The Directors Take Podcast

E232 - A Conversation with NFTS Director of School Dr. Jon Wardle

This is episode 32 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by the Director of the National Film & Television School, Dr. Jon Wardle. In this episode we demystify exactly what the NFTS is to give you all of the information necessary to understand how it can fit into your pathway into the industry. 
 
This episode covers:
 
-What is the NFTS? 
-What is the NFTS’ mission statement? 
-Is the NFTS the only way for someone to get into the industry nowadays? 
-What are the challenges faced by those attending and graduates? 
-The responsibility they have in an ever shifting industry. 
-We discuss listener questions and recent controversies.
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Nugget of the week
Jon: The World of Tim Burton at The Design Museum
Marcus: Steve McQueen interviewed by Danny Leigh | BFI London Film Festival Screen Talk 2024
Oz: GNX by Kendrick Lamar
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Jon Wardle: Twitter (X) 
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E231 - How we created EMILIA PÉREZ with Jacques Audiard & Thomas Bidegain

This is episode 31 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s special episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined in conversation by legendary French Director Jacques Audiard (A Prophet, Rust and Bone) and his long-time Writer and Artistic collaborator Thomas Bidegain to discuss their latest project in partnership with Netflix, the musical crime comedy film EMILIA PÉREZ.
This live conversation which was conducted as part of a NFTS masterclass covers the following:
 
-What is Directing? 
-How did they have to adjust their process to create a musical? 
-How did the casting process shape the journey of creating the story? 
-What is your relationship with tone and genre during the writing process? 
-What was the learning curve like in creating the musical sequences? 
-How did you go about creating the world in a very intentional way to marry the use of a soundstage and real world locations? 
-Audience questions.
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL. The NFTS run a range of Masterclasses such as this one you can listen to today, with filmmakers from all across departments and the filmmaking spectrum.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E230 - The Journey to Directing ONE PIECE with Marc Jobst - Part 2

This is episode 30 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by High-End TV Director Marc Jobst for the second part of our conversation. Marc began his career working in continuing drama on Casualty and Eastenders before working his way up to creating exceptional work on Hannibal, Daredevil, The Witcher and most recently as the lead director on the hit Netflix show One Piece.
This conversation covers the following:
 
-What’s the first thing you do after being hired on a job?
-The importance of casting. 
-Remaining flexible with your plans to adapt to different actors methods.
-The use of camera plans.
-How schedule minded do you need to be as a director? 
-How do you honour beloved IP when working in HETV.
-What is Marc’s approach to action?
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Nugget of the Week
Marcus: Script Apart - Andrew Haigh All of us Strangers
Oz: Marc Jobst’s Blog
Marc: This Cultural Life - Interview with Alejandro Iñárritu
 
Socials
Marc Jobst: Twitter (X) & Instargam
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E229 - The Journey to Directing ONE PIECE with Marc Jobst - Part 1

This is episode 29 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by High-End TV Director Marc Jobst. Marc began his career working in continuing drama on Casualty and Eastenders before working his way up to creating exceptional work on Hannibal, Daredevil, The Witcher and most recently as the lead director on the hit Netflix show One Piece.
 
This conversation covers the following:
 
-How did you become a director?
-What does collaboration mean to you? 
-What were the big obstacles you faced in working in High-End TV?
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Marc Jobst: Twitter (X) & Instargam
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E228 - TDT LIVE PODCAST: Filmmaker Pathways with Actor, Writer, and Director Charlotte Hamblin

This is episode 28 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by Award winning  actor, writer and director Charlotte Hamblin.
This conversation was recorded at the Norwich Film Festival 2024.
 
In this chat we cover:-
The importance of preparation in development
Developing an idea
Preparation Meets Improvisation: Rehearsals and Blocking
Navigating vulnerability.
The creative grind of development.
Problem-Solving on Set: From Challenges to Creativity
Moments of Magic: When Everything Clicks
The Development Process: Polishing the Diamond
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Nugget of the Week
Charlotte - Song by Tom Rassmussen - There’s a lot to be happy about
https://open.spotify.com/track/3dG4ESSkfeytc0DH7cJOsg?si=e71d9e408e604136
Oz is a lyric from the song Eye of the Tiger : 
https://youtu.be/btPJPFnesV4?si=MokAVPDr1Q1b8Tk3
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Charlotte Hamblin: Profile& Instagram
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz:  Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com
 

E227 - The Production Diaries Space Plug & Opening Up

This is episode 27 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad take you behind the scenes of their short films, Space Plug and Opening Up. 
Recorded in June 2023, the episode gives you their fresh thoughts on the wins and challenges of production one week after they wrapped on set. 
This conversation covers: 
- We break down the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and what it takes to bridge the gap between short films and long-form projects. Expect insights on:
- Applying what we learned on House of the Dragon to the challenges we faced
- Tackling the sci-fi spectacle of Space Plug while balancing visual storytelling and technical hurdles.
- How Oz pivoted Opening Up from the north to London. 
- Last-minute location changes & Police on set.
- Managing technical complexity and tight schedules on a limited budget.
- Thoughts and conclusions before going into production
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
 
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com
 

E226 - TDT LIVE PODCAST: Demystifying Producing 2 with BAFTA Winner Chris Hees

This is episode 26 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by BAFTA winning producer Chris Hees, who works across both animation and live-action. 
This conversation was recorded at the Spirit of Independence Film Festival in Sheffield alongside a bunch of other industry talks, as we aim to demystify producers.
In this chat we cover:-
 
-What is producing?
-What opportunities did a BAFTA win and an Oscar nomination bring?
-How have you sustained yourself whilst pursuing a producing career? 
-How does he choose the stories that he works on? 
-What short-sighted decisions do directors make when working with producers?
-What are the key challenges in going from shorts to longform? 
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Chris Hees: Website & Instagram
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E225 - The Insider's Guide to Notes, Script Editing & Development with Venetia Hawkes

This is episode 25 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
 
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad discuss the process of giving and receiving notes as a Writer & Director. We were joined in this conversation by Venetia Hawkes, who is the author of the book We Have Some Notes… The Insider’s Guide to Notes, Script Editing and Development. This book is an excellent resource and features chapter interviews from some of the finest Writers & Directors in the UK such as Edgar Wright, Lynne Ramsay, Russell T Davies, Sally Wainwright and many, many more. 
 
So as ever we get right into it to help demystify the notes process for you all! This conversation covers:
 
-What inspired her to write this book?
-What did she discover about the notes process that went against her expectations? 
-What are the do’s and don’ts when giving and receiving notes? 
-How should you deliver notes?
-What makes a bad note?
-How specific should notes be? 
-How do you navigate communicating and dealing with notes around tone?
-When are notes not useful? 
-The notes process for women and people from a global majority.
-How did her research inform her own writing process when putting the book together?
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Nugget of the Week
Venetia: Climate spring - Organisation - Climate Spring harnesses the storytelling power of the screen to shift how society perceives and responds to the climate crisis.
Oz: We Have Some Notes… by Venetia Hawkes
Marcus: Ancient Apocalypse: The Americas 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Venetia Hawkes: Twitter (X) & Instagram 
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com

E224 - How Do We Direct Actors?

This is episode 24 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad get candid about directing actors and building trust on set. From early mistakes to big lessons, they share stories about casting, blocking, and working with actors to elevate on-screen moments. Drawing on experiences from their respective works, they break down the craft of guiding performance.
This episode covers:
First experiences directing actors
The role of blocking and “business” on set
The impact of blocking and micro-blocking
How to collaborate through trust and clarity
Lessons learned from working with experienced actor
What they learnt from watching other directors
Effective casting and rehearsals
Adapting to surprises on the day
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
 
Nugget of the Week
 
Oz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QU9qZgodWw&ab_channel=FilmCourage
Judith Weston
Marcus: Life 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
Socials
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Instagram (Oz is off Twitter)
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com
 

E223 - Acting in Netflix's 3 BODY PROBLEM with Jess Hong

This is episode 23 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast.
In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by Jess Hong a New Zealand actor who since graduating from Drama School landed the lead role in Showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss Game of Thrones follow up, the Multi-Emmy award nominated show 3 BODY PROBLEM, which was also created by Alexander Woo.
In this episode we break down her early journey, successes and learnings in order to help demystify what the actor and director relationship can look like. This conversation covers:
 
-What is acting? 
-How did you get into acting in the first place?
-How did you land the job on 3 Body Problem?
-How did you begin to prepare for the job of a life time?
-How do you embody a character that is distant from yourself? 
-How did the individual directors approach Director’s Rehearsals?
-How do you like receiving notes from Directors?
-How do you create trust between yourself and collaborators on set? 
-How do you navigate working on such a large production?
-What does the future look like for you?
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL.
 
We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… 
http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake 
Nugget of the Week
 
Jess: Make more good memories with family and friends. That’s what people will remember.
Marcus: The Hitchcock and Truffaut interviews
Oz: The Making of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Jess Hong: Instagram
The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram
Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
 
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at TheDirectorsTake@Outlook.com