Lavinia Postolache on April X & Indie Producing

Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast! In this episode, host Chris Maynard sits down with creator, writer, and comedian Cassie Workman to dive deep into her wildly unique web series, Cassie Workman is Witchy AF. Tune in as they explore how the series uses a chaotic, punk-rock, DIY approach—complete with puppets and dark comedy—to tackle historical storytelling, human insecurity, and cultural revolution. Cassie also shares the surprising pop culture and 90s television influences behind the show, what it's like creating something that deeply resonates with audiences on a personal level, and why embracing our shared human flaws is the ultimate antidote to history repeating itself.In This Episode, We Discuss:The inspiration and chaotic DIY roots behind Cassie Workman is Witchy AF. How storytelling bridges the gap between historical eras and modern human struggles. The unique blend of puppetry, dark humor, and 90s pop culture touchstones that shape the series. Why specific, hyper-focused storytelling often creates the most universal human connections. Sponsored By Google WorkspaceStreamline your creative workflow, collaborate seamlessly, and keep all your podcast notes and projects organized. Use this link https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF or visit FollowingFilms.com to claim your free two-week trial and exclusive discount today!Connect & Support:Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and share it with a friend!Check out more interviews and reviews at FollowingFilms.com.

In this episode of Following Films, host Chris Maynard sits down with actor Matilda Lutz to discuss her starring role in the intense new horror-thriller Crawlers. Directed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, the film traps an apartment complex under strict police quarantine amidst a terrifying infestation of venomous spiders. Matilda breaks down what it's like to tackle the grueling physical demands of a genre lead, finding the dark comedy buried within high-stakes chaos, collaborating with a wildly eccentric cast, and why experiencing this film with a packed theater crowd is an absolute must.This episode is brought to you by Google Workspace. Streamline your workflow, collaborate remotely, and keep all your production notes and files in one secure place.Exclusive Offer: Listeners can get a 14-day free trial by signing up through our link.Get the Link: Head over to FollowingFilms.com for more information and direct access. Or use the link belowhttps://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uFThe Physicality of Horror: Matilda discusses why she loves diving into full-body physical roles and handling the intense action-thriller choreography. Balancing Tension and Humor: How the script weaves dark comedy and absurd situations into a genuinely terrifying premise.Working with the Cast: Behind-the-scenes stories from the apartment complex and keeping a straight face opposite a colorful array of chaotic co-stars. The Theatrical Experience: Why seeing horror films with an energetic audience elevates the viewing experience. Upcoming Screenings: Where fans can catch Crawlers on the festival circuit, including upcoming screenings in Sitges and Milan. Official Website: Visit FollowingFilms.com for more podcast episodes, reviews, and exclusive interviews.Google Workspace 14-Day Free Trial: FollowingFilms.com (Check the sponsor section for details and links).Special Thanks / SponsorKey Discussion PointsLinks & Resources Mentioned

In this quick ten-minute chat on The Following Films Podcast, Chris Maynard sits down with actor and musician Samuel Bottomley to discuss his wild new film, California Scheemin. Based on an incredible true story, the movie follows two aspiring Scottish musicians from Dundee who, after facing rejection from the local music industry, hatch an audacious plan to reinvent themselves as American hip-hop artists from California to finally score a record deal. Tune in as Samuel shares what it was like recording the soundtrack, transitioning from the studio to performing live in front of 2,000 screaming fans in Glasgow, and his unforgettable real-life audition story running into James McAvoy in London. The Real-Life Inspiration: Exploring the absurd, true-story premise of Dundee musicians faking an American hip-hop persona to break into the industry. A Chance Encounter: Samuel shares the nervous wait outside auditions in London and how running into James McAvoy shaped his casting journey. Studio to Stage: Tracking the intense two-week process of recording the film's music and making the terrifying leap from acting to performing live on stage. The Heart of the Story: Why authentic friendship and human connection anchor the film's wildest comedic swings. California Scheemin is playing in limited theaters this weekend and expands nationwide next weekend! Catch it on the big screen.Google Workspace: Streamline your workflow and support the show! Head over to Followingfilms.com, click the sponsor link, and get a 14-day free trial at no charge. It's totally free to try and directly helps keep the podcast going.If you enjoyed this episode, please take a quick second to:Subscribe to the podcastLeave a reviewText this episode to a friendKey Discussion PointsRelease & Theatrical InfoSponsorSupport the Show

