One Good Take

How do you go from being a director of photography to a successful business owner of a film production company starting from scratch? Some people say you have to be a specialist to succeed in this modern world.And there's a lot of truth in that. But filmmaker Daniel Fazio has gone about things differently. In his own words, he's not been amazingly  successful at any one thing, but he's been pretty damn good at a lot of things - and that's what has enabled him to build a solid business.Perhaps more interestingly, his capacity to take on new skills and adapt to new ways of getting ahead as a filmmaker, has helped him better understand who he is and what he wants in life. If you're just starting out as a filmmaker, or even if you want more insight into working with creatives,  this episode is packed with valuable observations about the process of getting all kinds of film projects off the ground and distributed. ==Boost your mental performance in a single shotI was looking for a way to boost my energy levels, without resorting to more coffee, tea or snacks, when I came across Magic Mind.This unique energy drink comes in these handy, little bottles and works like a shot. You knock it back in a gulp or two and it boosts your energy for the next few hours without any of the usual downside of coffee or tea. Grab your Magic Mind discount and help this podcast while you're at itGo to: HTTPS:/MAGICMIND/ONEGOODTAKEPut in the code GOODTAKE20And that'll get up to a whopping 56% off your subscription, or 20% off a one-time purchase.  Support the Show.

How do you go from being a director of photography to a successful business owner of a film production company starting from scratch? Some people say you have to be a specialist to succeed in this modern world.And there's a lot of truth in that. But filmmaker Daniel Fazio has gone about things differently. In his own words, he's not been amazingly  successful at any one thing, but he's been pretty damn good at a lot of things - and that's what has enabled him to build a solid business.Perhaps more interestingly, his capacity to take on new skills and adapt to new ways of getting ahead as a filmmaker, has helped him better understand who he is and what he wants in life. If you're just starting out as a filmmaker, or even if you want more insight into working with creatives,  this episode is packed with valuable observations about the process of getting all kinds of film projects off the ground and distributed. Support the Show.

If you're doing anything in film right now, over the past year or so, you've probably come across a plethora of posts and threads written by filmmakers bemoaning the broken model of independent filmmaking today. If you can even raise a budget to make a film, how do you even break even once you've completed it? Unless you're friends with an A lister or B lister or your uncle's a billionaire, you're pretty much consigned to the graveyard of filmmakers who give up having bet their house on their passion project. So goes the tenor of these observations.But could there be an alternative to this picture of gloom and doom? Recently I came across a filmmaker who not only thinks there is, he's proving there is. For his film Woodbridge, writer, producer director Stephen Meier had the inspired idea to cast influencers who could act. Why is that a smart idea? Because these influencers have a big and dedicated following. I got together with Stephen to find out more about his business strategy and of course his journey from script to screen and beyond. ==Boost your mental performance in a single shotI was looking for a way to boost my energy levels, without resorting to more coffee, tea or snacks, when I came across Magic Mind.This unique energy drink comes in these handy, little bottles and works like a shot. You knock it back in a gulp or two and it boosts your energy for the next few hours without any of the usual downside of coffee or tea. Grab your Magic Mind discount and help this podcast while you're at itGo to: HTTPS:/MAGICMIND/ONEGOODTAKE put in the code GOODTAKE20 and that'll get up to a whopping 56% off your subscription,or 20% off a one-time purchase.  Support the show

If you're doing anything in film right now, over the past year or so, you've probably come across a plethora of posts and threads written by filmmakers bemoaning the broken model of independent filmmaking today. If you can even raise a budget to make a film, how do you even break even once you've completed it? Unless you're friends with an A lister or B lister or your uncle's a billionaire, you're pretty much consigned to the graveyard of filmmakers who give up having bet their house on their passion project. So goes the tenor of these observations.But could there be an alternative to this picture of gloom and doom? Recently I came across a filmmaker who not only thinks there is, he's proving there is. For his film Woodbridge, writer, producer director Stephen Meier had the inspired idea to cast influencers who could act. Why is that a smart idea? Because these influencers have a big and dedicated following. I got together with Stephen to find out more about his business strategy and of course his journey from script to screen and beyond. Support the show

