Who Moved the Tortoise?

This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Institution on 14th April 2025. Kate and Alex are joined by a panel of guests to talk about the TV years of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. With David Dugan, David Coleman, Helen Czerski, Hugh Montgomery and Andy Marmery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time nothing is quite as it seems, as we chat to Exec Producer and ex Series Editor of Horizon Steve Crabtree. His inspiration is the 1981 Jeremy Beadle-fronted series The Deceivers, a bizarre but entertaining exploration of tricksters, cheats and swindlers. Along the way we discuss Steve's time painting nuclear submarines, how Stan Lee made him cry, and just how long it took him to watch all 1,250 episodes of Horizon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A first for the podcast this week. Or rather, a second. In this episode, sound wizard Phil Bax has brought in his inspiration - and it's a film we've discussed before. Fortunately, it's an absolute cracker - the remarkable BBC film Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives featuring Eels frontman Mark “E” Everett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, we visit Imperial College London to chat with Robert Sternberg, course leader of the Science Media Production MSc, a degree that has produced some of the industry's top science-specialist talent. Robert's inspiration is the 1984 Horizon episode Professor Bonner and the Slime Molds, a character study of a scientist working at the fascinating boundary between single-celled and multicellular life. Along the way, we talk French New Wave cinema (1960's À Bout De Souffle and 1959's Hiroshima, Mon Amour) and the philosophy of science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, Kate and Alex are joined by science TV royalty as they chat to the multi-award-winning filmmaker and chairman of Windfall Films, David Dugan. On the menu for discussion, the 1977 short film Powers of Ten. This groundbreaking film plays with scale, first expanding out from the Earth until the entire universe is surveyed, then reducing inward until a single atom and its quarks are observed. Along the way, we take a whistlestop tour through David's remarkable career.You can watch Powers of Ten here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing is quite as it seems this week as presenter, writer and podcaster Dallas Campbell joins us to talk about Ken Campbell's mind-bending series Reality on the Rocks. Along the way we talk about Dallas' career trajectory from actor to science presenter; the mad genius of Ken Campbell; and what it's like to dive in Mexico City's sewer system - an anecdote that's not for those of a weak disposition. Contains very occasional bad language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, Kate and Alex talk to BAFTA and Emmy winning director Sophie Robinson about the film that inspired her - the powerful and moving Fourteen Days in May. This 1987 Grierson-winning film recounts the final days before the execution of Edward Earl Johnson, an American prisoner convicted of rape and murder and imprisoned in the Mississippi State Penitentiary. If you're in the UK, you can watch the film on BBC iPlayer here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05m5xb9. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first episode of 2025, the Tortoises talk to wildlife producer and macro filmmaking wizard James Manisty. On the menu, the 1996 classic macro bug film Microcosmos. It's a deep dive into the world of the tiny, with chat about Micro Monsters 3D, Super/Natural, A Real Bugs Life and more. You can watch Microcosmos here - https://archive.org/details/Microcosmos-la-gente-de-la-hierba Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Christmas Eve and the Tortoise are tearing up the rulebook for one day, meaning there's no science or wildlife chat this time. Instead, we talk to our previous guests about their favourite Christmas films. It's a nostalgic dive through some absolute classics, so grab a mince pie and come and join us! There's also some big news about our first ever live recording, coming to the Royal Institution in February 2025. https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/who-moved-tortoise-live-podcast-recording Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises are talking to series producer Simon Winchcombe about the show that kicked off his TV career - Jeremy's Clarkson's Great Britons episode on Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Along the way we talk about the genius of James Burke, changing careers in your 30s, and the cliche of presenters using a torch (trust me, it makes sense when you listen to it). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises welcome location producer and friend of the pod Mariana Kneppers to talk about the science megaseries Mythbusters. Along the way we discuss the cultural minefield of being an American living in the UK: the challenges of starting out in TV; and ask whether productions are becoming more risk averse. With thanks to Talesmith for hosting this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises are talking to cross-bench peer and science communicator Alex Freeman, Baroness Freeman of Steventon. On the menu - Sir David Attenborough's seminal 1979 series Life on Earth. We take our usual meandering conversational route, discussing early career missteps; the importance of Carol Vorderman (again... it's becoming a habit); and rubbing shoulders with the crew of Ocean's Eleven. We also talk about the series of events that set Alex on her path to the House of Lords. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises are turning the tables, as the subject of one of our early episodes becomes a guest. Writer and presenter Will Millard joins us to talk about a quintessentially British piece of television - The Man Who Eats Badgers and Other Strange Tales from Bodmin Moor, a 2008 episode of BBC 2's Wonderland. Along the way, we discuss the parallels between this film and the films that Will went on to make, including My Year With the Tribe and Hunters of the South Seas. This episode contains bad language - don't say you haven't been warned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should”. No, not a review of this podcast, but a quote from one of the greatest films of the 90s - Jurassic Park. The Tortoises are joined in the studio by BBC NHU Exec Producer Mike Davis, and they tear into this 1993 classic with all the appetite of a ravenous Dilophosaurus. It's a deep dive into the world of VFX and beyond, but there's time along the way to talk about Steven Spielberg, A-Ha and gatecrashing Robert Downey Jr at Shepperton Studios. With thanks to Talesmith for hosting this recording. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Who Moved The Tortoise? After a summer break at Tortoise HQ we're kicking off series two in praise of Judith Hann with VFX Executive Producer Emma Kolasinska. On the menu, the BBC's long-running tech series Tomorrow's World. Along the way, we talk the language of VFX, the problem with hyenas' semen and the joy of Findus Crispy Pancakes. Oh… and the rumbling you hear every three minutes isn't Alex's stomach, it's the Northern Line.What was your favourite Tomorrow's World moment and what were you having for tea while you watched it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a summer break, the Tortoises are back! The first full episode of series 2 will be coming at the beginning of October, but for now here is a little teaser. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last episode of the series we strap on our space suits and launch into orbit with the the Head of UK Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, Libby Jackson. Watching the 1998 HBO series From the Earth to the Moon was one small step in Libby's high flying career which included emailing NASA for work experience at a time when the word spam had just made it into the dictionary. Our discussion gravitates around DVDs (if you don't know what they are, Google it); the importance of asking for the things you want; and how choosing her favourite Apollo mission is like choosing a favourite child. And don't worry Tortoise lovers, we'll be back in the autumn for more inspirational science and natural history film and TV chit chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate episode of our first series, Team Tortoise welcomes writer, producer and director Nat Sharman to talk about possibly the biggest and most celebrated science series of all, Carl Sagan's 1980 epic Cosmos. Along the way we chat about shitty sticks, brown corduroy jackets and whether bigger budgets are always better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice Jones joins the Tortoises this time for a mid-90s nostalgia-fest. On the menu, Sir David Attenborough's 1995 series The Private Life of Plants. Our chat takes us via Rednex and Supergrass to How 2, Countdown, filming Will Smith in a submarine and why Carol Vorderman is great. If you're in the UK, you can watch the episode of Private Life of Plants we're discussing here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00780vh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tortoises are back at school this week as they visit the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. Here, head of the (Producing and Directing) Science and Natural History MA Peter Leonard talks about the film that opened his eyes to science filmmaking, the 1986 Equinox episode Prisoner of Consciousness. As well as dissecting this remarkable and affecting film, we also talk about videotape, working for Auntie and the wonders of concrete. We're nothing if not eclectic. You can see more info about the course Peter runs here: https://nfts.co.uk/directing-and-producing-science-and-natural-history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, the Tortoises have stretched the baked bean tins and string as far as the banks of the River Exe in Devon as development supremo Jess Jordan celebrates Scrapheap Challenge. Amidst the nostalgia-fest, there's chat about generating TV ideas, the current state of the TV industry, hiding science vegetables and Lisa Roger's vagina. Should Team Tortoise move to Red Alert? It does mean changing the bulb… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Benson joins the Tortoises this time, to tell tales of adventure and derring-do. On the menu, the fourth episode of Bruce Parry's 2005 series Tribe. Our adventure takes us from brain eating parasites to Indiana Jones, via gardening for Judith Hann and a possible Tortoise bromance. Question - would you take the hallucinogenic drug that Bruce Parry did? And will we ever find out why Will thought his own arm was a snake? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Music meets physics this week as the Tortoises welcome Producer/Director Cat Gale to talk about the remarkable BBC4 film Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives featuring Eels frontman Mark “E” Everett. Along the way we natter about the challenges of academia; being a working parent; why we love BBC Four; and what to do with those long lost tapes in your attic. WARNING: This is a late night recording involving three parents of young children and may contain bad language and occasional waffling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Team Tortoise welcome Berlin-based editor Felix Black to break the fourth wall with a documentary about documentary making – the controversial BBC series My Year With The Tribe. We talk Ziggy Stardust, Suede, whistle-offs, naked music videos and naked tribespeople. Hopefully the truth will set us all free. And hopefully we'll see you next week... unless the lawyers get to us first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Team Tortoise welcome Nat Hewit to the studio to talk about TWO things that changed her life; podcast host Kate Dooley, and the BBC 1 popular science show Bang Goes the Theory. Before the Kate Dooley love-in gets too nauseating, we manage to discuss brewing cider, rescuing seamen, puppet Shakespeare and non-Newtonian fluids. Will Alex get a word in edgeways? Will Kate's ego deflate enough to allow her to leave the studio? Listen now to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tortoise Team first met Rob Hollingworth when he was topless, in a shed and dancing to Abba (that's how you get the best timelapses, apparently). Fortunately he's put his shirt back as we discuss the film that literally changed his life - Prof Brian Cox's 2009 Horizon episode Can We Make a Star On Earth? Along the way we talk about rocket launches, northern accents, climbing the Burj Khalifa and taking photos of James Blunt. Can We Make a Star on Earth? Can We Make A Podcast That Occasionally Stays on Topic? The jury is still out for both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No normal episode of Who Moved the Tortoise this week because we're changing our release day from Fridays to Tuesdays. New episode coming next Tuesday (21st May)! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He may have sailed the Atlantic twice, but Ed Booth's toughest maritime task is finally upon him - to talk about the his favourite TV series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. Holed up in his secret research vessel (his garden shed in Cambridge), Ed talks Swallows and Amazons, colour television, attempted car theft, diving for gold and running away from primary school. Climb aboard the Calypso, pull on your red diver's hat, and plunge head-first into the chat. *Warning - contains French accent some listeners may find mildly ridiculous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four-time Emmy Winner and Talesmith founder Martin Williams talks about the 1981 series that ignited his passion for science filmmaking, Bellamy's Backyard Safari. Pull on your impossibly tight shorts, strap on your fake beard (real ones also permitted) and join us for a nostalgic chat about Britain's other wildlife legend called David. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Series Producer and Producer/Director Tim Usborne talks about the film that ignited his passion for science, the 1974 Horizon episode The Hunting of the Quark. Includes references to Boyzone, Cliff Richard, Yorkshire housewives and fruit machines, as all podcasts about quantum physics should. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer for Who Moved the Tortoise? Science and wildlife filmmakers talk about the films and TV shows that inspired them. Presented by science filmmakers Alex Hemingway and Kate Dooley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.