In this episode of Yours For The Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Tim Cragg – award-winning director of photography whose work spans iconic documentaries like Three Identical Strangers, the Beckham series, and upcoming films at Tribeca. With a BAFTA, Golden Globe nominations, and decades of experience, Tim offers an unfiltered look into the art of cinematic storytelling.

From shooting intimate interviews to capturing large-scale productions, Tim shares how he chooses projects that matter, adapts to the demands of true crime and celebrity docuseries, and continues to push creative boundaries. Whether working with Spielberg’s team on alien documentaries or interviewing Holocaust survivors for the British government, his focus is always on truth, emotion, and impact.

For aspiring filmmakers and film lovers alike, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to tell powerful stories on screen.

Key Topics Covered:

• Tim’s visual storytelling approach as a director of photography
• Filming Three Identical Strangers, Beckham, and other Netflix hits
• Building trust with celebrity subjects like David Beckham and Leo DiCaprio
• Shooting alien documentaries with Spielberg’s production company
• How documentaries are evolving beyond education into cinematic storytelling
• The emotional toll of true crime stories – and why Netflix provides therapy
• From wildlife docs to the mafia: why Tim loves documentary filmmaking
• The creative freedom of Netflix vs traditional broadcasters like the BBC
• Tim’s advice for aspiring filmmakers: choose well, believe in yourself

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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson – founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, and Woodland Workshop – this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

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Key Moments:

00:00 – Meet Tim Cragg: BAFTA-winning director of photography

04:12 – Getting into film with dyslexia and no formal training

08:40 – Why documentaries? Tim’s approach to choosing projects

11:55 – Filming Three Identical Strangers and Beckham

15:22 – Working with David Attenborough, Spielberg, Aronofsky

18:40 – True crime, trauma, and Netflix-funded therapy

23:05 – Why alien documentaries are taken more seriously now

26:14 – Filming celebrities to look real, not polished

30:48 – Global impact of Netflix vs BBC budgets

34:01 – Shooting a mafia series and Tribeca feature film

38:12 – Advice to aspiring filmmakers: trust your instinct