Episode 500 Special! Filmmaking Advice: Audience Q&A, IndieFilm determination & Director Secrets with Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir and Phil Hawkins
The Filmmakers PodcastShow Notes
We made it to Episode 500! 🎉
After 9 years, over 600 hours of audio, and interviews with hundreds of the greatest directors, writers, actors and producers in the world, The Filmmakers Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode the best way we know how: by turning the microphones over to YOU.
In this massive milestone episode, hosts and working filmmakers Giles Alderson (The Dare), Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge), and Phil Hawkins (Robin and the Hoods) sit down to answer your audience questions. We strip back the curtain on our own filmmaking journeys, share the brutal realities of the indie hustle, and reflect on the greatest pieces of advice we’ve gathered from half a thousand episodes.
From chatting about micro-budget producing to remembering our legendary sit-downs with cinematic titans like Sam Raimi, Paul Schrader, Steven Knight, Ari Aster, Chris McQuarrie and Zack Snyder, this episode is a love letter to the independent filmmaking community that makes this show possible.
In this 500th Episode Q&A, we discuss:
The Origin Story: How the podcast started as a chat between friends in 2017.
The "Host" Hustle: How Giles, Dom, and Phil balance making actual feature films with running lives and the podcast.
The Greatest Advice: The best lessons we've learned from 500 episodes about overcoming the fear of failure, financing indie films, and surviving on set.
Your Questions Answered: Tackling the biggest hurdles our listeners are facing right now in 2026.
What’s Next? For the hosts and where the podcast goes from here!
Thank you for 500 episodes of listening, sharing, and making movies. We are in the business of making films, not just talking about them—now go get your next project made!
Support the show & join the community:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!
Leave us a 5-star review (it helps us get to episode 1,000!)
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @filmmakerspod
The HOSTS films The Dare, Winter Ridge, Robin and the Hoods and many more are available to watch. Please do watch and support us.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE.
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Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify,or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you!
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
Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative
Theme Music by John J. Harvey
The Filmmakers Podcast, Filmmaking, Indie Film, How to direct a movie, Film Producing, Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Phil Hawkins, Screenwriting, Film Finance, Micro Budget Film, Director Interview, Film School, Cinematography, Filmmaker Q&A, Podcast Episode 500
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Get tickets for SESSIONS Festival Screening at LIFF this Friday 9th Oct at Genesis Cinema in London here: https://genesiscinema.co.uk/event/114469