A weekly film podcast with Michael Henry (Director) and Lucy Smith (Writer). We’ll be picking a theme or keyword every week and picking one film each; but instead of simply listing what we like and dislike about the films, we’ll be using them as a lens to reflect on our own lives, experiences and creative processes – picking apart the films and our own histories, with boundless tangents, trivia, recommendations and reveals in between.

DEBUTS

Unpacking our own formative creative years, two of the best debuts we’ve come across, as well as delving into our own ancestry.

HEROES

What are the ingredients of a hero in real life and on screen? And which people have had the biggest impact on our lives?

WRITING

Films about writers, adaptations, and what the written word can do that film can’t (and vice versa). Plus we discuss our (very different) writing practices and ways in which we find inspiration.

DREAMS

Capturing what it feels like to be in a dream, films that traumatised us in childhood, and whether a film needs to make sense to be truly great.

DIRECTING

What is directing? Is it possible to teach? Michael breaks down his progression as a filmmaker, admits to countless mistakes made, and offers advice to aspiring filmmakers and creatives alike.

OLD AGE

Is there an ideal way to be as an older person? How do we feel about growing old? How do films commonly portray the elderly, and is there another way that is less pessimistic?

OBSESSION

Can obsession be a good thing? Are we obsessed or just passionate? When does it become an issue?

DOCUMENTARY

The great underrated arm of cinema history which seems to be seeing a hay-day right now. What is the purpose of a documentary? Is it okay to falsify information to tell a better story? What would we make one about if we had the chance?

LGBT+ REPRESENTATION

Is enough being done with regards to representation? What are the downsides to framing the quality of a film purely on its content? Is there a balance yet to be found?

ENTERTAINMENT

Is entertainment a good thing? How has it affected the world as we know it? What do we find entertaining? Is it possible for a film to be objectively entertaining, or is it purely subjective?

EDUCATION

What are the qualities of a great teacher or mentor? Do people and institutions sometimes manipulate information to push an agenda? Who are some of the people who changed our paths in life?

FRIENDSHIP

What draws people to one another? Can family be friends and vice versa? What’s the worst thing a friend can do? Is there even such a thing as a perfect friendship?

COMEDY

Are farts always funny? Where does a sense of humour come from, and can it change over time? Is anything objectively funny or is it all subjective? Are films less funny these days? If so why?

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Is good cinematography when you notice standout shots for their beauty of should it be functional and not distract from the story? What elements make up cinematography? And can you tell when a film is shot by the same person?

ROMANCE

Are there different types of romance? What are the ingredients of a good relationship? Are we optimists or pessimists when it comes to romance?

COSTUME

How do clothes help tell a story? Should costume be noticed? We discuss an underrated area of filmmaking, how clothes shape culture and also discuss our own personal styles.

SOUNDTRACKS

What are the ingredients of a truly great sountrack? Should the music come from within the film and interact with it? And how much is too much?

FEAR

What makes a film truly terrifying? Is there any merit to jump-scares? We discuss the many types of horror and relive childhood traumas…

ANIMATION

What can an animated film do that live action can’t? How does the process differ in the creation of both? Does it require more dedication than live action?

EDITING

What does an editor really do? When is it best not to cut? How is the energy of a film crafted? And what is bad editing?

DIALOGUE

Can an actor make a bad line good? Is dialogue the enemy of cinema? We discuss subtext, memorable lines and ask do we always say what we really mean?

HAPPINESS

Is happiness in the doing or attaining? Should we instead prefer to be content than struggle with highs and lows throughout life? What makes us both happy? Films?

ENDINGS

Is an ending the most important moment of a film? Should an audience have a sense of the world within the film continuing on after they finish watching? Why are some endings unsatisfying? And most importantly, how are we going to end the podcast?!