Opening Shot

The boys storm back onto the scene after a lamented absence with a rip-roaring delve into Tom's latest short, Close. Due to shoot in mid-January, Tom is now firmly in production. Listen to how he managed to convince such illustrious crew members to sign on to the project without a script. Perhaps this could be the development of a new way of working on the way to making his first feature film.

Tom and Fraser warmly welcome Sanne Jehoul, co-Director of Glasgow Short Film Festival. A dream episode for any short filmmakers submitting their work to festivals. Using Pawsea as a case study, the boys ask Sanne everything you have ever wanted to know about short film programming but didn’t have a programmer to ask.

War-weary and battle-hardened, the boys return from their respective day jobs. What have they learned, and how has working as Locations and AD helped their process? How does long term drama work compare to shorter term stuff? Was anything lost from being absent for a few months? And most of all - what is the next move?

The final installment covering Pawsea (or: The Melancholy Ruminations of a Solitary French Bulldog). Fraser and Tom discuss the troublesome post-production that Tom always underestimates. How did it go this time round, what were the peaks and pitfalls, and how do they feel about the process and finished project in retrospect?

Reality bites, and the lockdown had to end someday. As life (apparently) gets back to normal, Tom and Fraser discuss how they feel about getting back to a film set, and what it could mean for the projects that Tom has been working on. We all have to earn a buck, but is working in the industry the best way?

And...relax! Another short film in the can, and Tom and Fraser discuss how everything went with the shoot. What they learned, the pros and cons of shooting with a COVID-reduced crew, and what happens now. And if this whole podcast is about shooting a feature, why bother with a 4 minute film about a bulldog?

There comes a day in every Podcaster's life when you have nothing but kindness and goodwill in your heart. We will let you know when that happens. For now, through gritted teeth, peace and season's greetings to all of our listeners. Thank you so much for listening, and roll on 2021.

Remember those funding opportunities that Tom was taking aim at? Well, he didn’t get any of them. He and Fraser discuss the difficult process of shrugging off those rejections, and moving on to the next project. In this case, that's making the no-budget short film Pawsea. A week before the shoot, they explore what has gone into the film, and what the expectation is.

If last week was the Ghost of Christmas Future, this is the Ghost of Christmas Past. Fraser and Tom interview Jonny Blair, who did the two year Directing course at the NFTS (National Film and Television School) in Beaconsfield . In retrospect, what does he think are the pros and cons of film school?

You’ve made a couple of shorts, you’re working in the industry, maybe you’ve had some funding - why would you ever consider going back to Art or Film School? In this first part, Fraser and Tom talk to their friend and collaborator Alison Piper about her decision to do a year long masters at Glasgow School of Art. What informed this decision and what is she hoping to get out of the year out of the working industry?