Best IndieWires Filmmaker Toolkit Podcasts (2025)

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The Sound Design of David Lynch with Studio Manager Dean Hurley 1:40:00

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2d ago1:40:00

1:40:00

One of our favorite insights into David Lynch's filmmaking comes from Dean Hurley, Lynch's all around sound guy and one of the master's closest collaborators for decades. Hurley reveals that to create one of a kind art, one must have a one of a kind creative process. Listen to our deep dive into Lynch's approach to sound, his process itself was a p…

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'This Is Spinal Tap' Director Rob Reiner 30:49

9d ago30:49

30:49

Director Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill about “This is Spinal Tap.” Released in 1984 to widespread acclaim, Reiner’s debut feature created a new form of comedy that inspired countless hours of “mockumentary” TV episodes and films in the decades to follow. On the occasion of the film’s the…

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'Jurassic World: Rebirth' Gareth Edwards 37:19

12d ago37:19

37:19

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris O'Falt

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'Sorry Baby' Director Eva Victor 30:36

13d ago30:36

30:36

The writer, director, and star of the Sundance hit and new A24 release joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to break down their directorial debut. Eva was forthright about the challenges of learning how to direct (including a graduate level film class of sorts supervised by Barry Jenkins) and also explored how she balanced a gentle tonal approach to a to…

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'F1' Director Joseph Kosinski 33:06

18d ago33:06

33:06

The director of 'Top Gun: Maverick' returns to the big screen with his latest feat of cinematic speed. If you want to understand how they really shot F1, this is the interview to listen to. Kosinski breaks down why putting cameras on an F1 car was harder than an a fighter jet, and he reveals the key role VFX played in embedding this movie within an…

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'28 Years Later' Director Danny Boyle 32:37

23d ago32:37

32:37

After reigniting the zombie movie over two decades ago with the groundbreaking '28 Days Later,' Boyle returns to the directors chair along with his writing partner Alex Garland to innovate in the horror space once again. He breaks down the advanced iPhone rigs they used to capture a new sense of violent speed, and digs into the surprisignly emotion…

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'What We Do In The Shadows' Director Yana Gorskaya 34:25

24d ago34:25

34:25

Director, executive producer, and longtime "What We Do In The Shadows" editor Yana Gorskaya discusses why all directors should have to edit a TV comedy, the ambitious designs, props, and worldbuilding that went into creating an afterlife for its Staten Island vampires, the joys of shooting on film for the series finale, and more. Learn more about y…

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'Materialists' Director Celine Song 42:28

26d ago42:28

42:28

The acclaimed writer and director of 'Past Lives' is back to explore the rules and rituals of love in the modern age once again. This time she draws on her own history as a matchmaker to craft a story that dissects romance tropes, and how we define value in other people, and ourselves. Watch full episodes of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast: https://y…

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Dropout's 'Very Important People' Director Tamar Levine & Actor Vic Michaelis 45:14

1M ago45:14

45:14

This send up of the interview format from our friends at Dropout challenges comedians to conduct conversations as elaborately created characters. From complex special effects and costumes to the reality breaking meta-narrative, there is a lot to dig into with this series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'Hacks' Showrunners Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs 33:09

1M ago33:09

33:09

Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs, two of the three co-creators of "Hacks" and two of its writers and directors, talk to IndieWire about giving Ava and Deborah an antagonistic relationship like never before in Season 4. The pair discuss how their team has continued to evolve the filmmaking language of the show and set new challenges for themselves — …

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'Ren Faire' Director Lance Oppenheim 1:02:55

1M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

The Filmmaker Toolkit sat down with the director of one of the most exciting, entertaining, and truthful pieces of cinematic non-fiction we've seen in a long while. The three part HBO docu-drama follows the succession battle that occurs when the 86 year old leader of an enormous Renascence Faire decides to step down as king. Learn more about your a…

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'Mountainhead' Director Jesse Armstrong 34:19

1M ago34:19

34:19

The Emmy winning creator of 'Succession' is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit to discuss his feature directorial debut. Jesse was an erudite guest, exploring his writing process and how he approached some of the same themes of wealth and power as his previous work in new ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'The Phoenician Scheme' Director Wes Anderson 22:32

1M ago22:32

22:32

Today we welcome a true bucket list guest to the podcast, the incomparable Wes Anderson. Wes's new film draws inspiration from art history, bombastic historical figures, and his father in law. He talks us through these influences, and how watching old movies with his daughter has affected his film diet, and in turn his filmmaking. Learn more about …

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'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Director Christopher McQuarrie 28:47

2M ago28:47

28:47

The steady hand behind the last four Mission: Impossible films is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit, but this Mission brings a different tone than before. Partly due to the attempt to tie the entire nearly three decade old series into the story, but also to allow enough budget and time to execute the two most impressive and dangerous sequences we've ye…

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'The Last of Us' Showrunner Craig Mazin 28:30

2M ago28:30

28:30

The incredibly thoughtful Craig Mazin returns to the podcast to break down the narrativelyl complex second season of the hit HBO series. With favorite characters leaving, morally murky new ones to introduce, and constantly shifting perspectives Craig had his hands full guiding the audience through this part of the video game adaptation. Listen to l…

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'The Studio' Creators & Directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg 33:16

2M ago33:16

33:16

Actor Seth Rogen leads the new Apple TV+ show 'The Studio,' co-writing, co-directing, and creating the series with his long time collaborator Evan Goldberg. The team breaks down the impeccable craft and meticulous satire of this hit comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Director Trey Edward Shults 31:38

2M ago31:38

31:38

One of our regular guests is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit, and is pushing the bounds of cinema yet again. For his newest film, Trey partnered with The Weekend to make a film surrounding his final album under that stage name. But this is not your typical, sanitized musician produced film. Trey had complete control to probe the dark parts of The Wee…

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'Andor' Creator Tony Gilroy 47:29

2M ago47:29

47:29

The creator, showrunner, and lead writer of 'Ando'r joining IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to break down the entire final season of his amazing series. 'Andor' remains some of the best world building we have ever seen on screen, and Tony explained how his decades of researching rebellions inspired his team to take Star Wars to a new level of political an…

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'Adolescence' Creator & Star Stephen Graham 41:11

2M ago41:11

41:11

One of the key minds behind the hit series 'Adolescence' sat down with Sarah Shachat of IndieWire to break down the show's complex emotions and technical genius. Graham dives deep into the casting process for each character, and walks us through the elaborate dance they did with the camera crew for each 'oner' filmed episode. Learn more about your …

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'The Righteous Gemstones' Creator Danny McBride 27:33

2M ago27:33

27:33

“The Righteous Gemstones” creator Danny McBride joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about the final season of his hit HBO comedy about a dysfunctional family of televangelists. McBride discusses balancing comedy and emotion, casting Bradley Cooper in the offbeat season premier, and much more in this wide-ranging conversation. Learn more about yo…

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'April' Director Dea Kulumbegashvili 42:25

2M ago42:25

42:25

Directing 'April' put director Dea Kulumbegashvili and her team into hot water with the Gerogian Government. Dea joined IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to talk through the ways she tackled controversial topics like abortion in her film, and how catching parts of 'First Blood' on TV during rare electricity surges hooked her on cinema. Learn more about your…

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'Andor' Star and EP Diego Luna 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

Cassian Andor himself sat down with IndieWire's Sarah Schachat to break down what goes into making the most detailed Star Wars project yet. Diego opens up about his role keeping the vision on track as an actor/producer, and how the structure of Andor's production allows for so much detail. Watch this entire conversation on IndieWire's Youtube page:…

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'The Shrouds' Director David Cronenberg 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

David Cronenberg' is one of our greatest living filmmakers, and not just because he made so many classic films in the 70s and 80s. His recent work is frighteningly modern, grappling with phones and AI and how they intersect with the body. Listen to hear Cronenberg break down how this film was inspired by losing his wife, and what the film taught hi…

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'Sinners' Director Ryan Coogler 24:37

3M ago24:37

24:37

After the success of Black Panther and Creed, some in the industry wondered why Ryan Coogler's next film, his first completely original story, was a vampire movie. But once you hear how Coogler infused the film with the blues, Mississippi folklore, and his own family history, you will understand why 'Sinners' is far more than just a vampire story. …

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'Drop' Director Christopher Landon 28:58

3M ago28:58

28:58

Director Christopher Landon joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, “Drop.” A thriller set almost entirely in one location, relying heavily on cell phones, “Drop” created a number of logistical and aesthetic challenges for Landon, all of which he breaks down in this conversation. Learn more about your ad choices.…