Half the Picture – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Half the Picture's second guest is Tristan Oliver BSC, cinematographer extraordinaire and arguably the leading DOP working in stop-motion animation today! Tristan joined us to chat about his experiences working with Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr Fox and Isle of Dogs, making his start as an actor before switching to cinematography, shooting the iconic train chase in The Wrong Trousers and having lunch with the legendary Jack Cardiff, as well as to share advice for aspiring animator/cinematographers!

Half the Picture's first guest is Brendan McCarthy, Mad Max: Fury Road's brilliantly inventive co-writer and visual designer! Brendan joined us to for an in-depth chat covering all things Fury Road, from his experiences working closely with George Miller in pre-production on the scripting and storyboarding to Splendid's original (and much more hardcore) death scene that was cut from the film. He also delved into the original ending he and Miller had planned and even teased the upcoming and eagerly anticipated 'Furiosa!'

Half the Picture's guests this episode are Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks, pop stars extraordinaire and writers/composers of the award-winning musical 'Annette' directed by Leos Carax and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard!

Ron and Russell joined us to break down the making of 'Annette' and their close working relationship with Leos Carax as well as their most recent world tour for their latest album 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte' which saw them play the biggest venues of their career. They also talked telling stories through music, shared advice for young artists looking to break into film/music and even touched a little on 'X-Crucior', their upcoming movie musical collab' with John Woo!

For all this and more, listen on! #Sparks #Annette #HalfThePicture

This October also saw Ron and Russell release the original 2013 recording of the 'Annette' soundtrack, as a limited edition 3LP boxset on the band’s own label Lil’ Beethoven Records.

Writing in the sleevenotes of this boxset release Ron and Russell said “Annette was a divisive film, but we feel a great film, and directed with enormous artistic skill by Leos, with a magnificent cast. Still, we feel that this earlier version of Annette should be listened to not as the preparatory or demo step toward a filmed version, but rather as a complete and alternative version in itself. We are very proud of it.”

Annette - An Opera By Sparks (The Original 2013 Recordings) is available exclusively through Sparks’ store at www.store.allsparks.com, limited to 1,000 copies.

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the channel so as not to miss any of Billy & Ahmed's interviews!

*Note: This interview was recorded on March 22nd 2024.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

Watch the podcast: https://youtube.com/@halfthepicturepodcast?si=8iCJ7aQf87hMp8RP

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Sparks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparks_official?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

00:14 - Passion for Cinema

02:00 - Working with Leos Carax

07:27 - The Cast of 'Annette'

13:26 - Storytelling through Music

16:55 - Reactions to 'Annette'

22:56 - The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte Tour

26:00 - Advice for Young Artists

29:12 - 'X-Crucior'

30:38 - The lights cut out!

31:07 - Lyrically Speaking with Ron Mael return?

33:16 - Outro

Half the Picture's third guest is Jason Reitman, director of such modern classics as Juno, Up in the Air and his latest, Saturday Night: a visceral portrait of the 90 minutes leading up to the birth of the classic late-night comedy show!

Jason joined us to chat the length and breadth of his career, ranging from his exuberant debut ‘Thank You for Smoking’, to the life-changing impact of making ‘Juno’, up through the deeply personal journey he undertook making ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ with his father Ivan to working with the iconic J.K. Simmons and exec-producing Damien Chazelle's ‘Whiplash!'

For all this and more, listen on! #jasonreitman #saturdaynightmovie #ghostbusters

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the podcast so as not to miss any of Billy & Ahmed's interviews! *Note: This interview was recorded on July 27th 2024.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

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Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billybarnel...

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Ahmed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrahmedoali?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonreitman?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

00:44 - Thank You for Smoking

04:57 - Directing is reacting

06:07 - Improvisation on set

10:30 - Young Adult

12:31 - Diablo Cody

13:37 - Up in the Air

16:08 - Flawed Protagonists

17:24 - Juno

25:01 - Tully

27:05 - Favourite Scenes

29:44 - Adapating novels to screen

31:53 - Discovering young stars

34:52 - Adam Sandler

38:45 - Maker's Mark in Diablo Cody scripts

40:09 - Eric Steelberg D.O.P.

43:59 - The Front Runner & confident directing

46:36 - Ghostbusters: Afterlife

48:51 - Growing as a filmmaker

51:32 - Jason's favourite directors

55:18 - Exciting upcoming movies

57:10 - Invisible directing

01:00:31 - Letterboxd

01:02:20 - Saturday Night

01:05:08 - J.K. Simmons & producing Whiplash

01:06:56 - Outro

Half the Picture's guest this episode is the brilliant director Paul McGuigan, whose mercurial and vibrant talents have been gracing our screens, both big and small for over 25 years!

Paul joined us primarily to discuss the making of his cult classic British crime gem, 'Gangster No.1' featuring barnstorming turns from Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis and a star-making performance by a then unknown Paul Bettany! He also delved into his approach to directing 'Sherlock', his pioneering use of onscreen text amongst other stylistic flourishes and his films 'The Acid House' and 'Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.' For all this and more, listen on!

#PaulMcGuigan #Gangsterno1 #Sherlock #HalfthePicture

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the podcast so as not to miss any of Billy & Ahmed's interviews!

*Note: This interview was recorded on July 27th 2022.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

Listen to the podcast online...

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7btEvvp...

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Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billybarnel...

Billy on Twitter: https://x.com/billybarnell?s=21&t=3QY...

Ahmed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrahmedoali?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

00:45 - Gangster No.1's inception

05:47 - Casting Gangster No.1

15:11 - Working with Malcolm McDowell

17:08 - Paul Bettany's Performance

22:32 - Homosexual subtext in Gangster No.1

29:15 - Deconstructing gangsterism

31:53 - Francis Bacon's influence on Gangster No.1

33:17 - Cinema's influence on gangster culture

35:28 - Bettany & Marsan's Kitchen Scene

44:10 - Lenny Taylor's POV Murder Scene

51:28 - Working with Peter Sova A.S.C.

52:24 - Visual filmmaking

55:13 - Directing Sherlock & Text Onscreen

58:00 - Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

01:00:32 - Sherlock & Transitions

01:02:10 - Critical Response to Gangster No.1

01:05:56 - Working with Steven Spielberg

01:06:47 - Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century

01:10:25 - Fun and games on the Gangster No.1 set

01:12:40 - Outro

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Walter Murch — Academy Award-winning editor and sound designer behind such cinematic milestones as The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now!

Walter joined us for a wide-ranging conversation that delved deep into his groundbreaking work with directors including Francis Ford Coppola, his pioneering approach to film editing and sound, and his thoughts on the evolving nature of cutting in the modern age. He also spoke candidly about his directorial debut ‘Return to Oz’, his new projects ‘Suddenly Something Clicked’ and ‘Her Name was Moviola’ as well as offered sage advice for aspiring editors. For all this and more, listen on! #WalterMurch #ApocalypseNow #TheGodfather #HalfthePicture

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the channel so you don’t miss any of Billy’s interviews!

Note: This interview was recorded on October 30th 2024.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast Listen to the podcast online...

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Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: / billybarnel. .

Billy on Twitter: https://x.com/billybarnell?s=21&t=3QY...

Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

01:10 - Mixing The Godfather

05:34 - Editing The Conversation

10:04 - Gene Hackman

17:05 - Apocalypse Now

23:04 - Robert Duvall & Blinking

26:22 - Return to Oz

34:56 - Pitching Return to Oz to Disney

37:24 - The Wizard of Oz & Thomas Edison

41:02 - Male & Female Editors

46:55 - 21st Century Editing

50:42 - Fred Zinnemann & Cutting Julia

56:19 - Suddenly Something Clicked

01:00:13 - Her Name Was Moviola

01:06:03 - Advice to Aspiring Editors

01:11:06 - Editing and AI

01:15:34 - Outro

'Walter Murch in Conversation – The Godfather, Apocalypse Now & Suddenly Something Clicked' is a non-profit project intended for educational purposes only. No copyright laws were intended to be broken. All rights to any material used remain courtesy of their respective owners.

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Grant Morrison — the award-winning comic book writer behind such classics as Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Invisibles, New X-Men, WE3 and Animal Man.

Grant joined us primarily to chat about their work on the iconic All-Star Superman that redefined the Man of Steel for the 21st Century and was a major influence on James Gunn’s new Superman film. They also spoke about their friendship with Gunn, writing a Flash film script with Ezra Miller, the taboo-busting magic of comics and why hope and optimism are radical but essential ideas in the world today.

If you'd like to watch our interview with Grant, check out the episode on YouTube at the link below!

https://youtu.be/lByJIegGWKA

#grantmorrison #superman #superman2025 #jamesgunn #HalfthePicture

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss any of Billy’s interviews!

Note: This interview was recorded on July 11th 2025.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

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Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: / billybarnel. .

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Grant Morrison — the award-winning comic book writer behind such classics as Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Invisibles, New X-Men, WE3 and Animal Man.

Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Grant as we dive headlong into their Kathmandu experience in the 1990’s when they were abducted by higher dimensional aliens, their strangest fan encounter that occurred in late-80’s Sheffield (Billy’s hometown) and their upcoming Batman/Deadpool comic due out in November from DC Comics! For all this and more, watch on!

#grantmorrison #superman2025 #jamesgunn #HalfthePicture

If you'd like to watch our interview with Grant, check out the episode on YouTube at the link below!

https://youtu.be/z4dSS0ngQ24

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss any of Billy’s interviews!

Note: This interview was recorded on July 11th 2025.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

Listen to the podcast online...

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7btEvvp...

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

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Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: / billybarnel. .

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is writer-director James Marquand, the man behind the new WW2 action thriller ‘The Partisan’ based on the life and exploits of Krystyna Skarbek.

James joined us on the show to chat about the making of the movie, his experiences working wit Morgane Polanski, Malcolm McDowell and the rest of the cast and his time spent working on his father’s (Richard Marquand) movies. For all this and more, watch on!

#jamesmarquand #thepartisan #malcolmmcdowell #halfthepicture

If you'd like to watch our interview with James, check out the episode on YouTube at the link below!

https://youtu.be/sRnzRJSwjco

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the channel so you don’t miss any of Billy’s interviews!

Note: This interview was recorded on September 17th 2025.

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

Listen to the podcast online...

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APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Follow us online!

Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Billy on Instagram: / billybarnel. .

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is British national filmmaking treasure Mike Leigh, the man behind such social-realist classics as Secrets & Lies, Naked, Another Year, Vera Drake and Life is Sweet.

Known for his improvisational method of devising his films with a murderer's row of British actors, Mike’s approach to filmmaking is organic and utterly unique, resulting in works that are unflinchingly honest, deeply poignant and often hilarious. Join us as we chat to Mike in depth about his method as well as his casting process, the 20th anniversary of his unsung gem ‘All or Nothing’ and the implicit politics of his films. Also joining us for a surprise guest appearance is Mike’s partner and collaborator, actress Marion Bailey who breaks down her working relationship with Mike as well as her experience playing Carol in ‘All or Nothing.’

If you'd like to watch our interview with Mike, check out the episode on YouTube at the link below!

https://youtu.be/v_PpvcWqOs8

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the channel so you don’t miss any of Billy’s interviews!

Note: This interview was recorded on August 3rd 2022

Full Episodes: / @halfthepicturepodcast

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APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/half-the-picture/id1768054211

Follow us online!

Half the Picture Instagram: / halfthepicpod

Half the Picture Twitter/X: @HalfThePicPod

Billy on Instagram: / billybarnel. .

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

02:17- Mike Leigh Interview Begins

03:38 - All or Nothing’s 20th Anniversary

06:03- All or Nothing’s Conception

06:48 - Mike’s Casting Process

08:27 - Marion’s Experience Working with Mike

17:21 - Mike’s Improvisational Filmmaking Method

21:53 - How Mike Shoots His Movies

26:37 - The Implicit Politics in Mike’s Films

28:59 - Mike’s Movies Remaining Untitled Until Release

30:04 - Mike’s Editing Process

35:04 - Secrets & Lies

37:05 - Music in Mike's Films

40:56 - The Beatles and A Hard Days Night

42:17 - Naked

45:12 - Mike's Advice to Filmmakers

45:46 - Outro

'MIKE LEIGH talks Improvisation, Never Compromising & All or Nothing's Anniversary (ft MARION BAILEY)' is a non-profit project intended for educational purposes only. No copyright laws were intended to be broken. All rights to any material used remain courtesy of their respective owners.