Show Notes
This is episode 18 in the second season of The Directors Take Podcast. In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined by Andy Harrower who is the CEO of DIRECTORS UK, who help amplify the collective voice of working directors in the UK in tackling the multitude of issues that they might face. The TV & Film industry has undergone massive amounts of change over the last decade and beyond, so we wanted to get Directors UK’s perspective on the challenges faced by its 8,000 strong membership of Directors and by the wider industry too. In this chat we cover:-
-What is Directors UK and what do you represent? -So are you or are you not a union? -Why was it founded in the first place? -How are residuals collected? -How disruptive has streaming been for working Directors and the industry over the last ten years and what other issues have come to light outside of residuals? -The issue of late scripts and the subsequent mental health impacts. -How sustainable is the UK industry for Directors at the moment? -The lack of joined up thinking around Talent Development in the UK. -Talent Development within Directors UK. -What other issues are in the crosshairs for Directors UK to attack?
Our wonderful sponsor for this episode is THE NATIONAL FILM and TELEVISION SCHOOL. We’ve also partnered with SCRIPTATION to offer our listeners an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on their software, which you can find on the link below… http://scriptation.com/thedirectorstake
Nuggets of the week
Oz: Murder on the Orient Express - Tour Marcus: Selling Sunset - Season 8
Credits Music by Oliver Wegmüller
Socials Directors UK: Twitter (X), Facebook & Instagram The Directors' Take: Twitter (X) & Instagram Marcus: Twitter (X) & Instagram Oz: Twitter (X) & Instagram
If you have any questions relating to the episode or have topics you would like covering in future releases, reach out to us at [email protected]
More from The Directors Take Podcast
PODBEAN COPY This is episode 9 in the third season of The Directors Take Podcast. Your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are back, having both largely finished their longform projects, Marcus with his debut feature film CAST ME! and Oz with a couple of TV directing jobs now under his belt, they both break down their journey across this year and discuss the key differences they experienced in transitioning from directing shorts-to-longform. Credits Graphic Design by Ria Nightingale Music by Oliver Wegmüller
This is episode 8 in the third season of The Directors Take Podcast. In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined in conversation by Manchester based Writer/Director and 2025 Screen Daily Star of Tomorrow Liam White. Liam built traction through his short film work which includes Doughnut (2020), Tick Tick Tick (2020), Punch-Drunk an exceptional thriller set in a cafe in Marseille which was longlisted for a BAFTA in 2022 and his most recent short film Housewarming won Best UK Short at Raindance Film Festival and earnt a BIFA nomination, firmly securing him as one of the UKs most exciting filmmaking talents. Liam now has several features in active development, two with Anna Keeley at Escape Plan and another with Heyday films. In this episode which was recorded live in 2025, with a catch up on the end, we break down his journey so far as he ascends the industry. As ever, it’s a must listen! Credits Graphic Design by Ria Nightingale Music by Oliver Wegmüller
This is episode 7 in the third season of The Directors Take Podcast. In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined in conversation by some of the creative team behind SURVIVING EARTH, the BFI & FILM4 backed debut feature film from Writer/Director Thea Gajic. Producer Sophie Reynolds also joins us to talk through the film’s life cycle, as it successfully navigated the UK development system to eventually earn a Premiere at SXSW2025 and a UK theatrical release from 24th April. As ever… This is an in-depth episode about the pathway and process!
This is episode 6 in the third season of The Directors Take Podcast. In this week’s episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad are joined in conversation by Producer Hollie Bryan and Writer/Director Jack King, the BAFTA nominated team behind The Ceremony, the indie feature film that won the Sean Connery Prize at Edinburgh International Film Festival before going on to earn two BIFA nominations and a BAFTA one too for good measure. We caught up with them the morning after the BAFTAs to talk through their experience of making the film on limited resources and the journey which came after… It’s a must listen!
This is episode 5 in the third season of The Directors Take Podcast. In this week’s special episode your hosts Marcus Anthony Thomas and Oz Arshad were joined for a LIVE conversation at the wonderful venue of MetFilm School Manchester by acclaimed actor Corin Silva. Corin is a rising star in the Film & TV industry with roles in SAS Rogue Heroes, Masters of the Air, All the Light We Cannot See and the upcoming release of the BAFTA nominated Wasteman. He is also a big advocate of short filmmaking and has featured in over 100 short films. As ever, this conversation breaks down his pathway into acting, his process and we uncover his thoughts on the Actor/Director relationship.