Best IndieWires Filmmaker Toolkit Podcasts (2025)

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'The Mastermind' Director Kelly Reichardt 35:40

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10h ago35:40

35:40

An IndieWire favorite, director Kelly Reichardt returns to Toolkit with her new film The Mastermind. Reichardt told us about working with Josh O'Connor, putting her own spin on the heist genre, and the cast-and-crew road trip it took to get the movie made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'Task' Creator Brad Ingelsby 49:30

24h ago49:30

49:30

The creator of one of the hottest shows of the Fall joined IndieWire's Chris O'Falt for a spoiler-packed deep dive deep into the psychology of the characters and how he constructed the perfect seven episode arc. He also shares how Mark Ruffalo and ⁠Tom Pelphrey helped shape the complex men they play.⁠ This is a must listen for fans of the hit crime…

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'The Lowdown' Creator Sterlin Harjo 47:12

6d ago47:12

47:12

The creator of 'Reservation Dogs' is back with a new series staring Ethan Hawke as a man investigating crimes and corruption in Oklahoma. Sterlin shared some of the noir stories that inspired him, and explains why he never wants to leave Oklahoma for Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'Roofman' Director Derek Cianfrance 35:53

8d ago35:53

35:53

Director Derek Cianfrance joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, “Roofman.” A true story about an escaped criminal who hides out in an abandoned toy store, “Roofman” is a comedy — and thus a departure for the typically serious Cianfrance. He talks about how and why he wanted to make this movie at this moment, and explains the…

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'Good Boy' Director Ben Leonberg (and his dog Indy!) 33:43

12d ago33:43

33:43

Who's a good boy? Indy, the star of this new horror film told entirely from his point of view. Director Ben Leonberg brought Indy into the office for a fun chat about filming a movie in his own home for 3 years, usually about 17 inches off the ground. Listen for how Ben used clever filmmaking to craft a great performance from of a dog who doesn't k…

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'The Smashing Machine' Director Benny Safdie 53:03

14d ago53:03

53:03

By Chris O'Falt

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'The Lost Bus' Director Paul Greengrass 41:35

19d ago41:35

41:35

The master of recreating real crisis is back. Director Paul Greengrass joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to discuss his newest survival thriller based on a true story from the 2018 California Wildfires. Greengrass explains why he changed his approach to filming the fires after the tragedies earlier this year, and how his background as a journalist lea…

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'Play Dirty' Director Shane Black 31:13

20d ago31:13

31:13

Writer-director Shane Black joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, the action-comedy “Play Dirty.” They discuss Black’s approach to adapting author Donald Westlake, why he likes to set action movies at Christmas, and how he finds the right balance between violence, humor, and poignancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

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Using AI in Documentary Filmmaking with Stephanie Jenkins, APA Founder 56:34

27d ago56:34

56:34

Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast with Chris O’Falt (IndieWire) Welcome to the Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast, hosted by IndieWire’s Chris O’Falt. This week we dive into one of the most urgent conversations in nonfiction filmmaking: the role of artificial intelligence. Like many in the film community, Chris is deeply wary of what AI means for the art form w…

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'HIM' Director Justin Tipping 26:09

1M ago26:09

26:09

Director and co-writer Justin Tipping joins Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about his surreal new horror film from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Tipping explains how he found his visual language at the intersection between horror and sports, how working with Peele liberated and protected him, and why he cast comic Marlon Wayan…

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'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' Director Rob Reiner 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” Reiner discusses returning to the characters who launched his career, working as an actor for Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, and how digital capture made his job easier than on “This is Spinal Tap” in 1984. Learn more about your …

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'Friendship' Director Andrew DeYoung 40:59

1M ago40:59

40:59

On this week’s IndieWire’s Filmmakers Toolkit, Chris O’Falt talks with writer-director Andrew DeYoung about his dark comedy Friendship—now streaming on HBO Max. He reveals how he shaped Tim Robinson’s offbeat energy, uncovered a vulnerable side of Paul Rudd, and crafted a breakup story that’s as funny as it is unsettling—proving comedy hits harder …

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Live with 'New Jack City' Director Mario Van Peebles 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

Mario Van Peebles joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill for a live version of Filmmaker Toolkit to talk about his directorial debut, “New Jack City.” In a conversation that followed a 35mm screening of the 1991 gangster classic, Van Peebles discusses casting the film, finding its visual language, and the influence of his father Melvin Van Peebles on his a…

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'Will & Harper' Director Josh Greenbaum 47:27

2M ago47:27

47:27

Director Josh Greenbaum took IndieWire behind the scenes of the planning, shooting, and editing of his Emmy nominated documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris O'Falt

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31 Rules for Directing Episodic TV with Jon Cassar 42:25

2M ago42:25

42:25

Emmy-winning director Jon Cassar joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill for a special episode on Jon’s 31 rules for television directors. These are things he’s learned over the course of 30-plus years and over 200 episodes of TV that range from the technical to the political — all of them vital to sustaining a career. Learn more about your ad…

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'Sly Lives!' Director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson & Producer Joseph Patel 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

"Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" is a documentary that knows to tell the story of Sly Stone's life and music, you need exceptional craft and storytelling discipline. From depicting music with experimental visuals, to convincing some of music's biggest names to talk on camera, listen to these two filmmakers, musicians, and friends expla…

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'Dimension 20' Creator & Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan 34:29

2M ago34:29

34:29

Brennan Lee Mulligan, executive producer and GM of "Dimension 20," offers IndieWire a peak inside the dimensional dome and discusses how cinematic tools, from editing and art design to sound effects and physical props, can help enhance Actual Play storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'Fixed' Director Genndy Tartakovsky 40:37

2M ago40:37

40:37

This episode is a real treat for animation fans, a deep dive into the art and process with the beloved creator of Samurai Jack, Dexter's Lab, Primal, and now the new Netflix movie Fixed. Genndy explained why he fought for 2D animation to keep the dogs less gross, walks us through his process with voice actors, and reveals how Fixed was almost the l…

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'The Pitt' Creator R. Scott Gemmill 42:27

2M ago42:27

42:27

Legendary TV creator R. Scott Gemmill joins the Toolkit to breakdown one of this years biggest shows: 'The Pitt.' Gemmill lifts the curtain on the show's medical accuracy, revealing how doctors consulted from script to set to screen. We think you'll enjoy hearing this master of television discussing what it took to launch yet another hit. Learn mor…

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'Pee-Wee as Himself' Director Matt Wolf 48:48

3M ago48:48

48:48

Paul Rubens, the man who created and became Pee-Wee Herman, has eluded a documentary about his life for a long time. While Matt Wolf was finally able to make a film exploring this complicated artist, it came at a price. Listen to Matt recount his artistic battle with Rubens as they shot the doc, and the shocking personal details he uncovered that b…

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'Together' Director Michael Shanks 37:31

3M ago37:31

37:31

First time director Michael Shanks joined us on Toolkit for a fascinating discussion about the crazy intimacy of directing a real life couple, his roots as an Aussie kid binging After Effects tutorials, and why his particular brand of body horror needed to be very dry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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'The Naked Gun' Director Akiva Schaffer 36:17

3M ago36:17

36:17

As one of the writers behind Lonely Island, and the director of hits like 'Popstar and 'Hot Rod', director Akiva Schaffer was a brilliant choice to helm a revival of one of cinema's most iconic comedy franchises. We dig into the craft behind the comedy, from casting serious actors to going for broke on a particular snowman sequence. Learn more abou…

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Can A.I. Actually Help Write a Screenplay? with 'Contagion' Writer Scott Z. Burns 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

On Toolkit we want to explore the challenges facing filmmakers today, and a growing concern is A.I. But we find for all the promises and fears of what A.I.will do, there are few conversations about what A.I. is actually able to do right now. Writer and director Scott Z. Burns has the perfect case study for us: trying to write a sequel to his and St…

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'You Can Count On Me' Director Kenneth Lonergan 55:10

3M ago55:10

55:10

Kenneth Lonergan, one of our host's favorite filmmakers, joins Toolkit to reflect on his first film as a director, 'You Can Count On Me.' He walks us through his transition from writer to the director's chair, and shares stories of working with Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney on the film that would be their Sundance breakthrough. Learn more about you…

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'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson 32:11

3M ago32:11

32:11

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to talk about rebooting the 1997 slasher classic. Robinson discusses integrating the original cast members into the story (warning: spoilers!), balancing horror and comedy, and the influence of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” on her summer thriller. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…