The Directors’ Take Podcast

E204 - Costume Designing on Rye Lane with Cynthia Lawrence-John

This is Episode 4 of our brand new season of The Directors Take Podcast.
This weeks episode is with the exceptional Costume Designer, Cynthia Lawrence-John. She has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world such as Adidas, Samsung, Amex and with a slew of directors such as Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim), Kibwe Tavares (The Kitchen) and Nicholas Winding Refn (Drive). She also recently earned herself a BIFA nomination for her work on the beautiful RomCom RYE LANE and helped to elevate the film’s colourful aesthetic. In our chat we cover:
 
-What is Costume Design?
-Her journey into the film industry. 
-What is it about her work that keeps bringing people to her door?
-Transitioning from commercials into film. 
-Storytelling through costume. 
-What do her conversations with directors look like? 
-How do you work with other Heads of department to create a unified aesthetic?
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is The National Film and Television School.
 
Nuggets of the week
Cynthia: Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat.
Oz: BaByliss Pro Cordless Super Motor Skeleton Trimmer
Marcus: The Cinema Cartography - YouTube Channel
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Cynthia: 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.

E203 - How Directors Shape Stories

This is Episode 3 of our brand new season of The Directors Take Podcast.
This weeks episode is a chat with just Marcus and Oz, where they break down exactly how YOU as a director need to be thinking, planning and prepping in order to shape the story that you’re working on. This is a deep dive on directing craft and this conversation covers: 
 
-How do you find your way into a story?
-How do you think about the story as a director? 
-Crafting characters with actors.
-Working with actors on set.
-How blocking to tells a story.
-Principles for visual storytelling.
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is The National Film and Television School.
 
About us
Marcus and Oz are both described as ‘rising stars’ in the film industry and both met whilst shadowing the directors and showrunners on Season 1 of HBO’s House of the Dragon which they did for 16 months. Having both seen up close exactly what is required of a director when working at the highest level and understanding the gap between what is taught about filmmaking up to that stage… They created The Directors’ Take Podcast to help fill in the gap, so that early-career directors right through to mid-level career professionals can get the most out of themselves and their collaborators.
 
Nuggets of the week
 
Oz: How Scorsese Moves the Camera With Purpose in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ | Anatomy of a Scene 
 
Marcus: Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two - Film at Lincoln Center
 
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.

E202 - How I Directed Love Lies Bleeding with Rose Glass

Hello again... This is Episode 2 of our brand new season of The Directors Take Podcast.
This weeks episode is our live podcast recording with Writer/Director Rose Glass, which was recorded at our very first live event and was performed immediately after the screening of her latest film LOVE LIES BLEEDING, which stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian and Ed Harris. This is a SPOILER FILLED conversation on craft and it includes:
 
-How she dealt with the level of expectation after her first film SAINT MAUD was so well received.
-What aspect of the shooting process scared her the most.
-How she practically creates tone.
-How the characters changed from script to screen.
-The challenges of working at a higher budget level.
-How she crafted a story that follows multiple perspectives.
-Emotional resilience.
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is The National Film and Television School.
 
Bio
Filming anything and everything from Harry Potter spoofs to fake nature mockumentaries about aliens, Rose was destined to be a director from a young age. Upon leaving home she studied film and video at London College of Communication, UAL - where she directed her first 'proper' shorts - and also gained experience as a runner on professional sets. Eventually she made her way to the NFTS, where she made acclaimed short Room 55 and began working on the idea for SAINT MAUD.
In the years following she waitressed and worked as a cinema usher whilst working on the treatment and teamed up with fellow Breakthrough Brit Oliver Kassman. Initially Rose was intimidated by the idea of directing a feature, especially after finding the writing process quite isolating, but once she started, the collaborative nature of the experience made everything a complete joy. Having had such a great time with her team on SAINT MAUD.
She has now made her second feature LOVE LIES BLEEDING starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris. Teaming up again with producers Oliver Kassman and Andrea Cornwall, and also co-writing the script with fellow NFTS graduate and BABY REINDEER lead director Weronika Tofilska.
 
Nuggets of the week
Rose Glass on Directors Now
 
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.
 
