Shows
Half the Picture#24 - ZAK FENNING & TONY COOKHalf the Picture’s guests this episode are writer/director Zak Fenning and actor Tony Cook, the minds behind the new British crime thriller ‘A Gangster’s Life’ currently on release in the U.K. and beyond.Zak and Tony joined Billy on the show to chat about their experience making the movie and bringing a quirky, indie sensibility to the classic ‘Guns and Geezers’ British crime genre in the making of it. They also discussed their favourite actors and filmmakers working today, the influence of films such as Jonathan Glazer and Denis Villeneuve on the project as well as t...
2026-02-1332 min
Half the Picture#23 - STIMSON SNEAD & SAM DUNNINGHalf the Picture’s guests this week are writer/director Stimson Snead and actor Samuel Dunning, whose science-fiction comedy ‘Tim Travers and The Time Traveller’s Paradox’ is now on release in the U.K.Stimson and Sam joined Billy on the show to chat all things Tim Travers, from the complexity of shooting the movie’s ambitious VFX on a low budget to the efficiency of process that comes from making a sci-fi movie featuring the beginning/end of the universe in just seventeen days. They also touched on the pleasure of working with such stars as Felicia...
2026-02-0629 min
Half the Picture#22 - MICHAEL LEHMANN & DANIEL WATERSHalf the Pictures guests this episode are director Michael Lehmann and screenwriter Daniel Waters, the minds behind the cult classic, blackly comic teen movie sensation 'Heathers' starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in star making roles. Michael and Daniel joined Billy on the pod to discuss the legacy of the film and their experience making it, from Daniel’s initial attempts to pitch the project to Stanley Kubrick to how Heather Graham was nearly cast as Heather Chandler along with Daniel's claims he invented the onscreen fistbump. They also touched on their love for Heathers: The Musical, thei...
2026-01-231h 06
Half the Picture#21 - MONTY BENHalf the Picture's guest this episode is actor and karate world champion Monty Ben who recently graced our screens as Farouk, one of the primary villains in the most recent series of Slow Horses.Monty joined Billy on the pod to chat about his experience making Slow Horses alongside such iconic actors as Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas and the lessons he learned from working on the set. They also discussed Monty's career as karate champion, the discipline he took with him from martial arts into acting and how acting has enriched his life and made him...
2026-01-1649 min
Half the Picture#20 - BRET MCKENZIEHalf the Picture’s guest this week is Oscar-winning songwriter and comedian extraordinaire Bret McKenzie, one half of the New Zealand musical phenomenon Flight of The Conchords with Jemaine Clement and whose irresistible earworms feature on such Hollywood hits as The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted and A Minecraft Movie.Bret joined Billy on the pod to chat about his latest album Freakout City as well as the accompanying tour that took him all around the world and the wild audience stories he heard along the way and span into improvised songs onstage. They also found time to to...
2026-01-091h 22
Half the Picture#19 - BRYAN & MARY TALBOTHalf the Picture's guests this episode are Bryan & Mary Talbot, the comic book power couple behind such brilliant titles as 'Dotter of Her Father's Eyes', 'Sally Heathcote: Suffragette' and the upcoming 'Lo! An Amazon! The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Mary Wollstonecraft' amongst many others. Mary's work in academia is widely respected and Bryan's comics as a solo artist such as The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, The Tale of One Bad Rat, Alice in Sunderland and Grandville are regarded as milestones in the comic book medium.Bryan and Mary joined Billy on the show to chat...
2025-12-191h 02
Half the Picture#18 - PETER CAPALDIHalf the Picture's guest this episode is national treasure Peter Capaldi, the actor responsible for bringing The Twelfth Doctor to life in Doctor Who as well as legendarily foulmouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, Gideon Shepherd in 'The Devil's Hour' and Danny Oldsen in 'Local Hero' amongst many, many others!Peter joined Billy on the show to chat about his appearance at Glastonbury where he shared the stage with Franz Ferdinand on 'Take Me Out' as well as to reflect on his experience being the figurehead of Doctor Who and his very personal...
2025-12-051h 30
Half the Picture#17 - OLIVER MURRAYHalf the Picture's guest this episode is Oliver Murray, the acclaimed filmmaker behind such documentaries as Bill Wyman: The Quiet One, Keith Richards: My Life as a Rolling Stone and The Beatles - Now And Then - The Last Beatles Song. His latest project is a brand new ninth episode of The Beatles Anthology, featuring unseen interviews with Paul, George and Ringo from when they were working on the Anthology in the 1990's.Oliver joined Billy on the pod to chat about this new instalment of The Anthology as well as to reminisce about his experience working...
2025-11-2855 min
Half the Picture#16 - GRANT MORRISON (RETURNS!)Half the Picture’s returning guest this episode is Grant Morrison - the iconic comic book writer behind such iconic titles as All-Star Superman, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Animal Man, The Invisibles and New X-Men amongst so many others! Grant joined Billy on the podcast again to chat about their latest title, ‘Batman & Deadpool’ illustrated by the great Dan Mora and to break down their process writing the comic as well as their experience turning their hand to writing Deadpool for the first time and Batman once again. They also gave their in depth thoughts on James Gunn’s Superm...
