The Doc Makers

For episode two, season two of The Doc Makers podcast, I’m delighted to be talking to the multi award winning director, Alex Thomas.

Alex’s projects include 'Erased: World War Twos Heroes of Colour' and 'Yorkshire Cop: Police Racism and Me', a film made about his Father.

We discuss how he navigated his way from a small mining town in the north of England to becoming a globetrotting filmmaker, before landing back in the UK creating touchstone films like 'Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park' and his most recent film, released earlier this month, 'Damilola: The Untold Story', which the Guardian selected as one of its “50 shows to watch this autumn”.

A genuine creative force and a bloody nice guy to boot.

Show notes:

Alex Thomas

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16254630/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

https://www.sternwild.com/film-makers/alex-thomas

Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37542405/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Damilola: The Untold Story

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032lg7/damilola-the-untold-story

True Vision

https://www.truevisiontv.com/

Stacey Dooley

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4099152/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Unreported World

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477545/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Bruce Parry

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1942896/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Mike Lewis

https://www.ninelivesmedia.co.uk/mike

Becky Cadman

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11063116/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Yorkshire Cop: Police, Racism and Me

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/yorkshire-cop-police-racism-and-me

John Boyega

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3915784/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Steve McQueen

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2588606/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Small Axe

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464896/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Nelson Adeosun

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5144648/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

I’m delighted to kick off season two talking to BAFTA winning producer Lizzie Gillett.

We spend time understanding how Lizzie and the team work at Misfits and the success of their hit doc Super/Man. Her humbling journey from New Zealand to her breakout feature Age of Stupid. And some some killer advice that I think works for budding producers and pretty much anyone else in the creative arts.

Show notes:

Lizzie Gillett

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3231933/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13244024/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Super/man

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27902121/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Territory

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16378164/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Misfits Entertainment

https://www.misfitsentertainment.com/

Passion Pictures

https://www.passion-pictures.com/

John Battsek

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0061557/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Daniel Kilroy

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6804404/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

David Moulton

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5624503/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Ian Bonhôte

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0094524/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Peter Ettedgui

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262167/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

McQueen

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6510332/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Words and Pictures

https://wordsandpictures.com/

The Age of Stupid

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300563/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Franny Armstrong

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1671943/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Pete Postlethwaite

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000592/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

One Day in September

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230591/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merkel

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21213174/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Amazing Johnathan

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0857247/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Lowland kids

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35718056/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Jaripeo

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38589440/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Crash

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt40792117/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Laura Fairrie

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1357953/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Joe Carey

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1814897/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In the final episode of season one of The Doc Makers podcast I’m talking to documentary editor Luke Flight.

Luke is a close friend and co-conspirator on many a project, so this episode was originally done as favour to me and as a test run for the podcast, but I think there was too many lovely thoughts from him contained within our chat to keep to myself and he’s very graciously let me me share our conversation with you all. 

Luke is a BAFTA nominated editor for his work on Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire, has been part of the Drive to Survive phenomenon with Box to Box and Netflix, and also cut projects for Amazon, Sky, ITV and Channel 4.

We talk about him getting into a film and tv course because he thought it’d be easy, maybe not getting certain jobs because he doesn’t sound the right way (something I think will resonate with a few people out there) and receiving some eye-opening advice from a seasoned editor whilst first starting out, and a little warning as there might be an F-bomb somewhere in here too for all you sensitive souls!

Show notes:

When we were kings

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118147/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

One day in September 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230591/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Inside Job

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10231312/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Treasures of the British Library

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10231312/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

James Buchanan

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3473327/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Secrets of the brain

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7610486/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In this episode I’m talking to Design Director, VFX and Titles Designer Allison Brownmoore. 

Allison’s work can be seen in films including 2023s Oscar winning Navalny, Alex Gibney's Citizen K and We are X, which we discuss in the show.

Faking it until you make it became strong theme throughout our conversation. (Or at least buy the book!)

We discuss how Allison found her feet on children’s favourite ‘In the Night Garden’

And there’s some advice in there to not waiting for so long to start doing the things and telling the stories that you love.

Show notes

Allison Brownmoore

https://allisonbrownmoore.com/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2472490/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Past Curfew

https://pastcurfew.co.uk/

Amazing Adventures of Awesome

https://aaoa.co.uk/

Navalny

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17041964/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Ragdoll

https://www.ragdoll.co.uk/our-story/

Passion Pictures

https://www.passion-pictures.com/

Greg Barker

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0994499/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Sergio

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1333656/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

We are X

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4835086/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

George Chignell

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2639385/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In this episode I’m going to be talking to 4 time BAFTA nominee, director Ursula Macfarlane.

