Everything Cambridge

In this episode of The Cambridge Chronicles Podcast, Sam Melvin sits down with comedian Tez Ilyas for a funny, honest and uplifting conversation about comedy, ambition, failure and finding your own voice. Tez talks about how he found his way into comedy, the influence of his friends and family, the realities of performing stand-up, and the importance of learning from the moments when things don't quite go to plan.

They also get into the changing world of comedy and social media, Tez's journey from the open-mic circuit to creating comedy online, and why he sees adapting and putting in the hard work as such an important part of the process. Expect plenty of laughs, some brutally honest stories from the stage, and an insight into what it really takes to build a career in comedy.

Dom breaks down Cambridge Chronicles’ 101 goals — from bold, never-been-done creative projects and landing million-pound clients to building systems that scale without killing culture. Along the way, he talks internal passion projects, viral content strategy, dream collaborations, award-winning documentary ambitions, and what it really takes to build a world-class creative studio people actually want to work in.

Tom talks through the films he’s watched over the past month — from toxic ambition in Marty Supreme to the Saturday-afternoon thrills of The Housemaid, the risky horror of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the emotional weight of Hamnet, the surprising tenderness of Rental Family, and the pitch-black comedy of No Other Choice.

He also touches on overlooked titles like The Long Walk, reflects on disappointments like The Running Man and Avatar 3, and weighs up theater vs home viewing, standout performances, and why taking creative risks still matters.

Actor Paul Butterworth reflects on nearly 50 years in film and TV, from The Full Monty to British soaps, sharing honest insights on surviving as a working actor, treating small roles like leads, being cut from films, and balancing acting with life as an artist. A candid Snapshot conversation about craft, resilience, and the reality of the industry.

In this episode of SnapShot, photographer Gustas Sikas shares how photography gave him courage, helped him stay present, and shaped his life. From travel and exploration to finding purpose through creativity, this is a conversation about seeing the world — and yourself — differently.

EP 22 - We talk about how surviving extreme environments prepared him for filmmaking, the wild backstory behind The Highest Brasil, and what it really means to tell a story in today’s world, from TikTok to Hollywood.

An unpredictable and inspiring conversation with one of the most unconventional voices in indie cinema.

(We apologise for the technical issues that affected this episode’s recording. Despite the challenges, we chose to release it because of the depth and uniqueness of Jeremy’s story. Thanks for bearing with us, we promise the next ones will sound smoother!)

Ep 21 - In this episode, we sit down with Nicolas Saada, former editor of Cahiers du Cinéma, screenwriter, and director of acclaimed films like Spy(ies), Taj Mahal.

We explore his transition from film critic to filmmaker, his love for spy thrillers, and why he believes rhythm, silence, and ambiguity matter more than plot.

Saada shares how being a cinephile shaped his directing style, the creative freedom of European co-productions, and what young filmmakers often get wrong about storytelling.

EP 20 - In this episode, Emmy-winning producer, director, and author Shane Stanley shares his remarkable journey in the film industry: from growing up on studio lots to becoming one of the youngest non-actors to ever win an Emmy Award.

We talk about the evolution of Hollywood over the past 30 years, his experience producing the hit film Gridiron Gang with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and why he believes AI is poised to transform cinema forever.

Shane also offers hands-on advice for emerging writers and directors: how to start your career, pitch your ideas, and connect with industry pros, all without waiting for permission.

Ep 19 - In this special episode for Halloween, we sit down with Ilona Six, co-founder of Six Entertainment and producer of the infamous Human Centipede trilogy.

From her early days in the industry to building a production company with her brother Tom Six, Ilona walks us through the origin story of one of the most controversial horror franchises of all time.

We talk about fear, creative freedom, and what it really means to stand by a bold vision — no matter the backlash.

Plus: Ilona shares 6 horror films you should rewatch (or discover) this spooky season.

Ep 18 - In this episode, Greg, one of the rising voices in American indie comedy, joins us for an honest, no-filter conversation about what it really means to write comedy today.

We dive into pitching in Hollywood, finding your creative flow, surviving self-doubt, and why making people laugh is often the most serious business of all.