2025-11-2458 min
Half the Picture#15 - SIMON CELLAN JONESHalf the Picture’s guest this episode is director Simon Cellan Jones, whose new film The Family Plan 2, starring Mark Wahlberg, Kit Harrington and Michelle Monaghan is currently on release on screens both big and small! Simon joined us on the pod to discuss working with Mark Wahlberg as star and producer of the Family Plan movies as well as the joys of working with the wider cast and the improvisational energy of the shoot. We also dive into his wider body of work, including his work on Generation Kill with David Simon as well as Years and Years wi...
2025-11-2154 min
Half the Picture#14 - OWEN LIKES COMICS (Part 2/2)Half the Picture’s returning guest this episode is the eponymous Owen from Owen Likes Comics - a mainstay in YouTube's comics and pop culture criticism scene!In Part 2, Owen rejoins Billy to reveal the final two entries in their Top 5 Favourite Comics and to dig deep into why these stories have so much personal significance to each of them. Plus, Billy gives his take on DC: The New Frontier, one of Owen's picks/recommendations from Part 1 that Billy read in the week before recording this episode.#comics #superman #batman #spiderman #drstrange #miracleman #scottpilgrim #secretwars #sc...
2025-11-141h 09
Half the Picture#13 - OWEN LIKES COMICS (Part 1/2)Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the eponymous Owen from Owen Likes Comics, a mainstay in YouTube's comics and pop culture criticism scene! In Part 1 of this conversation, Owen joined Billy on the podcast for a deep dive into their top five favourite comics, with titles ranging from acclaimed mainstream hits to unsung gems and venerable classics. They discuss what these comics mean to them personally, how significantly they impacted their lives and their wider significance in the comics medium. If you’d like to watch our chat with Owen, check out the epis...
2025-11-101h 49
Half the Picture#12 - MARC WARREN & PAUL HILLSHalf the Picture’s guests this episode are actor Marc Warren and filmmaker Paul Hills, star and writer/director of the cult ‘90’s British coming of age film ‘Boston Kickout’, celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year!Marc and Paul joined us on the pod to reflect on their memories of making ‘Boston Kickout’ as well as to chat about the friendship and shorthand they forged on the film, their experiences working with John Simm and Andrew Lincoln and the life-threatening stunt that nearly claimed them both.If you'd like to watch our interview with Marc and Paul, c...
2025-10-3040 min
Half the Picture#11 - YASMIN PAIGEHalf the Picture’s guest this episode is actress Yasmin Paige, star of Richard Ayoade's cult classic coming of age movie, 'Submarine', celebrating it's 15th anniversary this year!
Yasmin joined us on the show to reflect on her experience playing Jordana in the film, what it was like working both with co-star Craig Roberts and director Richard Ayoade and the importance Gavin and Stacey had in helping her stay in character. For all this and more, watch on!
#submarine #richardayoade #podcast #alexturner
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Note: This i...
2025-10-281h 00
Half the Picture#10 - MIKE LEIGH (ft. MARION BAILEY)Half the Picture’s guest this episode is British national filmmaking treasure Mike Leigh, the man behind such social-realist classics as Secrets & Lies, Naked, Another Year, Vera Drake and Life is Sweet.Known for his improvisational method of devising his films with a murderer's row of British actors, Mike’s approach to filmmaking is organic and utterly unique, resulting in works that are unflinchingly honest, deeply poignant and often hilarious. Join us as we chat to Mike in depth about his method as well as his casting process, the 20th anniversary of his unsung gem ‘All or Nothin...
2025-10-1446 min
Half the Picture#9 - JAMES MARQUANDHalf the Picture’s guest this episode is writer-director James Marquand, the man behind the new WW2 action thriller ‘The Partisan’ based on the life and exploits of Krystyna Skarbek.
James joined us on the show to chat about the making of the movie, his experiences working with Morgane Polanski, Malcolm McDowell and the rest of the cast and his time spent working on his father’s (Richard Marquand) movies. For all this and more, watch on!
#thepartisan #malcolmmcdowell #podcast #halfthepicture
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Note: This interview wa...
2025-10-0325 min
Half the Picture#8 - GRANT MORRISON (Part 2 of 2)Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Grant Morrison - the award-winning comic book writer behind such classics as Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Invisibles, New X-Men, WE3 and Animal Man.
Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Grant as we dive into their Kathmandu experience in the 1990’s where they were abducted by higher dimensional beings, their strangest fan encounter that took place in Sheffield (Billy’s hometown) and their upcoming Batman/Deadpool comic due out in November! For all this and more, watch on!
#grantmorrison #superman #superman2025 #jamesgunn #halfthepicture
Also, Billy will be representing the podcas...
2025-09-261h 01
Half the Picture#7 - GRANT MORRISON (Part 1 of 2)Half the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Grant Morrison - the award-winning comic book writer behind such classics as Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Invisibles, New X-Men, WE3 and Animal Man.
