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  • [ 04/06/2025 ] BONUS Episode – Inside Alien War: Paul King on Revisiting the Trocadero’s Terrifying Sci-Fi Experience in “Beneath London” Articles
  • [ 04/06/2025 ] Episode 127 – Max Evry on “A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch’s Dune – An Oral History” Articles
  • [ 09/05/2025 ] Elstree 1976 Returns: 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Now on Kickstarter Articles
  • [ 08/05/2025 ] Episode 126 – Inside the BFI National Archives – Film on Film Festival – Special Episode Articles
  • [ 22/04/2025 ] “Suddenly Something Clicked” – With Walter Murch Articles
HomeSamuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson

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“Push the Button”: The Curious Career of Jeff Okun

08/04/2025 filmumentaries 0

By Jamie BenningFilmumentaries.comEpisode 124 Like many visual effects artists of a certain vintage, Jeff Okun didn’t plan on a career in VFX. In fact, by his own account, he didn’t even plan to work in […]

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Your twice monthly dose of genre film history. Conversations between host Jamie Benning and creators in VFX, Sound Design, Directing, Editing and more

Here's VFX expert Peter Kuran talking about that i Here's VFX expert Peter Kuran talking about that iconic opening sequence from The Thing,  back in episode 75 of The Filmumentaries Podcast.
Episode 130 – Laurent Bouzereau on “Jaws at 50 Episode 130 – Laurent Bouzereau on “Jaws at 50” In this special episode, I catch up with the legendary documentary filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau to discuss his latest project, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, premiering Friday 11th July at 8pm on National Geographic and streaming the same day on Disney+. Laurent, whose behind-the-scenes work on Jaws, Indiana Jones, and Spielberg has inspired me for years, reflects on the challenges of revisiting Jaws 30 years after his original 1995 documentary. We talk about the new angles he explored, from Spielberg’s emotional recollections and rare 8mm footage to fresh perspectives from filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, Jim Cameron, and Jordan Peele. Recorded on the fly on Martha’s Vineyard during the Jaws 50th celebrations, this short but meaningful conversation touches on the legacy of Jaws, the humanity behind the production, and how Laurent’s approach has shifted over the years. Also in this episode:

An update on my Joe Alves documentary and the incredible support from GoFundMe donors
A mention of my new two-part article on ILM's animation legacy: ILM Evolutions: Animation from Rotoscoping to Rango – now live on ILM.com
Episode 129 – The Star Wars Influence: Live at t Episode 129 – The Star Wars Influence: Live at the BFI’s Film on Film Festival In this special live episode, I join Doug Weir—Remastering Lead at the BFI—and post-production veteran Paul Collard on stage for a panel titled The Star Wars Influence, recorded at the BFI’s Film on Film Festival. Curated and hosted by Doug, the panel explores how George Lucas’s frustrations with the Hollywood studio system led to a wave of technological innovation that forever changed the filmmaking landscape. From the creation of ILM to the invention of motion control, EditDroid, SoundDroid, and digital cinema tools, we look at how Lucas empowered a generation of problem-solvers and helped pioneer the digital workflow we now take for granted. This conversation took place just before a rare screening of Star Wars from a 35mm Technicolor dye-transfer print—an experience I’ll be covering in more detail in a bonus episode coming soon. 

Topics include:

Lucas’s break from the traditional studio system

The founding of ILM and the Dykstraflex motion control rig

VistaVision, optical printers, and visual effects R&D

The origins of EditDroid and non-linear editing

The value of Technicolor dye-transfer prints

Lucasfilm’s wider influence on Pixar, Avid, and beyond

Thanks again to Doug and Paul—and to the BFI for hosting such a thoughtful and inspiring event.
In this special archival episode, I speak with act In this special archival episode, I speak with actor and musician Anthony Forrest, best known to Star Wars fans for playing the sandtrooper who famously waved Obi-Wan and Luke past an Imperial checkpoint with the words: “These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.” Originally recorded over a decade ago, this conversation explores Forrest’s original casting as “Fixer” in the cut Tosche Station scenes, his time filming in Tunisia, and how George Lucas unexpectedly tapped him to suit up as a trooper. Anthony also reflects on working alongside Alec Guinness, the skepticism among the British crew, and the surreal experience of flying home with champagne and Star Wars stickers courtesy of Sir Alec himself. Beyond Star Wars, we also discuss Anthony’s career in music, his time busking in the London Underground, and his low-budget feature The Ballad of Bob’s Garage. 

