Today, I am lucky to be joined by one of the world’s most influential costume designers. She's designed the iconic looks of Cinderella, Mary Poppins Returns, and Shakespeare in Love, as well as forging a lasting relationship with Martin Scorsese, with whom she collaborated to design the Wolf of Wall Street, Gangs of New York, and many more. Along the way, she has picked up the small sum of 15 Oscar nominations, winning three.
Thank you again to Sandy for joining us. It was a pleasure.

Today we discuss:

(02:48)  Sandy's journey into the business
(04:30)  How Sandy went about choosing her college courses
(06:09)  Sandy's first jobs in fashion
(07:33)  How to go about contacting Costume Designer or other HODs
(09:29)  The 'trial by fire' of Sandy's first film job
(10:50)  Lessons taken from low budget filmmaking
(13:24)  Working with Directors & why it's helpful they can draw
(15:00)  Sandy's costume design process
(17:10)  Working in the fitting room with actors - does Daniel Day Lewis stay in character?
(19:21)  Actor entrances and Margot Robbie's in The Wolf of Wall Street
(21:03)  Who was responsible for Jonah Hill's penis in The Wolf of Wall Street?
(21:52) How Sandy went about approach loved characters like Mary Poppins and Cinderella
(23:48)  Sandy on imposter syndrome and working on The Irishman
(26:06)  Does Sandy draw her designs or photoshop them? How do they really get made?
(28:19) Quickfire Questionnaire

If you enjoyed this episode you'll enjoy this episode with Lord of The Rings Costume Designer Ngila Dickson and this episode with A Star is Born Costume Designer Erin Benach.

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Our first animator on the show, Joe Haidar tells us how he got into the animation industry, as well as, incredible stories from his time in the business. He tells us how he pitched the idea of Disney's Hercules, why some animators got paid millions of dollars in the 90s and what it was like to animate Robin Williams' Genie on Aladdin!

This episode's key moments:

(03:48)  Joe's journey into the animation business
(09:40)  Joe's advice for those looking to get into animation
(13:58)  Joe's experience working on Who Framed Roger Rabbit
(32:27)  The amazing story of Joe pitching Hercules to the heads of Disney
(42:57)  What it was like attending Genie recording sessions with Robin Williams on Aladdin
(47:20)  The inside story of the Disney/Dreamworks animation wars and why some animators got paid millions of dollars in the 90s
(1:00:56) Quickfire Questionnaire

Check out Joe's incredible animated short Animated American here.

Joe's 'book that everyone must read' - Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

If you enjoyed this episode you'll enjoy this episode with Aladdin Concept artist Dominic Lavery.

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If you liked the podcast, I would be very thankful if you could leave a short review on Apple podcasts! It only takes 30 seconds and really helps us grow and speak to more interesting filmmakers.

Follow Red Carpet Rookies on Instagram, Twitter or Youtube. 

In today’s episode we’re joined by one of the world’s greatest Cinematographer’s, Jeff Cronenweth. Born into the film business, he grafted his way through the rungs of the camera department and music video scene of the 1990s and after shooting videos for the likes of George Michael and Janet Jackson, got the call from David Fincher to take the reins of Fight Club. From there it's been a run of legendary movies including, One Hour Photo and Gone Girl as well as The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo both of which he picked up Oscar nominations. 

In today's episode we discuss:

(01:25)  Growing up with a famous DOP for a father.
(02:30)  Did crew treat Jeff different due to his famous father? 
(04:06)  Jeff's thoughts on whether film school is worth it.
(09:23)  Does Jeff think music videos are still a good way in for young DPs?
(13:00)  Was Jeff nervous working on Fight Club with Fincher? 
(15:03)  Why David Fincher thought Fight Club would 'define the 90s'.
(16:54)  How did Jeff find space for visuals in the dialogue heavy Social Network? 
(19:18)  How did the Director/DP relationship work with Aaron Sorkin on Being the Ricardos?
(22:06)  How did it work on set between himself and Sorkin?
(26:07)  Jeff's opinion on the 'Fincher aesthetic' that film fan boys have become obsessed by
(28:57)  Is there anything that Jeff feels he's taught Fincher? 
(29:35)  What's a typical day of prep like for Fincher and Jeff? 
(30:48) Did Jeff use reference much for Being The Ricardos?
(34:23) Quickfire Questionnaire

Jeff's 'book that everyone must read' - In The Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch.

You can also read our full book notes of In The Blink of an Eye here.

If you enjoyed this episode you'll enjoy this episode with fellow David Fincher collaborator Tim Miller.

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If you liked the podcast, I would be very thankful if you could leave a short review on Apple podcasts! It only takes 30 seconds and really helps us grow and speak to more interesting filmmakers.

