The Filmmaker’s Playbook

#7 Steve Hughes: Director

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
Today, my guest is HETV director Steve Hughes. Steve has directed some amazing TV series. Some of his credits include 'Doctor Who', 'Casualty', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke', 'Death in Paradise' and 'Creeped Out'.
On today’s show we talk about the benefits of his background in editing, the importance of trusting your cast and crew, directing the award-winning improvised episode of the iconic BBC drama Casualty, 'Thin Green Line', working with actors,  the value of directing second unit and more.
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, 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 Steve on instagram @moviegoblin

#6 Laurence O'Fuarain: Actor

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with actor Laurence O'Fuarain. Laurence led Netflix's 'The Witcher' prequel series, 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' playing the axe-wielding warrior, Fjall. Other credits include 'Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope' and RTÉ's 'Rebellion'. Laurence can currently be seen starring in Guy Ritchie’s 'The Gentlemen' on Netflix. 
Today we discuss self-taping, being kind on set and lead actors setting the tone of the show, how he keeps spontaneity in his performances, ending up on the edit room floor, auditioning for The Witcher, using Henry Cavill’s gym, working from the imaginary and much more.
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something interesting in the process.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please share it with a friend, follow us and rate the show.
If you have feedback, 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 Laurence on instagram @larzogram

#5 Megan K. Fox: Director

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with Megan K. Fox. Megan's work includes the award-winning short films 'The Shift' and 'Cailín Álainn' as well as RTÉ's 'Fair City', BBC's 'Eastenders' and the brand new Channel 5 thriller, 'Too Good To Be True' starring Allen Leech and Kara Tointon.
In today's episode we discuss the role of the director and Megan shares insights on how she got started in the industry, what she learned directing soaps, how she booked her first gig as a lead director on a 4 part drama series, working with an intimacy coordinator and as always, much, much more.
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, 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 Megan on instagram @megfox
 

#4 Maurice O'Carroll & Sinead O'Riordan: Writer/Director and Actor/Producer

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with Maurice O'Carroll and Sinead O'Riordan. Maurice is a writer-director-editor and Sinead is an actor-producer and they have been collaborating together for over 10 years. Both Maurice and Sinead have been nominated for the prestigious Discovery Award at Dublin International Film Festival.
Their work together includes the critically acclaimed micro-budget feature film, Dead Along The Way, the web-series Sucking Diesel, and the award-winning, Screen Ireland backed short film, Conversations With My Dead Father.
They have just World Premiered their brand new independent feature film, Swing Bout, to much buzz, acclaim and a standing ovation at Dublin International Film Festival. On today's episode we dig into the making of Swing Bout. 
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, I hope you enjoy today's episode and gain some insight into what goes into making independent films.
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
For updates on Swing Bout follow on instagram @swingboutfilm
Follow Maurice on instagram @mauriceocarroll
Follow Sinead on instagram @sineadoriordan
 

#3 Rob Higgins & Paddy McGivney: Writer/Director Duo

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with Rob Higgins and Paddy McGiveny. Rob and Paddy and two of Ireland's most exciting filmmakers. Their debut feature film, Lakelands won Best Irish Feature at the Galway Film Fleadh, was nominated for 4 IFTA Awards, won Best Narrative Feature at Kerry Film Festival and was named Best Irish Film in 2023 at the Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards. 
In our conversation, we discuss being self-taught filmmakers, making hyper-personal work, working with Paul Mescal, chasing your story down every possible avenue and we do a deep dive into the making of Lakelands.
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, I hope you enjoy today's episode and find some inspiration from learning about Rob and Paddy's journey so far.
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 Rob on instagram @roberthiggins3
Follow Paddy on instagram @paddy.mcgiveny
Follow Harp Media on instagram @harpmediafilms

#2 Stephen Shields: Screenwriter

Welcome to the The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with Stephen Shields. Stephen is an acclaimed screenwriter. After winning RTÉ's Storyland in 2010 with his webseries 'Zombie Bashers' Stephen went on to write on RTÉ's flagship comedy show 'The Republic of Telly', where he was the longest-serving writer. He was nominated for two Irish Writers' Guild awards for his work on the show. Stephen also wrote for many other Irish comedy shows including the highly rated 'Callan's Kicks', 'Des Bishop's: This Is Ireland' and created and wrote 32 episodes of RTÉ's children's show 'Tim's Tactical Tips'.
Stephen's first produced feature film, 'The Hole In The Ground', which he co-wrote with director Lee Cronin premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2019 to critical acclaim. Stephen's latest film, 'Abigail' is slated for release on April 19th 2024 and marks his first studio feature film.
In our conversation, we discuss how Stephen got started in the industry, the similarities in structure between horror and comedy, collaborating with directors and writing in the studio system versus the independent sector. Stephen also offers unique insight into the craft of screenwriting and shares his own writing process. 
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, I hope you enjoy today's episode and find some inspiration in Stephen's insights, honesty and observations.
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 Stephen on X at @steshields87 and instagram @steoshields
Music by Ken Baker.

#1 Diarmuid Goggins: Director

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Filmmaker's Playbook, hosted by writer-director Jason Branagan.
This episode features an interview with Diarmuid Goggins, an award-winning director renowned for his work on popular TV shows like 'Casualty', 'Silent Witness', 'Bulletproof', AMC's crime drama series 'KIN' and the number 1 Netflix series, 'Witness Number 3'. Diarmuid shares insights into his journey so far, how to marry efficiency and ambition, the notes process, how he communicates his vision to his HODs, mistakes made and lessons learned, how to work with actors and much more. 
The purpose of this podcast is to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filmmaking process and to make information about filmmaking accessible to everyone, so whether you're a casual film fan, an aspiring filmmaker, or a seasoned pro, I hope you enjoy today's episode and find some inspiration in Diarmuid's insights, honesty and observations.
As the podcast is still in its infancy I would love feedback on ways to make it better. If you've 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 Diarmuid on X at @tracksgoggins and instagram @diarmogoggins