Listen in for rarely heard stories from behind the mask.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Deleted scenes from A New Hope
- Filming in Tunisia and London
- Busking and recording in the London Underground
- The Ballad of Bob’s Garage project
- GoFundMe for our Martha’s - Vineyard shoot — any support is greatly appreciated!
“A Masterpiece in Disarray” is the book I didn “A Masterpiece in Disarray” is the book I didn’t know I needed.

In Episode 127 of the podcast, I sat down with author and film journalist Max Evry to talk about his epic deep-dive into David Lynch’s Dune. What started as a 150-page cult movie companion somehow evolved into a 560-page beast of a book—one that almost broke the spine (literally), but definitely earned its place as the definitive oral history of this chaotic, visionary production.

Max didn’t just scratch the surface. He interviewed 60+ people involved with the film, including cast, crew, creatives, and—remarkably—Lynch himself. And while Dune is a film that’s often brushed aside by Lynch and the studios, Max's book argues that it shouldn’t be. It’s every bit a Lynch film—strange, textured, atmospheric—and its legacy continues to unfold, especially when placed alongside Villeneuve’s recent take.

We talked about the wild Mexico shoot, the bribery and sickness, the abandoned scenes, and the production chaos that turned this into the most expensive film in Universal’s history at the time. But what I loved most about our chat was Max’s respect for the people who made it. There’s no muckraking here. No gossip for gossip’s sake. Just care, craft, and curiosity.

There’s a lot to be learned in how this film came together—and fell apart. And as Max admits, maybe he felt a personal connection because he, too, has known the heartbreak of putting everything into a passion project that doesn’t quite pan out. That perspective, that empathy, is what elevates this book.

And yes… it’s heavy enough to kill a man.

📘 A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch’s Dune—An Oral History is out now. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, Lynch, filmmaking, or the beautiful chaos of big cinema dreams, you’ll want to get yourself a copy.

🎧 Episode 127 of The Filmumentaries Podcast is now streaming wherever you get your podcasts.
Lots of great things happened on Martha’s Vineya Lots of great things happened on Martha’s Vineyard — but one real highlight was getting to interview a personal hero of mine: the brilliant Charles de @lauzirika. Known for his iconic behind-the-scenes documentaries (and a talented director in his own right), Charles gave us some amazing context on Joe’s work in a 45-minute chat. Honestly, we could use 44 minutes of it.

I’m lucky to call Charles a friend — He's someone I have a huge amount of respect for. Grateful for his time and insight.
Never expected that I'd get the opportunity to int Never expected that I'd get the opportunity to interview Richard Dreyfuss. And on Martha's Vineyard, where it all happened back in 1974. Crazy.
What an incredible week we had with @joealvesoffic What an incredible week we had with @joealvesofficial (and his amazing wife Jerri, @dennislprince and many others on Martha's Vineyard. All thanks to the folks that donated to the GoFundMe. 

From chatting with local stars of the movie in Edgar town, to taking Joe back to Menemsha, where he shouted in Dec 1973, this trip couldn't have been more magical. 

With @lauzirika @michaelfulcherstudios @jimbeller @johncampopiano @gnicotero @jeffreykramerofficial and many more! Thanks to all of you for making it a blast.
For episode 126 of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I w For episode 126 of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I was lucky enough to go behind the scenes at the BFI National Archive in Berkhamsted — a place where film history isn’t just stored, but actively preserved, projected, and celebrated.