Whether working on retrospective stories, like the tragedy of the late 1990s model Anna Nicole Smith, telling the moving stories of survivors of Harvey Weinstein, or her vérité work with psychiatric patients in Notes From The Inside With James Rhodes, Ursula is known for her sensitivity, her humour and psychological insight. 

We discuss the joy in Finding those long time collaborators, her beautiful BBC documentary, My brain: After the rupture and the difficulties in getting films commissioned that don’t have an ending,

But most importantly. It begins where all good chats start. With a good cup of tea.

Today I’m going to be talking to composer Alexander Parsons

Alex has worked across a broad array of films that include Flight 149: Hostage of War, which recently won at the RTS Awards; Black Power: A British Story of Resistance, produced by Steve McQueen and James Rogan for which the film received a BAFTA nomination and Derek vs. Derek a feature documentary about the battle to rewild, which premieres at Sheffield Docfest June 2026!

We discuss balancing a composer life whilst working as a secondary school teacher, the dreaded temp music and how it has to be real humans who get to tell real human stories and so much more.

Show Notes:

Alexander Parsons

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5618281/?ref_=fn_t_2

Animated minds - 3 Minute Wonder

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0853169/

First cut

https://assets-corporate.channel4.com/_flysystem/s3/documents/2022-03/First%20Cut%20Strand%20Background%202022_0.pdf

Emma Morgan

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471724/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_emma%20morgan

Lina Prestwood

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2724228/?ref_=fn_t_1

Swan Films

https://www.swanfilms.tv/

Neil Crombie

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1397627/?ref_=fn_t_1

Joe Evans

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1624529/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_4_1

Grayson Perry’s Dream house

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4693234/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_5_nm_3_in_0_q_grayson%20perry%27s%20

Helljumper

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28089851/?ref_=fn_t_2

Rupert Houseman

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2137245/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_rupert%20hou

Grayson’s Art Club

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12183038/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_graysons%20art

Dave Malkin

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10752213/

John Cage

https://interlude.hk/john-cage-magic-mushrooms/

Kezia Tomsett

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12820398/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_in_0_q_kesia%20tomset

Train Dreams

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29768334/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_train%20dreams

Bryce Dessner

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2425842/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_5_1

The 12 Ensemble

https://www.the12ensemble.com/

Surviving Covid

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13839492/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm

The remarkable life of Ibelin

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19811010/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%20remar

Marcus Plowright

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6967794/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_marcus%20plow

American High School

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6150154/episodes/?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1

Anne Nikitin

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1870110/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_in_0_q_anne%20nik

London Contemporary Orchestra

https://www.lcorchestra.co.uk/

Today I’m going to be talking to the lovely BAFTA award winning and Emmy nominated cinematographer Tim Cragg.

Tim has set the standard for how a lot of modern documentaries look and feel and has been involved with some of the most successful (both critically and financially) documentaries in recent times. From Netflix successes such as The Deepest Breath and Beckham and HBO & SKY BAFTA nominated David Holmes: The boy who lived, to that rare beast, a documentary box office smash with Three identical Strangers, which we discuss in the show.

Tim Cragg

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1145108/?ref_=fn_t_1

Three Identical Strangers

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7664504/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_c_47

Scapple app

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scapple/id568020055?mt=12

darius khondji - iranian French cinematographer

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451787/

Gregory Crewdson - American photographer

https://gagosian.com/artists/gregory-crewdson/

Edward Hopper - painter

https://www.edwardhopper.net/

kerouac's road: the beat of a nation

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29502644/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_5

Alien abduction

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33506347/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_10

Encounters

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28692332/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_c_17

One Strange Rock

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7651892/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_45

For our first ever episode, I am delighted to welcome the brilliant Mandy Chang to The Doc Makers podcast.

Filmmaker, Exec Producer, former commissioner of the BBC’s Storyville strand and recently anointed CEO of the Documentary Film Council.

Mandy Chang

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2453952/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Documentary Film Council

https://documentaryfilmcouncil.co.uk

David Bowie: The Last Five Years

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6375308/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34965515/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Hello Culture

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902630/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Mole: Undercover in North Korea

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13243898/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Mads Brügger

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1366561/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Welcome to Chechnya

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11394200/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

One Child Nation

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8923482/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Corridors of Power: Should America Police the World?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33076876/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Gatekeepers

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2309788/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

The Doc Makers is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of documentary filmmaking, revealing what really goes on behind the scenes in TV and film.

Hosted by Andy Worboys, this show features in-depth, candid interviews with documentary filmmakers from across the industry - directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, development execs, composers, and the many other creative roles that bring powerful true stories to life.