Today on the show, Giles Alderson and co-host Tobias Vees welcome the amazing writer-director JP Watts to talk about his debut feature film, The War Below (2021).
During World War I, a group of British miners are recruited to tunnel underneath no man’s land and set bombs from below the German front in hopes of breaking the deadly stalemate of the Battle of Messines.
JP talks about how the movie came about, how he co-wrote the film, how he got producers on board, and why connections in the film industry are vitally important. He discusses how he directs actors, how he collaborates with his DOP, and the importance of a good casting agent and a good crew. He also dives deep into VFX, how he did it and what you should know.
We had an inspiring conversation with tons of tips and tricks for you lovely filmmakers out there! An absolute masterclass! So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode with JP Watts.
EPISODE LINKS
Watch THE WAR BELOW now | TRAILER
Follow JP Watts on INSTAGRAM
Learn How to write Movies with JP's Course on screenwriting https://learntowritemovies.com/
Pre-order REPEAT here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/repeat/id1593393555
Rebellion Studios https://rebellionfilmstudios.com/
PATREON
Big thank you to:
Sasha Latoya
Marli J Monroe
Kevin Pybus
Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking?
Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides and feedback on your film projects! Our new 4 tier structure is in place. Come join the community!
https://www.patreon.com/thefilmmakerspodcast
MERCH
Spread the Word with Our Merch T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Masks and Water Bottles all now available in some very cool designs.
CHRISTMAS SALE: Use the code “XMAS” to get 15% off!
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
Read & Sign Up for The Wrap Up – Our weekly Newsletter with news and information from the world of film
Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Help us out and write us a review (a good one!), tell your friends and CHOOSE FILM.
Get in touch? Email us thefilmmakerspodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter Facebook and Instagram
Check out our full episode archive at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com
CREDITS
The Filmmakers Podcast is hosted, produced and written by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson
Edited by @tobiasvees
Social Media by Kalli Pasqualucci @kallieep
Marketing Huw Siddle
Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative
Theme Music by John J. Harvey
Part of the www.podfixnetwork.squarespace.com
WATCH OUR FILMS
The Dare UK | Trailer
The Dare Canada and USA
A Serial Killers Guide to Life | Trailer
Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot
Winter Ridge UK
The Isle
Fanged Up
The Marker
Star Wars: Origins
MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS
Follow our Regular Hosts @LucindaRhodes @DirDomLenoir @35mmdop @philmblog @IanSharp1 @Cjamesdirect @dan710ths
Follow Make Your Film for Live Events @makeyourfilm20
Follow our Movies @thedaremovie @Food4ThoughtDoc @FangedUpFilm
Raindance events www.raindance.org
The Filmmakers Podcast recommends Performance Insurance
Music from musicbed.com
Giles Alderson’s website
How to Make & Produce TV dramas with Liza Marshall - Temple, Riviera, Taboo
How to make 16 Features in 10 Years with director and screenwriter Jamie Patterson - Justine, Tucked and Fractured
How to Make your Debut Feature Film - Jennifer Sheridan on directing Rose: A Love Story
The Making of David Fincher’s MANK' with Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, Make Up Designer Gigi Williams, Production Designer Don Burt and Costume Designer Trish Summerville
Christopher Smith – Creep, Severance, Triangle and The Banishing - Making Independent Genre Movies
How to make a successful feature with no crew on an i-phone - Matthew Butler-Hart & Tori Butler-Hart talk making sci-fi Infinitum: Subject Unkown
Jessica Hynes on making her debut feature film as Writer & Director and starring in 'The Fight'
How to turn your short film into an award winning feature with Jill Gevargizian, Writer & Director of 'The Stylist'.
How to Make and Release a micro budget Indie Film - Joshua Smith on making his Western, Road Trip Comedy film 'BuckShot'
Matthew Modine - on Stranger Things, Wrong Turn, Acting, Directing and working with legendary filmmakers.
How to make a Sky Original Feature with 'To Olivia' Director & Writer John Hay and Producer Donall McCusker
Going from a Micro Budget to a £1M Feature - Producer Emma Biggins and Director & Writer Oliver Milburn talk making SCHOOLS OUT FOREVER
How to Write, Direct & Produce three award winning feature films with 'Tony', Hyena' and 'Muscle' Director 'Gerard Johnson'
How to make indie movies with Hollywood actors - SYNCHRONIC Directors, Producers, Writer and cinematographer Aaron Moorhead & Justin Benson
HOSTS - How to Make a Micro Budget Debut Horror, Sci fi Hit with Adam Leader, Rich Oakes & Neal Ward
The Writer's Journey with Christopher Vogler on screenwriting, filmmaking and the Heroes Journey
How to Write, Direct & Produce your own micro budget, debut feature film with Silent Night’s Will Thorne
Making Films, End of 2020 and a Film Quiz with the Filmmakers Podcast hosts.
Upending the Rom-Com Genre with Filmmakers Kimberley and Amy Datnow on their feature Daddy Issues
How to Make an Action-Packed Caper Thriller with Director James Kermack and his feature Knuckledust
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Sackhoff Show
Still Here Hollywood
Team Deakins
Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings
Script Apart