Host Chris Maynard sits down with producer and actress Lavinia Postolache to discuss her sci-fi noir thriller, April X. In this episode, Lavinia breaks down the realities of independent filmmaking—from stretching a tight budget by filming on location in Bucharest, Romania, to choosing organic, hand-crafted visual effects over AI in post-production.She also shares insights into balancing dual roles behind and on camera (playing Rose), using her modeling background to secure high-fashion costume designs, and assembling a talented cast—including Connor Storrie—before their breakout success.Key Takeaways & Highlights:World-Building on an Indie Budget: How the production team utilized Bucharest's historic architecture to create a grounded, dystopian future without breaking the bank.Practical Visuals over AI: Why director and post-production teams chose organic CGI and special effects over AI-generated visuals to preserve a textured, cinematic feel.Dual Roles: The creative and practical dynamics of producing while starring as Rose.Elevated Costume Design: Tapping into fashion industry connections to elevate the film’s distinctive visual style.Release Info: April X releases internationally (UK & Germany) on September 18 and hits the US on October 2.Featured Guest:Lavinia Postolache – Producer and Actress (April X)Listen & Subscribe:Follow the Following Films Podcast for more interviews with filmmakers, actors, and cinema creators.

Episode Title: Behind the Scenes of 'The Creep Tapes' Season 3 with Patrick BriceEpisode Breakdown- Intro: Welcome to the Following Films Podcast! Host Chris introduces a brief 10-minute catch-up with director and actor Patrick Brice to discuss Season 3 of The Creep Tapes.- Initial Greetings: Chris and Patrick connect before jumping into the interview.- The Creep Tapes as a Dark SNL Sketch: Chris brings up his realization that the series functions like an SNL sketch, where a recurring character hosts a different celebrity guest star each week.- Developing the Series Structure & Airbnb Production: Patrick discusses using the tapes from the original film as a structural jumping-off point for TV and describes the intimate experience of living and filming in Airbnbs alongside guest stars like Kate Siegel and David Dastmalchian.- The DIY / Punk-Rock Energy: Chris notes how the series balances a DIY, high-school-filmmaking energy with thoughtful structure and planning.- Balancing Deliberate Structure with Absurdity: Patrick reflects on preserving the core DNA of Creep, embracing absurd humor, and how working on this show feels like finding a creative "cheat code."- Catchphrases, Subverting Tropes, and Audience Expectations: Chris and Patrick explore how recurring elements like "Tubby Time" and the mask function as catchphrases for a serial killer entertaining himself, and how the show aims purely to entertain rather than outsmart the audience.- The Razor-Thin Line Between Social Awkwardness and Menace: Discussion on how the show walks the line between uncomfortable silence and terrifying sociopathy. Patrick cites British comedy like Peep Show as a core influence on the show's cringe dynamic and reflects on the dramatic tonal shift in Kate Siegel's episode.- Favorite Jokes & Wrap-Up: Chris highlights a standout Tommy Lee Jones joke from the Kate Siegel episode before wrapping up the interview.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us bring you more exclusive chats with the filmmakers behind your favorite projects.

Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast.Today on the show, I'm joined by Dane Cook to talk about the new documentary about his life and career, Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast.Today on the show, I'm joined by Dane Cook to talk about the new documentary about his life and career, Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story. Directed by Brett Harvey hits digital platforms on September 29th.Back in the mid-2000s, Dane Cook wasn't just big, he was everywhere. He was filling arenas, breaking records, and completely altering the footprint of modern stand-up comedy. But right at the peak of all that, everything blew up behind the scenes. The person he trusted most stole millions of dollars from him, turning his world upside down and kicking off a years-long nightmare. The doc dives into all of it: the insane rise, the brutal family betrayal, and what it actually takes to survive that level of chaos when the dust settles. It's a wildly honest look at fame, money, and the darker side of trust.Before we get into my conversation with Dane, do me a quick favor: if you enjoy the show, take a second to rate and review us wherever you're listening, hit that subscribe button, and share this episode with a friend. It really helps keep the lights on and gets the show out to more people.Alright, let's get into it. Here is my conversation with Dane Cook.

Welcome back to Following Films. Before we jump in today, do me a quick favor: if you're enjoying the show, hit that subscribe button, leave us a quick review on whatever app you're using, and share this episode with a friend. It really helps get the word out.Today on the show, I’m talking with director Padraic McKinley about his new film, The Weight, which lands in theaters nationwide starting today.Padraic directed the film from a screenplay by Matthew Chapman and Shelby Gaines, based on a story hatched by Matthew Booi, Leo Scherman, and Chapman. It’s got a massive team behind it, produced by Simon Fields, Nathan Fields, Ryan Hawke, Jonas Katzenstein, and Maximilian Leo, alongside a heavy lineup of executive producers including Andreas Rübo, Klaus Dohle, Frédéric Fiore, Céline Dornier, Ralf Berchtold, Peter Jarowey, Rich Goldberg, and Peter Block. Plus, the cast is stacked: Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe lead the charge, alongside Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash, and Sam Hazeldine.The setup is pretty grim. It’s 1933 in Oregon, and a guy named Samuel Murphy, played by Ethan Hawke, gets ripped away from his daughter and tossed into a brutal work camp. The warden, played by Russell Crowe, offers him a way out: smuggle a haul of gold through a completely deadly stretch of wilderness for an early release. Naturally, the crew he's stuck with starts rotting from the inside with betrayal, and Murphy has to figure out just how much of his own humanity he's willing to trade off to actually see his kid again. It’s a desperate, messy story about desperate people, and Padraic and I break down how it all came together. Here is my conversation with Padraic McKinley.

Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. On this episode, I’m sitting down with director Todd Stephens to talk about Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut, which is back in select theaters right now for its 25th anniversary.If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, there's a good chance this one has a special place on your shelf. The story centers on two Sandusky, Ohio goth misfits and massive Stevie Nicks superfans: Gypsy Vale, played by Sara Rue, and her younger, queer best friend Clive Webb, played by Birkett Turton. When they hear about a "Night of 1000 Stevies" event happening at a club in New York City, they pack up their black eyeliner and hit the road, fully convinced this is Gypsy’s big break.The film co-stars John Doe from the legendary punk band X, plus the iconic Karen Black playing a washed-up lounge singer. Todd Stephens basically took the standard coming-of-age road trip formula, flipped it on its head, and handed it over to the weird kids and outsiders who usually don't get to be the heroes of these stories.For this 25th anniversary release, they didn't just dump an old file onto a screen. The movie has been completely re-edited and restored in 4K directly from the original 35mm camera negative. It includes never-before-seen footage and a soundtrack loaded with heavy hitters like The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen.Before we jump into my chat with Todd about digging through old footage and bringing this story back to the big screen, do me a quick favor: subscribe to the show if you like what we’re doing, leave us a review wherever you're listening, and send this episode to a friend who appreciates good music and classic indie cinema. Now, here is my conversation with Todd Stephens.

Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast.On today’s episode, I’m talking with VFX supervisors Paul Lambert and Mag Sarnowska about their work on Project Hail Mary. The film just hit home video, so you can pick it up right now on 4K Blu-ray, DVD, or digital. Honestly, it’s easily one of the best movies to come out all year, so if you haven't seen it yet, you need to change that.For those unfamiliar, the movie follows Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with zero memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly comes back, he realizes he’s humanity's last hope to stop an extinction-level threat that's consuming the sun. He has to rely on pure science, trial and error, and an unexpected partnership with an alien engineer named Rocky to figure out a way to save Earth. What makes the film work so well—and why talking to Paul and Mag was so great—is how it grounds all this massive visual scale in practical problem-solving and a genuinely compelling friendship.Before we get into that conversation, today’s episode is sponsored by Universal Pictures and their new release, Disclosure Day. That one is also out now on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD. The movie drops you right into the fallout of humanity discovering we aren't alone, focusing less on grand sci-fi spectacle and more on the chaotic, paranoid scramble of government cover-ups, media frenzy, and how ordinary people handle the rug being pulled out from under reality.The team over at Universal sent over a copy of Disclosure Day on 4K Blu-ray for me to give away to one lucky listener. If you want to win it, just send an email over to [email protected]. Make sure you include your full mailing address in the email so I actually know where to ship the disc if your name gets pulled.Also, a quick heads-up for anyone in Arizona. I’ll be out at Tucson Comic Con over Labor Day weekend, running from September 4th through September 6th. I’m hosting 13 different panels across the weekend, so if you’re planning on attending, check out the schedule, come hang out, and say hello.If you enjoy what we’re doing here, take a quick second to leave us a review on whatever app you're listening on, hit that subscribe button, and send this episode to a friend who loves movies.Now, let's jump into my chat with Paul Lambert and Mag Sarnowska.

Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. Before we jump in, if you enjoy the show, please take a quick second to leave us a review, hit that subscribe button, and share this episode with a friend. It really helps get the word out and keeps us doing what we do.On today’s episode, I’m talking with Julia Sweeney and director Rowan Haber about their new documentary, We Are Pat, which is available to stream on Peacock starting August 20th.If you were around in the 90s, you remember "Pat" from Saturday Night Live. Julia Sweeney created this character, and it became an absolute pop culture phenomenon back then. But as conversations around gender identity, transness, and non-binary visibility evolved over the years, the joke aged into something a lot more complicated and heavily critiqued.What's cool about We Are Pat is that it doesn't just run away from that backlash or try to sweep it under the rug. Instead, it turns into this really fascinating excavation of comedy, authorship, and what happens when a bit outlives the era it started in. Rowan pulls together an incredible roster of trans and gender non-conforming comedians, writers, and cultural commentators, including folks like Molly Kearney, Abby McEnany, Murray Hill, Robin Tran, and Jules Gill-Peterson, and basically asks them to do the impossible: reconsider and try to rewrite "Pat" through a modern, inclusive lens.Fresh off a sold-out screening at Vidiots in LA, Julia and Rowan joined me to unpack the messy human side of revisiting past work, confronting cultural shifts, and figuring out where comedy goes from here. Here is my conversation with Julia Sweeney and Rowan Haber.