In this episode of The Clap Podcast, we sit down with the crowd runner of Netflix’s breakout series Adolescence to explore the high-wire act of producing a TV show where every episode is filmed in a single take.

We dive deep into the making of Episode 2, uncover the pressure-cooker environment of coordinating background talent in real-time, and reveal what it actually takes to keep the one-shot illusion alive. Expect exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, practical breakdowns of set logistics, and a closer look at the crucial (and often unsung) role of assistant directors.

Whether you're a filmmaking nerd or just obsessed with how great TV gets made - this one’s for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

03:45 The Popularity of Adolescence

04:31 The Role of a Crowd Runner

06:19 Signing on to Adolescence

07:46 Meeting Stephen Graham

09:05 The Calm Before the Storm (Take 1)

10:37 Oscar's Process During a Take

12:42 Achieving the Impossible - The Drone Shot

14:51 Restarting After a Mistake

16:03 Hidden Details in Episode 2

17:14 Directing Background Actors

18:45 The Success of Adolescence

22:27 Reaction to Adolescence Episodes

23:43 Navigating the Challenges of Directing School Kids

25:18 Celebrating wrap on Episode 2

27:14 Working as an Assistant Director

31:56 Developing the Detail of Adolescence Episode 2

35:35 Outro

Please follow for more episodes like this!

Hosted by Will Frost (@will.frost_)

Guest Starring Oscar Lock

Philip Messina Volume 2 - Black Bag

In Volume 2 of our conversation with renowned production designer Philip Messina (The Hunger Games, Ocean’s Eleven), we continue our deep dive into his work on the upcoming spy thriller Black Bag. Messina discusses the creative and technical process behind designing the film’s central house - a location that carries much of the story’s emotional and psychological weight.

He also breaks down the two major dinner table sequences, explaining how subtle choices in layout, props, and lighting helped build tension and support character dynamics. We also explore the fascinating story behind the film’s original opening scene - a sequence that was ultimately cut from the final film, but went on to become the main promotional image associated with Black Bag. Messina reflects on his long-running collaboration with director Steven Soderbergh, and how their shared visual language has evolved over time. He also opens up about the films and production design work that have most inspired him throughout his career.

This episode offers a rare and detailed glimpse into the mind of one of the industry’s most thoughtful designers, and is essential viewing for anyone interested in how the spaces we see on screen are crafted to shape story and emotion.

This interview is so much fun!

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

3:26 Back in Production with Steven Soderbergh

4:58 Designing the dinner table sequences in 'Black Bag'

7:41 Designing the interior of the house in 'Black Bag'

14:15 Creating the right look for a sexy spy thriller

19:31 Re-shooting the opening scene of 'Black Bag'

24:42 The red soccer ball...(Minor Spoilers)

29:02 Bond and Moneypenny in a new spy thriller...

34:58 Designing the 'wall of screens' in 'Black Bag'

40:05 The demise of the mid-budget auteur film?

44:28 Best Production Design films of all time

49:51 Outro

Watch now on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by Will Frost (@will.frost_)

Guest Starring Philip Messina

Please like the episode and Subscribe for more!

Join us for a conversation with Better Man’s Oscar-nominated special effects supervisor, Peter Stubbs, as we dive into the magic behind the incredible film 'Better Man'. Peter shares his experience attending the Academy Awards and the challenges of bringing this ambitious film to life.

We discuss the collaboration between special effects and visual effects, crafting stunning atmospherics, and tackling the film’s biggest technical challenges. From stage-work, weather and musical numbers, Peter dives into crafting some of the iconic sequences in the film. Peter also reflects on Better Man’s impact as the biggest film ever made in Melbourne and what it means for the future of Australian productions on the global stage. We also delve into his work on the upcoming film 'The Surfer' starring Nicholas Cage and the challenges of working with vehicles and fire.

Don't miss this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at special effects production in Australia.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

01:42 Oscar's Night

04:55 Challenges of the special effects in 'Better Man'

10:08 Transitioning locations and sequences including 'Rock DJ'

15:16 Hollywood films in Australia

19:27 'She's the One' sequence in 'Better Man'

20:50 The process of organising special effects in Hollywood films

24:42 Special Effects Supervision on 'The Surfer' with Nicholas Cage

28:12 Biggest Challenges of Peter's career (vehicle sequences, Mortal Kombat)

33:40 Outro

Thank you to Peter for joining the show! Please follow and subscribe!

Instagram/TikTok/BlueSky - @theclap_podcast

Hosted by: Will Frost (@will.frost_)

Guest Starring: Peter Stubbs

In this episode of The Clap Podcast, we sit down with Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker, the brilliant composers behind the haunting and immersive score of Yellowjackets. From the very beginning, Yellowjackets has captivated audiences with its eerie, tension-filled soundtrack, and with Season 3 on the horizon, Craig and Anna share insights into their creative process, developing the iconic theme song and how they’ve evolved the music to deepen the show’s unsettling atmosphere.

