24 JUN 2024 · In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, host Jamie Benning interviews Nilo Rodis-Jamero, a designer and production designer known for his work on films like The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Johnny Mnemonic. They discuss Nilo's experiences working with George Lucas, Phil Tippett, and Joe Johnston, as well as his collaborations with other renowned designers like Eiko Ishioka and Hayao Miyazaki. Nilo shares insights into his design process and the importance of simplicity and iconicity in his work. The conversation also touches on Nilo's involvement in the design of the character Buz Lightyear in Toy Story and his experiences as a production designer on Johnny Mnemonic. In this part of the conversation, Nilo discusses the challenges of working on movies with hard deadlines and limited budgets. He shares his experiences working with George Lucas and John Hughes, and how their approaches to filmmaking differed from the Hollywood norm. Nilo also compares working on Johnny Mnemonic and Explorers, both of which faced production difficulties. He highlights the importance of creative freedom and the impact of budget constraints on the filmmaking process. Nilo also shares insights into the differences between the film and video game industries, particularly in terms of discipline and the lack of a hard deadline in game development. This is only part 1 of a long conversation. Part 2 is coming up soon! Takeaways - Nilo Rodis Jamero has had a diverse and influential career as a designer and production designer in the film industry. - He has worked on iconic films like The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Johnny Mnemonic. - Nilo has rubbed shoulders with renowned designers and filmmakers, including George Lucas, Phil Tippett, Joe Johnston, Eiko Ishioka, and Hayao Miyazaki. - His design process focuses on simplicity and creating designs that are easily recognizable and memorable. - Nilo's work on the character Lunar Larry (who became Buzz Lightyear) in Toy Story showcases his ability to bring a character to life through design. - His experiences as a production designer on Johnny Mnemonic highlight the challenges and dynamics of the filmmaking process. Movies are often made with hard deadlines and limited budgets, which can pose challenges for filmmakers. - Working with directors like George Lucas and John Hughes, who prioritize creative freedom, can provide a different filmmaking experience. - Films like Johnny Mnemonic and Explorers faced production difficulties, which affected their final outcomes. - The film and video game industries have different approaches to discipline and deadlines, with games often lacking a hard deadline. - Budget constraints can impact the creative process and the ability to achieve the desired vision for a film. Sound Bites - "I like design that are very simple to digest and then reward the viewer with more details as they zoom in." - "I work in an increment of a month. So, if, you know, can we agree on my terms?" - "The essence of that character is right there. Facially, like his expressions, his costume, his stance, like it's all there." - "Movies are literally backed into a hard date, which is the release date." - "The way Hollywood movies are made, it's the opposite of that." - "I learned how to do movies the way George makes movies." https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

22 JUN 2024 · Hi, this is a bonus episode.  Sometimes I get invited to interview a particular behind the scenes artist and I've decided I should say yes to them and get them out as bonus episodes.  So in this bonus episode, I spoke with stunt coordinator, Krista Perry. Krista is a, native Californian, who grew up travelling the country at the age of eight for competitive swimming. Finishing out her career as an All American Swimmer in the state of California. She is now a stunt performer and stunt coordinator, most recently working on Killers of the Flower moon and the series Reservation Dogs.  So here's my conversation with Krista. I hope you enjoy it. Takeaways - The stunt industry is male-dominated, but Krista found her way into it through her background as an athlete. - Discipline and teamwork are crucial in both athletics and stunts. - Body awareness is important in stunts, and technology allows performers to analyze their form and make improvements. - Working with actors who lack physical awareness can be challenging, but having a double provides a backup plan. - Script breakdown and casting for stunts involve finding the right people with the necessary skills and background. - The adaptation to VFX in stunts has allowed for more creative possibilities. - Trust and relationships are key in the stunt industry, and working with familiar team members fosters a sense of shorthand and communication. - Working on both big and small productions offers different experiences and opportunities for learning. - There is a potential for Oscars for stunts to recognize the hard work and contributions of stunt performers. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

14 JUN 2024 · Episoe 104 - This time I chat with Ahsoka producer and ILM VFX Supervisor, Richard Bluff along with his colleague Matthew Wood, Supervising Sound Editor. Key takeaways: - The collaboration between sound and visual effects departments is crucial in creating a cohesive and immersive experience for the audience. - Early involvement of sound in the production process helps inform the visuals and enhances the storytelling. - The use of practical effects, such as miniatures, can provide a unique and grounded look to the visuals. - Designing and creating sound for ships in the Star Wars universe involves a balance between familiar elements and new, unique sounds. - The organic and mysterious nature of the Eye of Sion and the witches' voices in Ahsoka adds depth and intrigue to the storytelling. - The balance between using technology and practical effects is a constant consideration in visual effects production. The use of LED screens allowed for interactive lighting and realistic reflections in the visual effects of 'The Mandalorian' and 'The Book of Boba Fett'. - Collaboration between the visual effects and sound departments was crucial in creating the desired effects and atmosphere for the shows. - The Howlers were created using a combination of motion bases, horses, and visual effects to achieve a realistic and dynamic performance. - The creative team is constantly looking for new techniques and technologies to improve the visual effects and sound design of the series. Ahsoka is available to watch on Disney+. Enjoy! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

