TV & FilmFilm Interviews

Following Films Podcast

Following Films

Interviews with some of the most unique voices in independent film and popular culture. Think of it as a weekly film recommendation for something a bit off the beaten path. Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/followingfilms/subscribe

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Thursday · 17 min
Witchcraft, Puppets, and the Chaos of Human History with Cassie Workman
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 Workspace Streamline 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.
Monday · 12 min
Crawling into Terror: Matilda Lutz on Leading Ángel Gómez Hernández’s New Creature Feature
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 below https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/G6uF The 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
October 10 · 15 min
Samuel Bottomley Talks California Scheemin, James McAvoy, & Auditions
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 podcast Leave a review Text this episode to a friend Key Discussion PointsRelease & Theatrical InfoSponsorSupport the Show
October 6 · 15 min
Lavinia Postolache on April X & Indie Producing
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.
September 30 · 14 min
Inside the Mind of a Killer: Patrick Brice on 'The Creep Tapes' Season 3
Episode Title: Behind the Scenes of 'The Creep Tapes' Season 3 with Patrick Brice Episode 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.
September 24 · 16 min
Dane Cook on Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story
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.
September 18 · 35 min
Padraic McKinley on The Weight
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.
September 15 · 37 min
Todd Stephens on Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut
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.
August 27 · 24 min
PROJECT HAIL MARY VFX Supervisors Paul Lambert and Mag Sarnowska and a DISCLOSURE DAY Giveaway
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 editor@followingfilms.com. 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.
August 21 · 16 min
Julia Sweeney and director Rowan Haber on WE ARE PAT
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.
August 17 · 37 min
Chris Hartwell on DO NO HARM
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. We’ve all spent time in the healthcare system, whether it’s sitting in a sterile waiting room or trying to navigate a bureaucratic nightmare for a loved one. It’s a system run by people who are constantly expected to be flawless, even when they’re completely running on empty. That brings us to today's film, Do No Harm. The movie follows Sam Yeong, played by Harry Shum Jr., a home health nurse who is already burnt out to the point of collapse. In his exhaustion, he makes a single mistake, administering what might be a fatal dose of medication to a young patient. Instead of a clean medical drama where everything gets wrapped up with a nice moral lesson, the story spirals over 24 hours as Sam tries to cover his tracks while colliding head-on with the grieving father. It’s a tense, deeply uncomfortable look at moral injury, institutional pressure, and what happens when the people we expect to save us simply break under the weight. The cast also features Rosaline Elbay and Ronny Chieng, who bring a lot of weight to a situation where nobody comes out clean. I sat down with writer and director Chris Hartwell to talk about how this whole project came together. Chris has deep family roots in the medical world: his dad is a doctor and his wife is a home health nurse, so he’s been listening to these ground-level stories for years. It took him nearly a decade to get this made, pulling together a low-budget, highly collaborative production that involved everyone from industry vets to his own film students. We talk about turning those real-life systemic pressures into a legit thriller, the nightmare of human error, and what it actually takes to drag an independent feature across the finish line these days. Before we jump into the conversation, do me a quick favor: if you like what we’re doing here, take ten seconds to subscribe to the podcast, drop us a rating or review on whatever platform you're using, and share the episode with a friend who loves indie cinema. It really helps keep the lights on and gets these films in front of more people. Here is my chat with Chris Hartwell.
