The Filmmaker’s Playbook
In this podcast series writer-director Jason Branagan has conversations with filmmakers and above-the-line talent about all things filmmaking.
In this podcast series writer-director Jason Branagan has conversations with filmmakers and above-the-line talent about all things filmmaking.
Episodes

Aug 12, 2026
#34 Darcia Martin: Director
Aug 12, 2026
Aug 12, 2026
1 hr 25 min
Welcome to episode #34 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is director, Darcia Martin. Darcia’s credits include Call The Midwife, Queen Charlotte, Casualty, The Chelsea Detective, Riches, Three Little Birds and more.
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Today, we talk about how Darcia moved from documentary to drama, making short films, pitching to JJ Abrams' production company BAD ROBOT and, she shares incredible insights and actionable advice for aspiring directors.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
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If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
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If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
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Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Darcia on instagram @darciamartindirector
Aug 12, 2026
1 hr 25 min

Mar 21, 2025
Mar 21, 2025
1 hr 40 min
Welcome to episode #38 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guests this week are Jo Spain and Dave Logan. Jo and Dave are writers and producers. Together they write and executive produce Harry Wild, which stars Jane Seymour in the title role. Other credits as collaborators include the widely acclaimed adaptation of The Boy That Never Was. Outside of their collaborations, they each have successful solo careers as screenwriters and Jo’s new series 'Mixtape' just won the Audience Award for the TV Spotlight at SXSW.
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The purpose of this podcast is to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost. Whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
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If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider sharing it with a friend and rating us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. It's a great cost-free way to support the show.
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Follow The Filmmaker's Playbook on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Mar 21, 2025
1 hr 40 min

Feb 4, 2025
#37 Waris Islam: Writer/Director
Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025
1 hr 2 min
Welcome to episode #37 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is writer and director, Waris Islam. Waris's directing credits include TV shows like The Bay, Vera, Holby City and EastEnders. He also wrote and directed on the BBC series, Bishaash and has multiple feature films in development.
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Today, Waris and I discuss how he got started in the industry, breaking into television, the pros and cons of shadowing as a training mechanism, working with agents, the writing process versus the directing process and much, much more.
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The purpose of this podcast is to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost. Whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider sharing, following and rating us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. It's a great cost-free way to support the show.
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Follow The Filmmaker's Playbook on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Waris on instagram @warisislam
Feb 4, 2025
1 hr 2 min

Feb 4, 2025
#35 Baz Black: Actor & Filmmaker
Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025
1 hr 44 min
Welcome to episode #35 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is actor and filmmaker, Baz Black. As an actor, Baz has starred in Brassic, KIN, Swing Bout, and Dublin Crust, amongst others. As a writer, director and producer he has made award-winning short films, but is most well known for his indie-feature, Dublin Crust, which hit #1 on Amazon Prime in Ireland upon it’s release.
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Today, we discuss acting, indie-filmmaking and the exceptional marketing campaign Baz led to ensure Dublin Crust found an audience and secure a cinema release for the film.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
--
If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
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Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Baz on instagram @bazblackpiercer
Feb 4, 2025
1 hr 44 min

Nov 20, 2024
Nov 20, 2024
1 hr 25 min
Welcome to episode #36 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is Gráinne Humphreys. Gráinne is the Executive Director of the Dublin International Film Festival. Today, we talk about how Gráinne got started in film programming, how programming a major festival like DIFF works, submissions tips for filmmakers, the importance of Gala screening spaces and much more.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
--
If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
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Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow DIFF on instagram @dublinfilmfestival
Nov 20, 2024
1 hr 25 min

Oct 30, 2024
#33 Wayne Linge: Casting Director
Oct 30, 2024
Oct 30, 2024
1 hr 26 min
Welcome to episode #33 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is Casting director, Wayne Linge. Wayne started his career as an actor and theatre maker before moving into casting. He worked extensively for the BBC before setting up Crampsie Linge Casting. Some of Wayne’s credits include We Hunt Together, EastEnders, Father Brown, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Our Girl and more.
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Today, we discuss how Wayne came to work in casting, his top tips for actors, misconceptions about casting and much more.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
--
If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
--
Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Wayne on instagram @waynelinge
Follow Crampsie Linge Casting on instagram @crampsielinge
Follow Electric Palace Cinema on instagram @electricpalaceharwich
Learn more about casting with Casting Director's Guild
Oct 30, 2024
1 hr 26 min

Oct 23, 2024
#32 Alex Jones: Producer
Oct 23, 2024
Oct 23, 2024
51 min
Welcome to episode #32 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is producer, Alex Jones. Alex started her career in the AD department where she worked on shows like Game Of Thrones, Penny Dreadful and Vikings. Her most recent work is producing high-end television drama such as Penance, Witness Number 3 and The Night Caller. Her latest show, The Hardacres, is currently airing on Channel 5.
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Today, Alex takes us through her career to date, and talks all about producing great telly.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
--
If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
--
Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Alex on instagram @msalexjones
Oct 23, 2024
51 min

Oct 16, 2024
#31 Tony Kearns: Editor
Oct 16, 2024
Oct 16, 2024
1 hr 25 sec
Welcome to episode #31 of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
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My guest this week is editor, Tony Kearns. Throughout his career Tony has edited iconic music videos for artists like Prodigy, Blur, The Chemical Bothers, Coldplay, Radiohead, Paul McCartney and more. His film and TV credits include Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Smother, and Black Mirror, including Bandersnatch.
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Today, Tony takes us behind the scenes on his iconic career in music videos, his pivot into long form drama, the qualities that make a great editor and he shares his top tips for emerging editors.
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The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make real-world, educational information about filmmaking and film careers accessible to everyone at zero-cost, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned professional, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
--
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share, follow and rate the show.
--
If you have comments, questions or topics you'd like covered on the podcast follow us and leave a comment on instagram @thefilmmakersplaybookpodcast
--
Follow Jason on instagram @jasonbranagandirector
Follow Tony on instagram @tonyckearns
Learn more about editing with Irish Screen Editors and explore their resources for learning the craft of editing for the screen.
Check out Tony's photography website and visit his photography Facebook page.
Oct 16, 2024
1 hr 25 sec

Welcome to The Filmmaker's Playbook
The purpose of this podcast is to make information on filmmaking accessible to everyone, to provide unique insights into the filmmaking process from filmmakers who are working in the industry, outputting high end content and as a means of building community and providing encouragement and inspiration to film and television lovers.