Highlights:

0:00 Intro

02:26 The Unexpected Success of Yellowjackets

05:10 The Process of Developing a Score

09:44 Character-driven Music for the Show

13:36 The Art of the Theme Song

16:51 Deciding When to Include Music in a Scene

20:36 Finding the Right Vocals

24:07 Being a Musician and a Composer

27:49 The Legacy of Music and Songs

If you're a fan of Yellowjackets or fascinated by the art of film and TV composition, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Thank you to Craig and Anna for joining the show! Please follow and subscribe!

Instagram/TikTok/BlueSky - @theclap_podcast

Hosted by: Will Frost (@will.frost_)

Guest Starring: Craig Wedren & Anna Waronker

Join us for an insightful conversation with Batu Sener, the talented composer behind Better Man, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wild. Batu has collaborated extensively with Oscar-nominated composer John Powell, contributing to some of cinema’s most iconic scores. His work includes additional music for Wicked, an Oscar-nominated score, as well as contributions to How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

In this episode, Batu takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey as a composer, from working at the renowned 5 Cat Studios in collaboration with John Powell to developing his own scores. We explore the art of composing across genres, from family adventures to musicals, and the unique challenges and joys of projects like Better Man and Wicked.

We also delve into the importance of a composer as a storyteller, uncovering how music enhances the emotional core of a film and connects audiences to the story on screen. Whether you’re a fan of film music, a budding composer, or just curious about what goes into crafting unforgettable scores, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.

Highlights:

0:00 Intro

01:55 Inspiration to start composing

05:24 Working at 5 Cat Studios

09:13 Collaborating with John Powell

14:01 Working on the score for How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

17:38 Relationship with musicals - Working on Better Man and Wicked

19:41 Challenges composing for a musical

23:29 Proudest moment within filmography

25:36 Reaction to landing Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wild

30:35 Developing a score for family adventure films

38:10 Building a score within the cinematic language

43:11 Composer's decision about the absence of music in film

47:45 'Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music' - John Williams

51:10 Outro

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your favourite Batu Sener score or moment!

Follow us: @theclap_podcast

Hosted by: Will Frost (will.frost_)

Guest Starring: Batu Sener (@BatuSener)

We count down our Top 10 Favourite Films of 2024! Featuring lively debates, unexpected picks, and some surprises, we each share our personal favourite films from this incredible year in cinema. From blockbusters to hidden gems, see which films made our lists and which one emerges as the podcast’s combined Top 5 Films of the Year!

Intro: 00:00:00

Top 10 films of 2024: 00:15:07

Podcast Top 5 of the year: 01:27:56

Hosted by: Will Frost

Guest Starring: Lachlan Edwards, Luca Di Natale, Thomas Brady

Socials: @theclap_podcast Email: theclappodcast1@gmail.com

INTERVIEW SPECIAL!

In this episode of The Clap Podcast, Will Frost sits down with renowned production designer Philip Messina to discuss his incredible career in film. Philip shares fascinating insights into his work on the new A24 horror film Heretic, including collaborating with Hugh Grant and crafting the space of Grant's character, Mr Reed.

We also dive into his experiences working on major franchises like The Hunger Games and Ocean’s Eleven, as well as his experience working with film on 8 Mile. Philip offers behind-the-scenes stories, his creative process, and what it takes to bring films to life through production design.

Highlights:

0:00 Intro

01:30 Working with Hugh Grant

07:40 Designing for Horror

14:40 Collaboration with DOP

22:47 Designing 'The Hunger Games' franchise

31:21 Designing the Ocean's trilogy

37:47 Collaboration between Production Designer and Stunt Team

40:59 Difference between working on film vs digital

45:13 Advice to aspiring filmmakers

If you’re a fan of film or aspiring to work in the industry, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration from one of the best in the industry.

Check out Heretic in theatres now!

The Clap Podcast - @theclap_podcast

Hosted by Will Frost (@will.frost_)

Guest Starring Philip Messina

In this episode of The Clap Podcast, Will Frost is joined by special guest Aaliyah Walker to dive into the success stories of actors who’ve made the leap to directing. From Hollywood legends to indie powerhouses, we explore how their creative vision has led to some of the best films of recent years. We’ll be talking about the standout wins from directors like Jordan Peele, Clint Eastwood, Michael B. Jordan, and Greta Gerwig, and how their acting background shaped their success behind the camera. Tune in for a deep dive into Hollywood's most successful actor-to-director transformations!

0:00 Intro

08:03 Jordan Peele

15:53 Clint Eastwood

21:00 Greta Gerwig

28:16 Jon Favreau

34:33 Donald Glover

40:12 Kenneth Branaugh

42:04 Ben Stiller

42:44 Actors to Directors with the most potential

49:21 Actors that would make good Directors

57:31 Most surprising directorial debut

1:04:59 Films from Actors turned Directors that have had the biggest cultural impact

1:07:00 Conclusion

Stay tuned for more

@theclap_podcast / @will.frost_