In this episode, Jamie Benning interviews Doug Weir and Kieron Webb from the British Film Institute (BFI) about the restoration and screening of the 1933 classic film King Kong - 8th and 16th Sept 2024. 

They discuss the historical significance of the film, its pioneering visual effects, and its impact on cinema. They also talk about the process of restoring and preserving old film prints, including the challenges and techniques involved. The conversation highlights the importance of film restoration and the BFI's efforts to preserve and showcase classic films. The conversation explores the process of preserving and restoring classic films, with a focus on the upcoming screening of King Kong at the BFI Southbank.

They highlight the collaboration with labs like Photochem and YCM Labs, which have a long-standing history in preservation and restoration work. The conversation also touches on the challenges of finding printing elements for preservation and the significance of preserving the original cinematic experience.

BFI King Kong tickets.

Glossary of film related terms.

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Jett Green shares insights into her upbringing and her journey into the world of matte painting, highlighting her work on Labyrinth, Howard the Duck, Temple of Doom, and The NeverEnding Story. She also discusses the collaborative and supportive culture at ILM, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving remarkable results. Jett reflects on her transition from traditional painting to digital matte painting, as well as her current work as a fine artist in Maui.

Links

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https://www.caroleenjettgreen.com/
https://viewpointsgallerymaui.com/

Nigel Smith Cinema walks in London

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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.

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Michael Hewitt Brown Marathon Donation Page

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with illustrator Sylvain Despry, who has worked with renowned directors like Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick. We discuss Despry's journey into the artistic world, the importance of mentorship, and the role of storyboarding in filmmaking. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on art, the challenges faced by artists during the pandemic, and Despry's upcoming film project about the brand, Brand X. Throughout the discussion, Despry emphasizes the need for artistic integrity and the importance of preserving the craft of filmmaking.


Regarding Sylvain's new book:

Publisher's website

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentary's podcast, I speak with Kenneth George Godwin, author of 'The David Lynch Files, volume two, Dune.' Kenneth shares his unique experiences working on the set of Dune, detailing his journey from writing an essay on Eraserhead to being hired by David Lynch. The conversation explores the challenges faced during the production, the tensions between artistic vision and commercial demands, and the impact of Dune on Lynch's career. Kenneth also reflects on the lost footage from the documentary he shot and how it shaped his career in filmmaking.



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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview Charles de la Sarica, a renowned figure in behind-the-scenes filmmaking. We discuss Charles's journey into the world of documentaries, the challenges of capturing the filmmaking process authentically, and the evolution of behind-the-scenes content. Charles shares insights on balancing storytelling with authenticity, the impact of streaming on documentary content, and his aspirations for future projects. The conversation highlights the importance of preserving film legacies and the role of documentaries in inspiring new generations of filmmakers.



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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with puppeteers Toby Philpott, Dave Barkley, and John Coppinger, who share their experiences working on the iconic character Jabba the Hutt in 'Return of the Jedi.' They discuss their paths to the film, the challenges of building and performing as Jabba, and the lasting legacy of their work in the Star Wars universe. The conversation highlights the collaborative nature of filmmaking, the innovative techniques used in puppeteering, and the ongoing connection with fans through conventions and events.



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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with prop collector Dan Lanigan about the fascinating world of movie props. We discuss the emotional connections that props create for fans, the challenges of collecting, and the importance of preserving these artifacts for future generations. Dan shares insights from his experiences working on the Disney Plus show 'Prop Culture' and the significance of props in film history. The conversation also touches on the business side of prop collecting, the value of unique items, and Dan's aspirations for future projects.


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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview special effects supervisor Kevin Pike, who shares his fascinating journey from being a busboy to working on iconic films like Jaws, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park. Kevin discusses his experiences in the film industry, the evolution of special effects, and his transition to screenplay consulting, providing insights into the creative process and the challenges faced by filmmakers.

Kevin's site can be found at Filmtrix.net

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmunetaries podcast, I interview Paul Hirsch, an Oscar-winning film editor known for his work on iconic films such as Star Wars and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The conversation explores Hirsch's journey into the editing world, the transition from film to digital editing, and the collaborative process with directors. Hirsch shares insights on the art of editing, the challenges faced in modern filmmaking, and the impact of technology on the editing process. The discussion also touches on the nuances of editing different genres, particularly comedy, and concludes with reflections on a long and successful career in the film industry.


https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries All the links

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview Tim Rose, a renowned puppeteer and animatronics engineer known for his work on iconic characters such as Admiral Ackbar and Salacious Crumb. The conversation delves into Tim's journey into puppeteering, the magic of the Muppets, and the challenges of modern filmmaking. Tim shares insights on character development, the importance of rehearsal, and the legacy of Jim Henson, while reflecting on the evolution of animatronics and the future of the craft. 

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with fellow Star Wars superfan Giles Terera, a talented actor, director, and storyteller. We discuss the journey of creating the documentary Muse of Fire, the challenges faced during its production, and the impact it has had on education. Giles shares his experiences performing in the hit musical Hamilton, the intensity of theatre life, and the importance of collaboration in storytelling. The conversation also touches on future projects and the lasting legacy of creative works.


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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
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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 here. Check it out! And then BUY IT!

Talking of books, don't forget that Justin Berger and I have now pre-released our Return of the Jedi - Unauthorized Timeline book as an ebook on Amazon.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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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!

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
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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

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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I hope you enjoyed my archival interview episodes in December 2023, one with Producer Robert Watts, the other with actor Garrick Hagon.

Well now we are back to some recent interviews, I can tell you I’ve been busy lining these up ready for 2024!

So… for the first, its a pretty big one, well it’s a very big one - Thanks to the lovely folks at ILM, I was given the chance to interview director Gareth Edwards and his FX crew on The Creator.

I’d be trying to get Gareth on via a mutual friend of ours but given Gareth is currently doing press about the nominations the film has received, so it was perfect timing.
So you’ll hear my conversion with Gareth along with VFX supervisors Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Charmain Chan, Andrew Roberts and Jay Cooper as well as SFX supervisor Neil Corbould.
There is an exclusive video version of the podcast on the filmumentaries youtube channel so that you can see all of us talking while I paint the interviews with some of the VFX breakdown clips ILM kindly provided. So if you can, head over to youtube to check that out.

So, we talk about:

• Gareth’s unique shooting techniques that enable large scope on a relatively low budget. And also the now famous use of the pro-sumer camera.
• How the collaboration between the on-set crew and VFX teams is crucial for achieving seamless integration of practical and digital elements.
• How anchoring VFX work to practical elements in the frame enhances the realism and believability of the visual effects.
• How real-world locations can provide inspiration and add authenticity to the film's design and visual effects.
• How the future of filmmaking with VFX lies in finding innovative ways to combine practical and digital techniques and finding the best tools to make the pipeline more efficient.
• We finish by talking about award recognition and what it means to them.

All the links

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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Ok, this is another one from the archives, but as with the Robert Watts recording, I’ve been wanting to put this one out in podcast form for a while too.

This is a conversation I had with actor Garrick Hagon back in 2015. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, how about Biggs Darklighter.

Yes, Garrick is well known for his mostly deleted scenes from Star Wars in which he plays Luke’s best pal. I’d met Garrick in the green room at a Star Wars Trilogy day at the BFI southbank earlier that year. I’d been invited there by my old mate Toby Phlipott, Jabba puppeteer and all round good guy.

Garrick and I got chatting about how I’d done an interview with Toby and created what turned out to be a very popular video from it. So I suggested we do the same. In fact both of those videos are still on my vimeo channel. So I’ll also link to that in the show notes.

As with all interviews, when making a video you often cut out certain bits that you don’t need. But with a podcast you can make it more long form. So that’s what I’ve done here. The interview was done over the phone, so it won’t sound as good as some of my more recent episodes. But it’s still definitely very listenable.

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This is one from the archives, but I’ve been wanting to put this out in podcast for for some time now.

Its my interview with the legendary producer Robert Watts from back in July 2018.

My cameraman buddy Paddy and I visited Robert at his home, and a lovely home it was too. He was on such great form and just a delight to be with.

We arrived armed with some F1 signed caps from Hamilton and Vettel because a little birdy had told us he was a motorsport fan. And he was absolutely delighted. That little birdy was actually David Whitely, who is going to be a guest on this very podcast in the coming weeks.

It wasn’t of course ever intended to be a podcast, so you’ll hear my questions slightly off mic, but of course this is all about Robert and his work on 2001, Thunderball, Star Wars, Raiders, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi etc, so I'm sure you can forgive some audio irregularities.

As the recording starts, Robert and I are talking about Stuart Freeborn and his creation of Yoda. You’ll also hear friend of the podcast Paddy Tyndall ask the occasional question. I hope you enjoy it.

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Uncover the secrets of Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1's breathtaking visual effects. VFX supervisors Jeffrey Sutherland and Simone Coco share insights on collaboration, challenges, and the art of crafting cinematic magic. Step behind the scenes and explore the dynamic world where reality meets creativity.

I was recently given the opportunity, by the folks at ILM, to talk to two VFX supervisors that worked on Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1. Namely Jeff Sutherland and Simone Coco. So as you might imagine I jumped at the chance and within 24 hours we were chatting.

In this conversation we discuss their work on Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1 and the unique challenges they face. They talk about the impact of practical elements on their VFX work, the importance of creating scale and believability, and the balance between realism and creativity. We also discuss the collaboration with stunt teams, the adaptation to new camera technology, and the always evolving role of VFX in filmmaking.

They share their experiences in finding creative solutions and maintaining freshness and objectivity. Just so that you know who is who, Jeffrey is the first to speak after me, and Simone is the one with the Italian accent.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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Now, for this exciting episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Spina.

Tom is an avid Star Wars enthusiast, restoration specialist, and the founder of Tom Spina Designs and Regal Robot. In our conversation, we delve into his early love for Star Wars and those toys, his passion for computer graphics on his Amiga, his brief stint as a TD in live TV, and his current work in restoring historical movie props. We also touch on his Star Wars Celebration panel, his interactions with the film saga's crew, props, and monsters.

It's a fascinating insight into his creative process, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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For this episode, the second of November 2023, I spoke with director, producer and editor Jeremy Coon.

Jeremy was the producer on the 2007 film Napoleon Dynamite. But I spoke to him in his editor director capacity about the new documentary “A Disturbance in the Force’, which I was lucky enough to see at the UK premiere in London last week.

The documentary chronicles the story behind the bizarre and legendary Star Wars Holiday Special. The 1978 TV special full of growling wookies, odd dance numbers and a “revisit” of sorts to the cantina, run be Bea Arthur usual and awkward appearances from the main cast of Star Wars.

This is a shorter than usual episode, but I wanted to get it out to you before the documentary is released on 5th December

So here is my conversation with Jeremy Coon, director and editor of Disturbance in the Force. I hope you enjoy it.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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"Star Wars came and changed my life."

Steve Sansweet, former bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal, shares his passion for movies and collecting, particularly Star Wars memorabilia. He recalls his childhood love for movies and science fiction, and how he started collecting science fiction toys and robots. He discusses the impact of Star Wars on his life and the collecting community, and his role in writing the book 'From Concept to Screen to Collectible'. Sansweet also talks about his time at Lucasfilm and his extensive collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Steve Sansweet discusses his favorite Star Wars collectibles, his role at Lucasfilm, and the growth of Star Wars fandom. He talks about his involvement in creating the Star Wars Encyclopedia and his time working on the special editions. Sansweet shares his experiences at Star Wars celebrations and the importance of fan engagement. He also reveals his favorite piece from the Phantom Menace era and discusses the challenges of collecting Star Wars merchandise. Sansweet reflects on his time at Lucasfilm and the future of Rancho Obi-Wan.

Links:

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Rancho Obi Wan have a big fundraiser taking place in Seattle Oct 5th

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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In this episode (number 90!!), I share an enlightening conversation with the creators of the "RoboDoc" series - a comprehensive documentary on the iconic sci-fi film, RoboCop. The team includes directors Chris Griffith and Eastwood Allen, and producer Gary Smart.

The trio talks in-depth about how they transformed their passion project into a widely acclaimed series over several years. They reveal that their journey was far from smooth, battling legal issues, budget constraints, and meeting stringent fair-use criteria, among other challenges. Their tenacity to produce a series that deeply analyses every scene of the cult classic is ultimately what led to the final output.
The documentary features over 100 interviews with cast, writers, producers, special effects designers and countless crew members of the Robocop universe to provide fans with an incredibly detailed and insightful look into this much-loved franchise. The creators finally discuss distribution, the importance of physical media, and their hopes for future projects.
In the meantime “stay out of trouble”...

ROBODOC: The Creation of RoboCop. A 4-part limited series detailing the making of the seminal sci-fi movie, RoboCop (1987)STREAMING NOW:

🇬🇧Prime Video via The Icon Film Channel

🇺🇸Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and other VOD via Screambox.


💿 BLU-RAY
🇬🇧 SPECIAL EDITION (REGION B)


🇺🇸 COLLECTOR’S EDITION (REGION A)


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If you listened to episode 87 you’ll have heard my conversation with the British Film Institutes Douglas Weir. He’s Technical and Remastering lead there and does great work with his team to restore and release films from British classics to lost gems.

He invited me back to talk to him and his colleague Vic Pratt - film historian and Video Publishing Producer.

So I got together with them both at BFI Southbank last week to talk about some of their new projects.
One of their blu ray releases out this month is Short Sharp Shocks a wonderful collection of short films which… well I won’t say any more just now, you’ll hear everything about it in out conversation.

Just grab a glass of brandy, get a blanket and pull your chair closer to the fireplace. Enjoy.

All the links!

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For this episode, number 88, I spoke with Mac Smith about the path he took to his career as Supervising Sound Editor and employee of Skywalker Sound, via marching bands, a chance meeting with Walter Murch, being propelled into the industry working for Robert Zemekis on Castaway. And so much more.

Listen in for the full story.

Thanks to the folks at Skywalker Sound for helping set this up.

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For this episode, number 87 I spoke to The British Film Institute’s Remastering and Technical lead Douglas Weir. Doug had recently introduced a screening of Jaws at the BFI back in June of this year. It wasn’t just any old print of Jaws, it was a near pristine dye transfer print that a colleague of Doug’s found in the archive.

After the screening which was amazing, I contacted Doug to see if he’d come on the podcast to talk about that print and about his career at BFI. It turns out he is already a listener of the podcast and was very keen to chat.

So Doug invited me up to the southbank based BFI and along with his colleague, I got a back stage tour, checking out all the old projectors and film reels (I’ve posted some photos on the filmumentaries Instagram page). Doug and I then sat down for an hour for a chat, covering a multitude of topics including Jaws, the limits of restoration from both a techinical POV as well as what should be restored Vs what can be achieved.

I hope you enjoy it.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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For this episode, number 86, I spoke with VFX Supervisor Charmaine Chan.

We chatted back in mid June 2023 on a boiling hot day here in London. We talked about Charmaine's entry into the industry via running a website about a particular girl group that you might have heard of.

She then went onto to be a researcher and compositor at ILM, and most recently a VFX supervisor on Gareth Edwards' visually dazzling, “The Creator” - out on 29th September 2023.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing it.

Listen in for the rest of the conversation.

Links

• Videos on Vimeo
• Return of the Jedi Timeline Book
  
• Etsy Shop - Buy your Jabba print here
  
• Filmumentaries Merch
• Support the Podcast on Patreon
• Linktree

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
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For this episode, number 85, the firstone of September 2023, I have VFX supervisor of choice for both Spielberg and Scorcese, namely Pablo Helman.

Pablo and I spoke back in June 2023 about his career path and his work for Stephen and Marty. There will be a video version available for those of you that contribute via patreon on the second tier.

Pablo left his home of Argentina in the early 1990s to work in the VFX industry in California. He initially worked on films like Apollo 13 and Strange Days before joining ILM in 1996.

He went on to work on Jurassic Park 2, Contact, Saving Private Ryan, The Phantom Menace and more recently The Irishman, Mank and The Fablemans. A fascinating guy.

Links

Return of the Jedi Timeline Book - Register your interest!

Etsy Shop - Buy your Jabba print here

Filmumentaries Merch

Support the Podcast on Patreon

Linktree

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

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This time I have the pleasure of sharing my conversations with Skywalker Sound’s Co-Supervising Sound Editor Matthew Wood, Sound Designer David W Collins and Re-recording Mixer Danielle Dupre.

I spoke with Matthew and David together and then separately with Danielle.

Matthew and David are Emmy nominated for Mandalorian Chapter 24, Matthew his also nominated for his work on Obi Wan Kenobi Part VI (6)

Danielle has also been nominated for her work on Obi Wan Kenobo part 6.

So first of all you'll hear my conversation with Matthew Wood and David W Collins then after the ads you’ll hear my conversation with Danielle.

I hope you enjoy it.

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For this, the second special Emmy nominees episode I got to speak with friend of the podcast and former guest VFX Animation Supervisor Hal Hickel (check out episode 68 for that conversation) along with Grady Cofer, Production Visual Effects Supervisor.

We chat about their work on the show, the balance of innovation and tradition, the use of certain tools of their trade and the collaborative nature of VFX work.

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Welcome to this special episode of the Filmumentaries Podcast. Episode 82 in fact.

Today is a small diversion from the usual. Rather than film history, I have three guests who are very much part of the film now, or TV now. These three gentlemen are at the forefront of VFX on Disney+’s Emmy award nominated show, Andor. Genuinely one of my favourite shows for a long time. So for this month, August 2023, there will be three episodes, all conversations with ILM VFX and Skywalker sound artists and technicians in celebration of their Emmy nominations.

Now if you are a regular listener to this podcast you’ll know that I hosted a panel at Star Wars celebration here in London back in May - I mention it to literally anyone that’ll listen. HAHA. On that panel were VFX experts Mohen Leo, TJ Falls and Scott Pritchard as well as special effects supervisor Richard Van Den Bergh. Now due to a complication backstage the panel was not recorded save for a few snippets that the ILM team shot.

So I dedicated a whole episode to Richard Van Den Bergh about his career in special effects. That was episode 80 . And while not an episode specifically about Andor, we did talk about the show a little. (do check it out)

Then very recently ILM got in touch and asked if I’d like to interview the three VFX guys on the podcast. They along with Richard have been nominated in the category of Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie. I immediately said yes and within 24 hours I was chatting with these wonderful artists again.

So here’s my conversation with Mohen Leo - Production VFX Supervisor, TJ Falls, VFX Producer and Scott Pritchard, ILM VFX supervisor…

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For this episode, the second of July 2023, I spoke with Puppet Film Director and Creature Effects Artist Kevin McTurk. Kevin and I first connected on Facebook a couple of years ago, maybe it was more than that. We’ve been trying to find a suitable time to have him on the podcast since then.

Well now is the time as Kevin has a project on Kickstarter as we speak. Kevin directs these amazing short films using puppetry and wonderfully atmospheric effects.

He’s a veteran of creature effects in movies like Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, Galaxy Quest and King Kong. However, he is, as I said also a director of these amazing short films. He started with The Narrative of Victor Karloch a victorian ghost story. Then there was The Mill at Caulder’s End in a similar vein. The one that I first spotted was his third film “The Haunted Swordsman”. It’s quite extraordinary. You’ll hear us talk about it in the interview.

Kevin’s latest project which is currently on Kickstarter is “Grylu Sker” an Icelandic folklore story. As of 25 July it has 18 days to go and is 75% funded. Do check it out.

During the interview Kevin’s connection went a few times. So when I was editing the podcast I got back in touch with Kevin to help me fill in the gaps. So you’ll hear me a couple of times, just clarifying what Kevin was saying. It shouldn’t be too distracting.

So here’s my interview with Puppet Film Director and Creature Effects Artist Kevin McTurk. I hope you enjoy it.

Grylu Sker - Kickstarter
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Last episode you heard part one of my conversation with Nilo Rodis Jamero, design legend and wonderful person. For this episode, number 106, the first of July 2024 you’ll be hearing part two of our chat…


On entering the gaming industry Nilo's focus was always about inspiring and guiding production teams to craft original and iconic characters and worlds. He’s real advocate for originality and imagination in design, rather than leaning on copying existing designs or using AI to assist those designs.
In our conversation, Nilo shares his experiences working with the legendary John Hughes, emphasizing the value of building relationships and understanding a director’s vision.

We also delve into the crucial role of production design in film and the unspoken code of acceptance when a director gives their nod of approval to a set.Nilo believes that good design should shake the viewer to their core, creating a unique experience. This means a lot of iterating and refining, but through this rigorous process, truly groundbreaking concepts can emerge. Collaboration is another cornerstone of Nilo’s philosophy. He believes that the creative process thrives on the participation of diverse talents, each contributing their unique expertise to the project.

This collaborative spirit is what drives innovation.Now you’ll know if you listened to my chat with Nilo in 2021 and last episode that he’s met a lot of key figures in the industry, in this chat he talks about n meeting influential figures like Hayao Miyazaki and Tezuka Osamu. These encounters have not only inspired him but also provided valuable insights into his design and storytelling work. But it’s not all work for Nilo—his passions outside of work, like Formula One racing, bring joy and fresh perspectives into his life. There’s a great bit at the end of this chat when I tell Nilo I work in F1, and he becomes the fan for a moment.So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the creative mind of Nilo Rodis-Jamero. This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a whole lot of passion for the art of design. 

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For this episode, the first of July 2023, I spoke with Special Effects Supervisor Richard Van Den Bergh.

I met Richard when he was one of the panellists on the Andor SFX/VFX panel at Star Wars Celebration in May this year.

Richard is clearly an expert of his craft, whether it’s model making, making atmospherics or supervising. He’s had some much experience from starting in the industry on Ridley Scott's Legend, to his most recent work on Andor for which he was nominated for a Bafta.

I hope you enjoy our conversations.

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My conversation today is with long time Lucasfilm film employee Miki Herman. She was engaged at Lucasfilm during the production of Star Wars and stayed long enough to work on the Ewok and Droids cartoons.

She worked on the original Star Wars trilogy as production assistant, production coordinator and unit production manager, respectively. She was later a consultant for The Star Wars Holiday Special and became co-executive producer of the Star Wars Droids and Ewoks animated series.

Big thanks for Miki for her time.

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For this episode, number 78, I spoke to composer Stu Phillips.

Stu was born in 1929, is an American composer of film scores and television series theme music, He’s also a conductor and record producer. Though he is probably best known for composing the theme tunes to the television series Battlestar Galactica and Knight Rider.

After a career spanning decades, in 2002, he published his autobiography Stu Who?: Forty Years of Navigating the Minefields of the Music Business. It's well worth checking out.

Stu and I had tried to arrange a chat for months. I was unwell at one point, then I had some internet problems, then his phone line went down. But we finally managed to do it in May this year (2023).
I have to say it was a genuine pleasure chatting to Stu. And as you’ll hear, he is as sharp as a tack at 93 years old.

At one point in the conversation Stu and I talk about how artists borrow from each other all the time. Hang around at the end of this episode to hear what I found out after a deep dive into one particular track of Stu’s.

As with my conversation with Peter Kuran (episode 75), I was having internet problems at the time, so there are a couple of drop outs. Some I’ve managed to edit around, others I haven’t so if you hear any little jumps in the conversation, that’s why.

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Ok so for this episode, number 77 (cool number) I have a guest host in the shape of my co-author on the new Return of the Jedi Unauthorized timeline book, Justin Berger.

So the conversation you’re about to hear is our interview with Jedi’s co-producer Jim Bloom about his time working on the film. We are so happy to say that he also wrote a wonderful introduction for the book.

So today, 25th May, was supposed to be the release day of the book. Unfortunately Amazon let us down and we’ve had to delay until June 1st (jeditimeline.com)https://jeditimeline.comBasically our proof copies which should have arrived in a matter of a couple of days, didn’t arrive until too late. We didn’t want to put the book up for sale without having handled it ourselves to make sure everything is in order. Better to get this done properly than quickly. And in fact a couple of things have come to light since we decided to delay which are going to make this a better book anyway.

There will be three versions of the book. The contents are the same in each but we have three versions to suit all pockets. The first is the colour hardback. The second is the colour softcover and thirdly there's a version with a colour softcover with black and white pages. That’s the cheapest of the bunch. If you can afford it, why not buy yourself a hardback cover one to keep and treasure and a softcover one to flick through at your leisure?

So here’s our conversation with Jim Bloom. Justin’s internet died a couple of times so he doesn’t say a huge amount, but what he does say is great. Thanks to both of these gents for their time.

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This is a BONUS episode for May 2023.

This is my conversation with editor Michael Harte about his new film "Still: A Michael J Fox Movie", which is out today in cinemas and on Apple TV.

Listen out for some exclusive clips of the film during our conversation.

I hope you enjoy it.
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#AppleOriginals #STILL

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For this episode, number 75, I spoke with filmmaker and optical VFX expert Peter Kuran. Peter was one of the few people employed by George Lucas on Star Wars and became a core crew member at Industrial Light and Magic.

He went on to have a long career in VFX and then became a director in his own right.

I should point out that we had internet problems so some of the recording is garbled or lost. I’ve edited around it in places and left it in in other places so you know that there was a piece missing. Apologies. We never found out if it was my connection or Peter’s.

I hope you enjoy the conversation.

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For this episode of the podcast, number 74, I spoke with VFX artist, expert, VFX twitter ambassador and all round good guy Todd Vaziri.

Todd began his career right out of college and worked on shows like Charmed and Xena Warrior Princess for Flat Earth productions before moving to among others, Banned from the Ranch before landing at ILM for Attack of the Clones.

Since then he’s worked on just about every ILM tentpole movie.

So here is my conversation with ILM VFX artist Todd Vaziri. I hope you enjoy it.

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Episode 73

If you remember, I interviewed House of the Dragon writer and showrunner, Ryan Condal back in September 2022, episode 59 I think. Well he and I have become friends and we chat quite a bit on Whatsapp. He suggested I speak to his Special Effects Supervisor on Dragon, Michael Dawson. “He’s been in the industry since Superman in the late 70’s. He’s a great guy and would be perfect for your podcast”.

So, a couple of weeks ago I did indeed have a great chat with Mike. He not only worked on Superman, but also on the three original Indiana Jones films, Return of the Jedi, Return to Oz, Alien 3, Patriot Games, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and so many more! We didn’t get the chance to talk about all of them but we did have a great conversation about his job and his 45 plus years working in special effects.

So here’s my chat with Special Effect Supervisor Michael Dawson.

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Welcome to this DVD extra type episode.

Here is my conversation with Van Ling, the guest on episode 71, talking about his time at the fabled Banned From The Ranch Entertainment.

I hope you enjoy this little extra bonus episode.

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So for this episode I spoke with Van Ling. A name you may recognise. Perhaps for his work on laserdisc, DVD and blu ray, perhaps for his collaborations with James Cameron on The Abyss and Terminator 2 (you’ll love the story of how he got started with Cameron), or maybe for his time working on VFX at Banned From The Ranch Entertainment on films like Dante’s Peak or The Relic. Either way you’ll find his eclectic career fascinating.
I spoke with Van just before our trip to LA. We were hoping to meet up for lunch while we were out there but the schedule was too tight. Maybe next time Van.

So here is my interview with Van Ling, disc creator, VFX supervisor, director…


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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."

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For this episode, number 70, I finally spoke with director Patrick Read Johnson.

He recently released his many years in the making, labour of love 5-25-77.

A film that semi fictionalises and chronicles the early life of a character, named Patrick Read Johnson and his love of movies like 2001 A Space Oddysey, Star Wars and Close Encounters.

I saw an early cut of this about ten years ago with several scenes missing. Patrick and I connected over the release of my Star Wars Begins (still available to view for free on Vimeo by the way).

5-25-77 is currently available on blu ray and on several streaming platforms.

So here’s my chat with the director of 5-25-77, Patrick Reid Johnson and I’ll be back at the end for a bit more jabbering on.

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For this episode, number 69 I spoke with ILM and Sony Picture Imageworks legend Ken Ralston.

Ken started on VFX in advertising, then in 1976 he was employed to work on a little film called Star Wars. He remained at ILM for 20 years having worked on Star Wars, Star Trek, Dragon Slayer, Back to the Future, I mean the list is huge. He then went on to work as Visual Effect Supervisor and Creative Head at Sony Pictures Imageworks. He’s won five academy awards during his career.

If you know who Ken is, you’ll love this conversation. If you don’t know who Ken is, firstly WHY? But secondly, you’ll definitely know his work.

He of course recently featured in the Disney+ Lawrence Kasdan documentary series Light and Magic. But as ever I am keen to dig a little deeper. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

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For this episode, number 68 I spoke with an animator at ILM, namely Hal Hickel. Now, if you’re on twitter you’ll know that Hal is a prolific tweeter. I’ve had a number of conversations with him online. Recently in one conversation it transpired that Hal had done some of the work on the 2004 version of Star Wars (A new hope), particularly on the redone Jabba scene. A redo of the 1997 special edition release. My friend Drew of Star Wars Visual Comparisons.

So I decided to approach Hal to come on the podcast and talk about that scene as well as many of the films he’s worked on over the years. Looking at my notes here for the keywords I’ll add to the podcast, we talk about Toy Story, Jurassic Park, Rogue One, The Life Aquatic and many more in between.

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For this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with the ultra talented and lovely human being… Jean Bolte, that’s BoltE, rhymes with Nick Nolte as she told me.

Jean has worked in the film industry for many years. She started in wigs and beard, then moved to ILM in time for Willow for which she was a model maker. The thumbnail for the episode shows Jean working on the ostrich for the famous morphing scene.

She then went to work on Hook, Jumanji, Men in Black, The Phantom Menace and so many more huge movies as a digital texture artist.

She’s recently handed in her notice to ILM but is going to be staying very much in the creative world.

Jean was just so great to talk to, we hit it off immediately. Chatting with her was surprisingly relaxing and also very inspiring.

So here’s my conversation with texture artist and supervisor Jean Bolte... Nick Notle and I’ll be back at the end for a bit more jabbering on.

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For episode 66, I have an Oscar winning director. But I don’t talk to him about his films at all. Instead I talk to him about a book he’s written. Lee Unkrich is probably best known by film fans as the director of Toy Story 3 and Coco. He of course won an Oscar for both of those movies. What you might not know is that he is a lifelong fan of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. For many years he has run a website “the overlook hotel”, which he fills with everything and anything he can about his favourite film.

After ten years or so in the making, he is just about to release his book, published by Taschen and limited to 1000 copies (in the collector edition at least). It’s called Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. I spoke to Lee just after Christmas 2022. So here’s our conversation. I hope you enjoy it.

Taschen's new "Stanley Kubrick's The Shining"

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I discuss the journey of Rose Degnan, a key figure in the visual effects industry, particularly her experiences at ILM during the production of Star Wars. The conversation covers her entry into filmmaking, the evolution of visual effects, the work culture at ILM, and the balance between personal life and a demanding career. Rose shares insights on the importance of appreciation in the workplace and the transition from practical effects to digital technology. She also shares her experiences in the film industry, discussing the balance between quality and efficiency in filmmaking, the importance of mentorship, particularly for women in a male-dominated field, and her reflections on working with George Lucas. She highlights the complexities of visual effects in Star Wars, the evolution of budgeting and production practices, and the need for greater diversity in the industry. 

Thanks for joining me in 2022 and I hope you can do so again for the next year of episodes of The Filmumentaries podcast in 2023! Happy New Year.


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