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What you’re about to listen to is a piece of film history. This episode’s guest Peter Lamont was recognized as one of the world’s greatest Production Designers helping to design the sets of 18 James Bond movies, James Cameron’s aliens and even Titanic for which he was awarded an Oscar. He was known by all he interacted with for his gentlemanly demeanour, fairness to crew and genuine creative mastery. When I recorded this episode in November last year, Peter was 91 years old, and the following month, he very sadly passed away. This podcast stands as his last recorded interview. I’d like to thank my friend and Peter’s daughter, mads for her help in making it happen. Though I only spent a short time with Peter, I could tell that all the stories I’d heard of his kindness were true. I hope this interview does you and your family proud. Now please enjoy lessons for life and stories of Hollywood from a verified cinema legend. Thank you for your time, Peter. It was an honour.

In today's episode we discuss:

(02:51)   How Peter came into the film business
(06:52)   What the industry was like when Peter started
(07:54)   What Peter would tell that 20-year-old version of himself.
(09:43)   How the the industry is changing
(11:19)   How to be a great department head and leader 
(14:15)   Peter's advice for those wanting to join the art department
(16:45)   What it was like working with the James Bond crew and legendary Producer Cubby Broccoli. 
(18:21)   What made Cubbby Broccoli such an incredible producer
(22:53)   Peter's experience designing the sets of James Bond Goldfinger
(30:54)   The crazy real story of Peter being caught on a hijacked plane!
(36:04)   How Peter met James Cameron
(37:29)   Why James Cameron has something special 
(41:38)   Working on Titanic with Jim Cameron
(45:15)   The lunacy of building Titanic
(47:22)   Peter's experience winning an Oscar
(51:24)   Building Leavesden Studios on James Bond
(52:48)   Quickfire questionnaire

If you enjoyed this episode you'll enjoy this episode with Lord of The Rings Production Designer, Grant Major.   

To make sure you don't miss any future episodes sign up for our mailing list here!

If you liked the podcast, I would be very thankful if you could leave a short review on Apple podcasts! It only takes 30 seconds and really helps us grow and speak to more interesting filmmakers.

Follow Red Carpet Rookies on Instagram, Twitter or Youtube. 

From Texas to the side of Steven Spielberg, Bonnie Curtis has had a journey. Known as one of the most regarded Producer's in the film industry, Bonnie worked her way from Steven Spielberg's Assistant, all the way through to his Producer and now runs her own film production partnership with previous podcast guest Julie Lynn. 

In this episode which I think may be my favourite I've ever made Bonnie gives a masterclass in how to open doors in your career, advice she's received from Steven for life and business and how to get back on the path you were always destined for. 

What you'll learn:

- How does a famous director hire an assistant
- What gets you noticed by prominent executives
- THE REAL STORY of what happened on the beach during the Saving Private Ryan shoot
- how to move from studio film making to indie movies
and so much more. 

From Dune to Skyfall, Prisoners and 8 Mile, today’s guest is one of the best in the business. In this episode, Donald discusses watching the Queen act at the 2012 Olympics, how he became one of Eminem’s entourage and gives a look behind the curtain at the problems of the industry. Tune in to hear a masterclass of lessons for the business with a side order of Hollywood tales. Though this was recorded many months ago, many of Donald’s points resonate with the current strike movement fighting to stop the toxic working rules and culture of the film and TV industries. Find out more about the cause at @ia_stories

From short film maker, to Oscar nominated Editor, Julian Clarke's story is one that many Red Carpet Rookies would like to follow. 

In this conversation we learn how he transitioned from low budget Canadian content editing to District 9, the turning point that changed everything. Julian explains what is what like to edit aliens you can't see on the screen yet (hint: a guy holding a big stick!), why editing it like a documentary was difficult and how Peter Jackson brought a rag tag team of unknowns together for something special. 

We also get into the building of the edit in A Handmaid's Tale and Deadpool, two titles that you wouldn't think are related in their creation but share a dark humour to them both. 

It's not every day you get to sit down with a Pixar storyteller but in this episode we did just that. With a clear passion for writing, Meg LeFauve dives into her  process with many pearls of wisdom along the way. It's simply a must listen for anyone wanting to finally finish that script they've been working on and get out there!  

Today's interview with esteemed Hollywood Costume Designer Erin Benach was an awful lot of fun. Hearing about her journey from book design, to movie making was super inspiring and proves that anyone can make it in Hollywood if they have the drive. Of course, we had to show she builds her characters like Ryan Gosling's Driver in....duh - Drive, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in a Star is Born and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey as well though, and Erin discusses her process at length with plenty of great stories along the way.  

I've been excited about releasing this episode. Not only is Michael a world renowned hair stylist and designer, he grew up with the JACKSON 5. 

Through today's chat we discuss Michael's beginnings in the business, cutting hair for the likes of Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone and Tom Cruise and hear the story of why David Fincher (jokingly) nearly ended his career!