Crew Chats

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, Crew Chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Tim Lewis had always been creative, and with the intention of pursuing a creative career, he studied Model Making for Design & Media at The Arts University Bournemouth. After graduating, Tim got his first job on the historical epic, ‘Alexander’ for which he was making costume armour and had the opportunity to travel to both Morocco and Thailand with the film. Tim then went onto work in various departments including in props, model making, special effects, costume and then also began doing small jobs for the armoury department, after meeting Armourer Simon Atherton on the film, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’. Eventually, he was working solely for the armoury department. Tim specialises in design and manufacture of a multitude of weapons and the accessories that go with them as well as going on set with the armour. Tim has worked on productions such as, ‘Snow White and The Huntsman’, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’, ‘Macbeth’(2015) and ‘The Old Guard’ to name a few.

Tim's Recommendations:

-Wallace and Gromit

-Star Wars Original Trilogy

-Embrace of the Serpent

-The Repair Shop

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, Crew Chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Kate Morath had from a young age had an aptitude for music but didn’t wish to pursue a career as a musician. She had always enjoyed the electronic aspects of physics and so after seeing an article about ‘sound mixing’ she applied to do some work experience and worked in a music studio in Leeds in her spare time. Subsequently Kate studied Television Operations, specialising in Sound at Ravensbourne University. Upon graduating, Kate joined the BBC Manchester audio unit, she had the opportunity to work in all aspects of audio but she especially loved working in both Drama and Music and later chose to specialise in the Drama department. After 8 years at the BBC, Kate became freelance and has subsequently worked on numerous TV and film productions such as, ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’, ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ ‘Prince of Persia’, ‘Philomena’ and ‘Victoria and Abdul’ to name a few. Kate's Recommendations:

- The Castle

-The Insider

-The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, Crew Chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Becky Johnson and Paul Vincett are the Directors of character creation company, ‘Stitches & Glue’. They both alongside their company work are also freelance makers in the film, theatre & TV industry. Becky studied Technical Effects & Makeup for the Performing Arts at The London College of Fashion. In her final year of university, Becky had the opportunity to work on the film, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy’ and has subsequently worked in the film industry, working on productions such as, ‘Assassin’s Creed’, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’, and ‘Ready Player One’, to name a few. Paul studied Illustration, specialising in Character Design and Puppets for Film and Animation at Westminster University. After graduating, Paul began his career by making character mascot costumes and went onto to become a puppet maker for a number of puppet studios. His film work has included, ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and ‘X-Men: First Class’. Paul started ‘Stitches& Glue’ whilst at university and it subsequently became a platform for Paul’s own puppet projects but is now the company within which Becky & Paul, design and make bespoke puppets and creature costumes for film, TV and theatre. They have worked on productions such as, Netflix’s, ‘The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance’, A worldwide theatre production of Disney’s, ‘The Little Mermaid’ and the ‘The Stranger Things’ Secret Cinema immersive experience to name a few.

Becky & Paul's Recommendations were:

-Willow

-The Princess Bride

-Little Shop of Horrors

-Jurassic Park

Ever wandered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, Crew Chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Sam Leake always wanted to have a creative career, so he studied Model Making for Design & Media at The Arts Institute Bournemouth. After graduating, Sam worked as a prop maker for a number of years on films such as ‘Captain America:First Avenger’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ Part 1&2. With the intention of having a more design orientated career and having been exposed to the work of the art department whilst on jobs, Sam decided to have a career change and worked towards a role in the art department, beginning as an assistant for Production Designer Stuart Craig on the film, ‘Gambit’ and subsequently has worked his way to being an Art Director. Sam has worked as an art director on films such as, ‘Maleficent 2: Mistress of Evil’, ‘Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindewald’ and ‘Justice League’ to name a few

Sam's Reccomendations:

-Gladiator

-Saving Private Ryan

-Braveheart

-Jurassic Park

-Nightmare Before Christmas

-Chicken Run

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Vicky Westgarth studied 3D Crafts at the University of Brighton. After graduating Vicky did a job making books for kids with learning and physical disabilities for a year and later went travelling. Upon returning, Vicky wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to take her career in and so began by doing some work experience at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, which then led to paid work. From this Vicky began working for Costume Props Maker Ivo Coveney for a number of years on films and theatre productions across the country before moving to London as a costume props and jewellery maker in the film industry. More recently Vicky has moved to Dorset, with her young family, where she works as a freelance maker. Vicky has worked on productions such as a, ‘Exodus’, ‘Thor: The dark World’, ‘Assassin’s Creed’, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ and ‘The King’s Man’ to name a few.

Vicky's Reccomendations:

-Bedknobs & Broomsticks

-Honey, I Shrunk the Kids/ The Borrowers

-Game of Thrones

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Sarah Hamza studied Costume for Performance at the London College of Fashion after being inspired to work in the Textiles field from watching her mother sew her clothes and school uniforms whilst growing up. After graduating, Sarah worked on varied projects like the TV mini-series ’The Colour of Magic’ as the Dye Assistant for two episodes and as the Deputy Wardrobe Supervisor on ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ for the Menier Chocolate Factory theatre. At the Royal Opera House (ROH), Sarah began as a Dresser and a casual Wardrobe Technician mainly for the Opera but occasionally for the Ballet too, before joining the Production Costume department as the Junior Buyer and General Assistant. After the ROH, Sarah worked for the English National Opera (ENO) as the Head Buyer and was also one of the in-house Costume Supervisors, supervising revivals such as 'Madam Butterfly' and 'The Mikado', and new productions from the 2019 season that included ‘War Requiem’, ‘Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel’ and ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’. Since January 2020, Sarah has been the Head of Costume for the Young Vic Theatre.

Sarah's Recommendations:

-What We Do in the Shadows (TV Series)

-The Farewell

-DGV: Danse a Grande Vitesse

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Matt Reitsma studied at the Rhode Island School of Design with the intention of studying Fashion Design but later transferred to Textiles, when he found he had a passion for it. After graduating, Matt moved home to Philadelphia to set up a print studio and began working for the Philadelphia Opera Company and thereafter working for many theatres on both the East and West Coast of America. After working for a number of years in textile departments for theatres, Matt transitioned into the film world in Los Angeles, beginning with some dyeing on The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This exposed him to film designers and supervisors, which subsequently led to working for designers such as Deborah Scott and Colleen Atwood. As a part of his working practices, Matt is aiming to reduce waste in his work processes, by trying to reduce water waste and to decrease the use of toxic chemicals in order to create a more sustainable and healthier working environment. Matt splits his time between the States and the UK and has worked on productions such as, ‘Titanic’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, ‘Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them’ and ‘Dumbo’ to name a few.

Matt's recommendations were:

-Babette's Feast

-Cabaret

-The Fall Directed by Tarsem Singh

-Children of Men

In this special Bonus Episode, I speak to the lovely Art Department Hun, about her insta page, what inspired her to start it, the amazing success it's had and lots more! Check out her insta page @artdepthun and her podcast at the, Art Dept Hun Podcast on Spotify and Soundcloud!

ArtDeptHun Recommendations:

-Peanut Butter Falcon

-Umbrella Academy

-Unsolved Mysteries

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Natalie Wood’s love of theatre, started at a young age, when her father would take her to work with him at Wimbledon Theatre when she was very young, this is where it began. Natalie studied Drama &Film studies with the intention of becoming an actress. However, she got a part time job at the theatre whilst studying on a play at the Haymarket and this is where her love of theatre was rekindled and ever since Natalie has been working in various roles in the theatre world. Her roles have been, assistant & deputy stage manager, stage manager and assistant to the production manager. Currently Natalie works as a technical supervisor for Disney theatrical. Natalie has worked on musical theatre productions such as, ‘Oliver’, ‘Avenue Q’, ‘Ghost’, Kinky Boots’ and ‘Book of Mormon’ to name a few.

Natalie's Recommendations:

-Schitt's Creek

-Some Kind of Wonderful

-Breakfast Club

-I May Destroy You

Ever wondered what the creative process is behind the films, tv shows and theatre productions you watch? Well, crew chats is a podcast going behind the scenes and chatting to the crew that help make these productions.

Viveene Campbell had inherited a love of clothing and sewing from her mother and grandmother and decided to study Fashion and Garment Technology to pursue a career in it. After graduating and working at a theatre and joining a film training scheme(FT2), Viveene was able to experience the world and workings of a film production and decided to pursue a career in costume. Having worked as a standby, crowd supervisor and assistant costume supervisor, Viveene now works as a costume supervisor in the industry. A few years ago, Viveene with her husband set up ‘The Jerk Joint’, a Caribbean street food catering business, which she runs alongside her work in the industry. Recently Viveene has with a group of industry professionals set up the Black Costume Network, which speaks to kids in schools about the film industry as a career path, in order to encourage more kids from diverse backgrounds to enter the industry. Viveene has worked on productions such as ‘Taboo’, ‘Victoria and Abdul’, ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’, ‘Artemis Fowl’ and the upcoming film, ‘Pirates’ to name a few.

Viveene's Reccomendations:

-Dirty Dancing

-Queen and Slim

-Nine Night- National Theatre Production