So you know about Ukraine, you know about Gaza, but did you know there's an even bigger war raging in Africa? At least in terms of death toll. i'm referring to the war in the Congo. Even though millions have died and many thousands are still dying, it's a conflict that's hardly reported. My guest for this episode is a man who set out to make a film about what's been going on, and in so doing put an assassin's mark on his back. Kim Yew, filmmaker and trader, talks to me about film and his absolutely extraordinary win rate trading with a proprietary fibonacci tool and a strategy he learnt from Alla Peters-Plocher.==Boost your performance levels in front of your chartsI was looking for a way to boost my energy levels, without resorting to more coffee, tea or snacks, when I came across Magic Mind. This unique energy drink comes in these handy, little bottles and works like a shot. You knock it back in a gulp or two and it boosts your energy for the next few hours without any of the usual downside of coffee or tea. Nice taste, too. Close to passion fruit, but not at all sweet.I tend to have my usual coffee in the morning then take one of these little Magic Mind bottles around midday - to carry me through the afternoon session.Grab your Magic Mind discount and help A Trader's Life while you're at itGo to: MagicMind.com/atradreslife put in the code TRADERSLIFE20 and that'll get up to a whopping 56% off your subscription, or 20% off a one-time purchase.  And if you don't like it, you can write in to the company and they'll give you your money back. Give it a go!Support the show

Towards the end of 2023, I got together with actor, writer/director and producer, Titus Paar. He's the kind of guy who when faced with 100 rejections in a row will simply reach out to friends and family, pitch them his mad cap adventure and go do it anyway. It's that can-do spirit that's taken him from shooting on a zero budget to working with Hollywood stars. And no, he's not based in LA, he's based in a village in Sweden. Out in the wilderness, he says. All that wide open space keeps him chilled and inspired. Support the show

Titus Paar made his first feature film at the age of fifteen on a cheap video camera with a bunch of mates. It was crap, he says, but the point is, he managed it. It's that same can-do spirit that's taken him from shooting on a zero budget to working with Hollywood stars today. If you're feeling even slightly jaded from banging your head against a brick wall funding your first or next feature film and could do with a shot of inspiration, this episode is for you. Support the show

Writer/director Michael DiBasio Ornelas shot his second feature film in 8 days. Impressive. It was hard, he said, but we didn't go into overtime. Even more impressive. - Two leads with extensive theatre experience  - Five days of paid rehearsals  - Lightweight camera on a lightweight gimbal - We hired a great crew, that gelled easily  - All locations within a 4 mile radius Michael has been directing content for some time. Sleepless, his 8-day feature, is out now on amazon prime and some other streamers. In this episode we'll be talking about how he made the film, the themes he set out to explore with his two main characters and where we are now with indie filmmaking without bankable stars. Enjoy this take.Support the show

Writer/Director Michael DiBasio Ornelas talks to me about his second feature film, Sleepless, an engaging, talkie movie about a couple of insomniacs who meet by chance inside a 24/7 store and then get to hang out one sleepless night walking through the streets of New York. As well as an in-depth look at the film, we also look at how he made the film, from picking a script to fit his budget to casting and distribution. Support the show

Friederich Oetker, film & TV producer of the highly compelling Netflix series, Dear Child (Das Kind). We discuss the series - from inception to screen and Friederich's career as a producer in Germany.  Support the show

Friederich Oetker, producer of the highly compelling Netflix series. Join us for the rest of the conversation, episode 57, and find out more about how the series was made. Support the show

Actor and stuntman, writer/director and producer, Lee Whittaker.   Lee has appeared in dozens of action movies as actor and stuntman – but has a real passion for telling the kinds of stories that seldom interest Hollywood studios. Although he stuck to the action genre for his directorial debut, The Vigilante, out this year on Tubi, his next project, still in development, is a story that borrows from magical realism and seeks to invoke compassion is us for a homeless mother and child, without eve dialing up your adrenaline count for the day.  Support the show

Lee Whittaker talks to me about his life in movies as actor, stuntman and film director. For a man who has spent so much of his life in the action genre it was a little surprising – if not gratifying – to hear that his next movie is a character piece influenced by stories like Pan's Labyrinth. To hear the rest of our conversation, listen to episode 56 of One Good Take.Support the show

I first came across Sophie Robinson's work on Netflix. She's the writer/director of one of 4 films that make up a mini-series called The Surgeon's Cut. Her film – Living Donor – focuses on the life and career of the hugely talented liver surgeon Nancy Ascher. Each of these four films are, in my view,  equally superb. Sophie just happened to be the only director in the group who is based in London – which made it fairly straightforward for us to get together at the end of August 2023. If you want to watch the interview we did on camera, you'll find it by clicking here.Support the show

With DVDs a thing of the past, and streaming the norm, it seems to me making an independent film that actually makes a profit gets harder and harder. Which does rather pose the question, How in hell's name do you persuade anyone to invest in such a venture? I thought I'd bring onto the show a filmmaker who might have an answer to that question. James Smith is a British film director who has on more than one occasion half killed himself making feature films on micro budgets at breakneck speed and then managed to sell the finished product to a streamer. So, if you're in the indie space wondering, how can I make my first feature for peanuts and a can of Red Bull, dive right in because I think you'll find this episode with James quite rewarding. James's latest film is Casting Kill and tells the story of a fraudster posing as a casting director who preys on actors desperate to win their big break. Support the show

With DVDs a thing of the past, and streaming the norm, it seems to me making an independent film that actually makes a profit gets harder and harder. Which does rather pose the question, How in hell's name do you persuade anyone to invest in such a venture? I thought I'd bring onto the show a filmmaker who might have an answer to that question. James Smith is a British film director who has on more than one occasion half killed himself making feature films on micro budgets at breakneck speed and then managed to sell the finished product to a streamer. So, if you're in the indie space wondering, how can I make my first feature for peanuts and a can of Red Bull, dive right in because I think you'll find this episode with James quite rewarding. Support the show

In episode 54 I talk with film editor Matteo Bini.Matteo moved to London from Italy in 2011 for the MA in Editing at the prestigious National Film and Television School. He graduated in 2013 with a distinction and received the Christie Award for Most Promising Student.Among Bini's recent works as an editor are Charlotte Regan's debut feature film Scrapper, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2023.  Cathy Brady's debut feature film Wildfire, winner of the BIFA best debut screenwriter 2021 and Prevenge by Alice Lowe, selected as the Opening Film of the 31. Venice International Film Critics' Week.Amongst his documentary work, The Confession by Sam Hobkinson, Pelé  by Dave Thryon and Ben Nicholas, Return to Podor by Oscar winner director Kevin Macdonald and Pistorius, a feature documentary series about the iconic athlete, and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius. For TV  he worked on the critically acclaimed series  Top Boy,   directed by William Stephen Smith, Riches created by Abby Ajay and directed by Sebastian Thiel and Glue, the E4 TV drama by Bafta-winning writer Jack Thorne, nominated at the Broadcast Awards for Best Multichannel Programme.His short film credits include Balcony, winner of the Crystal Bear at the 2016 Berlinale Film Festival, Change in the Weather, premiered at the Clermont-Ferrand film festival 2016 and Morning, winner of the Irish Film and Television Award 2013 and nominated for Best Short Film at the European Film Awards 2013.In 2014 Bini co-directed and co-wrote the Italian feature film Io, Arlecchino produced by Officina della Comunicazione and Rai Cinema. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival and was released nationwide in Italy in June 2015.Support the show

In episode 54 I talk with film editor Matteo Bini.Matteo moved to London from Italy in 2011 for the MA in Editing at the prestigious National Film and Television School. He graduated in 2013 with a distinction and received the Christie Award for Most Promising Student.Among Bini's recent works as an editor are Charlotte Regan's debut feature film Scrapper, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2023.  Cathy Brady's debut feature film Wildfire, winner of the BIFA best debut screenwriter 2021 and Prevenge by Alice Lowe, selected as the Opening Film of the 31. Venice International Film Critics' Week.Amongst his documentary work, The Confession by Sam Hobkinson, Pelé  by Dave Thryon and Ben Nicholas, Return to Podor by Oscar winner director Kevin Macdonald and Pistorius, a feature documentary series about the iconic athlete, and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius. For TV  he worked on the critically acclaimed series  Top Boy,   directed by William Stephen Smith, Riches created by Abby Ajay and directed by Sebastian Thiel and Glue, the E4 TV drama by Bafta-winning writer Jack Thorne, nominated at the Broadcast Awards for Best Multichannel Programme.His short film credits include Balcony, winner of the Crystal Bear at the 2016 Berlinale Film Festival, Change in the Weather, premiered at the Clermont-Ferrand film festival 2016 and Morning, winner of the Irish Film and Television Award 2013 and nominated for Best Short Film at the European Film Awards 2013.In 2014 Bini co-directed and co-wrote the Italian feature film Io, Arlecchino produced by Officina della Comunicazione and Rai Cinema. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival and was released nationwide in Italy in June 2015.Support the show

