IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

Latest Episodes:

'The Naked Gun' Director Akiva Schaffer Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can A.I. Actually Help Write a Screenplay? with 'Contagion' Writer Scott Z. Burns Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

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 Steven Soderbergh's 'Contagion' using A.I. screenwriters and film critics.

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

'You Can Count On Me' Director Kenneth Lonergan Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Eddington' Director Ari Aster Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Ari Aster returns to the toolkit for the fourth time with his fourth film, a paranoid social thriller about the summer of 2020 told in a way only this filmmaker can. Ari explores the origins of the film's politics, how he made a western so modern the guns are phones, and unpacks the incredible final act.

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

Indie Sustainability: Filmmaking Collectives with Omnes' Tyler Taormina & Alexandra Simpson Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Toolkit is taking an ongoing look into the current state of independent filmmaking, and today we have some rare good news to report; indie collectives are on the rise! Two of the filmmakers behind Omnes, which produced this year's 'Eephus' and the new release 'No Sleep Till' join us to discuss how these artists share the burdens of indie filmmaking from financing through production and release.

For more on the Omnes Collective, listen to our episode with 'Eephus' director Carson Lund

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

The Sound Design of David Lynch with his Studio Manager Dean Hurley Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

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 piece of art.

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

'This Is Spinal Tap' Director Rob Reiner Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

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 theatrical re-release in a new 4K restoration, Reiner reflects on its making and the challenges he faced getting the movie out into the world.

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

'Jurassic World: Rebirth' Director Gareth Edwards Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

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

'Sorry Baby' Director Eva Victor Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

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 tough subject.

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