Podcasts about bafta awards

Steve McQueen is one of Britain's most acclaimed filmmakers and artists. He is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture, two BAFTA Awards, the Caméra d'Or, a Golden Globe, and the Turner Prize. McQueen's work includes his first feature-length film Hunger about Bobby Sands and the 1981 Irish hunger strike, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, the BBC anthology Small Axe, and his most recent film Blitz. In April 2025 McQueen joined us live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the themes of his new book Resistance. Accompanied by a major exhibition of the same name at Turner Contemporary, Resistance is a landmark collection of photographs and essays charting a century of British activism. Speaking alongside author Gary Younge, McQueen explored the power of collective action and uncover the often-overlooked stories of individuals who have been instrumental in forming modern Britain. McQueen discussed how acts of resistance have shaped Britain and the powerful role of photography as a catalyst for change. From the radical suffrage movement in 1903 through key moments including the Battle of Cable Street, the Black People's Day of Action, Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp and the Miners' Strike; onto protests against environmental destruction, struggles for LGBTQ+ and disability rights; and the largest protest in Britain's history: the march against the War in Iraq in 2003. ----- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve McQueen is one of Britain's most acclaimed filmmakers and artists. He is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture, two BAFTA Awards, the Caméra d'Or, a Golden Globe, and the Turner Prize. McQueen's work includes his first feature-length film Hunger about Bobby Sands and the 1981 Irish hunger strike, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, the BBC anthology Small Axe, and his most recent film Blitz. In April 2025 McQueen joined us live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the themes of his new book Resistance. Accompanied by a major exhibition of the same name at Turner Contemporary, Resistance is a landmark collection of photographs and essays charting a century of British activism. Speaking alongside author Gary Younge, McQueen explored the power of collective action and uncover the often-overlooked stories of individuals who have been instrumental in forming modern Britain. McQueen discussed how acts of resistance have shaped Britain and the powerful role of photography as a catalyst for change. From the radical suffrage movement in 1903 through key moments including the Battle of Cable Street, the Black People's Day of Action, Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp and the Miners' Strike; onto protests against environmental destruction, struggles for LGBTQ+ and disability rights; and the largest protest in Britain's history: the march against the War in Iraq in 2003. ----- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martin Charles Scorsese (/skɔːrˈsɛsi/ skor-SESS-ee,[1][2] Italian: [skorˈseːze, -se]; born November 17, 1942) is an American filmmaker. He emerged as one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era. He has received many accolades, including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. He has been honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1997, the Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute in 1998, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2007, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2010, and the BAFTA Fellowship in 2012. Four of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".Scorsese received a Master of Arts degree from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development in 1968. His directorial debut, Who's That Knocking at My Door (1967), was accepted into the Chicago Film Festival. In the 1970s and 1980s, Scorsese's films, much influenced by his Italian-American background and upbringing in New York City, centered on macho-posturing men and explore crime, machismo, nihilism and Catholic concepts of guilt and redemption.[3][4] His trademark styles include extensive use of slow motion and freeze frames, voice-over narration, graphic depictions of extreme violence and liberal use of profanity. Mean Streets (1973) was a blueprint for his filmmaking styles.Scorsese won the Palme d'Or at Cannes with Taxi Driver (1976), which starred Robert De Niro as a disturbed Vietnam Veteran. De Niro became associated with Scorsese through eight more films including New York, New York (1977), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1982), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995) and The Irishman (2019). In the following decades, he garnered box office success with a series of collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio, including Gangs of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), The Departed (2006), Shutter Island (2010), and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). He worked with both De Niro and DiCaprio on Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). He also directed After Hours (1985), The Color of Money (1986), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Age of Innocence (1993), Kundun (1997), Hugo (2011), and Silence (2016).On television, he has directed episodes for the HBO series Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014) and Vinyl (2016), as well as the HBO documentary Public Speaking (2010) and the Netflix docu-series Pretend It's a City (2021). He has also directed several rock documentaries including The Last Waltz (1978), No Direction Home (2005), and Shine a Light (2008). He has explored film history in the documentaries A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995) and My Voyage to Italy (1999).[5] An advocate for film preservation and restoration, he has founded three nonprofit organizations: The Film Foundation in 1990, the World Cinema Foundation in 2007 and the African Film Heritage Project in 2017.[6]PICTURE: By Harald Krichel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146148488

The 2025 Bafta Awards ceremony is set to take place, and one Kiwi star is feeling hopeful following her recent nomination. Robyn Malcolm's After the Party has been nominated for Best International Series - and she's feeling pretty thrilled about it. This follows the show picking up a record haul of nine awards at the New Zealand Television Awards last year. Robyn Malcolm says she's 'blown away' by the impact of the series, and she's feeling excited no matter what happens. "We've got a chance, but it's not a big chance - so if, weirdly, we ended up getting up on stage, that would be mind-blowing. But if not, it's completely brilliant being here and being part of it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SINNERS. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers and World War I veterans (Michael B. Jordan in a dual role) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.Also starring in Sinners is Wunmi Mosaku who plays a spiritual leader named Annie. The BAFTA award-winning actress has established herself as a dynamic and versatile performer, captivating audiences worldwide with her powerful roles across television and film. In addition to starring in Sinners, Mosaku's recent credits include the ITV/BritBox series PASSENGER, Disney+'s LOKI, HBO's LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, and the acclaimed drama DAMILOLA, OUR LOVED BOY, which earned her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. On the big screen, she was recently featured in the blockbuster film DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE as well as FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. She also starred in the New Regency/BBC Films production HIS HOUSE for Netflix, a performance that won her a British Independent Film Award and a nomination for the 2021 BAFTA Awards.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

In this week's tribute episode, Janet, John, (and Pen) explore the life of one of Britain's most acclaimed stage and screen stars. The second of only four actresses to have won two Golden Globes in the same year and made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004… it's Joan Plowright. With a career spanning over six decades, she received accolades including an Olivier Award, a Tony Award and nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and Emmy. You may know her from films like Moby Dick (1956), The Entertainer (1960), Uncle Vanya (1963), Three Sisters (1970), Equus (1977), Avalon (1990), Dennis the Menace (1993), Enchanted April (1991), 101 Dalmatians (1996),  Jane Eyre (1996), and more. To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema Sounds & Secrets website!

SINNERS. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers and World War I veterans (Michael B. Jordan in a dual role) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.Also starring in Sinners is Wunmi Mosaku who plays a spiritual leader named Annie. The BAFTA award-winning actress has established herself as a dynamic and versatile performer, captivating audiences worldwide with her powerful roles across television and film. In addition to starring in Sinners, Mosaku's recent credits include the ITV/BritBox series PASSENGER, Disney+'s LOKI, HBO's LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, and the acclaimed drama DAMILOLA, OUR LOVED BOY, which earned her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. On the big screen, she was recently featured in the blockbuster film DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE as well as FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM. She also starred in the New Regency/BBC Films production HIS HOUSE for Netflix, a performance that won her a British Independent Film Award and a nomination for the 2021 BAFTA Awards.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

London Games Festival 2025 was a packed event this year, with events including New Game+, Now Play This, Good Game Dev Club, Darkfield At The Ditch, the BAFTA Awards, and more. I was in London for the festivities, and this episode is my report on the festival.Games covered: Herdling, Will: Follow The Light, Passant, Beyond The Board, Battle Suit Aces, Gunboat God, Button Man, Moroi, Henry Halfhead, Time Flies, Wheel World, Lushfoil Photography Sim, All Will Rise, Treeplanter, and Vapourwave Pinball. Check out the Steam demos of some of these here: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/LondonGamesFestival2025.In the roundup: Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency.Thanks to Genny Dixon, Fergus Craig, Kim & Nathan, New Game+, and Ciaran Daly.Become a patron for bonus episodes and loads of fun perks: http://patreon.com/gaminginthewild.Find me on Bluesky, YouTube, the Steam curator page, etc: http://gaminginthewild.com.Thanks for listening!

Send Us A Message or Ask Us A Question? In this powerful episode of the Us People Podcast, host Savia Rocks engages in an enlightening and real conversation with Kevin "The Legend" Akudike, a BAFTA Award-winning executive producer and CEO of DICE Production Entertainment. Kevin shares his extraordinary journey and offers insights into his multifaceted life and career.- He lived in over three countries by age six, which shaped his unique worldview.Grew up in challenging environments, gaining recognition for rebellious acts.- Discussed the impact of weight on self-image and perception.Introduced to music by his cousin, with influences like N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre.- Explored the evolution of drum and bass, pirate radio, and music legends.- Reflected on the music industry's challenges and its impact on artists.- Highlighted the importance of trust between managers and artists, development bonds.- Credited his mother as a major influence, always insightful and ahead of the game.- Talked about the search for peace and why some struggle to find it, as well as the loss of friends close to him. - Celebrated his collaboration with Big Narstie, sharing the triumphs and trials of their success.Tune in to uncover more about Kevin's inspiring story, resilience, and the magic that happens with passion and consistency.Support the show

fWotD Episode 2899: Dolly de Leon Welcome to Featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia’s finest articles.The featured article for Saturday, 12 April 2025 is Dolly de Leon.Dolly Earnshaw de Leon (born April 12, 1969) is a Filipino actress. Known primarily for her work in independent films and theater, she has received numerous accolades, including a FAMAS Award, a Guldbagge Award, and a Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, in addition to nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. British Vogue named her one of the 31 most famous stars in the world in 2023.After studying theater at the University of the Philippines Diliman, De Leon began acting on stage. Her earliest performances include local productions of The Merchant of Venice, Waiting for Godot, Old Times, and Medea. She made her film debut in Peque Gallaga's horror anthology Shake, Rattle & Roll III (1991) and was cast in small and uncredited roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s. De Leon made brief appearances in films and took on guest parts in television shows. Her breakthrough came in the crime drama Verdict (2019), for which she won a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2021, she portrayed an aging sex worker in Lav Diaz's period drama History of Ha to positive reviews. She followed it with more assertive parts in Erik Matti's HBO television projects On the Job and Folklore.De Leon achieved international recognition and acclaim for starring as a toilet cleaner on a luxury yacht in Ruben Östlund's satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness (2022), winning the Guldbagge Award and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance. She received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Filipino to be nominated for the awards in any category. De Leon has since starred in the adult animated drama The Missing (2023)—for which she won a Cinemalaya Award for Best Supporting Actress—and the 2024 comedy dramas Between the Temples and Ghostlight. She is the co-founder of Ladies Who Launch, a social services group which supports disadvantaged communities.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:58 UTC on Saturday, 12 April 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Dolly de Leon on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Ruth.