Shamim Sarif is an award-winning filmmaker who started her creative career writing novels. Whereas most filmmakers go through a rash of shorts before they can take a crack at directing a feature, Shamim was able to bypass all of that and dive straight in to her first feature in 2007. Her fifth feature film, an indie drama called Polarized, was shot in Manitoba, Canada, and released earlier this year. It's this film that we'll be discussing for most of the episode. Enjoy this take. Support the show

Introducing filmmaker and novelist Shamim Sarif talking to me on Episode 52 of One Good Take. Our main reason for getting together was to discuss her latest film, Polarized, an indie drama that explores the friendship and, later, romantic connection between two young women who come from the same town in North America, but very different worlds: one being white, the other Palestinian. Polarized is a well observed, deeply authentic story with a truly inclusive spirit to carry it along and a beautiful rural landscape to please the eye. Listen to the full conversation with Shamim on Episode 52.==Support the show

If you're an indie filmmaker, I think you'll enjoy this one. I got together with writer/director Brendan Cleaves in February 2023 to discuss low to get short films and low budget features off the ground without maxing out your credit card.Brendan's films tend to be on the funny side, or at least quirky. Support the show

Independent producer and consultant, Steve Longi, has a very clear mission for himself: to make movies with great stories that are, as he would put it, about something. He's particularly drawn to true stories that raise strong social issues. For example: his film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, which tells the story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector, who distinguished himself as a combat medic by saving 75 men at the battle of Okinawa in the Second World War. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. My starting point with Steve was to ask him about his process – from script to screen – and to get his view on the evolution of indie filmmaking. Support the show

Steve Longi is an independent producer and consultant, based in LA, with a very clear mission for himself: to make movies with great stories that are, as he would put it, about something. He's particularly drawn to true stories that raise strong social issues. For example: his film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, which tells the story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector, who distinguished himself as a combat medic by saving 75 men at the battle of Okinawa in the Second World War. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. My starting point with Steve was to ask him about his process – from script to screen – and to get his view on the evolution of indie filmmaking. Support the show

American actress and playwright Faina Vitebsky. Like me, Faina is in film, theatre... and trading. This is an honest conversation about lessons learned while chasing down two tough careers. Support the show

Short clip from my conversation with American actress and playwright Faina Vitebsky. Like me, Faina is in film, theatre... and trading. Join us for the full conversation from the main episode. Support the show

My next guest is Greg Koorhan, an American film director, producer and co-founder of Crossbow Studio. Greg began his career as an art director in ad land, where he got a thorough understanding of concise, simple story-telling that moves its intended audience. He later started direct his own ads and short films before moving on to feature film projects. His teen/family feature film Project Pay Day premiered on Apple TV in 2021. Greg and I got together in the summer of 2022. Here's that take. Support the show

Short clip from Episode 47 with film producer Susan Simnett. Susan started making films rather late in life. How refreshing, I thought. What's more, they happen to be very good. On her website Over The Fence Films, Susan  says she seeks out stories that 'provoke, stories that embrace who we are and where we might go, stories that shift our axis of understanding.'' Follow Susanon Twitter.Support the show

Short clip from Episode 47 with film producer Susan Simnett. Susan started making films rather late in life. How refreshing, I thought. What's more, they happen to be very good. On her website Over The Fence Films, Susan  says she seeks out stories that 'provoke, stories that embrace who we are and where we might go, stories that shift our axis of understanding.'' Follow Susanon Twitter.Support the show

Most journeys take a winding path. My guest today started out as an actor. Switched to editing and color grading and later began producing and directing his own short films while still living in Australia. It wasn't until he moved to the States that he got his big breakthrough as creator of a TV drama called A Good Cop. In this episode, he shares with us some insightful observations on how to go from a sheet of paper with a few loglines to running your own TV show. David Chai and I got together early in July 2022. Here's that take. Support the show

Most journeys take a winding path. My guest today started out as an actor. Switched to editing and color grading and later began producing and directing his own short films while still living in Australia. It wasn't until he moved to the States that he got his big breakthrough as creator of a TV drama called A Good Cop. In this episode, he shares with us some insightful observations on how to go from a sheet of paper with a few loglines to running your own TV show. David Chai and I got together early in July 2022.  Support the show

Writer/director/producer Paul Dudbridge is an indpendent filmmaker based in Bristol England. If you're an independent filmmaker yourself, and therefore working to a tight budget, this is a good episode to listen to. Besides his own personal tales, Paul goes on to give us some useful tips on reverse engineering a script so that it appeals to name cast and investors alike. Support the show

Director Paul Dudbridge is an independent filmmaker based in Bristol, England. it was immediately apparent from our conversation that Paul has become pretty smart at reverse engineering a script so that it works as a vehicle for name cast and investors. Join us for the rest of our conversation, episode 45 of One Good Take. Support the show

Episode 44 - with writer/director and producer Chuck Parello. Chuck started out as a journalist, reviewing movies. Having championed John McNaughton's chilling cult classic Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, he went on to run McNaughton's film production company for a while. A few years later he got the chance to write and direct a sequel to McNaughton's movie starring a young Kate Walsh. He's been in crime ever since. Chuck and I got together in March 2022. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

This is just a clip from my session with  writer/director and producer Chuck Parello,  recorded mid Mach 2022. I don't know about you, but somehow that's a voice that readily evokes the world of true crime. Chuck's produced some distinctive dark crime movies and, from the sounds of things, has a couple of new ones on the go that could prove even more compelling. Join us for the rest of our conversation, episode 44 of One Good Take. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Today on One Good Take – screenwriter Carol Younghusband. We got together at the end of January 2022 to talk about how she first started writing, what inspired her then and what inspires her today. She gives us a few specific examples of how she set about finding producers, directors, cast and, toughest job of all, how she raised the necessary funds for each of her own short film projects. What struck me was how grounded and modest she is. Just doing her thing and doing it her way. Here's that take. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Screenwriter Carol Younghusband talks to me on Episode 43.We got together at the end of January 2022. I asked her about how she first started writing, what inspired her then, what inspires her  today. She also gives us a few specific examples of how she set about finding producers, directors, cast and, toughest job of all, how she raised the necessary funds for each of her own short film projects. What struck me was how grounded and modest she is. Just doing her thing and doing it her way. Listen to the rest of our conversation on Episode 43.   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

For Episode 42 I got to talk to writer/producer director Kenneth Kemp based out of LA. Ken started his career in the corporate sector of filmmaking. He went on to cover sporting events at a very high level including multiple Olympic Games. Having established himself as a producer/director, he took a crack at writing. He now has a handful of projects in development that explore very different worlds. Anyone wanting to improve their pitch, this episode is well worth a listen. We got together at the end of 2021. Enjoy this the take. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

In Episode 42 I got together with writer/producer director Kenneth Kemp.Ken started his career in the corporate sector of filmmaking. He went on to cover sporting events at a very high level including multiple Olympic Games. Having established himself as a producer/director, he took a crack at writing.   He now has a handful of projects in development that explore very different worlds, a tv series he's pitching as poker version of The Gambit and the story of a remarkable Englishman who survived a serious car crash to become a successful businessman and racer of pigeons. It doesn't get more varied than that. Listen to the rest of our conversation on Episode 42.   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

This is a clip from my conversation with cinematographer Mark WolfMark started off filming under water, then moved on land to shoot music videos, shorts, documentaries and more recently some very powerful dramas, including Help, Time and Des. Listen to the rest of our conversation on One Good Take, episode 41.   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Episode 41 is with cinematographer Mark Wolf. I first came across Mark a good few years ago when I was hunting around for a DP for one of my own film projects. Back then he was mainly shooting documentaries, shorts and music videos. Over the past few years I've seen his name pop up in the credits of some of this country's best dramas. I'm hardly surprised. His work has always stood out for me. A lot of camerawork is handheld today, but Mark's choices with lighting, framing and timing are pretty exceptional. We usually think of directors as having a signature, but when I saw the drama Help, directed by Marc Munden, my first thought was that the cameraman was the same man who shot the equally powerful drama, Time, directed by Lewis Arnold. We met over zencastr in November 2021. Enjoy this the take. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

On today's episode I talk with producer Shaun O'Banion. Among other things, we cover how Shaun sneaked onto a film set and got himself hired as a production assistant, soon finding himself working right alongside some of the big names in Hollywood, before stepping out on his own as an indie producer. Now based in Prague, he has a clutch of projects he is developing for his own company, Ravenwood Films, while doing a bit of script consulting for names like Stage 32. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

This is a clip from my conversation with producer Shaun O'Banion. Among other things, we chat about how Shaun sneaked onto a film set and got himself hired as a production assistant, soon finding himself working right alongside some of the big names in Hollywood, before stepping out on his own as an indie producer. Now based in Prague, he has a clutch of projects he is developing for his own company, Ravenwood Films, while doing a bit of script consulting for names like Stage 32. Listen to the full epissode - Episode 40. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

My next guest is a writer director who started out life playing guitar in a heavy rock band. When that went belly up, he tried his hand at an equally tough career to crack – making films.  His second choice seems to be working out a lot better. To date he's picked up over 40 awards for his films and screenplays in categories such as Best Director, Best Narrative Feature, Best Short Film, Best Screenplay, Gran Jury Award, Special Jury Award and Audience Choice. After a sometimes hair-raising spell directing reality shows, he got to direct his first feature, a comedy called The Truth About Lies, in 2015. We'd never met before this podcast, but after just a few minutes chatting with Phil Allocco, I felt an immediate connection. In fact, we had quite a blast. Here's that take. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Here you have a clip from my conversation with writer/director Phil Allocco. Phil and I had never met before this podcast, but after just a few minutes of talking with Phil, I felt an immediate connection. He grew up in a tough neighbourhood in New York when New York was still pretty crazy – the seventies. He survived that and other wild escapades in reality TV and went on to shoot his first feature, an award-winning comedy, a few years ago. Do join us for the rest of the conversation. That's episode 39 of One Good Take.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

In Episode 38 of One Good Take I talk with film, and TV consultant David Zannoni. As a consultant for Fintage House he negotiates agreements for films and television series, and is involved in business development and relationship management in the US, Latin America and Spain.  Coonect with David? Find him on LinkedIn.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

This is a clip from my conversation with film consultant David Zannoni. David's been working in film and TV since 2007 and works remotely from a village in Mexico. As a consultant for Fintage House, he negotiates agreements for films and television series, and is involved in business development and relationship management in the US, Latin America and Spain. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

In Episode 37 of One Good Take I talk with Lisa Tuvalo, a writer/producer/director based in Maryland, USA. It's not often I come across a filmmaker who started her career in science – but that's Lisa. First science and music, then acting, and more recently producing and directing films. Having made a clutch of accomplished short films, she's now developing a slate of feature films. I hope you find Lis's understated tenacity  and dry humour by turns inspiring and engaging!  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Today on ONE GOOD TAKE, Alexandra Blue, an independent film and TV producer originally from Adelaide, Australia. After only a few minutes talking with her, it was clear to me Alex has a real gift for getting herself and her creative teams funded for short films, features and tv projects. Having worked for some established film companies in the UK she now has her own production company, Blue Bird Productions. How did she get there? I wanted to know. Short question to a long answer, perhaps, but here's that take in under 40 minutes.   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

In episode 36 I talk with Alexandra Blue, an independent film and TV producer from Australia, now based in London, UK.  After only a few minutes talking with her, it was clear to me Alex has a real gift for getting herself and her creative teams funded for short films, features and tv projects through her production company, Blue Bird Productions. Alex relates how she got started, her key turning points, and outlines the kinds of stories that get her excited. Join us for the full episode on this platform, episode 36.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

This is the trailer for Episode 35, when I was talking with Gina Lyons, an independent film and TV producer based in London, UK.  Gina set out to be an actress, got tired of having doors slammed in her face and threw herself into producing – and has never looked back. We talk about her early beginnings, her process and the various shops she pitches her projects to.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)

Today on ONE GOOD TAKE, Gina Lyons, an independent film and TV producer in London, UK.  Gina set out to be an actress, got tired of having doors slammed in her face and threw herself into producing – and has never looked back. We talk about her early beginnings, her process and the various shops she pitches her projects to. Tune in to the energy in her voice and I think you'll find this session quite refreshing.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/penrakespodcasts)