 

E201 - How I Directed Baby Reindeer with Weronika Tofilska

WE'RE BACK! This is the very first exciting episode of our brand new season of The Directors Take Podcast, 
In this episode we'll be speaking to Weronika Tofilska who is the lead director (Eps1-4) of the Netflix global phenomenon BABY REINDEER. As ever we break down directing craft to gain a greater understanding of how this smash hit show was created. This conversation includes:
 
-Weronika's journey into filmmaking.
-Her experience of film school in Poland and in the UK.
-How she navigated the filmmaking wilderness.
-How she got her first break as a TV Director.
-Her process for interviewing.
-How she evolved her process for working in television.
-Creating a bespoke visual language for Baby Reindeer.
-Working with the show's creator Richard Gadd.
-Her directing process.
-How she wrote Love Lies Bleeding with Rose Glass.
 
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is The National Film and Television School.
 
Bio
Weronika Tofilska is a London based Writer and Director, a graduate of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Film School  in Poland and National Film and Television School in the UK. 
 
They’ve made several successful short films including LAST TRAIN, which won multiple awards at Polish and Internation film festivals, they’ve made Dark Comedies such as THE PATIENT, SUICIDE IS EASY and horror/comedy PINK and BLUE which won FrightFest Short Film Competition as well as the Channel 4 Horror Short DOORKEEPER. You can watch a lot of these on her website. 
 
With the success of her short works, she has begun making her name in TV directing on the Netflix Show IRREGULARS, with Amazon on the show HANNAH, on HBOs His Dark Materials and most recently has directed the first four episodes of the smash hit Netflix Show, BABY REINDEER which is written and created by, as well as starring Richard Gadd. 
She is in development on her feature project POLYPHONY with Film4 and also co-wrote LOVE LIES BLEEDING
 
Nuggets of the week
Weronika: Jerry Seinfeld wisdom.
Oz: Go to the lake district.
Marcus: Take the time to celebrate your wins as they happen.
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Weronika: 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.
 

E141 - How We Made a BAFTA Nominated Short

 
In this Bafta Special episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by BAFTA nominees Yasmin Afifi and Elham Ehsas. Yasmin is an award-winning writer/director based in London and her her grad film Jellyfish and Lobster has gone on to receive widespread industry acclaim, screening in festivals all over the world, including the BAFTA/BIFA Qualifying Underwire, Encounters, LFF among others.
Elham is a BAFTA nominated and Oscar shortlisted writer/director and Actor working in Film and Television. His latest short film Yellow was BAFTA nominated in 2024 and longlisted for the Academy Awards in the same year.
This episode is a goldmine for insights how to create a successful short film, the dreaded festival circuit, overcoming production challenges, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and practical advice on film conception and success.
 
This conversation includes:
Diverse career paths into filmmaking.
Choices around film education.
Creating personal and authentic stories. Visual storytelling and creative processes.
Challenges in low-budget filmmaking.
Conceptualisation of films.
Navigating film festivals and marketing.
Reactions to receiving BAFTA nominations
Yasmin, celebrated for her use of comedy and magical realism, and Elham, known for his human-centric narratives, share their unique journeys in the film industry, from educational choices to the crafting of personal and impactful stories. This is an educational episode.
Nuggets of the week
Yasmin:  Spike Lee Quote - Write the ideas that you’re embarrassed about.
Elham: 
Oz: Godfather DVD Commentary with Francis Ford Coppola 
Marcus: Watch the BAFTA nominated films, they’re up on the BAFTA YouTube channel for a short time, so you can watch both of these incredible films. https://www.youtube.com/@bafta/videos
 
Additional links
- Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1
- Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
- Dil Se
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Elham: Instagram
Yasmin: 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.
 

E140 - This Is The End

In this episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by absolutely nobody, as they do a recap on all of The Directors' Take Podcast episodes so far... This is the end...
 
In this episode we talk about the following:-
 
-Why we started the podcast
-The initial response to it.
-What we gained from it.
-Why we think it has resonated.
-A recap of the episodes and our thoughts and feelings on each.
-What we've learnt.
-The growth of the podcast.
-What does the future look like?
 
