new Apple TV+ show 'The Studio,' co-writing, co-directing, and creating the series with his long time collaborator Evan Goldberg. The team breaks down the impeccable craft and meticulous satire of this hit comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our regular guests is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit, and is pushing the bounds of cinema yet again. For his newest film, Trey partnered with The Weekend to make a film surrounding his final album under that stage name. But this is not your typical, sanitized musician produced film. Trey had complete control to probe the dark parts of The Weekend's life and career, and the film builds a dark mythology around his last album and his greatest hits. Listen to Trey unpack a film unlike any you've seen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creator, showrunner, and lead writer of 'Ando'r joining IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to break down the entire final season of his amazing series. 'Andor' remains some of the best world building we have ever seen on screen, and Tony explained how his decades of researching rebellions inspired his team to take Star Wars to a new level of political and cultural relevance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the key minds behind the hit series 'Adolescence' sat down with Sarah Shachat of IndieWire to break down the show's complex emotions and technical genius. Graham dives deep into the casting process for each character, and walks us through the elaborate dance they did with the camera crew for each 'oner' filmed episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices