S1 Ep5: Always on: George Somner - On Starting Production Company ‘13:8 Films’ and Finding the Balance
Always On FilmShow Notes
This week, we’re joined by the brilliant George Somner for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, filmmaking, and the journey of finding your voice in the industry. We start by sharing what we’ve all been watching this year, chatting about the difference between scary films and slashers, and diving into Kitty’s surprising new love for Cars. George talks about some of his favourite films from both a technical and performance perspective, including how he once tweeted producers just to get access to certain movies. We explore underrated films, our fascination with director Ruben Östlund, and the many layers that make storytelling so compelling. George opens up about how he began his career and how patience and persistence helped him find his footing as an actor. He reflects on how his approach to creativity has evolved, the balance between control and surrender in acting, and the lessons that have shaped him as both an artist and a producer. We also talk about 13:8 Films, the production company George founded, and his experiences working on short films such as Peter, Man Code, and Starboy. He shares insights into funding, collaboration, and what it means to build something with other creatives who share your passion. The conversation touches on finding a healthy balance between acting and producing, how to approach pre-production and production with intention, and the importance of feeling safe and supported within the industry. We finish by discussing the power of short films, their role in storytelling, and why short film festivals continue to matter so much for emerging voices.
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Welcome back for Season 2! We’re so happy to have you with us for another season. To kick things off, Immi, Kitty and Lou are taking you through some of the key female figures who have shaped the film industry, from Alice Guy-Blaché, widely recognised as the first recorded female film director, and her groundbreaking film La Fée aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy), all the way to Kathryn Bigelow’s history-making Oscar win and the influential women making their mark today. We’ll be exploring their stories, achievements and the barriers they broke along the way, celebrating the women who have helped shape film as we know it. Watch La Fée aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy) here: https://youtu.be/-Ewo-jcNYRI?si=QClFB__SA7sUDlkn , and find our research resources below: Immi’s Section: BFI Article https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/female-gaze-100-overlooked-films-directed-by-women? AFI Article https://www.afi.com/news/alice-guy-blache-afi-catalog-spotlight/ Harvard Gazette Article https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/11/radcliffe-fellow-explores-early-female-film-pioneers/? Science Institute Article https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/where-are-my-children-public-health-in-the-movies/? AFI Catalog https://catalog.afi.com/Film/14392-WHERE-ARE-MY-CHILDREN?cp=1&pos=0&sid=ee081118-cfbe-423f-86f6-f88b70537736&sr=4.887564& BFI Article https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-begin-with-early-women-filmmakers? BFI Player https://player.bfi.org.uk/rentals/film/watch-the-marvellous-mabel-normand-the-leading-lady-of-film-comedy-2018-online AFI Article https://www.afi.com/news/mabel-normand-afi-catalog-spotlight/? UCLA Article https://cinema.ucla.edu/touring-series/directed-by-dorothy-arzner-tour-2003/ Harvard Article https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/11/radcliffe-fellow-explores-early-female-film-pioneers/? Kitty’s section: Bechdel Test Online https://bechdeltest.com Alison Bechdel interview on the origins of the test https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/02/alison-bechdel-test-dykes-to-watch-out-for-cartoonist-interview Lou’s section: The Celluloid Ceiling - 28th Edition https://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-Celluloid-Ceiling-Report.pdf USC Annenberg - 2024 was a historic year for women in film https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/2024-was-historic-year-women-film USC Annenberg - DEI is DOA: Hollywood’s lack of progress toward inclusion https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/dei-doa-hollywoods-lack-progress-toward-inclusion USC Annenberg - Was 2023 the year of the woman director? Survey says… no https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/was-2023-year-woman-director-survey-says%E2%80%A6-no