Alex Thomas - Director

For episode four of this season of The Doc Makers podcast, I’m delighted to be talking to multi award-winning Director of Development and Executive Producer, Miranda Peters. In the show we discuss how Miranda cut her teeth at Grenada Television in Manchester, becoming battle hardened in the day time tv training ground of Richard & Judy’s This morning programme. We also talk about where Miranda’s story inspirations come from, and her top tips when pitching to commissioners.Miranda has worked for several of the top, doc making companies in the UK, and has recently taken up a position at Story Films, where we kick off this episode.Show notes:Miranda Petershttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm3094825/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkCandle True Storieshttps://candlemedia.com/candle-true-stories/Story Filmshttps://storyfilms.tv/Pete Beardhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2653691/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkWorld in ActionAndy Harrieshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0364170/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkhttps://www.leftbankpictures.co.uk/Wayne Garviehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1803174/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkKenton Allenhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0020727/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJeff Andersonhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1910516/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkKate Blewetthttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0088335/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkShould I marry a murderer?https://www.imdb.com/title/tt41082351/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkNelesh Dhandhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm7515209/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJosh Allotthttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm6058718/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkClare Beavishttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm14668288/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSunshine Jacksonhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm9441919/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkBaby Reindeerhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13649112/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJames Joneshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4155251/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkChernobyl: The Lost Tapeshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13913326/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMurder in Monacohttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt38984577/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

For episode three of season two of The Doc Makers podcast I’m truly delighted to be speaking to Kate Vaisey. A Senior VFX Producer with 20 plus years working on projects spanning the BBC, Discovery, NatGeo, Sky, Netflix and NBCUniversal.I first met Kate when we were young pups working at Impossible Pictures (Walking with Dinosaurs) in the early 2000s and she’s gone on to be part of some wonderful projects including ‘I shouldn’t be alive’, ‘Space Odyssey’ and ‘Our Living World’. This is a special conversation for me because the day we were due to chat, Kate almost didn’t do it. She’s been very open and honest online about her recent struggles within the industry and more importantly her place in it and was worried about how negatively that might come across. And I’m so glad she decided to take part, because she’s such an incredible human, who, despite everything it throws at her, is still so incredibly passionate about our industry and the people in it.It’s not all doom though, we do spend some time discussing how Kate navigated her last 8 episode project, Surviving Earth and we both have a very senior moment where we forget the name for a crystal ball.Enjoy.Kate Vaiseyhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1774477/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkFilm & TV Charityhttps://filmtvcharity.org.uk/Horizonhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318224/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkCutting Edge https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264972/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkNick Broomfieldhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112374/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkKeshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064541/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSam Jukes-Adamshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1776609/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkTim Haineshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0354307/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkImpossible Pictureshttps://impossiblepictures.co.uk/Walking with Dinosaurshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0214382/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJasper Jameshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416583/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMike Milnehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0590356/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkChloe Lelandhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0500895/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkGrain Mediahttps://www.grainmedia.co.uk/Surviving Earthhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt21157588/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkKathryn Smithhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm3472147/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMilkhttps://www.milk-vfx.com/He Sunhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm10805116/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJean-Claude  (JC) Deguarahttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333654/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkScreenskillshttps://www.screenskills.com/Ben Royhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm11650120/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMike Davishttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0968382/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkBeyond Utopiahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt25470468/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

For episode two, season two of The Doc Makers podcast, I’m delighted to be talking to the multi award winning director, Alex Thomas. Alex’s projects include 'Erased: World War Twos Heroes of Colour' and 'Yorkshire Cop: Police Racism and Me', a film made about his Father.We discuss how he navigated his way from a small mining town in the north of England to becoming a globetrotting filmmaker, before landing back in the UK creating touchstone films like 'Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park' and his most recent film, released earlier this month, 'Damilola: The Untold Story', which the Guardian selected as one of its “50 shows to watch this autumn”.A genuine creative force and a bloody nice guy to boot.Show notes:Alex Thomashttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm16254630/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkhttps://www.sternwild.com/film-makers/alex-thomasBibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Parkhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt37542405/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkDamilola: The Untold Storyhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032lg7/damilola-the-untold-storyTrue Visionhttps://www.truevisiontv.com/Stacey Dooleyhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4099152/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkUnreported Worldhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477545/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkBruce Parryhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1942896/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMike Lewishttps://www.ninelivesmedia.co.uk/mikeBecky Cadmanhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm11063116/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkYorkshire Cop: Police, Racism and Mehttps://www.channel4.com/programmes/yorkshire-cop-police-racism-and-meJohn Boyegahttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm3915784/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSteve McQueenhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2588606/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSmall Axehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464896/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkNelson Adeosunhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm5144648/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