August 6 · 38 min
C. Kim Miles on the Netflix Reboot of Little House on the Praire
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. I'm your host, and today we are talking about a show that probably sounds like a strange candidate for a modern streaming reboot, until you actually look at how they made it. When Netflix announced a new take on "Little House on the Prairie," a lot of people reasonably expected a soft, nostalgic retread of the 1970s TV series. Instead, the 2026 reboot starring Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, and Warren Christie dropped last month, and it is a completely different beast. It pulls much closer to the raw, gritty reality of the original books than the old show ever did. It already got picked up for a second season, and a huge reason the series hits the way it does comes down to how it looks. My guest today is cinematographer C. Kim Miles, ASC, CSC, MYSC. He shot four of the eight episodes this season, and he had to deal with absolute chaos to pull it off. We're talking severe prairie weather, tornadoes, ticks, rough terrain, and keeping heavy camera gear moving around actors wearing full period costumes. It was a brutal shoot, but the visuals speak for themselves. If you follow Kim’s work, that adapt-and-survive approach shouldn't surprise you. He lensed "The Brothers Sun" for Netflix, shot the Apple TV+ documentary "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie" which earned him an Emmy nomination, and worked on projects like "Yellowjackets," "Lost Ollie," and Robert Zemeckis's "Project Blue Book." He knows how to ground large-scale, difficult productions in real human texture. We talk about building the look of the new series, fighting the elements, and what it actually takes to make a pioneer story feel dangerous again. Before we jump in, do me a quick favor: if you enjoy the show, take ten seconds 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 film craft. It genuinely helps get the show in front of more people. Now, here is my conversation with C. Kim Miles.
July 27 · 1 hr 7 min
James Kniest on The Devil's Mouth and Tess & The Details Cover of Scattered by Green Day
On today's episode, I'm chatting with cinematographer James Kniest about his work on the upcoming Amazon original film, The Devil's Mouth. The setup is classic survival horror: a group of college friends on a Thailand trip end up trapped in submerged caves. There's a dangerous predator in the water with them, and all their ugly personal baggage and past conflicts start bubbling up while they try not to die. What makes or breaks a movie like this usually comes down to how real that claustrophobia feels, so James and I talk about what it actually takes to shoot in dark, wet, cramped spaces without it looking like a soundstage. Before we get to that interview, I want to talk about a fantastic new track from the San Francisco punk band Tess & The Details. They just released a cover of Green Day's "Scattered," which is featured on a new Green Day tribute compilation out from Coffin Curse Records and Punk Rock Radar. Even better, all the proceeds from the compilation go straight to no-kill animal shelters. Rather than just doing a carbon copy of the original Nimrod track, they completely made it their own. Frontwoman Tess Stevens directed the music video as a bit of a love letter to the Bay Area, shooting at places like an old BART station payphone and the legendary San Francisco venue Bottom of the Hill, which is unfortunately closing down at the end of 2026. I'm going to play a quick snippet of the song right now, and then I'll play the full track at the very end of the episode after the interview. Ok lets get into my conversation with James. In addition to The Devil’s Mouth, we chat about our shared love of music, the current state of the film industry, and what it was like working with Mike Flanagan. The Devil's Mouth will be available to stream on Amazon Prime on 7/29. I hope you enjoy the show
July 22 · 34 min
Double Danger on EVIL DEAD BURN and How to Win a Free Copy of OBSESSION
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. Before we get into today’s show, do me a quick favor: if you’re enjoying what we're doing here, take two seconds to leave us a review, hit that subscribe button, and send this episode to a friend who loves movies. It really helps us out and keeps the lights on. This week’s episode is brought to you by the folks at Universal Pictures Home Video to celebrate their release of Obsession. They’ve been kind enough to give us a copy to pass along to one of you. If you want to get your hands on it, we're running a quick giveaway. Just send an email over to editor@followingfilms.com with the subject line "I want Obsession" and tell us why you should win. Just make sure you include your full name and your mailing address in the body of the email so we know where to send it if your name gets drawn. Today, we're talking with Double Danger, the French musical duo who handled the score for Evil Dead Burn. The movie just hit theaters, and if you’re a physical media collector, the soundtrack is actually getting a vinyl release this September. If you haven't caught the trailer yet, the plot centers on Alice, played by Souheila Yacoub. She’s a young widow trying to process the death of her abusive husband, Will. She goes to stay with her former in-laws for a memorial, which already sounds like a nightmare on its own, but then things go completely off the rails. They come across the Necronomicon, unleash the usual Deadite chaos, and Alice has to hunt down a Kandarian dagger to burn the whole family house to the ground just to stop the spread. It takes a lot of those classic, messy Evil Dead tropes and grounds them in a pretty dark family dynamic. We talked with Double Danger about how they approached scoring that specific brand of chaos, how they landed on the sound for this entry, and what it was like working in such an iconic horror universe. Here is our conversation with Double Danger.
