When director Guillermo del Toro asked Tamara Deverell to be the production designer on his film adaptation of Frankenstein, she had a good idea of what he wanted. Del Toro had been dreaming of making a Frankenstein movie for years, and she had worked with him on several projects before. She told me they’re so much sync, “I find with Guillermo, it’s not spea ... Show More
Feb 11
Sinners Gives Hoodoo Its Due
Sinners got a historic 16 Academy Award nominations, which was remarkable for a film with vampires. But the film is also a rich exploration of race, religion, culture and music in 1930s Mississippi. Professor Yvonne Chireau played a key role behind the scenes. She’s a historian o ... Show More
40m 56s
Oct 2025
Guillermo Del Toro Finally Makes His Own 'Frankenstein'
When Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was a kid growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, he would draw monsters all day. His deeply Catholic grandmother even had him exorcised because of it. But when del Toro saw the 1931 film Frankenstein, his life changed. "I realized I und ... Show More
45m 48s
Nov 2025
Cinematographer Dan Laustsen brings Frankenstein to life
The Cinematography Podcast Episode 332: Dan Laustsen
For nearly 30 years, cinematographer Dan Laustsen, ASC, DFF and director Guillermo del Toro have produced one of cinema's most visually distinctive collaborations. Sharing a deep affinity for rich colors and dark themes, the ... Show More
1h 19m
Oct 2024
Why Writer-Director Hallie Meyers-Shyer Wrote ‘Goodrich’ for Only Michael Keaton
In filmmaking, finding the right actor can make all the difference, and for Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Michael Keaton was the only choice for the lead role in Goodrich. This episode delves into the creative journey of writing and directing a deeply personal film, navigating the challen ... Show More
58m 54s
Jul 2025
The Mother of Science Fiction: Inventing Frankenstein
This week NPAD is on vacation, but as a special treat, we wanted to share an episode of our other podcast, Watch Her Cook, with you. This episode has a few surprising NPAD tie ins, and we are so excited to share it with you all. We will be back to our regularly scheduled National ... Show More
59m 1s
Oct 2024
THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE — Guillermo del Toro’s creative resurrection
<p>After a bad experience in Hollywood, Guillermo del Toro had lost his spark. He got it back with a story of a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, a script he wrote when he was still a student. </p><p>Together with the film’s producer Rosa Bosch, BFI’s Creative Direc ... Show More
27m 45s
Dec 2023
Indie Horror Duo the LeVecks: From Production To Press On ‘A Creature Was Stirring’
Damien and Natalie LeVeck are the masterminds behind the film, A Creature Was Stirring. The film is a holiday horror that explores topics such as secrets, guilt, and mental illness. We had the honor of interviewing each filmmaker separately in the past. Now, this married duo is b ... Show More
40m 47s
Jan 2024
‘Blackfish’ Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Turns Blacklist Script ‘I.S.S.’ Into Sci-Fi Thriller Theatrical Release
Not all award-winning filmmakers planned for a career in film when they were younger. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite found her love of film in her thirties, and has since directed films such as Blackfish, Our Friend, and many others. She recently directed I.S.S., a high-stakes t ... Show More
45m 15s