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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with film legend Walter Murch, exploring his journey in sound design and editing. Murch shares insights from his early fascination with audio, his experiences in film school during the Vietnam War, and his influential work on iconic films like The Godfather and American Graffiti. The conversation delves into the creative processes behind sound design, the impact of global cinema, and the evolution of editing techniques, providing a rich understanding of Murch's contributions to the film industry. He also discusses his experiences working on iconic films like Apocalypse Now and Coup 53, and reflects on the evolution of filmmaking techniques. Murch also touches on his upcoming book, which expands on his previous work, In the Blink of an Eye, to include a broader range of filmmaking topics.


In the Blink of an Eye - By Walter Murch - here.
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film - here.

All my links


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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Dan Perry, a legendary title designer known for his work on iconic films such as Star Wars and The Exorcist. We discuss Perry's journey into the world of title design, the evolution of the craft, and the collaborative process involved in creating memorable title sequences. Perry shares insights into the emotional and technical aspects of his work, as well as the influence of directors and the importance of titles in setting the tone for films. The conversation emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the significance of giving back to the next generation of creatives.


Dan's Site - here.
Dan's Book - here.
Here's my favourite example of Dan's work - Taxi Driver - 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

All my links

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Roger Christian, the set decorator for Star Wars and art director for Alien. We discuss Christian's early inspirations, his journey into the film industry, and the pivotal moments that led him to work on Star Wars. Christian shares insights into the creative process behind the film, the challenges faced on set, and the innovative solutions that emerged from a tight budget. He also reflects on the importance of collaboration within the art department and the legacy of the iconic props he helped create, including Luke's lightsaber. Christian also shares insights into his return to the Star Wars universe for The Phantom Menace and reflects on the future of the franchise, including his upcoming documentary and book.


Black Angel (1980) - here.
Cinema Alchemist Book - here.

All my links



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

AS A THANK YOU THIS IS A BONUS EPISODE AND NOT CHARGED TO PATRONS ON PATREON. 

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview filmmaker John Lefkowitz about his documentary on Walter Murch, a renowned editor and sound designer. We discuss Murch's philosophical approach to cinema, the art of editing, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. The conversation delves into personal experiences with editing, sound design's impact on storytelling, and the importance of the editor in shaping a film's narrative.  The conversation also touches on the personal experiences of Walter Murch and the significance of human intuition in the editing process.


Sight & Sound: The Cinema of Walter Murch can be watched for FREE - here.

All my links

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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with digital matte artist, Jim Maxwell about his journey in the film industry, the evolution of matte painting from traditional techniques to digital methods, and his experiences working at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). We discuss the importance of photo reference in creating realistic matte paintings, the challenges of working in high-resolution formats, and Jim's memorable encounter with George Lucas. The discussion also touches on the role of art departments in filmmaking and the balance between concept art and final renderings.


You can follow him  @1jcmaxwell
Here's Jim's IMDB page - here.
And details of his Emmy Award and nominations - here.

All my links

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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with film journalist and author Helen O'Hara about her book 'Women vs Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Film.' We discuss Helen's journey into film journalism, the historical context of women's roles in the film industry, the challenges they face, and the misconceptions surrounding gender equality in Hollywood. The conversation also touches on cultural reflections within fandoms and the backlash against diversity in film. Finally, the conversation addresses the need for better representation of young audiences in film, particularly for teenage girls. 


Helen's book can be purchased here.

All my links

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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview director Peter McDonald, who shares his journey into the film industry, his experiences working with legendary actors and directors, and the challenges he faced while directing. McDonald reflects on his career highlights, the importance of collaboration, and the lessons learned from both good and difficult experiences in filmmaking. The discussion also delves into the magic of the Harry Potter films and concludes with McDonald's reflections on his career and the evolution of filmmaking.


Check out Peter's extensive list of work on IMDB - here.
Also a nice article about Peter on the British Cinematrorapher site -  here.

All my links

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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I speak with Madeleine Most, a second assistant camera on iconic films like The Empire Strikes Back. Madeleine shares her unique experiences as a woman in the male-dominated film industry of the 70s and 80s, discussing her journey into filmmaking, the challenges she faced on set, and the importance of women's roles in film production. The conversation highlights the dynamics of working on major film sets, the camaraderie among cast and crew, and the evolution of gender representation in the industry. 


Hearing the point of view of a woman who worked in a sexist industry at a time when representations of women were typically what we might now call problematic is part of the education I wanted for myself in doing this podcast. These aren’t the stories that are widely told and they are important. Madelyn's partner director Peter Macdonald is my guest on episode 24 coming later this month (April 2021)

Robert Watts - A Life in Film - here.
Women Behind the Camera - here.
Director Peter Macdonald - here.

All my links

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

In this episode of the Filmumentaries podcast, I interview Ivor Powell, a prominent producer and writer known for his work on iconic films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, and Blade Runner. The conversation delves into Powell's early career, his experiences working with legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott, and the creative processes behind some of the most influential films in cinema history. Powell shares insights on the importance of luck in the film industry, the challenges of budgeting for major productions, and the lasting impact of films like Alien and Blade Runner on the genre.


The video version of part 1 of my chat with Ivor can be found here.

All my links

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