This week the Tortoises welcome location producer and friend of the pod Mariana Kneppers to talk about the science megaseries Mythbusters. Along the way we discuss the cultural minefield of being an American living in the UK: the challenges of starting out in TV; and ask whether productions are becoming more risk averse. With thanks to Talesmith for hosting this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises are talking to cross-bench peer and science communicator Alex Freeman, Baroness Freeman of Steventon. On the menu - Sir David Attenborough's seminal 1979 series Life on Earth. We take our usual meandering conversational route, discussing early career missteps; the importance of Carol Vorderman (again... it's becoming a habit); and rubbing shoulders with the crew of Ocean's Eleven. We also talk about the series of events that set Alex on her path to the House of Lords. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Tortoises are turning the tables, as the subject of one of our early episodes becomes a guest. Writer and presenter Will Millard joins us to talk about a quintessentially British piece of television - The Man Who Eats Badgers and Other Strange Tales from Bodmin Moor, a 2008 episode of BBC 2's Wonderland. Along the way, we discuss the parallels between this film and the films that Will went on to make, including My Year With the Tribe and Hunters of the South Seas. This episode contains bad language - don't say you haven't been warned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should”. No, not a review of this podcast, but a quote from one of the greatest films of the 90s - Jurassic Park. The Tortoises are joined in the studio by BBC NHU Exec Producer Mike Davis, and they tear into this 1993 classic with all the appetite of a ravenous Dilophosaurus. It’s a deep dive into the world of VFX and beyond, but there’s time along the way to talk about Steven Spielberg, A-Ha and gatecrashing Robert Downey Jr at Shepperton Studios. With thanks to Talesmith for hosting this recording. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Who Moved The Tortoise? After a summer break at Tortoise HQ we’re kicking off series two in praise of Judith Hann with VFX Executive Producer Emma Kolasinska. On the menu, the BBC’s long-running tech series Tomorrow’s World. Along the way, we talk the language of VFX, the problem with hyenas’ semen and the joy of Findus Crispy Pancakes. Oh… and the rumbling you hear every three minutes isn’t Alex’s stomach, it’s the Northern Line.What was your favourite Tomorrow’s World moment and what were you having for tea while you watched it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last episode of the series we strap on our space suits and launch into orbit with the the Head of UK Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, Libby Jackson. Watching the 1998 HBO series From the Earth to the Moon was one small step in Libby’s high flying career which included emailing NASA for work experience at a time when the word spam had just made it into the dictionary. Our discussion gravitates around DVDs (if you don’t know what they are, Google it); the importance of asking for the things you want; and how choosing her favourite Apollo mission is like choosing a favourite child. And don’t worry Tortoise lovers, we’ll be back in the autumn for more inspirational science and natural history film and TV chit chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate episode of our first series, Team Tortoise welcomes writer, producer and director Nat Sharman to talk about possibly the biggest and most celebrated science series of all, Carl Sagan’s 1980 epic Cosmos. Along the way we chat about shitty sticks, brown corduroy jackets and whether bigger budgets are always better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice Jones joins the Tortoises this time for a mid-90s nostalgia-fest. On the menu, Sir David Attenborough’s 1995 series The Private Life of Plants. Our chat takes us via Rednex and Supergrass to How 2, Countdown, filming Will Smith in a submarine and why Carol Vorderman is great. If you’re in the UK, you can watch the episode of Private Life of Plants we’re discussing here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00780vh  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tortoises are back at school this week as they visit the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. Here, head of the (Producing and Directing) Science and Natural History MA Peter Leonard talks about the film that opened his eyes to science filmmaking, the 1986 Equinox episode Prisoner of Consciousness. As well as dissecting this remarkable and affecting film, we also talk about videotape, working for Auntie and the wonders of concrete. We’re nothing if not eclectic. You can see more info about the course Peter runs here: https://nfts.co.uk/directing-and-producing-science-and-natural-history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, the Tortoises have stretched the baked bean tins and string as far as the banks of the River Exe in Devon as development supremo Jess Jordan celebrates Scrapheap Challenge. Amidst the nostalgia-fest, there’s chat about generating TV ideas, the current state of the TV industry, hiding science vegetables and Lisa Roger’s vagina. Should Team Tortoise move to Red Alert? It does mean changing the bulb… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Benson joins the Tortoises this time, to tell tales of adventure and derring-do. On the menu, the fourth episode of Bruce Parry’s 2005 series Tribe. Our adventure takes us from brain eating parasites to Indiana Jones, via gardening for Judith Hann and a possible Tortoise bromance. Question - would you take the hallucinogenic drug that Bruce Parry did? And will we ever find out why Will thought his own arm was a snake? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Music meets physics this week as the Tortoises welcome Producer/Director Cat Gale to talk about the remarkable BBC4 film Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives featuring Eels frontman Mark “E” Everett. Along the way we natter about the challenges of academia; being a working parent; why we love BBC Four; and what to do with those long lost tapes in your attic. WARNING: This is a late night recording involving three parents of young children and may contain bad language and occasional waffling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Team Tortoise welcome Berlin-based editor Felix Black to break the fourth wall with a documentary about documentary making – the controversial BBC series My Year With The Tribe. We talk Ziggy Stardust, Suede, whistle-offs, naked music videos and naked tribespeople. Hopefully the truth will set us all free. And hopefully we’ll see you next week... unless the lawyers get to us first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Team Tortoise welcome Nat Hewit to the studio to talk about TWO things that changed her life; podcast host Kate Dooley, and the BBC 1 popular science show Bang Goes the Theory. Before the Kate Dooley love-in gets too nauseating, we manage to discuss brewing cider, rescuing seamen, puppet Shakespeare and non-Newtonian fluids. Will Alex get a word in edgeways? Will Kate's ego deflate enough to allow her to leave the studio? Listen now to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tortoise Team first met Rob Hollingworth when he was topless, in a shed and dancing to Abba (that's how you get the best timelapses, apparently). Fortunately he's put his shirt back as we discuss the film that literally changed his life - Prof Brian Cox's 2009 Horizon episode Can We Make a Star On Earth? Along the way we talk about rocket launches, northern accents, climbing the Burj Khalifa and taking photos of James Blunt. Can We Make a Star on Earth? Can We Make A Podcast That Occasionally Stays on Topic? The jury is still out for both. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He may have sailed the Atlantic twice, but Ed Booth's toughest maritime task is finally upon him - to talk about the his favourite TV series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. Holed up in his secret research vessel (his garden shed in Cambridge), Ed talks Swallows and Amazons, colour television, attempted car theft, diving for gold and running away from primary school. Climb aboard the Calypso, pull on your red diver's hat, and plunge head-first into the chat. *Warning - contains French accent some listeners may find mildly ridiculous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four-time Emmy Winner and Talesmith founder Martin Williams talks about the 1981 series that ignited his passion for science filmmaking, Bellamy's Backyard Safari. Pull on your impossibly tight shorts, strap on your fake beard (real ones also permitted) and join us for a nostalgic chat about Britain's other wildlife legend called David. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.