The Filmumentaries Podcast

In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I’m joined by creature effects designer Alec Gillis, founder of Studio Gillis and co-founder of Amalgamated Dynamics Inc. (ADI) alongside Tom Woodruff Jr.Alec has spent more than four decades helping bring some of cinema’s most memorable creatures to life.

After beginning his career working under the legendary Stan Winston, he went on to contribute to films including Aliens, Predator, Alien³, Tremors, Death Becomes Her, Starship Troopers and many more.In this conversation we talk about how a childhood encounter with Ray Harryhausen’s Jason and the Argonauts set him on this path, the early days building stop-motion creatures in his parents’ garage, working for Roger Corman alongside a young James Cameron, and what it was like joining Stan Winston Studio during one of the most exciting periods in creature effects history.

We also talk about the eight-week scramble to build the Predator, working with David Fincher on Alien³, forming ADI with Tom Woodruff Jr., and how practical creature effects continue to evolve in an industry now dominated by digital tools.

This interview was recorded remotely, but I recently had the chance to visit Alec in Los Angeles while filming interviews for our upcoming Joe Alves documentary, where we spoke in person about his work on Jaws 3-D.

Topics discussed

• Discovering movie magic through Ray Harryhausen
• Building stop-motion creatures as a kid
• Learning the craft during the Roger Corman years
• Meeting and working alongside James Cameron
• Life inside Stan Winston Studio
• Creating the Predator in just eight weeks
• The production of Alien³ and working with David Fincher
• Founding Amalgamated Dynamics Inc. with Tom Woodruff Jr.
• Practical effects in the digital era
• Mentoring the next generation of creature artistsSupport the PodcastIf you enjoy The Filmumentaries 

I hope you enjoy it.

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links

In this episode, I chat with Academy Award-winning sound designer Randy Thom about his journey from college radio to shaping the soundscapes of some of cinema’s most iconic films.We discuss:
Growing up loving movies and discovering sound via college radio in Ohio
Making a cold call to Walter Murch and landing a job on Apocalypse Now
Early sound experiments at Skywalker Ranch
Recording effects for The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark
Collaborating with Robert Zemeckis and David Lynch
Why sound should be involved in pre-production
The evolution from analog to digital workflows
The creative and economic impact of AI on film sound
The philosophy behind “inventing” sonic space
Winning an Oscar for The Right Stuff
Winning a BAFTA for The Revenant
Randy also reflects on mentorship, collaboration at Skywalker Ranch, and why storytelling always matters more than authenticity.Listen now and take a deep dive into the craft of cinematic sound.

See below for all the links you might need!

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links

This is a short bonus episode with a very specific purpose. Patrick Tyndall and I are in the middle of a GoFundMe campaign to get us back to Los Angeles to finish filming Not Your Average Joe, our documentary about legendary production designer Joe Alves. This episode is me explaining where the project is at, what we’ve already achieved, and why this upcoming LA trip feels so important. We’ll be in Los Angeles from 22–28 February 2026, filming interviews and B-roll that cover some key chapters of Joe’s life and career, including:
Joe’s short but intense motor racing career, including racing alongside Dickie Smothers
The story of Joe introducing a major Hollywood actor to racing, setting them on a path to a serious motorsport career
An interview with Alec Gillis the effects artist who built the articulated sharks for Jaws 3
A conversation with Ann Dusenberry, who worked closely with Joe on Jaws 2
An interview with Dean Cundey, cinematographer on Escape from New York
Ongoing efforts to involve Steven Spielberg in the project
The documentary has only been shot over a relatively small number of days so far, all fitted around regular jobs and family life, but the material we’ve captured already has been incredible. This next trip is about joining the dots and getting the remaining pieces that will allow us to bring Joe’s story properly over the finish line. At the time of recording, the GoFundMe is sitting at around $1,000, and we need roughly $3,000 to make the trip work. Any contribution helps, but just as importantly, sharing the campaign on social media genuinely makes a difference. If you’ve ever enjoyed the podcast, the articles, or the behind-the-scenes conversations, this is me asking for a bit of help to make sure this story gets told. 

Donate here!

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links

In this episode of The Filmumentaries Podcast, I’m joined by filmmaker John Campopiano and producer Jim Beller to talk about their new documentary, The Farmer and the Shark. The film centres on Craig Kingsbury, a farmer from Martha’s Vineyard who appeared in Jaws (1975), playing Ben Gardner, the local fisherman whose abandoned boat is discovered by Chief Brody early in the film.
 
From that small but unforgettable role, the documentary explores Craig’s life, his connection to the island, and how his story intersects with the legacy of Jaws.

John Campopiano is the director of the film and is known for documentaries including Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary and Pennywise: The Story of IT. Jim Beller is one of the producers of The Farmer and the Shark - former producer of my Inside Jaws - A Filmumentary and all round Jaws expert.

I should note that I haven’t seen the finished film yet, so this conversation focuses on the making of the documentary, how the project came together, why Craig Kingsbury’s story stood out, earning trust, and shaping a film around a real person whose life briefly intersected with a cinematic landmark. If you’re looking for a calm, thoughtful conversation about film history, storytelling, and the people behind the scenes, I hope this episode provides a welcome distraction. Guests
John Campopiano — Director
Jim Beller — Producer
Films Discussed
The Farmer and the Shark
Jaws (1975)
Support the Podcast - If you enjoy The Filmumentaries Podcast, you can support the show on Patreon. Your support helps cover the time, research, travel, and production costs involved in making these episodes. Thanks for listening.

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links

Jon's Kickstarter Link

Summary
In this conversation, Jon Spira discusses his new book 'I'll Settle for Nothingness: Conversations with Mike Hodges', detailing the genesis of the book, his friendship with the legendary filmmaker, and the exploration of Hodges' versatile career. The discussion covers many things including the making of 'Morons from Outer Space', the challenges of unproduced films, and the emotional journey of writing the book. Spira also shares insights into Hodges' legacy, his experiences with the BFI, and the Kickstarter campaign for the book's publication.

Takeaways
The book is a collection of conversations with Mike Hodges.
Jon Spira's friendship with Hodges developed through their shared love of cinema.
'Morons from Outer Space' is a film that has gained a cult following despite its initial failure.
Hodges was a versatile filmmaker, working across various genres.
The Terminal Man is a significant film that was poorly marketed and overlooked.
Hodges had many unproduced films that reflect his creative vision.
The BFI is preserving Hodges' legacy through his film archive.
Spira aims to honor Hodges' memory through this book.
The emotional journey of writing the book was profound for Spira.
The Kickstarter campaign is a way to celebrate Hodges' work and legacy. 

This podcast is completely independent and made possible by listener support. If you’d like to help me keep making these episodes, you can join my Patreon community here: https://patreon.com/jamiebenning

Watch more on YouTube:
Check out the Filmumentaries YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes clips and extra content: https://youtube.com/filmumentaries

All my links