Nugget of the week
 
Marcus: Robert Downey Jr. & Mark Ruffalo | Actors on Actorshttps://youtu.be/0OLBhkKLmUY?si=ehxgaliPA6EaDtFy
Oz: The Diary Of A CEO | Busta Rhymes
https://youtu.be/cRjzQuzX-tg?si=4z7uWkQOjFHlLh5H
 
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.

E139 - Money, Mental Health & Bullying with The Film and TV Charity

In this episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by Justine Walton and Lucy Tallon from the Film and TV Charity.
 
About the Film and TV Charity
 
The Film and TV Charity is here to support everyone working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema industry. From its free, 24/7 Film and TV Support Line and legal advice, to its financial support, including Stop-Gap Grants for urgent financial needs, and our Bullying Advice Service, we have a wide range of services to support your mental health, financial and social wellbeing. For more information visit our website or call our Support Line.
 
The usual support line number is 0800 054 0000, however they are currently experiencing a technical issue. If the 0800 number does not work, then please call 0207 846 1079 to speak to an advisor. This is a temporary number and will be charged at a local rate, but you can arrange a callback with an advisor. You can also access the service via our Live Chat. 
 
In this conversation we cover:
 
-Who are the Film and TV Charity?
-What issues do you typically help to deal with?
-We talk about the structural issues in the industry.
-The importance of good line management.
-What support do they offer?
-Sustainability in the industry.
-How the strikes have affected those working in the industry.
-Why they decided to ringfence money for people from marginalised backgrounds.
 
Nuggets of the week
Lucy Tallon: Philomena by Stephen Frears
Justine Walton: There's an importance to doing things that seem hard. Embrace them. Celebrate overcoming difficulties.
Oz: Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese
Marcus: 'The Killer' Q&A Fincher & Fassbender & Rian Johnson 15th Nov 2023
 
Additional links
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/leading-change/ 
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
The Film and TV Charity: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn.
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.
 
 
 

E138 - Writing BBC’s TIME Season 2 with Writer Helen Black

In this episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by Writer Helen Black. Helen has transitioned into TV after writing a series of successful crime novels, picking up credits on shows such as Life and Death in the Warehouse, Grantchester and now the second season of the hit BBC show, TIME, starring Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance, Siobhan Finneran and Bella Ramsey. If you want to be a working director in TV, you will likely be brought onto a project closer to physical production, with the Producers and Writers likely being involved since its inception. Understanding their process, their intention and best collaborative practices are key to a successful career, so we got Helen on to help break down this process. This conversation includes:
 
-Her journey into writing.
-How she transitioned into writing for screen.
-What was the process of getting representation for screen?
-The collaborative process between her and Jimmy McGovern.
-How she collaborates with the series directors.
-What does her writing and rewriting process look like?
-What does the future hold for her now?
 
Biography
Helen Black was born and raised in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, and against everyone’s advice she studied Law at the University of Hull, becoming a solicitor for ten years. 
It was in Helen's exposure to lots of peoples stories that inspired her to write herself, penning the novel DAMAGED GOODS, a story about a young person accused of murder, who is physically unable to defend themselves. 
She then went on to write another 10 crime novels, with the latest one called HARD AS NAILS which was published in December 2020.
She has been transitioning into writing for screen over the last 7 years or so, winning a Kudos North Writers Award in 2017, a competition running in conjunction with BBC Writers Room and has been on a roll recently, earning writing credits on shows CLINK, DEATH IN PARADISE, the BAFTA nominated Single Drama LIFE AND DEATH IN THE WAREHOUSE, GRANTCHESTER. Most recently, she wrote all three episodes of BBC’s TIME season two alongside Jimmy McGovern, which stars Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance, Siobhan Finneran and Bella Ramsey.
 
Nuggets of the week
Helen: NF - Hope (Song)
Oz: Go Into The Story - Scott Myers (Website)
Marcus: Ridley Scott Picks a Favorite Shot From Each of His Most Iconic Movies | My Best Shots (YouTube video)
 
Additional links
-Writer, Directors and Producer Directors: A six-year overview of Diamond Data 2017/17 to 2021/22
-BFI Skills Review 2023
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Helen: 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.