Send me a text and please visit www.livefrommydrumroom.com My guest is four time Grammy Award winning drummer, composer and educator, Antonio Sanchez. Antonio is probably best known for his long association with The Pat Metheny Group, but his list of credits is truly staggering. In 2014, Antonio scored the music for the Academy Award winning film “Birdman” which earned him nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, and BAFTA Award for Best Film Music. He won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Score, and Satellite Award for Best Original Score. He's released more than a dozen recordings as a leader or co-leader. One of his latest projects is Apple TV's “The Studio” which he scored entirely. So come along for the ride and please subscribe! And please visit my website! https://livefrommydrumroom.com.  For more on Antonio, please visit: https://www.antoniosanchez.net/Live From My Drum Room Hoodies are now available!Made of a soft 52% cotton 48% polyester blend. Sizes: MD, LG & XL = $50 USD (including shipping) *Size 2XL = $55 USD (including shipping) * Live From My Drum Room T-shirts are made of soft 60%cotton/40% polyester. Available in XS-2XL = $25 (including shipping) * Venmo only. US Orders only.  100% of the proceeds from Live From My Drum Room merchandise goes toward a Live From My Drum Room Scholarship with the Percussive Arts Society! https://pas.org/pasic/scholarships/ * Payment with Venmo: @John-DeChristopher-2. Be sure to include your size and shipping address. Very important! Email or Text: livefrommydrumroom@gmail.com. Thank you to everyone who's bought a shirt and or hoodie to help support this endeavor! Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher! is a series of conversations with legendary drummers and Music Industry icons, hosted by drummer and music industry veteran, John DeChristopher, drawing from his five decades in the Music Industry. Created in 2020, and ranked BEST Drum Podcast, "Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher!" gives the audience an insider's view that only John can offer. And no drummers are harmed on any shows! Please subscribe!https://linktr.ee/live_from_my_drum_roomwww.youtube.com/c/JohnDeChristopherLiveFromMyDrumRoom

Tell us what you though of the episodeYet another episode with veteran VFX artist Steven Rosenbaum who uncovers the groundbreaking technology and behind-the-scenes innovations that brought James Cameron's epic vision to life. From performance capture to virtual production, learn how this revolutionary film set a new standard for visual effects in the industry.Stephen Rosenbaum is an American visual effects artist and supervisor, and has worked on numerous movie, tv and music productions, including six that have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and two times for a BAFTA Award.#wetafx #zoesaldana #vfxbreakdown #sigourneyweaver #avatar http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

This clip is from Episode 8: "Growing Up Black in Italy - Stefania Okereke's Journey from Childhood in Cremona to Producing a Show with Amazon Prime that Taught her the Italian Food Fun Facts she Shares" Find the full episode here: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube In the full episode, Stefania Okereke gets deep about her experience as a Black woman that grew up in Cremona, Italy, but not before she shares delicious details about Italian food that she learned while touring Italy to produce a show with Amazon Prime: the first time Stefania saw pappardelle, how to cook a perfect bistecca alla Fiorentina, and more. Find the full episode on ITALIAN, FOR SURE to join host Catrin Skaperdas and guest Stefania as they have an educational, entertaining, and important chat about Italian culture inclusive of: Stefania's experience as a Black woman that grew up in Italy "Cheese rolling is a thing!" The time Stefania met Anna Wintour and Khaby Lame at the first ever Black Carpet Awards in Italy Stefania warns you of the 3 Ps: The essential P foods for Italians The importance of time at the table within the Italian culture "I like you so much...but you're not the same." How to cook a perfect bistecca alla Fiorentina Advice to balance the Italian and London ways of living The first time Stefania saw pappardelle Stefania leaves us with her thoughts on what needs to change in Italy -- This interview is available to watch on Spotify or YouTube or to listen-only wherever you get podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. -- More information about Stefania Okereke: Stefania Okereke is a dynamic Italian-Nigerian multimedia broadcast journalist with a wealth of experience in producing and presenting for TV, digital platforms, radio, and podcasts. Over the past five years, Stefania has been at the forefront of news and current affairs, shaping narratives, breaking news, and bringing world events to audiences through acclaimed programs. Her impressive portfolio includes contributions to The One Show, Panorama, Today Programme, BBC London, and BBC World Service's Newsday, Africa Daily, and Focus on Africa. Additionally, she has worked on reputable programs like What's Up TV, Sky TV, Channel 4, ITV, BAFTA Awards, and Italy's Rai 1. A storyteller at heart, Stefania is passionate about bringing people together, amplifying diverse voices, and connecting with underserved communities, making her a true advocate for inclusion and representation in media. -- In support of the Black community in Italy: https://www.instagram.com/weafricansunited/?igsh=OTFhYnNsZGRqcnA%3D https://www.instagram.com/colory.it/?igsh=N2hwY3YyMjB5OW5u https://blackcarpetawards.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tell us what you though of the episodeIn this episode, return guest Stephen Rosenbaum explores the groundbreaking visual effects, collaboration, and technical innovations that brought Spielberg's dinosaurs to life. From the evolution of CGI in film to the stories of industry legends like Phil Tippett, Stan Winston, and the ILM team, this conversation dives deep into how Jurassic Park transformed the world of filmmaking.Stephen Rosenbaum is an American visual effects artist and supervisor, and has worked on numerous movie, tv and music productions, including six that have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and two times for a BAFTA Award.  #motiongraphics #scriptwriting #lauradern #film #michaelcrichton #jurassicpark #jurassicworld #stevenspielberg  http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

In episode 68 we explore themes of time, place, race and identity in BLITZ , the 2024 World War II drama written and directed by Academy and BAFTA-Award-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen. BLITZ is told from the unique perspective and epic journey of a 9-year-old biracial boy named George (played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan) whose mother sends him from London to safety in the English countryside. But George doesn't want to go to the countryside and be separated from his mother and grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller). Defiant and determined George makes his escape to return home to East London. Our guest, Tré Ventour-Griffiths, is a multiply-disabled historian, creative writer, and sociologist with interests in Black histories, race and disability, pop culture and insurgent politics. His PhD research uses creative storytelling methods to consider a multigenerational story of Caribbean Northants (Northamptonshire) Post-1942. ------TIMESTAMPS0:56 - Exploring Blitz World War 2 Historical Context3:44 - Introduction to Tré Ventour-Griffiths5:12 - Tré Ventour-Griffiths's Research and Scholarship15:10 - Time and Relativity in BLITZ25:33 - Black rural and town peoples in the UK29:42 - Generic Break30:18 History of Racial Hostilities in UK, Social, Economic and Sexual Policing43:55 - Empire Arcade -- Representation and Racism in British Culture and Art51:34 - Desire for Historical Representation of Black Children as Children54:30 - Where to Watch BLITZ56:17 - DisclaimerSUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your favorite podcast platformLISTEN to past past podcasts and bonus episodesSIGN UP for our mailing listSUPPORT this podcast  SHOP THE PODCAST on our affiliate bookstoreBuy us a Coffee! You can support by buying a coffee ☕ here — buymeacoffee.com/historicaldramasistersThank you for listening! 

In episode 68 of “Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters” we explore World War II from the unique perspective and journey of a 9-year-old biracial boy named George (played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan) in the 2024 film BLITZ. BLITZ is written and directed by Academy and BAFTA  Award- winning filmmaker Steve McQueen. Our guest, is Tré Ventour-Griffiths, a multiply-disabled historian, creative writer, and sociologist based in Northampton U.K. The preview features a discussion about a particular scene in the film when George walks inside the "Empire Arcade" in London. Episode 68 is available March 11, 2025.Note: Updated for correction of launch date on the slides (Spotify users)

pWotD Episode 2864: Adrien Brody Welcome to Popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 372,061 views on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 our article of the day is Adrien Brody.Adrien Nicholas Brody (born April 14, 1973) is an American actor. Known for his intense roles on stage and screen, he has received several accolades including two Academy Awards, BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Awards, a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a César Award in addition to nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Laurence Olivier Award. Brody has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, for his portrayal of Władysław Szpilman in Roman Polanski's war drama The Pianist (2002), and László Tóth, a Holocaust survivor in Brady Corbet's period epic The Brutalist (2024). The former made him the youngest winner in the category, at age 29. He is also known for his performances in films such as King of the Hill (1993), The Thin Red Line (1998), The Village (2004), King Kong (2005), Hollywoodland (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), Predators (2010), Midnight in Paris (2011), See How They Run (2022), and Blonde (2022). He has frequently collaborated with filmmaker Wes Anderson, acting in his films The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), The French Dispatch (2021), and Asteroid City (2023). On television, he has played Luca Changretta in the fourth season of the BBC series Peaky Blinders (2017), and Pat Riley in the HBO sports drama series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–2023). He earned Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his roles as Harry Houdini in the History Channel miniseries Houdini (2014), and investor Josh Aaronson in the HBO series Succession (2021).On stage, he made his London theatre debut as death row inmate Nick Yarris in the Lindsey Ferrentino play The Fear of 13 (2024), garnering nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 02:16 UTC on Thursday, 6 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Adrien Brody on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Aria.

Des récompenses au festival de Cannes, aux Bafta Awards et aux Golden Globes, un succès critique et public, accompagné de 13 nominations aux Oscars. L'équipe d'« Emilia Pérez » était sur un petit nuage depuis la présentation du film à Cannes en mai dernier. Son réalisateur, Jacques Audiard, pouvait même prétendre à la plus haute récompense à Los Angeles. Mais ce dimanche 2 mars, « Emilia Pérez » a finalement remporté deux récompenses aux Oscars, dans les catégories meilleur second rôle féminin et meilleure chanson. Depuis plusieurs semaines, la campagne de promotion était devenue très éprouvante pour l'équipe du film, émaillée par de nombreuses polémiques. Accusé d'idéaliser la transidentité et le trafic de drogue, le dixième long-métrage de Jacques Audiard a ensuite été miné par d'anciens tweets racistes et islamophobes de l'actrice principale, Karla Sofia Gascon, qui ont ressurgi un mois avant la cérémonie des Oscars.Pour Code source, Renaud Baronian, journaliste au service culture du Parisien, raconte comment « Emilia Pérez » est passé de favori à indésirable.Écoutez Code source sur toutes les plates-formes audio : Apple Podcast (iPhone, iPad), Amazon Music, Podcast Addict ou Castbox, Deezer, Spotify.Crédits. Direction de la rédaction : Pierre Chausse - Rédacteur en chef : Jules Lavie - Reporter : Barbara Gouy - Production : Clara Garnier-Amouroux, Raphaël Pueyo, Pénélope Gualchierotti et Clémentine Spiler - Réalisation et mixage : Julien Montcouquiol - Musiques : François Clos, Audio Network - Archives : CNN, César, Festival de Cannes, Golden Globes, Oscar Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

The Last Showgirl is a 2024 American drama film directed by Gia Coppola and written by Kate Gersten. It stars Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, and Kiernan Shipka. Its plot focuses on a middle-aged Las Vegas showgirl who is faced with an uncertain future after learning that the revue she has performed in for three decades is scheduled to close. The screenplay was adapted by Gersten from her own play, Body of Work, which she based on her visits to the Jubilee! show shortly before its closure in 2016.The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024, and began a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 13, before expanding on January 10, 2025. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with Anderson garnering critical praise. Anderson received nominations for Best Actress at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards and the 31st SAG Awards while Curtis received nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the latter as well as at the 78th BAFTA Awards.

We present our conclusion to Black History Month with actor focus; this time we celebrate the career of Samuel L. Jackson!  We're looking 3 of his starring vehicles Snakes on a Plane, then The Great White Hype and finally Soul Men, also starring the late, great Bernie Mac!Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most iconic, prolific, and versatile actors in modern cinematic history. With a career spanning over five decades, Jackson has appeared in more than 150 films, cementing his status as a cultural icon and a box office powerhouse. His breakthrough role came in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever (1991), but it was his unforgettable performance as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) that propelled him to global stardom. That role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and introduced audiences to his signature blend of charisma, intensity, and humor — all delivered with that unmistakable commanding voice.Throughout his career, Jackson has balanced blockbuster success with critically acclaimed performances. He's a staple in Tarantino's films, appearing in Jackie Brown, Django Unchained, and The Hateful Eight, showcasing his ability to deliver complex, morally ambiguous characters with unmatched flair. His work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury has made him a cornerstone of one of the most successful film franchises in history, introducing him to a new generation of fans.Despite his widespread popularity, Samuel L. Jackson's awards recognition has often lagged behind his cultural impact. In addition to his Oscar nomination for Pulp Fiction, Jackson has received numerous honors, including a BAFTA Award, Golden Globe nominations, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2022, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to cinema.Jackson's legacy is defined not only by his memorable performances but also by his ability to elevate even the most minor roles into something unforgettable. Whether in gritty dramas, high-octane action films, or sharp comedies, his presence demands attention, often turning supporting parts into scene-stealing moments. Beyond acting, Jackson's influence extends to his advocacy for diversity in Hollywood, his mentorship of younger actors, and his efforts to champion independent filmmakers.With a career that seamlessly spans indie gems, blockbusters, and prestige films, Samuel L. Jackson stands as a living legend whose legacy is defined by his versatility, consistency, and undeniable cultural presence — a true icon whose impact will resonate for generations to come.Snakes on a Plane is a 2006 American action thriller[3] film directed by David R. Ellis and starring Samuel L. Jackson. It was released by New Line Cinema on August 18, 2006, in North America and the UK. The film was written by David Dalessandro, John Heffernan, and Sebastian Gutierrez and follows the events of dozens of venomous snakes being released on a passenger plane in an attempt to kill a trial witness.The Great White Hype is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Berg, Damon Wayans, Jeff Goldblum, Jon Lovitz, Cheech Marin, John Rhys-Davies, Salli Richardson and Jamie Foxx.The film satirizes racial preferences in boxing, and was inspired by Larry Holmes's 1982 fight with Gerry Cooney (who was known as "The Great White Hope") and Mike Tyson's 1995 return fight vs. Peter McNeeley. Entertainment Weekly called Rev. Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) a "Don King-clone."Soul Men is a 2008 American musical comedy film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal and Sean Hayes, released on November 7, 2008. It was one of three Mac's films that were released after his death (and was actually released on the same date as another posthumous film, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa).Mac and Isaac Hayes died on August 9 and 10, 2008, respectively. Director Lee said the film was heavily re-edited to soften the tone of the film, as a tribute to the two actors.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59

How do you balance your calling – the thing you are passionate about, with your career – the thing that pays your bills? In honor of the Oscars this weekend, we're resurfacing our conversation with actor, writer, director, and producer Jesse Eisenberg. Jesse's new film, A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in, has received two Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay. The film has already received wide acclaim this awards season, with Jesse taking home an Independent Spirit Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. In this candid conversation, Jesse Eisenberg sits down with Jessi Hempel to discuss the delicate balance between his calling, writing, and his career, which also encompasses acting, directing, and producing. From personal experiences to valuable lessons on handling criticism, Jesse offers practical insights that will resonate with anyone striving to stay true to their creative vision. Jesse and Jessi discuss: Jesse's creative process as an actor, writer, and director Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt in the industry Balancing commercial viability with artistic passion The challenges of handling criticism and staying true to your vision How Jesse approaches the business side of filmmaking For more inspiration, listen to Jessi's conversation with Laura Linney on dealing with criticism here.

We had the chance to chat with Emmy award-winning producer Paul Martin about his latest project, Onside: Major League Soccer, which dives deeper into the world of the US soccer league. It's an incredible series that brings stories from the background to the forefront to give a better look into the world of soccer. Dan and Paul discuss sports story narratives, personalities, and more! It's made Dan go so far as to look into going to a few Philadelphia Union games this season, which is heavily featured in episode 3. Take a listen. Go beyond the pitch with the personalities that power MLS. With unprecedented access to players, coaches, and clubs, this series explores the electrifying moments and captivating stories that make the 2024 season unforgettable. Each episode takes viewers deeper into the world of Major League Soccer, offering an unfiltered look at the players beyond the pitch—balancing family life, navigating relationships, overcoming injuries, and enduring heartbreaking losses—all while chasing the ultimate goal: winning the 2024 MLS Cup. Onside: Major League Soccer” featuring some of the sport's most prolific athletes and leaders including Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls), Olivier Giroud (LAFC), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew), Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati Head Coach), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew Head Coach), David Beckham (Inter Miami Owner), and many more.  Produced for Apple by Box to Box Films in partnership with Major League Soccer, the eight-episode docuseries is out now! Executive producers include Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (“Senna,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Amy”), Emmy Award winner Paul Martin (Apple TV+'s “Make or Break,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”) and Hillary Olsen (“Faceoff: Inside The NHL”), along with showrunner Steve Rankin (“Naked and Afraid,” “Man vs Wild”). 1) Back to Glory Amid Messi Mania, Miami and the LA Galaxy gear up for a huge early-season test. Riqui Puig opens up about the pressure of superstar expectations. 2) Hell Is Real Ohio's heated rivalry reignites. As kickoff nears, stars and managers discuss what's at stake, the will to compete, and leaving it all on the pitch.  3) Young Blood Cavan Sullivan signs with Philly at age 14. The countdown is on for the Homegrown phenom to make his debut as the youngest MLS player ever.  4) City Blues Second-year club St. Louis CITY are under pressure to build a winning culture. A rematch against arch-rivals Sporting KC raises the stakes. 5) Kings of New York Who runs NYC? A case is made in the Hudson River Derby's playoff debut. RBNY's rising star John Tolkin feels the heat of the spotlight. 6) The Window Clubs go hunting for new talent in the summer transfer window, where deals get done—or fall apart—and stars arrive in the month-long frenzy. 7) The Big Decision Atlanta United's long road back to title contention hits a tipping point. A Decision Day miracle sets up a Round One duel against Inter Miami and Messi.   8) Legacy With Messi eliminated, it's anyone's MLS Cup. Riqui Puig's injury stuns the LA Galaxy as they get set to battle the New York Red Bulls for the title.

Tell us what you though of the episodeFrom the intricate feather sequence to seamlessly integrating Tom Hanks into historical footage, Rosenbaum explains the artistry of "invisible effects" and how they served the story without overshadowing it. This captivating discussion also explores the challenges of creating Lieutenant Dan's realistic prosthetic look and the evolving role of computer graphics in filmmaking.  Stephen Rosenbaum is an American visual effects artist and supervisor, and has worked on numerous movie, tv and music productions, including six that have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and two times for a BAFTA Award. #forrestgump #robertzemeckis #oscars #vfxbreakdown #tomhanks  http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, so we take a look back at several of the great STAR WARS celebrity cameos, jokes and sketches from the past five decades of SNL. Will Baby Yoda say his first words in the upcoming MANDALORIAN AND GROGU film? We discuss the possibilities and consider what his first words will be. We continue our review of the 1980 U.S. press conference for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Warwick Davis received a big honor early this week in London so we celebrate his career, and we also have audio highlights from recent interviews with Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill. Speaking of Hamill, the Luke Skywalker actor takes center stage in our "Outrageous and Unthinkable Story of the Week" as he redefined the term “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2025 Bafta Awards and more!  

It's almost the end of another chaotic award season. Hosts Ema Sasic and Kevin Schwaller recap the BAFTA Award winners and give their final predictions for the SAG Awards, which will air Sunday, Feb. 23.Disclaimer:Copyright notice:(Intro/outro) She's The Greatest Dancer by Ryan Andersen is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Andersen/MORE/Shes_The_Greatest_Dancer?fbclid=IwAR1TDCO9eT6TxmDrTaJr9HRQVk2gUu00cNXeG8oik3avXVEhbSGqsqUfLkoCopyright notice:(Break) Extremely Tik-tok compatible for slow videos by Lundstroem is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lundstroem/the-happiest-songs/extremely-tik-tok-compatible-for-slow-videos/

David, Rebecca, and Richard are joined by last year's winner of the Little Gold Men Oscar pool to learn how she pulled off a near-perfect predictions list, and what wisdom she has to keep in mind for this year. The hosts also analyze how the BAFTA Awards may have impacted the race, and break down the Oscar-nominated short films, from the best of the bunch to the likeliest winners (not the same thing). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

David, Rebecca, and Richard are joined by last year's winner of the Little Gold Men Oscar pool to learn how she pulled off a near-perfect predictions list, and what wisdom she has to keep in mind for this year. The hosts also analyze how the BAFTA Awards may have impacted the race, and break down the Oscar-nominated short films, from the best of the bunch to the likeliest winners (not the same thing). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Today, 40 years ago, a brand new soap opera was launched…Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London, following the stories of local residents, mainly killing each other and having affairs.But, how realistic is Eastenders to real life?Henry McKean visited London during Bafta Awards week and sent this report from the real Eastenders, speaking with pub landlords, London cabbies and locals!Image: BBC

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. It follows a fading celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) who, after being fired by her producer (Dennis Quaid) due to her age, uses a black market drug that creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley) with unexpected side effects.Noted for its satirical elements and grotesque, hyperrealistic imagery, The Substance is Fargeat's second feature film, after Revenge. Motivated by societal pressures on women's bodies and aging, she wrote the screenplay over two years, assembling a team to co-produce the film between France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Principal photography in France lasted 108 days. It made extensive use of prosthetic makeup designed by Pierre-Olivier Persin and primarily practical effects; these included suits, puppetry, dummies, insert shots, and approximately 21,000 liters (5,500 US gallons) of fake blood to portray Elisabeth's drug-induced transformation. The film score was written by Raffertie and features a cover of "Pump It Up!" by DJ Endor.The Substance premiered on May 19, 2024 at the 77th Cannes Film Festival main competition, where Fargeat won Best Screenplay. It was released theatrically in the United Kingdom and the United States by Mubi on September 20, 2024, and in France by Metropolitan Filmexport on November 6, 2024. At the box office, the film grossed $77 million on a $17.5 million production budget and became Mubi's highest-grossing film. It was a critical success and received numerous accolades, including five nominations each at the 97th Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and the 82nd Golden Globe Awards (including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy). For her performance, Moore won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and earned Best Actress nominations at the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.On her fiftieth birthday, Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-celebrated but now-faded Academy Award-winning Hollywood film star, is abruptly dismissed from her long-running aerobics TV show by the producer, Harvey, due to her age. A distraught Elisabeth crashes her car while distracted by a billboard of herself being taken down. At the hospital, a young nurse covertly gives her a flash drive advertising "The Substance", a black market drug that promises a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of oneself.Plot[edit]

"No Kings On Presidents Day" protests send a huge "FU" to Trump. Tesla Czar Elon Musk blathered the 60 Minutes team should be jailed. Shitler has a plan to squeeze Ukraine for cash. House prices in DC plummeted due to DOGE firing federal employees. A plane ended upside down after a crash in Toronto. Another polar vortex is on the way. Some of the recently released January 6th "tourists" are back in court for other creepy crimes. The Crabs reviewed winners of the BAFTA Awards. Pope Francis is sick despite his close relationship with JEEBUS. Greece has been contending with a continuous earthquake and Alaska braces for a volcanic eruption. "No Kings on Presidents Day" protesters - 2025 Check out CrabDiving radio podcast Monday!

A documentary on 1970s Superman Christopher Reeve has won a Bafta award - and Lizzie Gillett is the Kiwi producer who's helped bring his family's story to the screen.  

Tell us what you though of the episodeDiscover how James Cameron's "Terminator 2 - Judgement Day" revolutionized VFX forever.VFX artist Steven Rosenbaum dive into the fascinating process behind creating the iconic T-1000 character that changed the way we see CGI in film. From the challenges of animating liquid metal to the innovative techniques pioneered by the team, this conversation offers unparalleled insight into how James Cameron's vision brought this sci-fi masterpiece to life. Stephen Rosenbaum is an American visual effects artist and supervisor, and has worked on numerous movie, tv and music productions, including six that have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and two times for a BAFTA Award. http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

‘Awards Magnet' hosts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng and Gold Derby editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum discuss 'Anora' surging back to the front of the Oscar race following its PGA and DGA wins. Plus: BAFTA predictions. Email your questions to slugfests@goldderby.com. Intro - 00:00 'Anora's' PGA and DGA wins - 00:33 BAFTA predictions - 17:01 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In place of the delayed Oscar nominations, Brandon & Lorin discuss the film nominations for the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA Awards. Later, they chat about the movies they've watched lately.

Tell us what you though of the episodeDiscover how James Cameron's "The Abyss" revolutionized VFX forever.Our guest today VFX supervisor Steven Rosenbaum shares behind-the-scenes stories about the groundbreaking water tentacle sequence that pushed the boundaries of computer graphics. Stephen Rosenbaum is an American visual effects artist and supervisor, and has worked on numerous movie, tv and music productions, including six that have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and two times for a BAFTA Award.#theabysseffects #maryelizabethmastrantonio #scifi #vfxbreakdown #jamescameroninterview http://twitter.com/dreamingkingdomhttp://instagram.com/kingdomofdreamspodcasthttp://facebook.com/kingdomofdreamspodcast Watch the feature films that I have directedCitizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsuIn Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21Official Website - www.jawadmir.com

AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on movie award nominations in the U.K.

Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke reports that award-winning Irish-language film Kneecap has scored six nods for the 2025 BAFTAs while Saoirse Ronan has been nominated in the Leading Actress category for her role in The Outrun and JJ Ó Dochartaigh - DJ Próval reacts to their nominations.

Awards Magnet hosts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng discuss the 2025 BAFTA nominations and what they mean for the Oscars. Email your questions to slugfests@goldderby.com Intro - 00:00 Best Actor & Supporting Actor - 02:43 Best Actress & Supporting Actress - 21:05 Best Picture and Best Director - 45:37 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we welcome Andrew Dunn, BSC. Andrew is a three-time BAFTA Award winning cinematographer who has shot films including L.A. Story, Threads, The Bodyguard, The Crucible, Gosford Park, The Count of Monte Cristo, Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch, Precious, Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Butler, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Downton Abbey: A New Era, and Killer Heat. In our chat, he shares about his early days in England, filmmaking education, and behind-the-scenes stories of making countless critically-acclaimed films. Andrew also offers priceless advice for cinematographers and filmmakers alike.“The Making Of” is presented by AJA:IP, HDR, and cloud advancements have unlocked new workflow possibilities. Stay ahead of the curve with AJA solutions like the KONA IP25, a SMPTE ST 2110 I/O card for Mac, Windows, and Linux, and OG-ColorBox for color management and conversion, and more. Get the full rundown on AJA's latest gear here.Introducing Eddie AI:Craft rough cuts in seconds with text prompts. Eddie is the AI video editing assistant for video professionals. Iterate with Eddie: reverse the topic order, ask for a stronger hook, make this punchier. With Eddie, you can easily export to MP4 or polish in Adobe Premiere Pro, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. Explore hereFeatured Resource:Film ParliamentGot a script you want to produce?Film Parliament offers a self-paced, step-by-step online course that guides you through the process of scheduling and budgeting your feature film. Level up your 2025 filmmaking skills with 25% off when you use code “NewYear25”. Learn more hereNetflix Hit Series “The Helicopter Heist” Employs Igelkott StudiosOne of Netflix's standout series in 2024 is undoubtedly "The Helicopter Heist," which centers on a daring bank robbery in Stockholm. In episode six, titled "Showtime," the filmmakers made a strategic choice to partner with Igelkott Studios, leveraging their advanced technology and top-tier craftsmanship for the helicopter sequences. Founded and led by Eric Hasso, Igelkott Studios is the definitive leader in In-Camera Visual FX. To explore this cutting-edge studio and its capabilities, visit here.From our Friends at Anton/Bauer:Today's episode is also powered by Anton/Bauer — batteries built with no compromise for filmmakers and creators. From blockbuster sets to solo projects, Anton/Bauer batteries deliver high-performance power with unmatched reliability so your story never misses a beat. Trusted by industry pros worldwide, Anton/Bauer keeps your gear ready when it matters most. Visit hereOWC Atlas Cards:Kick off your creative 2025 with OWC Atlas Cards — from stunning 8K video to fast transfers, these memory cards and readers deliver unmatched performance. Perfect for photographers, filmmakers, and tech enthusiasts. Explore hereZEISS Introduces Supreme Zoom Radiance:The new ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance set includes three purpose-built T2.9 high-end cine zooms: 15-30mm, 28-80mm and 70-200mm. Featuring the same T* blue lens coating as the popular Supreme Prime Radiances, they offer a similar look with consistent flares and warmer color rendition. Learn more hereNew Solutions from Videoguys:The SanDisk Professional G-RAID PROJECT 2 drive is a high-performance, 2-bay enterprise-class storage system. Pre-configured in RAID 0 and equipped with Thunderbolt™ 3 connectivity, it's designed for your most demanding applications. With expansive capacities up to 48TB, this massive storage solution is the trusted ally for managing your 4K, 8K, and VR video workflows with ease and reliability.Visit herePodcast Rewind:Dec. 2024 - Ep. 61…“The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky.Advertise your products or services to 108,000 filmmakers, TV, broadcast, photo & live event production professionals reading this newsletter. Email us: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we're heading in our proverbial Popemobile to Rome, with the BAFTA Award-winning writer of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Men Who Stare At Goats and more. Peter Straughan's latest film, Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, is essentially Succession at the Vatican – a masterful, muted thriller about the election of a new head of the Roman Catholic Church. It tells the story of Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, who's been tasked by the late Pope with overseeing the selection of his replacement. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. There are more twists and turns in this film than the ruthless Cardinal Tedesco could shake a vape pen at – and in the spoiler conversation, we get to the bottom of each and every one of them, including the shocking revelation at Conclave's conclusion – an ending that Peter says is both radical and at its core, deeply Christian.Get ready to discover how the writer's own background as a lapsed Catholic helped guide his writing process. Discover whether or not Donald Trump and Joe Biden served as inspirations for certain members of this warring clergy. And find out what's really happening as bombs explode outside the Vatican's walls – a plot thread that we as an audience, sequestered with these cardinals, never quite see the full truth of. Script Apart is hosted by Al Horner and produced by Kamil Dymek. Follow us on Instagram, or email us on thescriptapartpodcast@gmail.com.Support for this episode comes from ScreenCraft, Final Draft and WeScreenplay.To get ad-free episodes and exclusive content, join us on Patreon.Support the show

UNSTOPPABLE director Billy Goldenberg and editor Brett Reed have had a working relationship for over twenty years, going back to their time together on COYOTE UGLY (2000).  Since that film, they've logged a lot of hours as "editor and assistant" or "editor and additional editor", but their new film brings about a whole new dynamic, "director and editor". UNSTOPPABLE is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion. WILLIAM GOLDENBERG, ACE While UNSTOPPABLE is Billy's first shot at directing, he is one of the most well-respected and sought-after film editors working today. He won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and the American Cinema Editors' (ACE) Eddie Award for his outstanding work on the 2013 Best Picture winner, Argo, directed by Ben Affleck. His recent editing credits include Air, 22 July, Unbroken, and Concussion. Goldenberg received dual Oscar nominations in 2013, also being nominated, along with editor Dylan Tichenor, for his work on Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty.  In 2015, Billy was again nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA Award, and an Eddie Award for the historical thriller The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.  He was previously Oscar-nominated for his editing work on Seabiscuit, and on Michael Mann's controversial film The Insider (with Paul Rubell and David Rosenbloom). Goldenberg was also part of the editing team on Mann's Heat, Ali, and Miami Vice BRETT M. REED Prior to cutting UNSTOPPABLE for Billy, Brett also collaborated with Artists Equity on Doug Liman's film THE INSTIGATORS, starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Hong Chau. Additionally, he edited OLD, directed by M. Night Shyamalan for Universal Pictures, as well as several episodes of Shyamalan's television show THE SERVANT for Apple TV+.  Previously Reed cut CLOUDS directed by Justin Baldoni for Disney+; Christoph Waltz' GEORGETOWN; Automatik's DREAMLAND directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and starring Margot Robbie; and Nick Hamm's bio-thriller DRIVEN, starring Erin Moriarty and Lee Pace. Brett's earlier work with Billy Goldenberg included supporting him as an Additional Editor on TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS, LIVE BY NIGHT, CONCUSSION, UNBROKEN and ARGO. Reed was also a First Assistant Editor on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, ZERO DARK THIRTY, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, NATIONAL TREASURE, amongst others. Directing and editing UNSTOPPABLE In our discussion with Billy and Brett, we talk about: Editors as first-time directors Cutting for a director who's an Oscar-winning editor Seeing double on the wrestling mat Obsessing and finessing an L-cut Making the most of a montage The Credits Visit Extreme Music for all your production audio needs Listen to Billy talk about cutting AIR and NEWS OF THE WORLD Check out the latest features in Avid Media Composer Subscribe to The Rough Cut podcast and never miss an episode Visit The Rough Cut on YouTube

In this weeks episode of Just Get A Real Job, Jamie chats with BAFTA Award-winning series producer Hannah Beaugeard about the challenges facing the TV industry today. With years of experience working on a range of productions and areas of TV, Hannah offers unique insights into navigating an industry in crisis. We cover: How to navigate the TV industry downturn and its impact on professionals. Why it's okay to take a step back or explore a different career, even in the short term, and how it can bring valuable perspective. Upskilling strategies: Leveraging your current role to explore new opportunities. Hannah's career journey and the lessons she's learned from working across different productions. The systemic issues in TV, include long hours, burnout, and feelings of dispensability. Reframing rejection and detaching your self-worth from your job. Why the TV industry must rethink its approach to talent and work culture. Hannah's advice as a hiring manager for those breaking into or navigating the industry. If you're feeling uncertain about your career in TV—or contemplating a change—this episode offers honest reflections, actionable advice, and reassurance that stepping away temporarily can be a healthy and strategic choice.   Hannah Beaugeard:   "British Television is dying... and Gogglebox won't save it" Comment in The Times Newspaper Online: https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/industry-analysis-british-television-decline-comment-b5l589gk0#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20has%20been%20happening%20for,or%20low%2Dbudget%20reality%20filler.   "Why I'm thinking about quitting TV for a bit and so should you" on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-im-thinking-quitting-tv-bit-so-should-you-hannah-beaugeard-1758e/?trackingId=DY8M4mBkRCyVFEwO3Fp2TA%3D%3D    Watch on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@justgetarealjob      Check out our website!: https://www.justgetarealjob.com    Donate to our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob     Follow us on... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justgetarealjob/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob/     TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@just.get.a.real.job   X: https://x.com/justgetarealjob     Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jhVdYlNMU8jrFUQxShMit     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/just-get-a-real-job/id1540434153     Artwork by Aimee Dinsdale: https://www.instagram.com/artbyaimeead/      

Award-winning director of photography Erik Messerschmidt, ASC has a natural eye for arresting and spellbinding images, thriving in a role that allows him to combine his love of art, craft and science. Recently, he lensed Devotion for director J.D. Dillard, based on the real-life story of a Black naval officer who befriends a white naval officer during the Korean War, with both becoming heroes for their selfless acts of bravery.He also is currently shooting Michael Mann's biographical film Ferrari, starring Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, and Penélope Cruz, and recently completed shooting David Fincher's The Killer, starring Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton.Previously, Messerschmidt shot Fincher's passion project Mank, chronicling the screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz's turbulent journey to write Citizen Kane alongside Orson Welles. Messerschmidt's meticulous and striking black and white recreation of the period's aesthetic earned him the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, an ASC Award for Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film, a BSC Award for Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Release, a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Cinematography, as well as Best Cinematography award nominations from the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle, the Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics Choice, and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.In addition, Messerschmidt co-lensed several episodes of the HBO Max original series Raised by Wolves from producer Ridley Scott. He also shot the first and second seasons of Fincher's hit thriller series Mindhunter for Netflix, earning a 2020 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (one-hour) for episode 206.With a background in the fine arts world, Messerschmidt honed his skills while working with such renowned cinematographers such as Dariusz Wolski, ASC, Jeff Cronenweth, ASC, Phedon Papamichael, ASC, Claudio Miranda, ASC, and Greig Fraser, ASC. Messerschmidt now lives in Los Angeles and is a member of IATSE Local 600. He is represented by DDA.Enjoy my conversation with Erik Messerschmidt.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

On this episode, I present Silver Screen Social's 2nd annual panel, THE SOUNDS OF THE 62ND ANNUAL NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL, featuring the following panelists:  Bård Farbu - re-recording mixer and sound designer - No Other Land James Harrison - supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer - Blitz - Oscar nominee for Best Sound (No Time to Die) - BAFTA Award nominee for Best Sound (No Time to Die) - 12x Golden Reel Award nominee - BAFTA Television Craft Award nominee for Best Sound: Fiction (Small Axe) - AMPS Award nominee for Excellence in Sound for a Television Drama (Small Axe) Steve Single - supervising sound editor, dialogue editor and re-recording mixer - BAFTA Award nominee for Best Sound (Tár) - Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Award nominee for Best Sound (Nitram & True History of the Kelly Gang) Daniel Timmons - supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer - Nickel Boys - Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Jim Henson: Idea Man) - 2x Golden Reel Award nominee (Hamilton & What Happened, Miss Simone?)  John Warhurst - Oscar winner for Best Achievement in Sound Editing (Bohemian Rhapsody) - 2x BAFTA Award winner for Best Sound (Bohemian Rhapsody & Les Misérables) - Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) (Moonage Daydream) - 5x Golden Reel Award winner (Moonage Daydream, Bohemian Rhapsody & Les Misérables) - Cinema Eye Honors Award winner for Outstanding Sound Design (Moonage Daydream) - 2x AMPS Award winner (Bohemian Rhapsody & Moonage Daydream) 

The hilarious, BAFTA Award-winning Daisy May Cooper leafs through her new book, Hexy Bitch: Tales from My Life, the Afterlife, and Beyond, which is out Thursday 24th October.Join Chris, Vassos and the team every morning from 6.30am for laughs with the listeners and the greatest guests. Listen on your smart speaker, just say: "Play Virgin Radio." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arianne Phillips is an American costume designer. Phillips was recognized for her work on the Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, starring Neil Patrick Harris, earning her a Tony award nomination for Best Costume Design. Phillips has a long-standing relationship with Madonna, with collaborations including photo shoots, music videos and designing tour costumes for six world tours over the past two decades. She has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design three times, for James Mangold's Walk the Line (2005), Madonna's directorial debut, W.E. (2011), and for Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). Phillips has also received a two BAFTA Award nominations for Tom Ford's A Single Man (2009) and Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Her film career also includes Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals (2016), Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), James Mangold's Girl, Interrupted (1999) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007), John Cameron Mitchell's Hedwig And the Angry Inch (2001), Mark Romanek's One Hour Photo(2002), and Milos Forman's The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996). In between film and music projects, Phillips works as a freelance fashion editor and stylist, collaborating with photographers for publications such as Italian Vogue, V Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, German & Spanish Vogueand W Magazine. She continuously challenges herself by taking on projects that explore new expressions of her creativity. In 2018, she made her New York City Metropolitan opera debut, designing Nico Muhly's opera, Marnie. Miuccia Prada selected Phillips for her Iconoclasts project; to curate installations for the brands flagship stores in London and Beijing which included a short fashion film for the brand, which Phillips wrote and directed, called Passages. Her friend Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of GUCCI commissioned her to create content for a special issue of A Magazine he guest edited and to style a brand film directed by Gia Coppola. She has also collaborated on special projects with Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier, Valentino and Swarovski. Phillips was an inaugural member of the TIMES UP coalition and was asked by Reese Witherspoon to design its logo. Lawrence Sher, ASC,is an American cinematographer and film director, best known for comedy films such as Garden State, The Dictator, and The Hangover series, frequently collaborating with directors Todd Phillips and Zach Braff.[ He made his directorial debut with Father Figures, which began a wide theatrical release on December 22, 2017, by Warner Bros. Pictures. He was nominated for an Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography for the 2019 film Joker, directed by Phillips. As cinematographer of the 2009 film The Hangover, Sher described how a scene early in the movie shows the main characters on the roof of their hotel overlooking a stereotypical shot of the Las Vegas Strip; Sher indicated that he had tried to evoke the behind-the-scenes Vegas—after the characters wake up the following morning—by shooting a scene behind the hotels where the real action takes place. Actor Bradley Cooper credited Sher's visual style with enhancing the film's comedy, noting how Sher has "a great eye, a lot of energy and he just knows what's funny" and that "Some guys just can't shoot comedies, but Larry knows exactly what he's doing." With the success of Zach Braff's Kickstarter, Sher worked on Braff's 2014 feature, Wish I Was Here. In January 2020, Sher was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on the movie Joker, but lost to Roger Deakins for 1917.

Sean Comer and Mark Radulich review movies currently on streaming services and in theaters: Stan and Ollie/Chaplin/Judy Movie Review! First up is Stan and Ollie (2018). Then we move on to Chaplin (1992). Finally we review Judy (2019).Stan & Ollie is a 2018 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Jon S. Baird. The script, written by Jeff Pope, was inspired by Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours by A.J. Marriot which chronicled the later years of the comedy double act Laurel and Hardy; the film stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The film focuses on details of the comedy duo's personal relationship while relating how they embarked on a gruelling music hall tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland during 1953 and struggled to get another film made.The film premiered on 21 October 2018 at the closing night gala of the BFI London Film Festival. It was released in the United States on 28 December 2018 and in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2019. At the 76th Golden Globe Awards, Reilly was nominated for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and at the 72nd British Academy Film Awards the film earned three nominations, including Best British Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Coogan.Chaplin is a 1992 biographical comedy-drama film about the life of English comic actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. It was produced and directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Dan Aykroyd, Penelope Ann Miller and Kevin Kline. It also features Charlie Chaplin's own daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, in the role of his mother, Hannah Chaplin.The film underperformed at the box office, grossing $12 million against a $31 million budget, and received mixed reviews from critics; Downey's titular performance, however, garnered critical acclaim and won him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor along with nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.Judy is a 2019 biographical drama film based on the life of American entertainer Judy Garland. Directed by Rupert Goold, it is an adaptation of the Olivier- and Tony-nominated West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter. The film stars Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, and Michael Gambon.The film follows Garland's career during the last year of her life, when she relocated her stage career to England, coupled with flashbacks of her childhood, most prominently the shooting of her part as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939), her most famous film role. After some initial success in a run of sell-out concerts at the Talk of the Town in London, her efforts eventually stop making progress and even start to worsen as her health deteriorates.Judy premiered at the 46th Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2019, and was released in the United States on 27 September 2019, and in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2019. The film received generally positive reviews, with Zellweger's performance garnering widespread acclaim. For her portrayal of Garland, Zellweger won the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as the Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, BAFTA Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59

Filmmaking isn't just about making a great film—it's about getting that film seen. With traditional distribution models crumbling, independent filmmakers are finding new ways to connect directly with audiences. This episode explores how the indie film landscape is shifting, with filmmakers taking control of their own distribution, marketing, and audience-building strategies. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to think outside the box and embrace a more grassroots approach to getting your work into the world. Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author of the book Think Outside the Box Office, and a media strategist who runs 8 Above, a company that creates custom distribution strategies for indie films. He has consulted with filmmakers and organizations worldwide including The Gotham, IDA, and Film Independent, and has led workshops on distribution and marketing through his 8 Above Distribution Lab. Reiss is currently producing a documentary on robotic performance artist Mark Pauline, and is producing the second season of a podcast, Plantscendence, about people's psychedelic experiences. He has recently launched a Substack focused on indie film distribution and marketing. Annamaria Sofillas, a development executive and producer, is the Director of Content at Kino Lorber's MHz SVOD. She is the lead producer of the documentary "I'm “George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story, which premiered at Slamdance '24 and received theatrical exhibition nationwide through Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, with digital distribution by Grasshopper Film. Annamaria was instrumental in building NBCUniversal's Seeso and Gimlet Media's scripted division, where she led over 25 long-form television series and 30 stand-up specials, including the GLAAD Award-nominated Take My Wife and BAFTA Award-nominated Flowers. Scott Monahan, the filmmaker behind Anchorage, has been candid about his experience with self-distribution, highlighting the challenges and successes of taking control of a film's release. Glen Reynolds, founder of Circus Road Films, is a producer rep and festival advocate who helps indie filmmakers navigate distribution and find the right partners to bring their projects to audiences. In this roundtable discussion, No Film School's GG Hawkins speaks with Jon Reiss, Annamaria Sofillas, Scott Monahan, and Glen Reynolds to discuss: Why hybrid distribution is essential for indie filmmakers today How film festivals and events can help grow your audience Why setting clear release goals is crucial for your film's success How building your audience starts long before your film's release Real-world examples of filmmakers using grassroots promotion and festival tours Why filmmakers are taking control of their own marketing and outreach strategies How indie filmmakers are embracing a punk rock mentality to bypass traditional distribution models Links: Learn more about Scott Monahan Learn more about Glen Reynolds Follow Annamaria Sofillas on Instagram Buy or rent I'm “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story on Amazon/Apple I'm "George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story Website Follow I'm “George Lucas” on Instagram Follow I'm “George Lucas” on Facebook Follow I'm “George Lucas” on X 8 Above with Jon Reiss Substack 8 Above website Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web https://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter  https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having started out as a current affairs journalist, Peter Kosminsky made his name by telling contemporary social and political stories in the form of television drama. Warriors was about British soldiers in the peace-keeping force in Bosnia; The Government Inspector dramatised the events surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly; The State explored the radicalisation of British Islamists. Kosminsky is also acclaimed for his television adaptations of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy. He has won six BAFTA Awards, including one for his outstanding contribution to British television. Peter talks to John Wilson about the huge influence of his parents. He recalls how his left wing father and his mother who had been a kindertransport child, shaped his interest social justice from the perspective of the outsider, the refugee and the disenfranchised. Seeing Ken Loach's 1975 BBC television drama Days of Hope was a another turning point, and revealed to the 18 year old Kosminsky, the huge emotional power of the medium of television drama. He also explains how a letter from a British soldier in response to his 1999 drama Warriors led to his acclaimed and controversial Channel 4 series The Promise, 11 years later.Producer: Edwina Pitman

In this episode of the "Giant Robots On Tour" podcast, hosts Sami Birnbaum and Rémy Hannequin interview Dan Clark, the Founder and CEO of MindJam, an innovative platform providing emotional and SEN (Special Educational Needs) support for young people through gaming, game design, and digital skills. Sami shares a personal story about how his mother, an educational psychologist, introduced him to MindJam, highlighting its impact and relevance. Dan explains that MindJam was born out of the need to support young people who feel out of place in traditional educational settings, particularly those with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent conditions. By leveraging popular games like Minecraft, MindJam builds trust and engages young people in a medium they enjoy, transforming therapeutic support into a more effective and engaging process. Dan discusses the inception and growth of MindJam, which started during the pandemic when traditional in-person support became impossible. This shift to online sessions via gaming platforms provided a new avenue to connect with young people, enabling them to open up and build trust in a familiar and enjoyable environment. Dan emphasizes that gaming offers numerous benefits, such as enhancing cognitive abilities, fostering social connections, and providing a safe space for expression. Despite the negative stigma around gaming, he points out that it can be a powerful tool for personal development and emotional support. MindJam has grown significantly, now with 110 mentors supporting over 2,000 young people globally, showcasing the scalability and effectiveness of this approach. The conversation also touches on the broader implications and challenges of integrating gaming into therapeutic and educational contexts. Dan highlights the need for societal perception shifts to recognize the positive aspects of gaming, counteracting the negative media portrayal. He underscores the importance of educating parents, educators, and social services about the benefits of gaming and how it can be used constructively. Dan shares inspiring success stories from MindJam, illustrating how gaming can lead to real-world achievements and personal growth. MindJam (https://mindjam.org.uk/) Follw MindJam on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MindJamOfficial), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindjam/), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mindjamofficial/). Follow Dan Clark on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-clark-58533220b/). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Transcript:  SAMI: Right, we are back again. And this is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, the Giant Robots on Tour series coming to you from Europe, West Asia, and Africa, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host Sami Birnbaum. RÉMY: And I'm your other host, Rémy Hannequin. SAMI: Let's get into it, Rémy. Joining us today is Dan Clark, the Founder and CEO of MindJam, a platform that provides online one-to-one sessions, providing emotional and SEN support for young people through gaming, game design, and digital skills. Dan, full disclosure on this one: so, about a month ago, right? I get an email from my mom. Now [laughs], this email says, "You've got to check this guy out. Go and take a look at MindJam." And I'm thinking, mom, I don't get these emails from you. This is not the normal sort of thing I'd get from my mom on your average weekday. And I know in the past, like, I've told her that I'm kind of doing this podcast thing, and I'm starting to regret, like, telling her this. Like, what is she throwing my way? But I get into some research...and maybe for some context, actually, which is helpful because my mom isn't just doing research for the podcast, my mom's an educational psychologist. So, she's been doing that ever since I can remember. I remember growing up as a kid, and that was, I mean, she assessed me numerous times. And she works, I guess, similar kind of to the children or people that you're working with, people with ADHD, autism, neurodivergent children, just often who are struggling in school and trying to find where they fit. And I start doing my research. I look into it, hit the website, hit your LinkedIn. And I'll be, like, totally honest with you: We were both just blown away by what you are doing. And this is coming not only from me, and I work in the tech industry, and I've got a history of slight gaming addictions, which we might touch on, but also coming from my mom who works on the other side and works with all the local authorities. She does the kind of tribunals that they have to do to try and get people into the right schools and kids into the right schools. And, literally, we were blown away, and I nearly got lost as well on your website. I found some kind of gaming streams that you do, and I feel almost like we missed a trick here, Rémy, because we could have done this podcast on Minecraft. It's such a nice flow, right, when you're streaming. DAN: Yeah, it makes it easier when you've got that distraction there as well. You can just chat about it. Thank you so much for inviting me on. It's a pleasure being here and, yeah, I'm glad you kind of understand what we're doing here. MindJam itself is four years old now. But I was doing things before in the pandemic, similar. But once the pandemic hit, that was the key moment where everything went online for my support with young people. And, suddenly, the light bulb came on, and I was like, this is a way in. You know, there are so many young people that are struggling, lost, feel they're stupid, and don't fit in. Yet, actually, they're amazing. But, you know, a standard way of sitting in front of them going, "Tell me why you can't go to school. Why can't you do this?" you know, it doesn't work. They don't trust that person. They've got trauma. They've been, you know, battered down by education and by health services. And so, to suddenly have someone who comes in and goes, "Oh, so you love Minecraft. Oh, I love Minecraft, too. Let's join in. Let's go in a world." And then, you can build that trust to then go, "How's your week been then?" Or, you know, and start talking, and you're just on the same wavelength. And, for me, it was something as soon as I sort of realized, it was like, this is...of course, this makes perfect sense. And then, I looked and saw nobody else is doing it [laughs]. So, I started off MindJam just on my own. At first, very quickly, we got working with lots of...in the UK, we have local authorities, which is the councils around, so seeing there is a real, you know, thing that they would work with us. So, that was great, to be recognized as actually a real service, rather than just someone playing games with kids. It's like, no, this is real. This really works. And then, it quickly got bigger than me, and now we are at 110 mentors working for us, and we're supporting over 2,000 young people all over the world. SAMI: That's incredible. DAN: It's a mission of mine, you know, we'll go more into my sort of history, but I've got two neurodivergent children: both autistic, one's ADHD as well. When you see something that you think is going to work for your child, to then suddenly see it's got, like, a two-year waiting list, which most have, it's heartbreaking, and you know it's going to be too late. So, it's always been my mission with MindJam to keep that waiting list as small as I can, but also, obviously, expanding with quality mentors and all that. So, you know, we generally tend to always say about three months before we can sort of get that support for young people. But yeah, it's something very close to my heart that I'm so passionate about and, yeah, it's been a great journey so far. SAMI: You can tell. It's so interesting because, like you say, when you find something that works for your kids. Because when I was younger, I struggled with separation anxiety a lot in school. So, I would have days when I would really struggle to go to school. During my high school period, I went to the Royal Free, which is down in Hampstead, so not too far from where I grew up and not too far from my school. And my parents...I tried to engage with a therapist. But it's almost like, I don't know if I wasn't cognitively or intellectually developed enough to engage in that way, but it didn't work. Ultimately, I did kind of one or two sessions. I remember filling in some questionnaire and thinking, like, I don't get this. This doesn't make sense. And what you're talking about, if I understand correctly, is you're coming to where the child is at. You're coming to a safe space for them, a place where they feel comfortable. It's almost like a world which is predictable. Whereas the outside world is very scary, right? Especially for people who have generalized anxiety disorder, like I said, autism. It's very challenging. And so, you come to their level, and you say, "Right, let's find a place where we all feel comfortable." And then, we can start to engage. And you say, like, you know, the pandemic was a little bit of a light bulb moment. What's been the biggest barrier then? So, you've found yourself kind of going into this and saying, right, this is something which works. It works for my kids. I want to make this available, accessible. What's been your biggest barrier to getting this off the ground and getting it working? DAN: It's the negative thoughts and the way the media portrays and education portrays gaming, basically. That has been the hardest thing is most parents are on board, but they still feel a little bit ashamed of how social media is on gaming and screen time. And they're very worried that they're not doing the right thing. And we come in a way of also educating. We educate the educators. We do training plans for schools, and for social services, and all sorts because there are so many benefits to gaming that aren't recognized. And, you know, gaming is still generally quite new. It's evolved so much in the last even 10 years. It's insane the way the characters have evolved. And the emotional nature of games now is really complex and, you know, young people and older people can get so much from them. But gaming still, in general, people are still like, "Well, get off that. Do something actually worthwhile." It's like, it's so worthwhile. There's so much, you know, strategy game you've got so much from it. And a fast-paced shooting you've got cognitive abilities. The perfect example I've got is, did you hear a couple of months ago a young lad, I think he was 13, he beat Tetris. SAMI: Yes. DAN: He completed Tetris, which is incredible, you know, it's like, oh, wow. And the first thing the newsreader said to them, the media person interviewing him went, "You should get out more." That's the way she portrayed it, rather than going, "What an achievement it is. You should get outside more." I'm literally like, what? What's going on? You know, again, this kid, you know, he's in the Guinness World of Records. What an achievement. He's famous around the world for doing it. It's like, why is that not seen as such a good thing? You know, so yeah, so that was the hard thing was especially schools, you know, they're very frightened of gaming and of change. And so, trying to help them see that, actually, if you meet a young person where they're at in something they love, then you can help inspire them and help find out why they can't deal with the things, why they can't engage with school, and also inspire them for future learning careers. Even healthy gaming comes from having that understanding of how they're gaming. So, if someone's sat up all night gaming, yeah, we all know it's not great for them. But if you just say, "Gaming's evil. Get off it. You're wasting your time. I'm turning that off," they're going to want to rebel against that. Yet if you come in and go, "Oh, wow, I can see why you were sat up all night doing that. But have you noticed that you're not as good at playing when you're really tired or really hungry?" And if you look at the top e-sports players, they're athletes. They exercise; they eat well; they sleep well. So, you know, if you embrace gaming a bit more, you can get that trust and that bond to then help inspire in other ways. RÉMY: I mean, I could talk about it for a long time. It's really refreshing to hear someone talk about video games in such a positive way and talking about the benefits. And you even mentioned strong players like athletes. It's really refreshing. And I'm wondering, how did this knowledge come up to you in the first place? So, I bet you might be someone enjoying playing games yourself. But how did you see all these benefits yourself? Because, unfortunately, it's not something we talk a lot about. As you mentioned, in the press, we hear about all the negativity. Every time there is a strong event, we blame video games, all that. And we forgot all the stories where the video games enhance people, if they have trouble or not. It can be very beneficial to a lot of people. So, how did you see this value yourself? DAN: Yeah, well, yeah, I've always been a gamer, you know, ever since Spectrum 48K, I think you had. I'm showing my age now, but it was mainly when the Sega Megadrive, and from then, PlayStation onwards were my days. And me and my brother used to have great times together on that as well. You know, it was our bonding. But then I think the biggest light bulb to me...before the pandemic, I was a teacher. And I used to teach music and ICT and computers as well, and having my children as well, and both in school connecting with the young people. Because I was a gamer, I could talk about the games that they're playing with them and to see their eyes light up...and you're on a different wavelength with that young person. They suddenly got this trust in you, and they want to tell you all about what they've done on Minecraft, or what the new season of Fortnite's about. And it was having such a beneficial effect on them and same with my family as well. We, you know, both my children are autistic, and we've got, you know, we have a lot of difficulties around that of bonding together as a family, yet our closest moments have been through gaming together. So, Mario 3D World was the first one I remember with my children playing, and we could play at all levels. So, my son was about four and, you know, he was often in a bubble, killed, and floating back onto the screen again. But, you know, we had a great time. And I was suddenly, like, looking, thinking, this is amazing. You know, nobody hears about this side of it that it's bringing us together. And so, from there, I then started doing after-school gaming clubs, so not coding clubs, nothing like that. It was gaming. And the young people they loved it. It was oversubscribed. Masses of kids came to it. We had all sorts of things from Super Smash Bros, if you know that, to, you know, to PlayStation games, Go Simulator, and everything playing. And we just had a whale of a time, and they could really relax and make friends. And, again, it was all coming from the joy of gaming together, basically. And it's, you know, as much as some people might not like it, it's bigger and bigger. It's the biggest entertainment industry now. And, you know, on the other side of it, there are so many careers in it. If your young person has an interest in gaming, see what they're interested, help it, champion it because it's, yeah, you know, there's such a future there. But yeah, that's my story, basically, and where that sort of light bulb came from. And then, I've done a lot of research into the benefits of gaming and how you can use that for connecting with young people. And, you know, so many games now have characters with, you know, emotional things going off, or, you know, you can talk about feelings even in games like Minecraft where the characters don't talk. But you can be like, how must that person be feeling there? And, you know, you can really bring in real-life situations while gaming and also have a lot of fun, which I think is super important as well, which sometimes gets forgotten about. But, you know, real life is really enhanced by having loads of fun, and gaming's fun. SAMI: Yeah. It's so fascinating. As you're speaking, I'm having this internal dilemma, right? Because, in my head, everything you're saying is true and makes sense. And I believe it, and I've seen it. And then, I probably still harbor those feelings that are almost entrenched, like you're saying, in the media with, you know, the person who completed Tetris. And those sorts of feelings are still, like, a little bit entrenched to me in terms of the negative sides of gaming. Like, I guess I grew up probably similar to you, where it was like, "Well, why aren't you outside more?" and the negative aspect of it. I spoke about this in a different podcast, which I've apologized to my parents for mentioning in public. But when I was in university, it's too late now, I also kind of developed, I would call it probably, like, a small gaming addiction. I don't know where it would sit, but I was doing all-nighters Playing Call of Duty, Modern Warfare. And so, there definitely is a negative side. But I like what you say about, well, actually, you can address that in a healthy way. But then, this week, just this week, which is quite uncanny, my seven-year-old comes, and he says, "Daddy, I really want to get an Xbox, you know, my friend's got one." And he's just starting to get to that cusp of gaming. So, in my head, I say, yeah, like that makes total sense, and I imagine the benefits and the fun time me and him could have on an Xbox. But I still struggle with those feelings of...maybe they're my own worries of, well, but what if he neglects his other stuff? What if he goes into like, yeah, with ADHD, he goes into hyperfocus, and that's all he does? How [laughs] can you counsel me out of this concern? DAN: Well, no, I completely understand, and that is where all our fears come from, especially our generation and how it's put through. But I think young people more and more connect through gaming, whereas I think when we were gamers as young, a lot of stuff wasn't online. So, we weren't playing with our friends. We were playing on our own a lot of the time, whereas it's very social now. Platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are the things that are super social, working together as a team, things like that. But also screen time, I can show you that we've got a whole list of benefits of gaming, actually, that I'll share with you because there's studies that even screen time has been proven not to be detrimental the way we're told it is. And I think we must know that through how we work. Most of us work on screens these days, so. SAMI: Yeah, that's such a point of contention in the house because we currently do only on Fridays. So, they get, like, two hours of screen time. I don't know if that's strict. I don't know where I am on that. Do you have, like, with your own kids, or how do you handle that discipline? So, let's say I get the console, right? I bring it into the house to my seven-year-old. Do I limit it with screen time? How would you approach that sort of thing? DAN: Obviously, with a seven-year-old, it's a little bit different from...mine are now 17 and 14. So, we discuss it more, but yeah, definitely, you know, have boundaries. And also, if you're worried about how they're gaming, maybe have the Xbox in the living room, so instead of gaming in their bedroom, they're gaming when you're around, and it's a shared family activity. And then, it's easier to say, "Well, we're going to be having food in a minute. So, finish up on that game." And you can have all that understanding. But I think also, you know, that other side of things of coming from seeing what they're playing. I talk to parents a lot about this, and they get, you know, they see frustrations in their young people when they're trying to get them off. But they don't realize that maybe they're playing something like Fortnite or something that's a bit more online team-based, where if they pulled them off the game in the middle of the match, it could be detrimental to the team they're working with, their rankings. You know, they could even get banned from the game for a few days, you know. So, understanding and them being able to work time management together, being like, "Well, after this game is finished, this is where we're going, you know, we've got to go out. We've got to do this," you know, there is a give and take there. And I'm not saying there isn't negatives to gaming. We need, you know, everybody needs a break as well. But, again, through the understanding of what they're playing, you can have those conversations. If you're not playing them or watching them and don't understand what the game is about, and what the joy is about, there's going to be a gap between you, you know, where the young person is going to be like, "You don't understand me. You don't understand why I want to play this." My kids, you know, we went from the other [inaudible 17:37] because they've had severe problems at school, both of them, through their neurodivergency, and gaming has really helped them both to regulate. And maybe when you're saying about yourself when you had problems, and maybe there was something else going on. And then, the gaming was a way for you to cope, that safe space to go to that was actually working in a way as a little bit of therapy and keeping you grounded, you know, as well. So, you know, there's two sides to see it. But yeah, definitely, I can understand the worries of staying up all night playing it or not doing your homework and playing it, although I have different things to say about homework. But to say it's not actually beneficial is wrong because, you know, you just got to look at something like Minecraft and the amount a young person can learn, everything from biomes, and blocks, and diamonds, or ores to actual mathematics and things. And it naturally leads onto PCs and learning how to code things and who knows where that's going to lead, to creating something completely new. So, I worry for the ones that are heavily restricted on screen time. I worry that they're being held a little bit back. You know, that might sound a bit controversial for some people. But when most jobs are digital and you're not allowed to learn, I mean, the young people I see they're so gifted at such a young age in understanding digital things that they're going to be at the forefront of the new technology. So, it's almost like, yeah, I think it should be embraced with both hands. RÉMY: There's an incredible opportunity to learn new things through video games and to be happy and to share, like you said. And I bet our audience is already quite open to video games, but we never know it. I think it could be interesting if you could provide, like, a very simple, not comprehensive list of famous games and the kind of skills and benefits they provide you. You mentioned Minecraft; you mentioned creativity. But what kind of games and skills benefits you? You could say for our audience to understand more about the opportunity that is out there. DAN: Yeah, I mean, there are so many. But yeah, so, if we look at your normal shooter game like Call of Duty, and Fortnite, and things like that, that is for cognitive ability. You know, getting those dexterity in your hands and learning those [inaudible 20:11] of pressing buttons is more than you think. It's really training that brain and getting that brain working really quick. It's proven to boost your brain power, your gray matter. It's actually proven that gaming, in general, just boosts your gray matter. I mean, we all know about doing brain training games, but all games using that brain, you know, it's much more advanced than sitting watching TV. But then if you go into more things like puzzle games, so things from your Tetris all the way through to more advanced ones like Portal or strategy games like Civilization and things, there is so much you're doing. You're boosting that brainpower, and you're thinking all the time. But then you can get into...yeah, back onto the shooter games as well, they help with spatial recognition. So, it's actually helping to spot things from a distance: dangers or things to collect. You can see them, and it actually enhances eyesight. It is proven to enhance eyesight, which is great. Decision-making and leadership skills, which is a key thing people talk about for business, is all there when you're in your team of shooters. You're playing Overwatch or you're playing, you know, any game like that. You know, there's always somebody leading or, you know, saying what should be best, seeing the best strategies in there. Problem-solving comes into all sorts so, obviously, in shooters and things again, I'd- say, but also your Minecraft. You know, you've got to create a certain thing to defeat the dragon or whatever you're doing. There's always something, or if you're building something. But then, of course, your high-end puzzle games and even things like Mario. I mean, they get so complex in the problem-solving to overcome a level. Again, the brain power, and the brain power seeing these young people that they're way more advanced than we were playing games. The games are so intricate and so hard now. One you never hear about is social skills until...I think the pandemic helped that a bit. People started to see, oh, Animal Crossing, it's a great way to connect with people. And, you know, and Roblox as much as it gets a lot of bad press, for young people to connect and play, and lot of it is almost like playground role playing play, and they're playing together. You know, there's games just based in Ikea, and they're shopping, and [laughs] things like that. It's really good for them to be doing that. And health and fitness surprisingly, of course, is in gaming. So, obviously, a lot of Nintendo Switch games are sort of standing up, you know, playing switch sports and things, but then virtual reality is huge for that. And if you've ever tried Beat Saber, that's a real workout, which is really good. But there's loads of boxing ones. There's one that kids play now called Gorilla Tag, where, oh my God, that is such a workout. I have mentees that I work with, and then we'll be like, "Oh, Gorilla Tag," an hour of that, I am exhausted. Because you're just flinging your arms around like a gorilla trying to move fast. It's amazing. SAMI: I saw a post you did recently about there's, like, a Greek mythology level on Fortnite, like, an educational aspect [laughs]. It's so funny because I remember playing God of War on the PS2, and I learned so much about Greek mythology. Everything I know comes from God of War. And so, there's also that educational aspect. DAN: Yeah, exactly. You get this deep dive into something, and you really find what you're interested in. So, I've got a kid, and he loves this game called War Thunder, which is all about planes, World War planes, and he can tell me everything about every plane and what country it's made. He can spot it a mile off. You know, "Oh, that's a Russian plane from so and so. Its weak points are here. It was built by so and so." And it's like, you're a genius, and it's all come from, you know, this game's sparked this real interest. And, you know, like I said, Fortnite brings it in, God of War, of course. Assassin's Creed is amazing for things like that, history, it goes from Egypt times. And they even now have walkthroughs in the game where...this needs to be used in schools. I don't know if schools embrace it yet, but you don't have any of this story and the killings and stuff. You just are going through history and walking through the towns and things like that, which is brilliant. The latest one for Assassin's Creed was Vikings, wasn't it? And that was brilliant because that brought in the UK and how it was when the Vikings came over. There's so much stuff. I've got a young person, and he loves this game called For Honor, which is all about medieval sword fights. And he got such an interest in weapons that he's then become a blacksmith. He's enrolled onto a college course apprenticeship being a blacksmith. He wants to be making armory and swords for movies. You know, he said like, "Look, Lord of the Rings, that's all made properly, isn't it?" I mean, that's [inaudible 24:50] SAMI: Wow. DAN: Yeah, it's amazing. One other thing that the games bring, which I think is amazing, is mindfulness as well. There's a huge thing of that. Yeah, like I said, going back to maybe yourself when you were gaming at night, and you maybe needed to destress and maybe take your mind off something, you can get into a game and almost...there's a thing called the grind in the game. Minecraft has it a lot, where you've just got to get yourself a hundred diamonds, or whatever [laughs]. So, it's like, you can almost turn your brain off and just do that, you know, and it can be so super relaxing. And you can get into this thing called flow state. A lot of driving games are like that. If you hit every corner perfectly, you're kind of just in this dream-like state where you just...everything's going well. And that brings a euphoria, too. There's so many good things. But now there's loads of games that are actually based around mindfulness. Tetris is one that's been proven for that. But I don't know if you've heard a more recent one called PowerWash Simulator. Now, this game was one of my most favorite for the last couple of years. All you're doing is washing stuff with a power washer. But the way it works, it gives you a little ding when you've cleaned something properly, like a [vocalization]. And it just...you stand back and look at your job. Honestly, it's amazing. But now Oxford University are doing a full study on it because they realize how beneficial it is to relaxing and chilling out, you know, and just making yourself just feeling happy when you need to just de-stress. It's amazing. RÉMY: I can totally relate. I remember a few years ago, I played GTA 5, and GTA 5 is the kind of game famous for arbitrary violence or all this kind of stuff we hear in the media. But I remember me playing and sometimes I wanted to play just to take a bike and to go on the road and to see a sunset. And, of course, we could argue that I can see the sunset out there, but, in a game, it's just a piece of art. At work, recently, we just had a conversation about beautiful games. So, we weren't interested in all the features or how the game would work but just how beautiful it is. And sometimes we just play video games because they're beautiful. And so, they could provide so much on the intellectual level, on the skills, but also, just as piece of art, just beautiful things made by beautiful artists. DAN: Yeah, it is amazing when you see that. And yeah, I get that completely with GTA. It gets a lot of bad reputation, you know, and story-wise, it is very adult. But, you know, it's the biggest game in the world for a reason. And, you know, like you said, you climb the mountain, you look at the view, you know, it is such a lovely thing to do. There was a game, Red Dead Redemption. I had a young lady I was mentoring, and she was situationally mute, which means, you know, she couldn't talk to anybody. She used to type her responses to me. But she loved Red Dead Redemption, loved horses. And she actually created a group from all around the world, where they would all meet her on a Friday in the game, and she would take them on horse trails. And so, this is all in the game, and she would just take them around to beautiful spots, do nice little jumps with the horses, setting up camp, you know, and, I mean, that's [inaudible 28:08]. It's amazing. And yeah, she ended up making a horse game on Roblox, and that doing really well, and her actually working for Roblox themselves. So, yeah, you know, it all inspires them to work on that. And, I think, sorry, I'm going on tangents here, but also, as you say, appreciating art. There are so many different sides to gaming. A lot of people used to think gaming is just coding, and I don't want to be a coder. That's confusing. I don't want to do that. If you look at the credits that roll on a main game, and they go on for, like, about an hour. There are so many different jobs from artists, storyboard writers, level designers, musicians. There's everything there. The coders are just one part of it. So, as I said before, there are so many career opportunities there, either starting up your own business as a self-employed person or getting involved in it. One I love...a lot of the neurodivergent people I work with [inaudible 29:07] is being a games tester. Because the first thing my son ever does is, if he gets a game, he tries to break it. He tries to find where he can walk through a wall, or something like that. So, it's like that job would be ideal for you. It's like, it's amazing. And that's a job. That's a really important job as well. SAMI: Yeah. When you talk about these stories, they are inspirational. Like, I feel like almost, like, a flutter in my heart as you talk about this kid who maybe felt he has kind of no hope or very little opportunities to actually honing in on this Viking game and then being able to go and become a blacksmith, or this other person you mentioned who's now with Roblox. Yeah, I almost wish, like, they had more publicity around them. And maybe we're kind of doing some of that work now. What would you say is your biggest success story? DAN: I guess MindJam in itself I think is just, I mean, it's way bigger than me now. Obviously, it was born from this idea of giving young people the time and the respect. They are doing something that they love to do and is beneficial. That's what I found was everybody...even when I was teaching, we used to have this connection with the kids, and I used to work one-to-one with the, you know, special education needs, young ones. And a great connection talking about gaming, and their eyes would light up. They would talk about their week, and how they were feeling, and what they achieved. But then it would always be, in the back of my mind, we need to get back onto what we're supposed to be doing and, you know, I need to tick these boxes. And there's always something wanted from them. And it's the same if they go and see a health service. There's always something that they want from that young person. Yet if you just approach them and say, "You know, let's do what you want to do." It's child-led. It's low demand, and let's see where that takes us. That's where we got to discovering about the blacksmith thing. And that's why we've got young people making albums and things with MindJam. You know, it goes anywhere. I've got one young person who shows me Tai Chi, you know, that's our MindJam session. It started off from Rocket League. So, it can really go anywhere. But yeah, sorry, going back to the big success, it is every day now I get a message saying how one of my mentors has helped a young person to help the whole family. That is just the best thing in the world. You know, this is something we've created, and we work hard. We work really hard to make sure we've got the best people. You know, and we're well-trained, and informed, and everything. To hear that it's really making such a difference, and, you know, some people say we're saving lives, and, you know, I just have to pinch myself. Me and my wife we were just like, we can't believe it really how amazing it is. But we're just on a mission now to make sure it's accessible for as many people who need it. SAMI: Yeah, I've seen some of the reviews on your website, and they're heartwarming. But, like, it kind of makes sense, right? Like, for some people, this is the only place that they feel safe. They feel comfortable. You imagine all the cortisol that's going through someone when they're in that fight or flight moment, and there's lots of stress and anxiety. And they enter into a gaming world, and they can escape. And all of a sudden, that reduces. You're dealing with a different person. You're dealing with someone who feels happy, who feels content. And then, you're opening up their mind to have other conversations, you know, like you say. I really recommend it to our listeners. Go and check out the stream. You do kind of...I've seen you've done a few episodes of streaming with other mentors. And it's fascinating to see how all of you, whilst you're playing, are in a conversation about, "Oh, how was your week? And how's that been going?" And, you know, something happened over there. And it's like, you're just in a more of a relaxed state to have those conversations. DAN: Yeah, you know, it's been used before, you know, LEGO therapy is kind of like that. You know, that's what MindJam is in a way is play therapy, but there's so much more you can do with the digital platform. And we're at an amazing age as well, where most bits of software are free. I'll click on like, you know, if they want to look into 3D modeling, it's easy to get a copy of Blender. If you want to get into Unity or Unreal Engine, I mean, there's always into...and it's all, you know, what a wonderful time. When we were younger, if I wanted to get into game design, it was so complicated. You didn't know where to start where, you know, so yeah, it's really amazing. And another thing that I love as well is the mentors that work for us. Most of them are really [inaudible 33:28]. I struggled when I was in my early twenties, and I remember seeing a counselor. And it felt like they had no idea what they were...yeah, they're reading from a textbook, you know, and I remember just really patronizing me. And I was just like, you've got no clue. Whereas I think all the mentors we have all said, "I wish MindJam was around when I was a young person." And I thought, that's the key thing for me, their empathy, their understanding. We don't have to solve it straight away. It's just being there and going, "Yeah, that is hard. Yeah, you know, you'll be okay though. And there's, you know, you're not on your own here." And, you know, I think that is...so many people seem to have to try and heal people straight away. And it's like, no, people just need time to talk, and it's the same as adults as well. Yeah, it could just carry on really to all ages really, couldn't it? SAMI: Yeah. And you've also got that buy-in, right? Whereas, you know, I think of myself perhaps going to therapy at that young age. I didn't really buy into it because I was sitting there with an adult who I didn't really know what we were doing. And I was just kind of there for a conversation. And here you've got...you're doing something that they like, and they enjoy. To put my parent and adult hat back on [laughs] because it's something I want to pick your brains on, right? So, working in the tech industry and working in coding, I've read articles about games, which kind of it says that they're more and more...you see it maybe more on the games on the mobile phone. So, they're employing, like, these kind of gambling tactics, so a lot of the stuff where it's treasure chests. And what is it? On Fortnite, it's the packs. On FIFA, it's also, like, you open up the pack and you see what players you get. So, that sort of stuff I also find scary where I feel like you have from the industry...so, whilst you're using the industry in this way, is the industry itself there to promote and perpetuate the benefits that come from games? Or are they looking, I want to get people in; I want to get them hooked; I want to use these gambling techniques, A/B testing, whatever it is? DAN: From all big companies, we get both sides, obviously. So, you got your unscrupulous ones that, oh, go for it. You loot boxes. But I think more and more, especially with young people, they're more and more aware. They're far more savvy than we are in these things. And the good one is EA with, you know, FIFA. They get review bombed because as soon as someone's putting in loot boxes and things, people are just like, you're just after our money. This is a con. It's pay to win. Mobile games are the worst for it, of course. You know, they're quick cash-making things. Again, instead of, like, saying, "All gaming is evil. We should never do it," it's being aware and being aware of what these games are trying to do, which, again, when you're looking at a young child, is having shared gaming experiences. So, you can go, "Ah, can you see what they're doing here? You know, they've hooked us in. We've played this for two minutes, and we've had free play. And now they're asking us to pay five pounds for extra things. That's a bit of a con, isn't it?" And, you know, you can actually bring that awareness, and then they're not going to fall for things like that. But at the other side of it, I see firsthand...I've luckily enough to work closely with Sony. One of their great companies is called Media Molecule. I don't know if you've heard of them. They did LittleBigPlanet, and lately, they had a game called Dreams, which is actually making games on a PlayStation, which is really cool. But they're so accessible. It's all about, you know, making everybody happy, giving people the keys to creativity, and really help making everything accessible. Again, they worked with this wonderful, wonderful artist who created characters, character designs. They'd never met her. She was so socially anxious. She never could leave her house but was actually one of their top artists that they would send the work, send the brief. She'd send this amazing art back, and then they'd pay her. They didn't have to come into the office nine till five for no reason whatsoever. And there's a lovely side, and, of course, there's a business unscrupulous side. And yeah, again, bring that education of that. This is what I think should be in schools. Instead of avoiding the whole issue, is actually talk about being toxic gamers and what that means, and how to deal with toxic gamers, and how not to be a toxic gamer yourself. For those that don't know toxic gamers, it's just people that are really, really mean to everybody, which seems to be a set thing that people do, especially to a new player. It's like, learn how to encourage people in. And there's now games coming out where they ban people straight away if they're being toxic, and it's all about helping that new player feel like part of the team. But again, yeah, let's say if this was actually brought into education, so then we learn about loot boxes and, you know, pay-to-win type games, then young people would be on that same wavelength. They would get it, either that or it would make gaming so lame that no one would play gaming anymore because it's in schools [laughs]. Like, oh, it sucks now [laughs]. SAMI: Yeah, I think that that way that you embrace kind of what gaming is and you say, well, actually, we can see that it's got a benefit. We can see that it's positive. How do we get the absolute most out of this? How can we not hide, stick our heads in the sand to the issues that might be there? And how can we then say, "Let's use this?" And I think, I mean, my mom will be listening to this podcast for sure. But I think it's something which it's quite disruptive what you're doing. I really do feel that way kind of dabbling in gaming, working as a consultant in the coding industry. I actually teach neurodivergent kids as well on the side. And I'm actually mentoring another kid in coding as well. And what you're doing, as I said at the beginning, it's mind-blowing, and we could talk to you for hours. We have a little chat on this podcast, which listeners can't see. And I asked Rémy, like, "Do you have any questions before you want to wrap up?" And Rémy was just like, "I just want to keep listening. I'm loving it." And I'm exactly...I feel like we can listen to...I think me and Rémy game and we dabble here and there as well ourselves. So, it's definitely something which speaks to us so much. But I've got to thank you so much for your time, for taking the time to jump on with us, give us such an insight into the work that you're doing with MindJam. Let's talk about the BAFTA Young Game Designers Award Ceremony Open Day. Give us some info. DAN: Oh yeah. Well, this is a lovely thing. I've luckily enough to be involved with BAFTA on this for a few years. An early success of MindJam was I was nominated as Mentor of The Year and finalist for Mentor of The Year for BAFTA in 2021. And they run this thing called Young Games Designers every year, and it's brilliant because they do...it's two sides to it. One is actually making a game, but then, of course, not all young people are ready to make a game. And, you know, so the other side is a games concept where you could just send in sketches, ideas, things like that. And that's really accessible for lots of young people we work with, of course. But yeah, in July, I don't have the date; it's early July, we have the award ceremony, which is on this Saturday. But then on the Sunday at BAFTA in London, it's an open day for families to come. You have to apply and get a ticket. I'm sure you guys can put the link on here later on. But yeah, MindJam will be there, but there's loads of game places. I think TT Games will be there who make the LEGO games. And there's all sorts of...we have D&D there. We have all sorts and talks on how to get into the industry and things like that. So, it's really a great thing to come to if you're a young person who's interested in gaming. SAMI: That's really cool. So, parents, if you're listening, save up all that screen time so you can use it. A month's worth of screen time [chuckles] at the BAFTA Awards, Young Game Designers Awards Ceremony in the Open Day in London. If people want to get hold of you, Dan, where's the best place? They've heard this. They're inspired. They feel like they've got someone who would benefit from your services. Where's the best place to get in touch? DAN: If you go to our website, it's mindjam.org.uk, and you can email us at hello@mindjam.org.uk. And I think you said this podcast is international, isn't it? So, we do offer sessions all around the world. We have mentors in America, in Australia, in Japan, all over the place basically. MindJam is universal. So, wherever you are, get in touch. And if you're interested in being a mentor as well, get in touch as well, so... SAMI: Definitely, I highly recommend. And I've already got people I can think of that I'm going to be passing your details on to. Listeners, listeners, listeners, our lovely listeners, no one likes missing out on things. Remember that flight you missed? The train that passed you by? Your partner's birthday? I've been there, by the way; I missed one recently. It's a horrible feeling. I cannot deal with you missing out on these things, but I can make sure that this feeling doesn't come about when it comes to our podcast. So, move your thumb. Yes, you, move your thumb. Hit that subscribe button. I can guarantee you, you will never miss one of our podcasts. And you'll hear amazing guests, just like Dan, as we get them in, and we have great chats together on the Giant Robots on Tour podcast. You can find notes and a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, you can email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Check her out at mandymoore.tech. Thanks for listening. See you next time. Bye.   AD: Did you know thoughtbot has a referral program? If you introduce us to someone looking for a design or development partner, we will compensate you if they decide to work with us. More info on our website at: tbot.io/referral. 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