I’m delighted to kick off season two talking to BAFTA winning producer Lizzie Gillett.We spend time understanding how Lizzie and the team work at Misfits and the success of their hit doc Super/Man. Her humbling journey from New Zealand to her breakout feature Age of Stupid. And some some killer advice that I think works for budding producers and pretty much anyone else in the creative arts.Show notes:Lizzie Gilletthttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm3231933/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkLady Boss: The Jackie Collins Storyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13244024/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSuper/manhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt27902121/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Territoryhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt16378164/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMisfits Entertainmenthttps://www.misfitsentertainment.com/Passion Pictureshttps://www.passion-pictures.com/John Battsekhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0061557/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkDaniel Kilroyhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm6804404/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkDavid Moultonhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm5624503/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkIan Bonhôtehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0094524/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkPeter Ettedguihttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0262167/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMcQueenhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt6510332/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkWords and Pictureshttps://wordsandpictures.com/The Age of Stupidhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300563/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkFranny Armstronghttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1671943/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkPete Postlethwaitehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000592/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkOne Day in Septemberhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230591/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMerkelhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt21213174/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Amazing Johnathanhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0857247/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkLowland kidshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt35718056/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJaripeohttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt38589440/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Crashhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt40792117/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkLaura Fairriehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1357953/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJoe Careyhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1814897/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In the final episode of season one of The Doc Makers podcast I’m talking to documentary editor Luke Flight.Luke is a close friend and co-conspirator on many a project, so this episode was originally done as favour to me and as a test run for the podcast, but I think there was too many lovely thoughts from him contained within our chat to keep to myself and he’s very graciously let me me share our conversation with you all. Luke is a BAFTA nominated editor for his work on Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire, has been part of the Drive to Survive phenomenon with Box to Box and Netflix, and also cut projects for Amazon, Sky, ITV and Channel 4.We talk about him getting into a film and tv course because he thought it’d be easy, maybe not getting certain jobs because he doesn’t sound the right way (something I think will resonate with a few people out there) and receiving some eye-opening advice from a seasoned editor whilst first starting out, and a little warning as there might be an F-bomb somewhere in here too for all you sensitive souls!Show notes:When we were kingshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118147/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkOne day in September https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230591/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkInside Jobhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt10231312/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkTreasures of the British Libraryhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt10231312/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkJames Buchananhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm3473327/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSecrets of the brainhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7610486/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In this episode I’m talking to Design Director, VFX and Titles Designer Allison Brownmoore. Allison’s work can be seen in films including 2023s Oscar winning Navalny, Alex Gibney's Citizen K and We are X, which we discuss in the show.Faking it until you make it became strong theme throughout our conversation. (Or at least buy the book!)We discuss how Allison found her feet on children’s favourite ‘In the Night Garden’And there’s some advice in there to not waiting for so long to start doing the things and telling the stories that you love.Show notesAllison Brownmoorehttps://allisonbrownmoore.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2472490/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkPast Curfewhttps://pastcurfew.co.uk/Amazing Adventures of Awesomehttps://aaoa.co.uk/Navalnyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt17041964/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkRagdollhttps://www.ragdoll.co.uk/our-story/Passion Pictureshttps://www.passion-pictures.com/Greg Barkerhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0994499/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSergiohttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1333656/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkWe are Xhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt4835086/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkGeorge Chignellhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2639385/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

In this episode I’m going to be talking to 4 time BAFTA nominee, director Ursula Macfarlane.Whether working on retrospective stories, like the tragedy of the late 1990s model Anna Nicole Smith, telling the moving stories of survivors of Harvey Weinstein, or her vérité work with psychiatric patients in Notes From The Inside With James Rhodes, Ursula is known for her sensitivity, her humour and psychological insight. We discuss the joy in Finding those long time collaborators, her beautiful BBC documentary, My brain: After the rupture and the difficulties in getting films commissioned that don’t have an ending,But most importantly. It begins where all good chats start. With a good cup of tea.