28 MAY 2024 · My guest for this second episode of May 2024 is production designer Nathan Crowley. If you don’t know his name, you will definitely know and most likely love, his work.. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_Enemy_Lines_(2001_film) (2001) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomnia_(2002_film) (2002) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_Begins (2005) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prestige_(film) (2006) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight (2008) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(film) (2012) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Rises (2012) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_(film) (2014) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkirk_(2017_film) (2017) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Showman (2017) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Man_(film) (2018) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenet_(film) (2020) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonka_(film) (2023) Nathan is an incredibly talented artist that is able to create amazing worlds on screen. He’s also a great guy and very easy to talk with. We had a great conversation just a week or so ago. It’s avery fluid chat, but we do cover a few of the milestones in his career. Starting with Spielberg’s Hook and finishing up on Wonka and Wicked. With much chat about Chris Nolan’s films in between. Enjoy! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

17 MAY 2024 · For this episode, number 102, I am speaking to to gentleman that worked on the visual effects for Masters of the air, the Apple TV series which is a continuation of Band of Brothers and The Pacific. This time tackling World War Two airmen and their various missions.  So I chat with Xavier Bernasoni  who was one of the vfx supervisors on the show for DNEG and also two Steve jelly of Dimension studio who is responsible for a lot of the virtual production stuff, the big volume that you'll know from shows like The Mandalorian. Well it's now of course being used in many different ways in many different productions and not necessarily the ways that you would imagine... I hope you enjoy the conversation. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

26 APR 2024 · In April 2024, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to California, starting with a visit to Skywalker Ranch, Lucasfilm and Rancho Obi Wan. And unfogettable three days. While at Skywalker Ranch I met with Sound Supervisor, Mac Smith and legendary Model Maker, Lorne Peterson. This episode is a report from those three days. https://filmumentaries.com https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LddLD4DDLAQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baS2LiJDgoI

9 APR 2024 · For this the 100th episode it seems fitting that it’s someone who’s name I’ve known since I was 4, 5 and 6 when my imagination was first sparked, looking through my Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi comics and magazines. That name is of course Phil Tippett, one of those incredible artists whose work transcends the films he’s worked on. His work is always full of a singularly tactile, grunginess that I love. Whether it’s the chess pieces in Star Wars, the Tauntauns or Walkers on Empire, the Rancor in Jedi, the Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park or the bugs in Starship Troopers, Phil’s work is always imbued with such great design and character. I’ve been an admirer of his work as I said, for decades now. And I was given the opportunity to speak with him in February of this year, 2024. I knew immediately I should save that conversation for my first milestone of 100 episodes. Thanks to everyone for their support since I've been making this podcast. It means the world to me. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/mike-hewitt-brown?fbclid=IwAR1XYTk1fnpla7sx5NwGrtNEY2KChR1l7uRsvL1JD3cMAQ706M9GUgbEA_A_aem_AcehcrMTf-RwZPX43WLIUXCmB7CsLlOHphzoKzwFtMLRzmZqkuPFz97stMfMYXAfjSApxT336_STvxxgZkzN38fZ

25 MAR 2024 · For episode 99 I interviewed friend, David Whiteley. If you don't know David, you should! He's a news presenter, but also a huge Star Wars Fan. And, has made two fantastic documentaries about the subject. Firstly "The Galaxy that Britain Built" and secondly "Toy Empire". Both are a must-watch for fans like us. David also produced a book which gathers together the interviews his conducted for "The Galaxy that Britain Built". It's available on Amazon https://amzn.to/3TNL61U. Check it out! And then BUY IT! Talking of books, don't forget that Justin Berger and I have now pre-released our https://amzn.to/3TNL61U book as an ebook on Amazon. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

12 MAR 2024 · For episode 98, I am joined by my guest from episode 2, Giles Terera, actor, writer, musician and great friend of mine. He suggested to me a few months back that we should do a commentary on The Empire Strikes Back. So last month that's just what we did. I went up to central London to his flat, armed with two mics and we sat at watched and waffled over our favourite film. I hope you enjoy the episode. If you want to watch along, hit play on the movie just as the intro music (after my spoken introduction) ends. Or just listen to the episode for some chat and fun insights. I reckon we'll do a Return of the Jedi commentary at some point. Particularly because Giles has worked with several of the British actors in that movie. Enjoy! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AUKL6Y869RU8C https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries

26 FEB 2024 · In episode 97 of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview helicopter stunt pilot Fred North. Fred shares his journey from a childhood fascination with helicopters to becoming a successful stunt pilot in Hollywood. He emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for oneself and having a shark-like drive to keep moving forward. Fred also discusses the art of flying a helicopter and the importance of connecting with the machine. He shares insights on working with directors and understanding their vision to offer creative solutions. Takeaways - Creating opportunities and having a drive to succeed are key to achieving success. - Connecting with the machine and understanding its nuances is crucial in flying a helicopter. - Understanding the director's vision and offering creative solutions can make a helicopter pilot invaluable in the film industry. - Embracing mistakes and learning from them is essential for personal and professional growth. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Patreon Support 03:35 First Encounter with Helicopter 06:27 From Childhood Fascination to Becoming a Stunt Pilot 08:20 Shark-Like Drive and Embracing New Opportunities 10:42 Dealing with Mistakes and Learning from Them 12:30 The Importance of Having an Open Mind and Connecting with People 14:24 Writing the Book to Share His Journey 25:08 The Role of Instinct and Connection in Flying 28:21 Finding a Way into the Film Industry 35:25 Understanding the Director's Vision and Offering Creative Solutions 41:06 QR Codes in the Book and Making it Entertaining 42:18 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries