I'm a film director and this podcast is my way of socialising.

Today I’m talking to Darcy Weir, a documentary filmmaker. We released our films through the same distributor and I was extremely impressed with Darcy’s ability to promote his docs.

• 0:07 Documentary filmmaker Darcy Weir
• 0:34 How “X-Files” and “Harry and the Hendersons” led to UFOs and Sasquatch documentaries
• 4:10 Having a distinctive target audience & getting your film out there: be passionate about what you do
• 6:31 Are members of UFO groups believers?
• 9:09 Telling your side of the story and how to deal with charlatans
• 16:25 Filming on sight, finding and interviewing your subjects

If you want to connect with Darcy you’ll find all his films & trailers here:

Today I’m talking to Graham Wyn Jones, a storyboard artist who has done huge blockbuster films, but also small, independent type of films, where he worked with only a small team. Listen to how he got into the industry and the joys of being a storyboard artist:

• 0:00 Graham Wyn Jones
• 0:52 The journey from merchant seaman to storyboard artist
• 6:44 Working on Hollywood blockbuster movies & the time it takes to get there
• 9:49 The storyboarding workflow
• 11:35 The skillset of a good storyboard artist
• 15:16 Different languages on set
• 16:42 Concept artist, storyboard artist, digital or pencil & paper

Connect with Graham:

For everyone who doesn’t know, once in a while I also do poster work, and that’s how I met Texas-based actor Jeff Weber, and we decided to do a podcast! Have a listen:

Today I spoke to Clifford De Spenser, who I first collaborated with on the film “3 Lives” and who become an invaluable member of my team ever since.

• 0:35 Intro of voice / language / dialect / dialogue coach Clifford De Spenser
• 2:27 The ups and downs in the film industry & the importance of networking
• 3:37 Glamour on set (or the absence of it) & wearing the right clothes
• 4.53 Shooting the film “3 Lives”
• 7:49 Guerrilla filmmaking has similarities to being in the army
• 10:16 The bigger the budget [..] the more silly they become
• 13:44 A film set is like a medieval court
• 15:03 The difference between dialect and dialogue coach (with a small detour to the early days of cinema)
• 17:52 Advice to actresses and actors who aspire to be successful internationally
• 21:07 What’s next

Today I'm talking to Filipe Fernandes, a colourist I had the pleasure of working with on 3 of my films: "8 Remains", "3 Lives" and "The Curse of Hobbes House"

0:00 How Filipe Fernandes became a colourist in the film industry

3:01 What skills do a colourist need? 

4:28 Advice to filmmakers from a colourist what not to avoid during shooting

5:44 The story about turning the runner into forest greenery (Filipe’s magic wand) 

7:16 The process of colour grading

9:24 "8 Remains" - a project saved in colour grade (DoP Marcus Schwemin)  

13:22 Case study "The Marvelous Misadventures of the Stone Lady", a short film with a VFX animated statue as the lead character in a real environment  

16:24 Working and living the European dream 

Connect with Filipe:

Georgie Fisher is a singer-songwriter from Sydney, who has made Berlin her home. Have a listen:

0:00 Georgie Fisher

1:16 Career choice: singer-songwriter

5:08 Writing music for a film vs creating a song

7:02 What’s next?

8:44 How do you create a pop song?

11:05 Next: the production of the song - a different skillset

12:30 Advice for aspiring musicians

14:49 Talking about the glamour of being a musician on tour

Connect with Georgie:

Music Streaming

Pat Wintersgill is a producer and the managing director of the post house Filmshed, which is responsible for the colour grading of my last three feature films. I had a chance to chat with him. Have a listen:

0:12 Introduction & being a runner in the film industry
1:26 The evolution of film to digital
3:35 The history of Pat’s company Filmshed
4:14 The process and importance of post production
9:33 Things to look out for to avoid problems in post, frame rate & green screen
15:13 The use of stagecraft
18:33 Pat’s own productions

If you want to connect with Pat:

With the release of “The Curse of Hobbes House” coming up in the UK (March 8th 2021), I had a chance to catch up again with Waleed Elgadi, who recently also starred in “Mosul”.

Have a listen!

00:00 Introduction and “The Curse of Hobbes House”

02:25 Working with a zombie trainer

04:18 “Mosul” and filming “The 355”

11:14 Social Media in show business and COVID19

17:15 Take away for aspiring actors and actresses

If you want to connect with Waleed:

Today I’m speaking to Kevin Leslie, who I had the pleasure of working with in “8 Remains”, as well as “The Curse of Hobbes House.”