This visit connects directly to the upcoming BFI Film on Film Festival (June 12–15, 2025), a brilliant event championing the unique experience of watching physical film — nitrate, 35mm, 16mm — rather than the digital formats we take for granted.

I spoke with incredible experts who keep film history alive: James Bell, Chris Stenner, Sonya Jeannette, Martin Kofi, and David Jones. Massive thanks to Kieron Webb and Sarah Bemand for making the visit happen.

It reminded me just how much passion and craftsmanship goes into archival preservation — and how communal and irreplaceable the experience of watching film on film really is.

#Film #BFI #Preservation #Archives #FilmFestival #Cinemas #Podcast #FilmHistory #Community #Restoration #FilmLovers
It’s hard to believe, but The Filmumentaries Pod It’s hard to believe, but The Filmumentaries Podcast has reached its 125th episode — and, with it, the fifth anniversary of the show. What started as a passion project to shine a light on behind-the-scenes artists has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of, thanks in large part to the generous support and enthusiasm of listeners like you. To mark this milestone, I’m thrilled to welcome back one of my most frequent and most requested guests: the legendary Walter Murch.

Walter needs little introduction. He’s a film editor, sound designer, director, and author whose influence spans across six decades and some of cinema’s most groundbreaking works. From Apocalypse Now to The English Patient, his ability to move between the practical and the philosophical, the technical and the intuitive, has set him apart as one of the true deep thinkers in film.

In this conversation, we focus on his new book Suddenly Something Clicked, which is being published by Faber & Faber on 8th May 2025. I’m very grateful to the team at Faber for kindly sending me a preview copy.

The book is described by Walter as a “twisted rope” of theory, practice, and history — and it certainly lives up to that. One moment he’s describing the physicality of using a Moviola, the next he’s diving into neuroscience, the grammar of dreams, and the editing instincts wired into our biology.

Our conversation mirrors that style — covering a huge range of topics: from how children today seem to absorb film grammar instinctively, to the metaphorical use of sound design, to the unique experience of physically handling film versus the digital environment we now work in. Walter shares his thoughts on AI in filmmaking, and how spontaneity — that ineffable spark of human creativity — is something machines still struggle to replicate.

#waltermurch #editing #sounddesign #apocolypsenow #theconversation
“Push the Button”: The Curious Career of Jeff “Push the Button”: The Curious Career of Jeff Okun

Like many visual effects artists of a certain vintage, Jeff Okun didn’t plan on a career in VFX. In fact, by his own account, he didn't even plan to work in film at all. "I’m a completely accidental human being," he told me with a chuckle. His ambitions began on a very different stage — as a stand-up comic — until a sharply atheistic routine delivered at home earned him a lifetime ban from performing in front of his parents.

Instead, Okun’s creative outlet took the form of magic tricks, homemade stunts, and Super 8 visual gags. “I would blow up model ships and fake fights in rush hour traffic,” he said, “and I’d be in the bushes filming with ketchup for blood.” All of this childhood chicanery ultimately gave way to a fascination with the trickery of movies — the kind of illusions you could only pull off with careful camera work, sleight-of-hand editing, and an appetite for mischief.

Learning the Craft the Hard Way
Okun's first job in film was with the legendary graphic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass. The experience was, in Okun's words, “awful,” but also profoundly formative. As Bass’s gopher-turned-editor, Okun was thrown into the deep end. “I hated him,” he laughed. “But he taught me everything: editing, sound, post-production supervision, how to shoot, how to frame. It was a masterclass.”

Working for Bass meant operating in a visually precise, effects-heavy style — layering camera moves, creating in-camera effects, and often relying on labor-intensive optical printing processes. When optical houses turned down Bass’s business — too exacting, too expensive — Okun stepped in with cost-saving workarounds and pricing schemes that actually worked. “We doubled the budget, added a contingency, and somehow still landed exactly on target.”

“By the end of it, I ended up loving the man,” Okun said. “Not because he gave me a break, but because he was so specific and difficult to please that when you did please him, it meant something."

Hear the entire conversation in episode 124 of the podcast.
https://linktr.ee/filmumentaries
Episode 123 of The Filmumentaries Podcast is now l Episode 123 of The Filmumentaries Podcast is now live, and this time I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with veteran sound editor, ADR supervisor and director, Vickie Sampson.

Vickie’s career in film sound goes all the way back to the early 70s, and she’s still going strong. She grew up surrounded by cinema – her mum was Kay Rose, the first woman to win an Oscar for sound editing, and her dad was a director and editor. Between swimming in Verna Fields' pool while Spielberg filmed Jaws inserts, to recording ADR with Keanu Reeves on Speed, Vickie has seen and heard it all.

We talked about:

What a dialogue editor really does

Why good sound starts in pre-production

Why so many indie films get sound wrong

Working on Return of the Jedi, Romancing the Stone, Ordinary People, On Golden Pond, Christmas Vacation, Tank Girl, The Fifth Element and more

How to teach the next generation to respect sound

And yes, that time the Jedi reels got stolen from her car…

One hour wasn’t enough, but there’s so much in here for filmmakers and film lovers alike. Vickie’s stories are funny, insightful, and packed with practical wisdom.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

#Filmumentaries #PodcastInterview #VickieSampson #FilmSound #ADR #SoundEditing #BehindTheScenes #ReturnOfTheJedi #RomancingTheStone #TankGirl #TheFifthElement #SpeedMovie #FilmmakingPodcast #PostProduction #WomenInFilm #FilmHistory #SoundMatters #StorytellingCraft #FilmPodcast
Episode 123 of The Filmumentaries Podcast is now l Episode 123 of The Filmumentaries Podcast is now live, and this time I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with veteran sound editor, ADR supervisor and director, Vickie Sampson.

Vickie’s career in film sound goes all the way back to the early 70s, and she’s still going strong. She grew up surrounded by cinema – her mum was Kay Rose, the first woman to win an Oscar for sound editing, and her dad was a director and editor. Between swimming in Verna Fields' pool while Spielberg filmed Jaws inserts, to recording ADR with Keanu Reeves on Speed, Vickie has seen and heard it all.

We talked about:

What a dialogue editor really does

Why good sound starts in pre-production

Why so many indie films get sound wrong

Working on Return of the Jedi, Romancing the Stone, Ordinary People, On Golden Pond, Christmas Vacation, Tank Girl, The Fifth Element and more

How to teach the next generation to respect sound

And yes, that time the Jedi reels got stolen from her car…

One hour wasn’t enough, but there’s so much in here for filmmakers and film lovers alike. Vickie’s stories are funny, insightful, and packed with practical wisdom.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

#Filmumentaries #PodcastInterview #VickieSampson #FilmSound #ADR #SoundEditing #BehindTheScenes #ReturnOfTheJedi #RomancingTheStone #TankGirl #TheFifthElement #SpeedMovie #FilmmakingPodcast #PostProduction #WomenInFilm #FilmHistory #SoundMatters #StorytellingCraft #FilmPodcast
In this conversation, I speak with Howard Berry ab In this conversation, I speak with Howard Berry about his film project 'Her Name Was Moviola', which explores the art of film editing through the lens of a a traditional editing setup. Howard shares the origins of the project, his connections with notable filmmakers like Walter Murch and Mike Leigh, who are both involved in the projet. And the challenges he faced in acquiring the necessary equipment for the film. 

The chat highlights the technical aspects of film editing and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. 

We look at the intricacies of documentary filmmaking, particularly focusing on the editing process and the relationship between directors and editors. Howard shares insights into his experience editing a film about editing, the challenges faced during production, and the importance of preserving cinematic stories. We also touch on the film's reception at various festivals and the future distribution plans.

#editing
#moviola
#waltermurch
#mikeleigh
In my latest episode I had a great chat with Jim F In my latest episode I had a great chat with Jim Fredrick, creative marketing exec about his years in the film industry cutting trailers (amongst other things) for the movies we love. Jim's wonderful book "Opening Weekend, 
An Insider's Look at Marketing Hollywood's Hits and Flops" is a great read. Whether you're a seasoned film nerd or just starting out on your filmmaking journey, Jim's book will resonate with you. 

Here's Jim talking with me about his first trip to England to cut trailers for the recently passed @stanleykubrick. 

Hear the whole conversation on episode 121 of The Filmumentaries Podcast and go buy Jim's book!

#kubrick
#trailer
#stalbans
#movies
#behindthescenes
#filmmaking
#marketing
Here's Maryan Infield talking to me in episode 120 Here's Maryan Infield talking to me in episode 120 about the challenges of being the only VFX camera op on the crew after she left ILM. Maryan worked on Return of the Jedi and Dune in the 80s. Listen to her story now on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

#womeninfilm
#ilm
#returnofthejedi
Rediscover episode 63 in which I chatted with VFX Rediscover episode 63 in which I chatted with VFX legend Dennis Muren. Here he is talking about the importance of preserving original releases. 

#ilm
#starwars 
#georgelucas
#specialeditions
In this conversation, Gus Lopez shares his journey In this conversation, Gus Lopez shares his journey as a Star Wars collector, discussing the profound impact of Star Wars on film and culture, the evolution of collecting through the internet, and the importance of storytelling in the collecting community. 

He also delves into the ambitious plans for the Saga Museum, a collaborative effort among prominent collectors to create a public space for showcasing their collections and sharing their stories with fans. 

In this conversation, Gus Lopez discusses the ambitious plans for a physical Star Wars museum, focusing on fundraising, educational components, community engagement, and the importance of support from Lucasfilm. He shares insights into the collecting journey, the responsibility of preserving cultural artifacts, and the vision for a location that attracts both fans and tourists. The conversation concludes with ways fans can get involved in the project.

#collecting #starwars #sagamuseum
This time I chat with director Paul King about his This time I chat with director Paul King about his documentary Shine On, which dives into the making of The Shining and its iconic filming locations at Elstree Studios.

We talk about Kubrick’s legendary attention to detail, the emotional connection fans have with the film, and Paul's journey creating the documentary—from filming challenges to the support of the Kubrick estate.

If you’re a fan of The Shining or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories, this one's for you!

📲 Listen now through the link in my bio.
Join me, Jamie Benning, as I chat with Sierra Dall Join me, Jamie Benning, as I chat with Sierra Dall, long-term partner of the late Colin Cantwell—visionary concept artist behind Star Wars’ iconic spacecraft and more! 🌌

In this episode:
✨ Colin’s groundbreaking designs for Star Wars & 2001: A Space Odyssey
🌙 His NASA contributions, including the moon landing broadcast
🎥 Collaborations with legends like Stanley Kubrick & George Lucas
🎮 His creative work on WarGames
🎓 UCLA’s first animation major graduate
🔬 A passion for quantum physics shaping his designs
🌟 Sierra’s efforts to preserve his legacy through a new website & documentary

💡 Exclusive Offer: Visit colincantwell.com and use code FILM15 for 15% off! 🎁

🔗 All my links in bio!

#ColinCantwell #StarWars #Filmumentaries #2001ASpaceOdyssey #NASA #StanleyKubrick #SciFiDesign #STEAMeducation #FilmHistory #BehindTheScenes #Wargames #PodcastInterview
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Recent Posts
  • BONUS Episode – Inside Alien War: Paul King on Revisiting the Trocadero’s Terrifying Sci-Fi Experience in “Beneath London”
  • Episode 127 – Max Evry on “A Masterpiece in Disarray: David Lynch’s Dune – An Oral History”
  • Elstree 1976 Returns: 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Now on Kickstarter
  • Episode 126 – Inside the BFI National Archives – Film on Film Festival – Special Episode
  • “Suddenly Something Clicked” – With Walter Murch

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