P.I. Filmmaker Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Will Herbert - someone I met when I was a film student at the University of Salford back in 2006.Recorded outside a bar in Manchester city centre, this is a loose, honest conversation about Will’s work as a director and how his approach to filmmaking has evolved over time.From award-winning short films to commercials, comedy sketches with Joke TV and directing on Hollyoaks, Will’s built a career across very different corners of the industry.20 years on, he’s still doing it.www.willthedirector.com

In this episode, I'm joined by filmmaker Matthew Hope and film marketing & distribution expert Jonathan Sadler (Magus Films). The pair talk about the self-financed feature film ‘Empire of Lies' and use it to break down the reality of getting an independent film seen - from development through to release.​ 'Empire of Lies': https://amzn.to/4cYQXLs​ 'Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide': https://amzn.to/4tsYFmL

In part two of my interview with Darren Scott, the conversation shifts to post-production and what happens after a film is finished. We talk about his experiences with film festivals, revisiting the cut and sound mix after audience screenings, and the realities of distribution - including deals that appear to be opportunities but come with serious costs. The episode also covers Darren’s decision to release 'All Roads Lead To Home' through Kinoora. (www.kinoora.com).

For the first podcast interview, I'm joined by indie filmmaker Darren Scott. In Part 1, Darren reflects on his creative journey - from composer to theatre director, before going on to make a feature as his very first film. We talk about what those experiences taught him, the short films he made between features, and how those projects fed directly into the development and shooting of 'All Roads Lead To Home' (now available on kinoora.com).Part 2 of our chat will be available on 17th April 2026.

In this episode, I talk about a situation from a recent feature film shoot where one person's unprofessionalism began to affect the entire production. Through a day-by-day account, I explore how a project can be disrupted when someone's attitude and approach to their role is laissez-faire - and, at times, borderline passive-aggressive - and what that reveals about professionalism, responsibility, effort and empathy in independent filmmaking.

In this episode, I talk about discovering that some of my short films had been removed from TMDb for not being considered "films". That leads into a wider discussion about who gets to define what a film is and what that reveals about gatekeeping in cinema, at a time when filmmaking is more accessible than ever.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

In this episode, I talk about the programme for the 2026 Manchester Film Festival and what it reveals about how many festivals actually operate - who gets selected, what gets prioritised, and what that means for independent filmmakers. I also share a couple of personal experiences with film festivals and answer a listener question about writing personal stories.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

In this episode, I talk about the final five shots captured for 'Notion' and why films often take far longer to finish than people realise. From old-school rear projection to the unpredictable realities of indie filmmaking, it's a reflection on persistence, problem solving and getting a film across the finish line. I also discuss the Palme d'Or winning film 'It Was Just An Accident' by Jafar Panahi.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

In this episode, I return to the recent online criticism of my feature film Blurred Lines and discuss what those responses reveal about how some film students understand criticism and film analysis.From there, I discuss the reality of making micro-budget films. Drawing on my own experiences making an independent feature with a tiny crew, deferred payments and improvised solutions, I explore the gap between the idea of indie filmmaking and the reality.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

In this episode, I talk about a recent one-word review of ‘Blurred Lines’ and revisit the wave of student ratings the film received when it was first released last year. I unpack what those responses say about perception, knowledge and understanding, the financial risk of independent filmmaking, and the culture of criticism in film education - and where standards and humility fit into all of it.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

A reflection on blind ambition, compromise and ethical responsibility in filmmaking, informed by teaching experiences where practical advice was overlooked.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.

I’ve been thinking about starting a filmmaking podcast for a long time. Ultimately, I’m not getting any younger…so here goes.This is the diary of an independent filmmaker in the middle of post-production on his third micro-budget feature film.Episode 1 is an introduction to the podcast - a podcast that will be raw, unedited, and unpolished. An audio notebook about process, uncertainty, and finishing the work.Let’s see how this goes.NOTE: This podcast reflects my personal experiences as an independent filmmaker and the views expressed are my own.markdugganfilms.com