• 00:47 The importance of action and cut when you work in a different language.
• 03:24 “The Curse of Hobbes House”
• 04:31 How Kevin prepared to play Nigel Thatcher
• 08:00 What’s important in a role in order to commit playing the character? Making a difference and seeing the world differently when getting older.
• 15:12 Being privileged and entitled.
• 21:25 The movie “Lockdown”
• 25:50 Takeaways for aspiring actors and actresses
• 34:14 Remembering the shoot of “The Curse of Hobbes House”
• 35:06 There’s no point going to work if you hate your job
• 36:09 Gender balance on set

If you want to connect with Kevin, check out the links below:

Today I'm talking to Pamela Ip, a very talented hair and make-up artist with whom I worked with on my film 3 Lives. I simply love her work.

01:33 Following your passion and your childhood dreams

03:25 Working with other film departments and getting your hands dirty

05:18 The beauty of being a bit older when you find your calling

05:50 The most rewarding aspect of being a hair and make-up designer, every day is different and be prepared & organised!

08:53 Misperceptions about the job

10:18 Working with actresses and actors

11:48 Special FX make-up

13:15 Waiting for post COVID

16:00 Recommendations for people interested in becoming an hair and make-up artist

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Want to check out ‘3 Lives’, the film I worked on with Pip, click here:

Today I'm talking to my long time friend, collaborator, director, cartoonist, writer, and much more - Virginia Kennedy, an Australian living in Malaysia (that's where we met.)

00:20 Two white ladies in Malaysia.

01:08 About Virginia Kennedy.

01:45 Virginia and I co-produced, co-wrote and co-directed the comedy mockumentary Kinks. The low-budget journey was fun, and stress, and took us to a lot of interesting locations, like a jungle camp. We also talk about low budget directing and the experience of co-directing, as well as my acting abilities.

10:13 How a German production got kicked out of Malaysia.

13:31 Shooting by the rules, with or without permit and bribery.

17:35 Stupid things white people do.

19:59 The things we really love about Malaysia.

24:10 The funniest receptionist ever.

27:11 Virginia’s future projects, 9 to 5 jobs vs. following your dream.

29:59 My future projects & breaking into the German market.

32:01 Persistence & passion are key.

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00:25 Intro Makenna Guyler, actress & dog lover

02:04 Makenna in ‘The Curse of Hobbes House,’ the scene she loved the most, and a crazy children’s birthday party

10:55 Makenna’s exciting upcoming Sci-Fi mini-series and shooting during COVID19

13:42 The joy and advantages of shooting with smaller crews, teamwork and who should be responsible to get the coffee

18:20 Actor-director relationships

22:52 How does heart surgery compare to filmmaking and the importance of a good 1st AD

25:34 Advice from Makenna for aspiring actresses and actors and that relates to finding your identity and being enough for yourself

33:53 Kids are so authentic and can ground you

35:10 Mountain climbing (Makenna climbed the Kilimanjaro and the Mount Everest Base camp!) and expanding your limits

48:20 The Movie Method

Mhairi Calvey started acting at an early stage. With five, she made her debut in 'Braveheart,' gaining international recognition.

For me (Juliane Block) Mhairi has been a lifesaver, playing the lead in my feature '3 Lives,' coming on board only days before principal photography started. The collaboration was so successful that I knew I wanted to work with her again. And we did in 'The Curse of Hobbes House.'

Today, Mhairi and I are talking about work, life as an actress, and things to look out for if you aspire to a career on screen.

If you want to connect with Mhairi, here's how:

At some point I moved to Malaysia. In this episode I tell you about why, and how that ultimately enabled me to make the move into the movie industry. From now on, I'll change to interview people I met during my journey, who I admire or who are dear to me. (I felt that talking just about myself is a bit boring.)

I moved to Hong Kong, I thought let's see how long I'll last and then it turned out to be 6 years, which I stayed in Asia. Oh, and I absolutely hated my first job! 

I've never been to Asia before traveling to Hong Kong planning to stay there. I'm talking about my very first steps, realising what it means to be a Caucasian in Hong Kong and how to find your inner strength.

I had one year I really didn't create ANYTHING creative of value... and then I just fled. To Hong Kong. That's my story.

Well, in this episode I talk about my time navigating school. Pros and cons. Have a listen to my ramblings and decide for yourself.

Did you find the right job for you? I think I have, however, listen to this to hear about all the side steps I had to take... 

I did, and it worried my mom at some point. However, I think the source of all creativity is to tap into the stories we made up as children. Find your inner child and preserve it :)

My introduction into the film world was through doing zombie make-up. My intro to do zombie make-up was through my mom's evening parties where she sold make-up. Wanna know more? Have a listen :) 

PS: Episode art shows me in 2002 during a film project, where I did the make-up.

My mental backstory. What epiphany as teenager lay the foundation for me to become a film director. Tapping into my relationship to my parents as well as my point of view on failure and challenge.