Grant joined us primarily to chat about their work on the iconic All-Star Superman that redefined the Man of Steel for the 21st Century and was a major influence on James Gunn’s new Superman film. They also spoke about their friendship with Gunn, writing a Flash film script with Ezra Miller, the taboo-busting magic of comics and why hope and optimism are radical but essential ideas in t...
2025-09-191h 02
Half the Picture#6 - WALTER MURCHHalf the Picture’s guest this episode is the legendary Walter Murch — Academy Award-winning editor and sound designer behind such cinematic milestones as The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now!Walter joined us for a wide-ranging conversation that delved deep into his groundbreaking work with directors including Francis Ford Coppola, his pioneering approach to film editing and sound, and his thoughts on the evolving nature of cutting in the modern age. He also spoke candidly about his directorial debut ‘Return to Oz’, his new projects ‘Suddenly Something Clicked’ and ‘Her Name was Moviola’ as well as offered sage adv...
2025-05-091h 16
Half the Picture#5 - PAUL MCGUIGANHalf the Picture's guest this episode is the brilliant director Paul McGuigan, whose mercurial and vibrant talents have been gracing our screens, both big and small for over 25 years!Paul joined us primarily to discuss the making of his cult classic British crime gem, 'Gangster No.1' featuring barnstorming turns from Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis and a star-making performance by a then unknown Paul Bettany! He also delved into his approach to directing 'Sherlock', his pioneering use of onscreen text amongst other stylistic flourishes and his films 'The Acid House' and 'Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool...
2025-01-101h 10
Half the Picture#4 - SPARKSHalf the Picture's guests this episode are Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks, pop stars extraordinaire and writers/composers of the award-winning musical 'Annette' directed by Leos Carax and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard!Ron and Russell joined us to break down the making of 'Annette' and their close working relationship with Leos Carax as well as their most recent world tour for their latest album 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte' which saw them play the biggest venues of their career. They also talked telling stories through music, shared advice for young artists looking...
2024-11-1331 min
Half the Picture#3 - JASON REITMANHalf the Picture's third guest is Jason Reitman, director of such modern classics as Juno, Up in the Air and his latest, Saturday Night: a visceral portrait of the 90 minutes leading up to the birth of the classic late-night comedy show!Jason joined us to chat the length and breadth of his career, ranging from his exuberant debut ‘Thank You for Smoking’, to the life-changing impact of making ‘Juno’, up through the deeply personal journey he undertook making ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ with his father Ivan to working with the iconic J.K. Simmons and exec-producing Damien Chazelle's ‘Whiplash!'For al...
2024-10-111h 02
Half the Picture#2 - TRISTAN OLIVERHalf the Picture's second guest is Tristan Oliver BSC, cinematographer extraordinaire and arguably the leading DOP working in stop-motion animation today!
Tristan joined us to chat about his experiences working with Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr Fox and Isle of Dogs, making his start as an actor before switching to cinematography, shooting the iconic train chase in The Wrong Trousers and having lunch with the legendary Jack Cardiff, as well as to share advice for aspiring animator/cinematographers!
For all this and more, watch on! #wesanderson #isleofdogs #wallaceandgromit #aardman
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2024-09-1256 min
Half the Picture#1 - BRENDAN MCCARTHYHalf the Picture's first guest is Brendan McCarthy, Mad Max: Fury Road's brilliantly inventive co-writer and visual designer!
Brendan joined us to for an in-depth chat covering all things Fury Road, from his experiences working closely with George Miller in pre-production on the scripting and storyboarding to Splendid's original (and much more hardcore) death scene that was cut from the film. He also delved into the original ending he and Miller had planned and even teased the upcoming and eagerly anticipated 'Furiosa!'
For all this and more, watch on! #madmax #furyroad #furiosa #georgemiller #HalfthePicturePodcast
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2024-09-1259 min
Kurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #8: 21st Century WomenIn the final episode of the series, Billy and Joe compare two seminal female-driven films of the last decade: Noah Baumbach's 'Frances Ha' and Peter Mackie Burns' 'Daphne'.
2019-10-1044 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #7: Blumhouse of HorrorIn Episode 7 of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe explore the output of Blumhouse Productions and its place in the film industry.
2019-10-0246 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #6: "Development Hell"In Episode 6 of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe explore that realm from where bourn no film returns: 'Development Hell'.
2019-09-2448 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #5: 'The Rocky Horror Shock Treatment'In Episode 5 of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe consider the legacy of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and argue the brilliance of its sequel 'Shock Treatment'.
2019-09-1744 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #4: "Fire Talk with Me."In Episode 4 of Now in CinemaScope, Billy and Joe attempt to break down the films and career of David Lynch.
2019-09-0845 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #3: "Method in the Madness."In Episode 3 of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe examine method actors and the line between great acting and rampant self-indulgence.
2019-08-2842 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #2: Trailers & EditingIn Episode 2 of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe discuss the artistic merit of movie trailers.
2019-08-2245 minKurious Arts Presents: Now in CinemaScopeNow in CinemaScope #1: Stanley KubrickIn the first episode of 'Now in CinemaScope', Billy and Joe debate the legacy of iconic filmmaker Stanley Kubrick.
2019-08-1439 min