Welcome to episode 40 of The Filmumentaries Podcast.Now I am a lover of movie books. I own a lot of them. I have owned more than I now have. Some favourites include Alan Arnold’s Once Upon a Galaxy - The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, Paul Sammon’s Future Noir - The making of Blade Runner, Steven Bach’s – Final Cut. So many to name. But what I didn’t know, I am embarrassed to say, that I had no idea about fellow Brit author Jay Glennie’s books on The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull and Trainspotting until pretty recently. A kind twitter follower mentioned Jay and his books. Immediately I could see that Jay had a great eye for the huge stills that are included within his books, but also that there was a clear and engaging narrative throughout.

In late November 2021 Jay and I spoke over Zoom.

Coattail Publications

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I'm joined by guests Frank Pavich, Dan Lanigan, and Soby, we discuss the fascinating story of Alejandro Jodorowsky's Dune and the recent auction of its pitch book, which sold for $3 million. We also explore the cultural significance of the pitch book, the impact of community involvement in the auction, and the broader implications of art ownership in the digital age. The conversation delves into the intersection of art, value, and community, highlighting the importance of storytelling and the role of collectors in preserving cultural artifacts. 

What is a DAO
What is crypto currency
What is blockchain
What is the Dunning Kruger effect

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview renowned producer Howard Kazanjian, known for his work on iconic films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. The conversation delves into Howard's early career, the evolution of the studio system, and his collaboration with George Lucas. Howard shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of major productions, the importance of teamwork in filmmaking, and his reflections on the industry. He emphasizes the significance of preserving film history and the lessons learned throughout his career, making this episode a valuable resource for aspiring filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike.


Howard Kazanjian - A Producer's Life is now available in bookstores - find it here.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I discuss the intricate sound design of the film Dune with sound designers Mark Mangini and Theo Green. We explore the importance of sound in creating immersive cinematic experiences, the collaborative process between sound and visual effects, and the innovative techniques used to develop unique sounds for the film. The conversation highlights the significance of engaging sound designers early in the filmmaking process and how sound can enhance storytelling. The discussion highlights specific sound design choices, such as the creation of the Ornithopter's sound and the subtlety of the Hunter Seeker's audio, as well as the broader implications of sound design in the film industry.


Just so you know, Mark is the American voice, Theo is the British voice. We did have some technical difficulties at the beginning, which I’ve left in, because if I cut it out it wouldn’t make much sense as we refer back to it a couple of times later on in the conversation.

Huge thanks to Mark and Theo as well as Emilie Erskine of Erskine PR who organised the interview and was able to provide me with those wonderful sound clips from Dune (2021).

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview editor Sean Barton, who shares his journey into the film industry, his experiences working on iconic films like Quadrophenia and Return of the Jedi, and his insights into the evolution of film editing from traditional methods to digital techniques. The conversation explores the impact of editing on performances and the challenges faced by editors in the modern film landscape. Barton reflects on his work on iconic films like Jagged Edge, revealing insights into the editing process, the challenges of working with directors and actors, and the emotional weight of making tough editing decisions. We also discuss the nuances of performance in film, the impact of editing choices on storytelling, and the cultural differences in editing styles between American and British editors. Barton shares his experiences with various editing software and expresses a desire to work on a Western film.


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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview Colin Goudie, a veteran film editor known for his work on 'Monsters' and 'Rogue One'. We discuss Goudie's journey from his early education in photography to his extensive career at the BBC and his transition to freelance editing. Colin shares valuable insights about the editing process, the importance of training, and the evolution of editing technology, particularly the differences between Lightworks and Avid. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of being an editor in the film industry.  As well as Monsters and Rogue One, Colin has more recently edited 'To Olivia' and 'The Show'. Both worth checking out. 'To Olivia', a Sky Original film, available on Sky Cinema and Now TV from 19th February 2021


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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Gabriel Hardman, a comic book artist and storyboard artist. We discuss Gabriel's artistic journey, influences, and the importance of storytelling in both comics and film. Gabriel shares insights on the role of mentorship in his career, the value of comics in the film industry, and the significance of framing and emotion in visual storytelling. The conversation also touches on the art of minimalism in storytelling, the filmmaking process, and the role of storyboards in creating impactful films.


Now Gabriel and I got in touch over Twitter, thanks to good guy Duncan Fegredo. I didn't actually know much about Gabriel, but after some  searching online I found that I was in fact aware of some of his work. He's a comic book artist and writer. And he’s also a very sought after storyboard artist. It was lovely talking to him. 

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom, known for his work on iconic films such as Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan. Rydstrom shares his journey into the film industry, influenced by silent films and the groundbreaking sound design of the 1970s. He discusses his experiences at Lucasfilm, the evolution of sound design, and the collaborative process with directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron. The conversation highlights the importance of sound in film and the creative techniques used to evoke emotions in audiences.



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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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Back in June 2021 I had the pleasure of speaking to prolific playwright, film writer and director John Patrick Shanley. Thanks to former guest Jim Maxwell (digital matte artist) for putting me in touch with John. 

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with acclaimed writer and director John Patrick Shanley. We explore Shanley's creative journey, from his early days of writing poetry to his successful career in theatre and film. Shanley shares insights on the importance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating success and failure, and the collaborative nature of storytelling in both mediums. He reflects on his experiences with boredom as a catalyst for creativity, the impact of success on future projects, and the significance of character development in his works. The conversation culminates in a heartfelt reflection on winning an Oscar and the importance of allowing oneself to embrace joy and success. Shanley also delves into the challenges of directing and editing, as well as his upcoming projects, including a new film and a play.

John's Moonstruck Oscar speech - here.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

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After chatting with Walter for Episode 30 he asked me if I was happy with what I'd got. I replied saying I wish I had asked him about Return to Oz. He kindly offered another 45 minutes on the subject, so we went ahead the following Monday and chatted for almost an hour about his directorial debut.  Murch shares insights into Disney's changing approach in the 1980s, his personal connection to the Oz books, and the darker tone of his film compared to the original Wizard of Oz. The discussion also touches on the film's reception, the challenges faced during production, and the cultural impact of Return to Oz, particularly regarding its female protagonist and visual storytelling.

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This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links