Cinegirl Podcast

A discussion around raising mental health awareness on set and understanding the duty of care when at work.

Leo Anna Thomas has worked within the Art and Props Department for 19 years for film, television, theatre and live immersive events.  Covering roles such as Assistant Art Director, Standby Art Director, Prop Maker, Painter, PA and Art Department Coordinator.

Leo is a fully certified Mental Health First Aider and works hard to make this known on set to help raise mental health awareness in film. Leo is currently working as a Well Being Facilitator and is a co-Director at 6 foot From the Spotlight. 

6 foot From the Spotlight is a non profit Community Interest Company set up with the sole aim of improving the mental wellbeing of music and film crew in the UK.

https://6ftfrom.org

http://www.leoannathomas.com

In this episode we talk to Rufai "Roo" Ajala ( they/them/theirs) about non-binary gaze, intimacy coordination and much more.

You can follow Roo on @intimacywithroo and @rufaiajala

[TRIGGER WARNING - sexual abuse and violence] In this episode we discuss gender politics, powerful storytelling and what it means to be a woman in Emerald Fennell's award winning thriller Promising Young Woman.

In this episode, we discuss the representation of female characters and diverse narratives for children in Disney's “Raya and the Last Dragon".

In this episode, we are catching up with Bebe Dierken, Cinegirl Ambassador and Cinematographer, talking all things Christmas and about women working within the camera department.

Bebe has worked in the industry for twenty-eight years. She studied photography and then started working as a Loader, Focus Puller, Operator and eventually becoming a cinematographer working worldwide.

Follow Bebe @bebedierken

Artwork by © Cinegirl

Podcast Editor by Jasmin Karlsson

Music by © Tom James Music

In this episode we speak to Lady Aria Grey, an award-winning writer, drag queen and comedienne, and Dale Elena McCready, a Director of Photography from New Zealand who has worked on high-end TV & feature projects. We discuss the representation of diversity and inclusivity in film and TV with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ characters.

We discuss POSE, Schitt’s Creek, Bessie and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Lady Aria Grey’s work can be found here:

https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/lady-aria-grey-aka-callum-tilbury

Dale Elena McReady’s work can be found here:

https://www.dalemccready.com/blog/tag/DOP

In this episode, we speak to April Kelley (ambassador for Bipolar UK, actress, producer and co-founder of Mini Productions) about the way mental health is represented in film and TV. We discuss Tully, This Way Up and episode three of Modern Love, and focus on the way mental health is depicted in both of these works and across the screen generally, with a particular focus on female roles. April also talks to us about her personal journey in living with Bipolar Disorder, and the obstacles she has faced throughout her career.

You can find April’s work here:

http://aprilkelley.com and you can follower her on instagram @april_kelley.

April’s involvement with Bipolar UK can be found here: http://aprilkelley.com/bipolar-uk/

About Mini Production: http://miniproductions.co.uk