5 Podcasts Every Filmmaker Should Be Listening To

Filmmaking 08/10/2019 3 min read

In our ongoing series on podcasts for creatives, we’ve covered
podcasts for video editors. But today is all about filmmaking. We are going to give you 5 podcasts that you should be listening to if you are a filmmaker, aspiring to be a filmmaker, or just love the process behind filmmaking in general. Let’s dive in.

2 Reel Guys

2 Reel Guys is an episodic video podcast hosted by two guys who have a very clear understanding of the filmmaking process. Norman Hollyn is the head of the Editing Track at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, a school famous for its film program. Larry Jordan is a world-renowned digital media trainer, lecturer, and Final Cut Studio expert. Larry also hosts another great podcast called
Digital Production Buzz.

2 Reel Guys serves as an educational tool for anyone interested in filmmaking, with each episode taking on a particular topic, sometimes general like “Lighting Techniques” or “Working With Actors” and sometimes more specific like “Staging A Fight Scene.”

Episodes are roughly 10 to 15 minutes each, focusing on key points and takeaways. They are professionally recorded and edited with both hosts knowing how to present and interact well off of each other.

If you are interested in really learning the in’s and out’s of creating films, definitely spend a little time with 2 Reel Guys.

The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith

Jeff Goldsmith is a long-time journalist and self-described cinephile. He’s also the creator of a digital magazine for iPad called Backstory that explores The Art & Business of Storytelling.

With The Q&A, Goldsmith interviews filmmakers of all types including writer Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman), as well as indie filmmakers like Ryan Fleck (Mississippi Grind, Half Nelson).

Goldsmith is confident and knowledgeable with his interview subjects. He spends a good bit of time with them, digging deep discussing everything from technical aspects of filmmaking to emotional choices.

The Q&A is a great listen for anyone interested in general interviews and the human experience, but for filmmakers, there is a treasure trove of information to be had from Jeff Goldsmith and his talented guests.

Indiewire: Screen Talk

Any filmmaker needs to have a finger on the pulse of the industry. And the Indiewire: Screen Talk podcast is a great place to turn for what’s happening in the film industry today.

Host and Indiewire’s chief film critic, Eric Kohn chat each week with Anne Thompson, editor in chief of Thompson on Hollywood.

They discuss new movies being released, film festivals, awards, and the future of the film industry. Kohn and Thompson have extensive knowledge of both the face of Hollywood and the behind-the-scenes workings of the industry. So, each episode is a full picture of everything that is going on in the film, with lots of great tidbits for filmmakers trying to find their way in the film world.

Even for those who are just interested in keeping up with what’s going on, Indiewire: Screen Talk is a great place to hear about the latest movies coming out and what’s in the works for the future.

KCRW’s The Business

While not strictly about filmmaking (covering television as well) The Business does an excellent job of detailing and exploring what goes on in and around the world of making films and visual entertainment.

Produced by legendary Santa Monica public radio station KCRW, The Business is a very well-produced and entertaining show hosted by, editor-at-large for the Hollywood Reporter, Kim Masters.

Like Screen Talk above, KCRW’s The Business gives a full picture of the world of films including news on upcoming releases, awards, breaking news, and the general state of the industry.

Additionally, Masters interviews all types of filmmakers and entertainers from documentary directors like Amy Berg to big-time Hollywood producers like Brian Grazer.

There’s something for everyone here, with the 30-minute shows broken down into segments that cover every topic imaginable for anyone interested in the world of film.

KCRW’s The Treatment

Another great interview podcast is The Treatment hosted by hailed film critic Elvis Mitchell. Like The Business, The Treatment is produced by KCRW and contains quality content in every episode.

Perhaps no one has a better understanding of film and the filmmaking process than Elvis Mitchell. He brings his tremendous knowledge and deep understanding of each interview that he conducts on the show.

Every level of filmmaker and entertainer has been on the show from Jason Segel to Dustin Hoffman to Christopher Nolan.

There is no shortage of great takeaways and emotional moments in The Treatment. Just like many of the other podcasts on the list, The Treatment plays well to any audience who likes to connect with other humans and creatives, but for the dedicated or aspiring filmmaker, the education through conversation is invaluable.


The world of filmmaking is vast with so many topics to cover, but podcasts like the ones above are a great way to keep a handle on things and learn something along the way. Let us know what your favorite filmmaking podcasts are in the comments below.