Creativity, Burnout & Mental Health in Filmmaking with Matt Follows, Dom Lenoir & Conor Boru

The Filmmakers Podcast

Content provided by Giles Alderson. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Giles Alderson or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

1M ago 55:10

MP3•Episode home

Today’s episode of The Filmmakers Podcast takes a slightly different turn. Instead of focusing on a particular film, this conversation dives deep into a topic that affects all creatives - mental health.

Host Dom Lenoir is joined by director Conor Boru and former filmmaker Matt Follows for an open, honest, and insightful discussion on what it means to take care of your mind while navigating the challenges of the creative industries.

After 20 years as an award-winning creative director and writer at agencies like Wieden + Kennedy and M&C Saatchi, Matt transitioned from advertising to filmmaking, directing commercials and branded content for Nike, MG, and Gymbox, among others. He also wrote screenplays, sitcoms, and a sports documentary featuring Paralympic champions Ade Adepitan and Stacy Kohut. Realising the production life wasn’t quite paradise, he retrained in NLP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and advanced psychotherapies, becoming a Complex Trauma Specialist in Harley Street. Today, he’s a sought-after coach, trainer, and speaker for major brands like FOX, Bentley, and Toyota, helping top creatives unlock performance and resilience.

In this episode, Dom, Conor, and Matt explore why mental health is just as important as talent or hard work, share practical strategies for getting through tough times, and even offer simple tricks - like how to put your phone away to focus on creative projects.

Get in touch with Matt here: Matt Follows Peak Performance Psychologist & Coach For Creative Brains

Find Conor Boru's work here: Conor Boru | Director | London

OTHER LINKS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE.

A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan
lifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a
moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review
& every comment helps us share the film’s important message with
more people. Your support makes a difference!

PODCAST MERCH

Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH. https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/

COURSES

Want to learn how to finish your film?

Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/

PATREON

Big thank you to:

Serena Gardner

Mark Hammett

Lee Hutchings

Marli J Monroe

Karen Newman

Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com

CREDITS

The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson

Edited by @tobiasvees

Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative

Theme Music by John J. Harvey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

493 episodes

#Entertainment #Filmmaking #Cinema #Giles Alderson #Film #Writing