In the final episode of our series featuring winners from the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards, winner of the awards for Best Production Design - Music Video  Anna Riot talks to Jonathan Paul Green about the creative journey behind designing The Shoemaker, a music video for folk singer Tom Hickox. With a £600 budget and just one week, Anna crafted a shoemaker’s workshop from scratch, including a 6ft tower of discarded leather shoes for the climax. From sourcing props to transforming a Peckham location, she shares the resourcefulness and teamwork that brought this visually rich concept to life.

Host: Jonathan Paul Green

Guest: Anna Riot - Production Designer

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In this episode of the the BFDG podcast, Jonathan Paul Green talks to the Laura Pozzaglio and Tiberio Caporossi two of the talented design team behind the spy thriller, The Iris Affair, winner of Best Production Design - TV Band 2 at the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards.

The team discuss the creation of "Charlie," a 600kg quantum computer featuring 200 meters of practical LED lighting and design roots inspired by Cambodian temples. They also share insights into building 12 complex sets for a mountain bunker on a Chinese soundstage and managing environmental logistics in Sardinia. The conversation offers a masterclass in blending physical craftsmanship with modern technology, ending with thoughts on the future of AI in the industry.

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In this episode of Work in Progress, we’re celebrating our 15th Production Design Award winners by stepping into the fast-paced, high-pressure world of commercial design. PD Will Htay chats with Jonathan Paul Green about the mind-bending challenges, tight deadlines, and creative triumphs behind his spectacular Schweppes "Take your Time"/"Mission to Mars" commercial. Tune in to learn how to make a massive impact in just 30 seconds.

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In the latest episode of Work in Progress, the British Film Designers Guild chair Jonathan Paul Green interviews the creative team behind Frankenstein—production designer Tamara Deverell, supervising art director Brandt Gordon, and set decorator Shane Vieau. The episode celebrates the film as the winning production in the Major Motion Picture – Period category at the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards. The team reflects on their varied career paths and collaborative dynamic, while detailing the intensive research and “real-for-real” craftsmanship behind the film’s Victorian and Arctic settings. They discuss logistical challenges, close collaboration with VFX, and the fast-paced demands of their director, while also sharing candid perspectives on AI and offering practical advice for emerging creatives.

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In the fourth episode featuring winners from the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards, Mark Kermode is talking to the winner of our groundbreaking Planet Positive Award, Stephanie Shires who worked as the Sustainability Coordinator on 'Down Cemetery Road'. Mark is also joined by the award sponsors Sky Studio Elstree who have a strong commitment to sustainable film-making. 

Find out how sustainability on 'Down Cemetery Road' was ingrained in the entire creative process, how the production set out to reframe sustainable design as an act of preservation - considering the whole lifecycle of every asset with a holistic approach.

Read more in the 'Down Cemetery Road' awards presentation HERE

Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE

Presented by:

Mark Kermode

With :

Stephanie Shires - Sustainability Coordinator

Matilda Wylie - Senior Client Services Manager, Sky Studios Elstree

Peter Okell - Operations Manager, Sky Studios Elstree

Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Edited by Benjamin Cook.
Music: The Dodge Brothers
This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild
[email protected]
(c) HLA Agency

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In the third episode featuring winners from the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards, Mark Kermode is talking to Production Designer, Olavo Abrantes and Set Decorator, Eleanor Dolan about their designs for the short film 'Fishbrain'. Find out how the Art Department team on a short film often have to use their ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness to create the set when budgets are tight and why, if you are an aspiring Production Designer or Set Decorator, working on a short film is often a good place to learn the craft. 

Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE

Presented by:

Mark Kermode

With :

Olavo Abrantes - Production Designer

Eleanor Dolan - Set Decorator

Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Edited by Benjamin Cook.

Music: The Dodge Brothers
This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild
[email protected]
(c) HLA Agency

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In this special 15th Awards episode of Work in Progress, Mark Kermode speaks to Production Designer/Art Director/Set Decorator - Malcolm Stone the winner  of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as Emily Stillman, Snr Vice President of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden who tells us why Warner Bros. are so proud to support the award again this year.

Malcolm Stone has had a long and distinguished career working in Film and TV Art Departments. He tells how he found his way into a career in the industry and how it progressed to working on a wide range of fascinating projects from 'The Muppet Show' to 'Band of Brothers' whilst picking up awards and nominations along the way.

Hosted by:  Mark Kermode
With:  Malcolm Stone

Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Music: The Dodge Brothers
This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild
[email protected]
(c) HLA Agency

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

In this special 15th Awards episode of Work in Progress, we hear from the three young creatives who have been nominated for the Peter Lamont Spotlighting New Talent Award at the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards. They talk about their routes into the film industry, what they love about their jobs and give advice to anyone wanting to get into the Art Department. Mark is also joined by Rico Johnson-Sinclair, Director of CrewHQ Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden who run training courses that help young people gain valuable skills that prepare them for a career in film or TV.

Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE

Find out more about CrewHQ HERE

Presented by:

Mark Kermode

With :

Lola Fleming - Art Department Assistant

Melissa Davis - Art Department Assistant

Charlie McDonnell - Junior Draughtsperson

Rico Johnson-Sinclair - Director of CrewHQ Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden 

Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Music: The Dodge Brothers
This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild
[email protected]
(c) HLA Agency

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

Join Jonathan Paul Green for an insightful conversation on sustainable practice within the Art Department — a core passion for the BFDG and the driving force behind the annual Planet Positive Award. In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Production Designer Blair Barnette, along with Jimmy Keeping, Director and Co-founder of Sustainable Film, and Rhidian Davies, the company’s Client Services Manager. Together, they explore how to embed environmental responsibility into everyday filmmaking by empowering producers and crews.

Presented by: Jonathan Paul Green - BFDG Chairperson

Guests: Blair Barnette - Production Designer

Jimmy Keeping - Director and Co-founder, Sustainable Film

Rhidian Davies - Client Services Manager, Sustainable Film

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment. 

Go behind the scenes of Wicked like never before.

In this episode of WIP, BFDG Chair Jonathan Paul Green sits down with the multi-award-winning creative team behind the film’s breathtaking world: Production Designer Nathan Crowley and Set Decorator Lee Sandales.

From crafting extraordinary sets to literally growing thousands of tulips, they reveal how the magic was made.

WIP is a BFDG Podcast.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild
X: @BFDG_Film_Guild
Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild
Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild
Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com

About the BFDG

The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members.

The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.