TV Makers

Hosted by Ashley Golder

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Nov 2026

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About the show

TV Makers is a podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes of the TV industry, interviewing professionals in various roles to gain insights into their work. Host Ashley Golder speaks with the likes of Steadicam operators, Production Managers, Directors, Lighting Technicians, and more, covering all aspects of the TV world. In each episode, we delve into the intricacies of their roles, learning about the challenges and rewards of working in the industry. With episodes released every two weeks, TV Makers is perfect for TV enthusiasts, aspiring industry professionals, and veterans with years of experience. Subscribe now on your preferred platform and follow @tvmakerspod on Instagram and Twitter for more content.

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56 recent

November 3, 202658 min

Ep 49: Former Red Bull Global Head of Content, Jim Sayer – How to Break Into Branded Content

From Maverick Television to Red Bull and luxury travel company HX Expeditions - what does it take to work with global brands? After a decade running the award-winning production company Maverick Television, Jim Sayer became Global Head of Content at Red Bull, overseeing the extraordinary, boundary-pushing films we've come to associate with the brand. He then moved into luxury adventure travel as SVP of Global Marketing at HX Expeditions, before establishing his own consultancy bridging the gap between brands and content makers. So who better to ask how we, as TV people, can break into the world of branded content? I'm not gonna to lie, this is a pretty heavy episode. Perhaps not one for the gym, but more one to sit down with a notebook and start plotting your own strategy! It's absolutely packed with practical advice. In fact, if you're even THINKING about working with brands, this might be one of the most useful episodes of TV Makers you'll listen to. Brands often think and speak a different language to the one we're used to in television, so the first half is something of a crash course in how brands actually operate. Who should you approach? What are they looking for? How do you understand their objectives? And why might your brilliant television idea be completely wrong for them? Jim explains the customer journey, how brands commission content and, crucially, how to start getting through those doors. In the second half, we get behind the scenes of working for global brands. Jim shares what he learned at Red Bull, including the extraordinary story of commissioning a man to cross the English Channel on a jetpack. We explore the realities of working with brands, from budgets and creative decisions to the TV skills they actually value. And with AI changing the way content is made, what might the future hold for storytellers like us? It's a fascinating insight into a world that's increasingly overlapping with our own, from somebody who's sat on both sides of the commissioning table. In this episode: Why brands want TV talent Who to approach within a brand How to get hold of their brand guidelines, marketing objectives and target audiences Why a brilliant TV idea might not be right for a brand How different types of content serve different commercial objectives How Red Bull decides which extraordinary ideas to commission The differences between working in television and working for brands The transferable skills TV professionals might be overlooking How AI could change the industry and why human storytelling still matters Jim's advice for anyone looking to move into branded content Watch the full conversation on the TV Makers YouTube channel. This episode is sponsored by: RIMMS – https://www.rimms.tv If you enjoyed the episode, follow TV Makers and leave a rating or review wherever you're listening. Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

October 20, 2026Episode 4859 min

Ep 48: Founder of The Development Network, Jon Willers - How to Make Money Beyond TV

Everyone’s telling us to embrace digital. But how do you actually make money from it? Jon Willers, founder of The Development Network, works with production companies, creators and brands to find opportunities beyond traditional broadcasting. In this episode, Jon explains how to identify an audience, build a community around your content and turn that relationship into a business. From memberships and sponsorship to branded entertainment, we explore where the money can come from and why YouTube might be your shop window rather than the shop itself. Drawing on examples including Time Team , Dish and the Sidemen, Jon explores what TV Makers can learn from successful digital businesses, which audience signals deserve your attention and why chasing views alone can send you in the wrong direction. But we also confront the difficult question behind the advice to “just get started”: who can actually afford to take that gamble? Jon discusses how smaller companies and freelancers can collaborate, fill gaps in their knowledge and test ideas before committing money they cannot afford to lose. In this episode: • Finding your niche and understanding who you’re making content for • Why engagement, retention and returning viewers matter • Turning passive viewers into paying fans • Making money through memberships, sponsorship and brand partnerships • What Time Team’s return reveals about the power of community • What television can learn from Dish and the Sidemen • Why owning your audience and your intellectual property matters • The financial risk of moving into digital • Finding collaborators who bring the skills and relationships you need • Testing and adapting ideas before producing an entire series • Building brands with a life beyond a single show • Jon’s practical do’s and don’ts for production companies Watch the full conversation on the TV Makers YouTube channel. If you enjoyed the episode, follow TV Makers and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening. Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