July 17 · 29 min
Lillian Carrier and Lauren Meyering on Horsegirls Plus an Obsession Giveaway
Before we get into things, this week’s episode is brought to you by the folks at Universal Pictures Home Video to celebrate their release of Obsession. They’ve been kind enough to give us a copy to pass along to one of you. If you want to get your hands on it, we're running a quick giveaway. Just send an email over to editor@followingfilms.com with the subject line "I want Obsession" and tell us why you should win. Just make sure you include your full name and your mailing address in the body of the email so we know where to send it if your name gets drawn. As for today's show, we have a really interesting one for you. If you’re looking for something new to check out at the cinema, you're in luck, because the movie we're talking about actually hits theaters today, July 17th. It's called Horsegirls, and it centers on a 22-year-old woman named Margarita who is trying to figure out her own independence while dealing with her mother’s illness returning. What makes the dynamic so fascinating is that Margarita has autism, and she finds her outlet and a sense of control through the world of hobbyhorsing. Yes, we are talking about competitive stick-horse riding. It’s a subculture that a lot of people might dismiss or find odd at first glance, but the film uses it to look at some messy, complicated family dynamics and what it actually takes to prove you can stand on your own two feet. To break it all down, we are chatting with the filmmakers themselves, Lillian Carrier and Lauren Meyering. They join the show today to talk about bringing this specific world to life, avoiding the usual Hollywood clichés about neurodiversity, and getting into the real, sometimes uncomfortable friction between parents and adult children. It’s a great conversation, and I think you’re going to get a lot out of it. Before we jump into the interview, do me another quick favor: if you're enjoying the podcast, take a second to hit subscribe, leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on, and share this episode with a friend who loves indie cinema. It really helps the show grow. All right, let’s get into my conversation with Lillian Carrier and Lauren Meyering.
June 26 · 24 min
Jeffrey Scott Collins on Above The Line
Welcome back to The Following Films Podcast. Before we get into it, if you like what we do here and want to help the show grow, please take a quick second to subscribe. And if you’re feeling extra generous, leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on—it seriously goes a long way and helps other movie lovers find us. Today we are talking about Above the Line, a film that hits digital and VOD today. The story follows six struggling Hollywood hopefuls who decide the ultimate way to make a comeback is to team up and literally rob the Academy Awards from the crooked producer who crushed their dreams. But as you can imagine, in a town completely built on make-believe, trying to pull off a real heist might just be the toughest role of their lives. It’s got a fantastic ensemble cast—Cedric the Entertainer, Gregg Henry, Sophia Ali, Jackson Pace—and it’s just a great, fast-paced 90 minutes. Joining me today to chat about how he put this whole wild ride together is the co-writer and director of the film, Jeffrey Scott Collins. I hope you enjoy the show.
June 23 · 32 min
Rock Burwell on Obsession
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast! I’m your host, Chris Maynard, and today we are taking a look at the sonic landscape of the summer’s breakthrough film hit film. Joining me on the show is Rock Burwell. He is the brilliant mind behind the dread-inducing score for the hit psychological thriller Obsession, which originally blew audiences away during the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival. Working in close collaboration with director Curry Barker, Rock has crafted a soundtrack packed with smart synth work and atmospheric ambient cues. It masterfully explores the emotional undercurrents of the film, layering horror with warmth into pure, confrontational dread. It is easily one of the most exciting, disorienting, and genuinely great scores of the year. The Obsession Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available right now thanks to the team at Waxwork Records, in partnership with Back Lot Music. You can grab your copy today on vinyl, CD, and cassette, or stream it wherever you get your music. Before we jump into my conversation with Rock about taking creative risks, finding comfort in discomfort, and building this incredible sonic world, do me a quick favor: hit that subscribe button for the Following Films Podcast so you never miss an interview. Now, let's get into it. Here is my conversation with Rock Burwell...
June 18 · 20 min
Mark O'Brien on The Voices of our Mother
Welcome to the Following Films Podcast. I’m Chris Maynard. This Friday, a chilling new nightmare arrives on Shudder, and it explores the dark, complicated, and sometimes supernatural bonds of family. The film is TheVoices of our Mother, and it follows Harriet Scaflen after the death of her 95-year-old mother. When Harriet suffers an unexplainable health scare, her four estranged children return to the ancestral family home to care for her. But as old animosities and long-buried secrets come to light, they quickly realize their mother’s illness is anything but medical. There is a supernatural evil awoken inside her—one seeking revenge on her own children just to survive. Joining me today to discuss this tense, 93-minute psychological horror film is its writer, director, and co-star, Mark O'Brien. You know Mark from his incredible work in front of the camera on shows like Perry Mason, Your Honor, and Halt and Catch Fire, as well as his recent role opposite Simu Liu in Peacock's The Copenhagen Test. But he is also one of the most exciting filmmaking voices in modern horror. His debut feature, The Righteous, was ranked one of the top 100 horror movies of 2022 by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is back behind the camera with this incredible cast, including Sheila McCarthy and Georgina Reilly. We’re going to talk about building tension, balancing family drama with supernatural terror, and bringing this eerie vision to life. Before we dive into the interview, if you enjoy the show, please take a quick moment to support us by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and telling a friend about the episode. Word of mouth means everything to an independent show like ours. Now, let's welcome Mark O'Brien to the Following Films Podcast.
June 13 · 28 min
Robyn Symon on Queen of Shock.
Welcome to the show! Today, we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of underground competition with a look at the upcoming Spanish-language thriller, Queen of Shock. Written and directed by Emmy-winning documentarian and former PBS producer Robyn Symon, this feature is set to make its world premiere next month at Dances With Films in Los Angeles. Shot entirely in Mexico with a local cast and crew, the film takes a fascinating piece of Mexican culture and pushes it to a cinematic extreme. The story centers on the real-world game that is a test of endurance where people voluntarily shock themselves with electricity. In Queen of Shock, this tradition is reimagined as a brutal, viral underground circuit. We follow a struggling single mother who is forced into these escalating electrical matches in a desperate bid to save her kidnapped daughter. Joining us on the podcast is Robyn Symon to discuss: The process of adapting a real cultural tradition into genre cinema. The technical challenges of creating intense underground competition sequences. Her experience directing a Spanish-language feature in Mexico. The creative leap from documentary filmmaking into the world of narrative thrillers. It’s a gripping conversation about a film that explores the intersection of survival and viral sensation. Support the Show: If you enjoy these conversations, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. It’s the best way to help more film lovers find the show!
June 11 · 34 min
Jean-Philippe Bernier on Carolina Caroline
Welcome to The Following Films Podcast. I’m your host, Chris Maynard. Before we get into today’s conversation, I have a quick three-second favor to ask. If you love discovering the stories behind your favorite movies, please subscribe right now. While you're there, leave us a quick review, it helps other cinephiles find the show, and if you hear something you love today, tell a friend about us! Word of mouth is how we grow, and we appreciate every single one of you. Today, we are exploring a gorgeous new indie road movie that just hit theaters on June 5th. It’s called Carolina Caroline, and joining us is the man responsible for its stunning, emotionally raw look—cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier. This film is a beautiful contradiction. It draws heavy inspiration from classic 1970s Americana and grit-and-grain crime cinema, yet it maintains this deeply intimate, contemporary emotional perspective. Jean-Philippe teamed up with director Adam Rehmeier for the third time to craft a visual language that feels like an "endless summer"—that reckless, fleeting feeling where you think the sun will never go down... until reality hits you hard. In this episode, Jean-Philippe is taking us behind the scenes of how they built that grounded road-movie aesthetic. We talk about why embracing raw imperfections actually made the story feel more authentic, and how they visually balanced the tenderness of a romance with the high stakes of a crime thriller. It is a fantastic conversation for film lovers and filmmakers alike. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s welcome Jean-Philippe Bernier to The Following Films Podcast!

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