E137 - 10 shorts to Doctor Who with Annetta Laufer

In this episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by Annetta Laufer, a Writer/Director who has directed episodes of Dr. Who and the upcoming HBO series Get Millie Black. Annetta, like many of us, was stuck in an endless loop of directing short films, but remained true to her taste and principles, whilst waiting for the TV and Film industry to reach the place where her voice is situated. We dig down into her journey and talk about the following:
 
-Why did you begin directing?
-Do you think schemes are helpful?
-How did you get your break in TV directing?
-What is the biggest difference between shorts and TV?
-How do you prep when working in TV?
-What is a script supervisor?
-What are the most difficult challenges a director faces when working in TV?
 
Biography
Annetta is a Writer/Director and the founder of Roman Candle Productions, a film production company focused on black and female–led films.
Her short films have screened at national and international film festivals including Encounters Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, Aesthetica Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival and Uppsala Film Festival.Her short films have earned her the Best Film award at the BFM International Film Festival/Screen Nation for WINNIE AND THE DUPPYBAT, which was also a finalist for the HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival. She won the Best Screenwriter award at the Indian Cine Film Festival in Mumbai for SCARLET, Best Short Film award at the Black International Film Festival for AFRO PUNK GIRL and was BAFTA long-listed for her last short film THE ARRIVAL.
Annetta is currently developing her feature film COLONY ROOMS, a drama set within the Caribbean community in 1960s Soho London, with the BFI and producer Joy Gharoro Akpojotor (Blue Story, Boxing Day). She is also developing her 2nd feature film WILD SWIMMING (RIVER MISTRESS) with producer Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo (Netflix/Top Boy, Fox Searchlight/Rye Lane) and Film4, and developing her first TV series LEMON FISH with Buccaneer Media.
As a director, Annetta directed the 2022 New Years Special of the British TV Series DOCTOR WHO for BBC Studios. She is also attached to Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s upcoming film adaptation of her Laurence Olivier Award winning play EMILIA, based on the life and times of Renaissance poet and Shakespeare contemporary Emilia Bassano. Manon Ardisson (God’s Own Country) and Chiara Ventura from Ardimages UK are producing.
Annetta is represented by Josh Varney and Hannah Linnen at 42 Management.
 
Nuggets of the week
Annetta: The Last of Us
Oz: Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
Marcus: How Michelle Yeoh Threatened 'Everything Everywhere' Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.
 
Credits
Music by Oliver Wegmüller
 
Socials
Annetta: 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.

E136 - What Makes a Great Short Film?

In this episode of The Directors' Take podcast, your hosts Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas are joined by absolutely no-one this week, as we decided to create a list of the short films that have inspired them. We break down their story structure and try to deconstruct what makes these films and filmmakers so great. This conversation includes:
 
-What is a concept short film?
-Should you use voice over in your short?
-The use of vignettes in short films to expand time.
-When is it appropriate to do a one take short?
-Traditional narrative shorts and authored voices.
-When should you do a proof of concept short?
 
Concept Shorts
The Retreat - Marcus Anthony Thomas
Pitch Black Heist by John Maclean
 
Voice Over Shorts
Getting On by Ewan Stewart
Stutterer by Benjamin Cleary
 
Vignette Shorts
Small Deaths by Lynne Ramsay
Festival of Slaps by Abdou Cisse
Over by Jörn Threllfall
Standby by Charlotte Regan
World of Glory by Roy Andersson
 
Long Take Shorts
Thunder Road by Jim Cummings
Mama by Andy Muschietti
With a little Patience by Laszlo Nemes
Incident by a bank by Ruben Östlund
 
Narrative Shorts - Authored Voices
Believe by Paul Wright
The Mass of Men by Gabriel Gauchet
Azaar by Myriam Raja
Six Shooter by Martin McDonagh
Wasp by Andrea Arnold
Boy and the Bicycle by Ridley Scott
Gasman by Lynne Ramsay
Nosebleed by Luna Carmoon
 
Proof of Concept Shorts
Boiling Point by Philip Barantini
Brian & Charles by Jim Archer
Lights Out by David F. Sandberg
Whiplash by Damien Chazelle
 
Documentary Short
Black Sheep by Ed Perkins
Black Cop by Charish Oteka
 
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.