If like me you are a bus wanker/ train wanker/ general long boring journeys wanker, and you want to pass that time with a dam good film podcast then honey, I have the list for you; these are my top 5 film podcasts:
1. Soundtracking with Edith Bowman - audioBoom
This podcast has become one of my highlights of the week, each week she has a director/ composer/ producer onto the show and they discuss their varying musical influences and behind the scenes stories on how they created the unique soundtracks of some of the most iconic films of the past few years. The episodes cover the infamous soundtrack of Trainspotting with director Danny Boyle, to discovering how Nicolas Winding Refn created the electric soundtrack of Drive. I can't recommend this podcast highly enough, it's informative and gives you such a unique view on the thought process behind the production of these films.
Highlights:Danny Boyle Ep 26, Damien Chazelle Ep 24, Gareth Edwards Ep 20, David Yates Ep17, Nicolas Winding Refn Ep 13, Andrea Arnold Ep 11, Thea Sharrock Ep 9, Ben Wheatley Ep 1.
Availability : Spotify, audioBoom and Apple iTunes.
2. The Film Programme - BBC Radio 4
I will forever love The Film programme on BBC 4, as they are the ones who taught me the story behind how Gary Rydstrom created those Tyrannosaurus Rex noises on the original Jurassic Park, which is that he trawled through every animal noise on the planet and wasn't happy, so instead he used a recording of his tiny Jack Russel chewing a chew toy and slowed it down, and that's the the terrifying T-Rex noise you hear today! They have various features that investigate and explore different production features in films from over the years, they also have interviews with various directors, actors and producers. I always think that the presenter Francine Stock not only has one of the most soothing voices you will hear, but gives such a different interview to your usual Youtube search interview, she really delves deep into asking about the creation process and influences. Its a really great podcast that doesn't only look into modern day film but how film has evolved since its conception.
Availability; BBC Radio Player and Apple iTunes.
3. Kermode and Mayo's Film Review - BBC Radio 5 live
Welcome to the world of Wittertainment! I stumbled across this podcast about three years ago and have since have thorougly enjoyed these two men bicker consistently about films (Imagine two dads having a friendly rant at each other, always entertaining). They also make you feel like you are in an exclusive film review club, they take in reviews from the public and the infamous Mark Kermode gives reviews each week . Its funny and entertaining to listen too and contains interviews from many a famous film star.
Availability; BBC Radio Player and Apple iTunes.
4. The No Film School Podcast - No Film School
As my speciality lies on the more technical aspects of film this podcast really pushes all my buttons, it was created by the founder of No Film School- Ryan Koo and differs each week in its subject. Similar in idea to the website nofilmschool.com, which aims to educate people in how to create a film without having the expense of going to film school. Because of this they go over different cameras available on lower budgets that can still achieve a cinematic look, how to get funding, how to enter film festivals and so on. This podcast is a really great informative podcast, that can teach you the basics on how to make a film on a lower budget and has great advice and interviews from people within the industry. Each week they also announce upcoming funding deadlines, festival entries and film competitions which is really great for film makers just starting out.
Availability: No Film School Website and Apple iTunes.
5. The Business of Film with Mark Kermode - BBC Radio 4
This podcast is only a short podcast, only three episodes long but its packed with information. Created by film reviewer Mark Kermode it goes over the business in how a film is created, funded and how filmmakers can then sustainably make money to go on and create more films. It brings up a really interesting argument on if films should be publicly or privately funded? And how much of an influence do reviews and awards really have on a films financial success? It also looks how certain films have become a success on lower budgets than huge Hollywood blockbusters that have flopped and the reason for this. I loved this podcast, even though it was short I found it fascinating and it made me think more about how through all the creativity behind a film, at the end of the day a film still needs to make money to pay its way, and what the financial future of film with On demand and downloading now available holds.
Availability; BBC Radio Player and Apple iTunes.
Anna Winstone