October 6, 2026Episode 4753 min

Ep 47: Formula One's Williams Racing Creative Content Producer, Rachel Forrester - Leaving TV for F1

Ep 46: Williams Racing Creative Content Producer, Rachel Forrester - Leaving TV for Formula One After a decade producing some of the biggest automotive programmes on television, including Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Rachel Forrester made the leap into Formula One, joining Williams Racing as a Creative Content Producer. In this episode, Rachel reveals what it really takes to produce the enormous international adventures seen on The Grand Tour, from six months of planning and complex car builds to the truth about what is scripted and what happens for real. She also explains how she translated her television experience into branded content, why Formula One teams are recruiting people from TV, and what she had to learn when story was no longer the only priority. We discuss: The planning behind The Grand Tour’s final Zimbabwe special How its extraordinary car builds are really created What is scripted, constructed and completely unexpected Breaking down barriers between television crews and mechanics The fear and security of leaving freelance television The TV skills that helped her move into Formula One Balancing story, brand identity and commercial partnerships Producing up to 50 pieces of social content during a race day What television and branded content can learn from one another Rachel’s story proves that leaving television does not necessarily mean starting again. The ideas, adaptability, planning and storytelling skills developed in TV may be precisely what another industry is looking for. Watch the full conversation and see the clips discussed throughout the episode on the TV Makers YouTube channel. This episode is sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv If you enjoyed the episode, follow TV Makers and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening. Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

September 22, 2026Episode 4649 min

Ep 46: Award-Winning Colourist, Paul Harrison - What Really Happens in the Grade?

You think you know everything a colourist does... but I bet you don’t! Paul Harrison is one of the UK's leading and most decorated colourists, with nearly 30 years of experience. He is also the founder of Residence Pictures, a specialist picture-finishing facility for high-end film and television. In this episode, Paul takes TV Makers inside one of television’s most misunderstood roles, with break downs from Film Club , The Gallows Pole and Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue to reveal the invisible work behind the finished image. Paul explores how colourists can relight scenes, replace skies, create day-for-night shots, reshape costumes and use colour to guide an audience’s emotions. Paul also explains how decisions involving cameras, lenses, lighting and production design can either help or limit what is possible in the grade. Paul discusses the diplomacy required inside a grading suite, the growing role of AI and depth maps, and why aspiring colourists need to study art, photography and film alongside learning the software. In this episode: • Why applying a LUT is not the same as grading • What a colourist actually does • Why the grade should begin during pre-production • How colour influences emotion and storytelling • Breaking down Film Club , The Gallows Pole and Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue • Relighting, compositing, sky replacement and day-for-night • How cameras, lenses and lighting affect the finished image • Managing creative relationships inside the grading suite • How AI is changing the colourist’s toolkit • Paul’s advice for aspiring colourists Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Watch the full conversation and see the clips discussed throughout the episode on the TV Makers YouTube channel. This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv If you enjoyed the episode, follow TV Makers and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

September 8, 2026Episode 4552 min

Ep 45: Chief Content Officer at Lifted Ent, Tom Gould - How to Keep Hit Formats Fresh

Love Island , I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! , The Voice , Countdown and University Challenge are some of Britain’s biggest entertainment shows. But how do you keep hit formats like these feeling fresh without changing what audiences love about them? Tom Gould is Chief Content Officer at Lifted Entertainment, the production company behind these major formats. With more than two decades in television, Tom has helped shape some of the UK’s most successful entertainment shows. So, how do you protect the magic of a hit format while knowing when it needs to change? And what does it really take to lead creativity at one of Britain’s biggest entertainment producers? In this episode, Tom takes us inside the decisions behind the screen. Tom and Ash discuss how long-running formats continue to evolve, what makes a new entertainment idea stand out and how Lifted is developing its next generation of mainstream hits. Tom also reflects on moving from programme-making into senior leadership, why learning to let go was one of his hardest lessons and how he supports production teams without taking over. They also explore the importance of trust, respect and creating a production culture where people feel comfortable speaking freely. In this episode: • What a Chief Content Officer actually does • How established formats remain fresh • Knowing what to change and what to protect • What Tom looks for in a new entertainment idea • Moving from Executive Producer into creative leadership • Learning to let go and empower production teams • Creating mainstream formats with humour and a sense of mischief • Why strong television begins with a respectful production culture Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Watch the full conversation on the TV Makers YouTube channel. This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv If you enjoyed the episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

September 1, 202644 min

TV’s Digital Gold Rush? | Edinburgh TV Festival 2026

TV Makers is on the road at the Edinburgh TV Festival 2026. If there was one conversation everywhere this year, it was digital. YouTube, the creator economy, changing audiences, new ways of funding content... and what all of that means for traditional television and the people who make it. So for this special episode, Ashley Golder grabs a microphone and heads around the festival to take the temperature of TV in 2026. Featuring: Bella Roberts (Bella Does Editing) — on the creator economy and building an audience of more than half a million followers on Instagram alone. Kimberly Godbolt (Talented People) — on the mood across the industry, what’s changing and where television goes next. David Clews (Twofour) — on how one of the UK’s biggest production companies is responding to a changing industry. Jon Willers (The Development Network) — on building audiences, finding the money and why data might be more useful than vibes. JT (Action for Freelancers) — on what all of this change means for the people actually making the programmes. James & Soleta Rogan (Rogan Productions) — on navigating uncertainty, looking after filmmakers and why, whatever happens next, we need to keep making. From broadcasters and production companies to creators, new business models and freelancers, this is a snapshot of an industry in the middle of some pretty big changes — recorded from the floor of the Edinburgh TV Festival. A huge thank you to the Edinburgh TV Festival team for having TV Makers back again this year. TV Makers gets under the skin of what people across the television industry do and, most importantly, how they do it — so we can learn from their experience before taking those next steps ourselves. Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

August 4, 2026Episode 441 hr 0 min

Ep 44: Grenfell: Uncovered Director, Olaide Sadiq - Directing Her First Documentary to 2 BAFTAs

From the moment Olaide Sadiq was offered the job to winning two BAFTAs almost two years later, she shares what it really took - professionally and personally - to direct Grenfell: Uncovered . Just days before recording this episode, documentary director Olaide Sadiq won not one, but two BAFTAs for Grenfell: Uncovered - taking home Emerging Talent at the BAFTA Craft Awards and Best Single Documentary at the BAFTA Television Awards. The remarkable part? It was her very first documentary as a director . In this episode, Olaide joins obs doc director Ashley Golder to talk about making the leap from experienced producer to first-time director, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading one of the UK's most significant documentaries for Netflix. Along the way, she shares the practical realities of directing at the highest level - from writing her first director's vision statement and creating beat sheets and look books, to building trust with contributors, developing a visual style, and leading a team through emotionally demanding material. No topic is off the table. Olaide is exceptionally humble and refreshingly honest about what she didn't know, what scared her, and what she learned along the way. In a world where everyone seems to have it all figured out, Olaide does the opposite - even revealing that she emailed the execs to say she didn't think she was ready for the job. We discuss: Winning two BAFTAs with a first directing credit Why she almost turned the opportunity down Pitching herself to direct for Netflix Writing a director's vision statement Creating beat sheets and look books Finding your directing style Building trust with contributors Directing one of the UK's most sensitive documentaries Working with Netflix and the support that shaped her journey Managing imposter syndrome and self-doubt What she's learned that she's taking into her next documentary Whether you're looking to direct your first film, step up into a directing role, or simply want to understand how award-winning documentaries are made, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections and reassurance that even the best directors don't always feel ready. Follow TV Makers on Instagram @tvmakerspod . Special thanks to Directors UK for letting us use their space for the recording. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

July 21, 2026Episode 4343 min

Ep 43 - Part 2: Editorial Content Lawyer, Clare Hoban - The Legal Questions Everyone Should Ask!

If Part 1 answered many of the questions we've all quietly wondered about... Part 2 goes even deeper. What happens when legal, ethics and editorial judgement collide? Can a contributor really withdraw consent? What should you do if someone threatens self-harm to stop a programme being broadcast? Can the police confiscate your camera or rushes when on location? And what actually happens when a production lands in crisis? Joining TV Makers once again is Clare Hoban , Co-CEO of Reviewed & Cleared and an editorial content lawyer with years of experience advising television productions through some of their most complex legal and editorial challenges. In this second part of our conversation, Clare shares real-world examples and tackles some of the more nuanced situations that production teams face, from duty of care and ongoing consent to crisis management, GDPR, contributor rights and the legal realities of filming in public. As with Part 1, many of the answers challenge long-held industry assumptions and highlight why understanding the law properly gives productions far more confidence than relying on TV folklore. Please note: This interview was recorded earlier in 2026. Whilst we've done our best to keep everything up to date, this episode should not be taken as legal advice. Laws, regulations and guidance change, and every production is different. If you need advice on a specific situation, please contact Clare and the team at Reviewed & Cleared. Connect with Clare 🌐 Reviewed & Cleared: https://reviewedandcleared.com This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS – https://www.rimms.tv Linkline – https://linklinecrew.com 📸 Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod 📧 Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe to TV Makers so new episodes automatically land in your feed. If you've enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review - it really helps more people discover the show. The full TV Makers back catalogue is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

July 14, 2026Episode 4345 min

Ep 43 - Part 1: Editorial Content Lawyer, Clare Hoban - The Legal Questions Everyone Should Ask!

Have you ever caught yourself thinking… “Could I go to jail if we get this wrong?” “Can we legally film this?” “Can we broadcast that without permission?” “What happens if someone withdraws consent?” If so, this episode is for you. Joining TV Makers is Clare Hoban, Co-CEO of Reviewed & Cleared and an editorial content lawyer with years of experience in the TV and content world and she was generous (and patient!) enough to sit down with Ashley Golder and get asked all the questions we’ve always wondered the answers to but either never had the opportunity to ask, or dare we say it…never wanted to look foolish in asking ourselves? The answers might even surprise you! One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that television can often do far more than people realise - as long as you understand where the legal, editorial and compliance boundaries actually sit. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will be released next week instead of the usual 2 week gap, where we tackle even more real-world scenarios and answer more of the questions you’ve always wanted to ask a TV lawyer. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it. Please note: This interview was recorded earlier in 2026. Whilst we’ve done our best to keep everything up to date, this episode should not be taken as legal advice. Laws, regulations and guidance change, and every production is different. If you need advice on a specific situation, please contact Clare and the team at Reviewed & Cleared. Connect with Clare 🌐 Reviewed & Cleared: https://reviewedandcleared.com This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv Linkline - https://linklinecrew.com 📸 Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod 📧 Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe to TV Makers so new episodes automatically land in your feed. If you've enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review - it really helps more people discover the show. The full TV Makers back catalogue is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com

June 30, 2026Episode 4256 min

Ep 42: Director of On-Screen Talent, Micky Van Praagh - Who Casts TV's Biggest Stars?

From Love Island , I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and Celebrity Sabotage to University Challenge and even Countdown , have you ever wondered who decides which presenters, judges and celebrities make it onto our screens? Ashley Golder sits down with Micky Van Praagh, Director of On-Screen Talent at Lifted Entertainment - a role that even her closest friends struggle to define. Micky demystifies the hidden world of TV talent, revealing how major entertainment shows are cast, how talent deals are negotiated, and why building trust with presenters, celebrities and agents is every bit as important as finding the right person for the job. From nurturing emerging talent to handling difficult conversations and assembling casts that millions of viewers will watch, this is a fascinating look at one of television's least understood roles. In This Episode: What a Director of On-Screen Talent actually does How major entertainment shows are cast Negotiating talent deals and contracts Building ensemble casts for shows like I'm A Celebrity Working with agents, managers and production teams Finding and developing the next generation of TV talent Handling difficult conversations and managing expectations Casting controversial personalities and balancing public reaction Why trust and relationships are essential in television The reality of working behind the scenes on some of the UK's biggest shows This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv Linkline - https://linklinecrew.com 📸 Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod 📧 Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe to TV Makers so new episodes automatically land in your feed. If you've enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review - it really helps more people discover the show. The full TV Makers back catalogue is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Recorded by Ashley Golder - www. ashleygolder. com Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk Artwork by Benjamin Leon - Instagram : @benleondraws Website : www.benleondraws.com