BAFTA Podcast relaunch

Those fine folks at BAFTA have let me give their podcast an overhaul, and now it's a fast-paced, witty and altogether interesting listen on how the film, TV and video game industries work.

The first edition is on directing and launched today under its new name 'The Guru'. It's presented by BBC Radio 1's Rhianna Dhillon* and features interviews with American Hustle's David O. Russell and The Wrong Mans' Jim Field Smith.

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There's also, around the 23min mark, a sketch written and performed by comedian Stephen Alan Yorke, a delightful fellow that I've been working with since my early days at Channel 4. Recorded with the full permission of the BAFTA staff, the skit blends archive of famous actors and directors into a conversation with the fictional landlord of an east end pub. It's worth a listen.

Actually, it all is. No prizes for guessing the audio influences in the opening two minutes, but it's to BAFTA's credit that they're willing to break away from Radio 4 formats to explore fresher, funner presentation.

Thanks for Genevieve Smith for her work on the programme and BBC/Richard Ansett for the photo.

* who is the new James King**

** who is the new Mark Kermode