Today I’m going to be talking to composer Alexander ParsonsAlex has worked across a broad array of films that include Flight 149: Hostage of War, which recently won at the RTS Awards; Black Power: A British Story of Resistance, produced by Steve McQueen and James Rogan for which the film received a BAFTA nomination and Derek vs. Derek a feature documentary about the battle to rewild, which premieres at Sheffield Docfest June 2026!We discuss balancing a composer life whilst working as a secondary school teacher, the dreaded temp music and how it has to be real humans who get to tell real human stories and so much more.Show Notes:Alexander Parsonshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm5618281/?ref_=fn_t_2Animated minds - 3 Minute Wonderhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0853169/First cuthttps://assets-corporate.channel4.com/_flysystem/s3/documents/2022-03/First%20Cut%20Strand%20Background%202022_0.pdfEmma Morganhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2471724/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_emma%20morganLina Prestwoodhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2724228/?ref_=fn_t_1Swan Filmshttps://www.swanfilms.tv/Neil Crombiehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1397627/?ref_=fn_t_1Joe Evanshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1624529/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_4_1Grayson Perry’s Dream househttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt4693234/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_5_nm_3_in_0_q_grayson%20perry%27s%20Helljumperhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt28089851/?ref_=fn_t_2Rupert Housemanhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2137245/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_rupert%20houGrayson’s Art Clubhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt12183038/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_6_in_0_q_graysons%20artDave Malkinhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm10752213/John Cagehttps://interlude.hk/john-cage-magic-mushrooms/Kezia Tomsetthttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm12820398/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_in_0_q_kesia%20tomsetTrain Dreamshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt29768334/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_train%20dreamsBryce Dessnerhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2425842/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_5_1The 12 Ensemblehttps://www.the12ensemble.com/Surviving Covidhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13839492/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_smThe remarkable life of Ibelinhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt19811010/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%20remarMarcus Plowrighthttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm6967794/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_marcus%20plowAmerican High Schoolhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt6150154/episodes/?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1Anne Nikitinhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1870110/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_in_0_q_anne%20nikLondon Contemporary Orchestrahttps://www.lcorchestra.co.uk/

Today I’m going to be talking to the lovely BAFTA award winning and Emmy nominated cinematographer Tim Cragg. Tim has set the standard for how a lot of modern documentaries look and feel and has been involved with some of the most successful (both critically and financially) documentaries in recent times. From Netflix successes such as The Deepest Breath and Beckham and HBO & SKY BAFTA nominated David Holmes: The boy who lived, to that rare beast, a documentary box office smash with Three identical Strangers, which we discuss in the show.Tim Cragghttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1145108/?ref_=fn_t_1Three Identical Strangershttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7664504/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_c_47Scapple apphttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/scapple/id568020055?mt=12darius khondji - iranian French cinematographerhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451787/Gregory Crewdson - American photographerhttps://gagosian.com/artists/gregory-crewdson/Edward Hopper - painterhttps://www.edwardhopper.net/kerouac's road: the beat of a nationhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt29502644/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_5Alien abductionhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt33506347/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_10Encountershttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt28692332/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_c_17One Strange Rockhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7651892/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_2_cdt_t_45

For our first ever episode, I am delighted to welcome the brilliant Mandy Chang to The Doc Makers podcast. Filmmaker, Exec Producer, former commissioner of the BBC’s Storyville strand and recently anointed CEO of the Documentary Film Council.Mandy Changhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2453952/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkDocumentary Film Councilhttps://documentaryfilmcouncil.co.ukDavid Bowie: The Last Five Yearshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt6375308/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMr. Nobody Against Putinhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt34965515/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkHello Culturehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902630/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Mole: Undercover in North Koreahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt13243898/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkMads Brüggerhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1366561/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkWelcome to Chechnyahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt11394200/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkOne Child Nationhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt8923482/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkCorridors of Power: Should America Police the World?https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33076876/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkThe Gatekeepershttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt2309788/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk