TV Makers

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 - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

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 - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

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 - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

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 - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

How do you lead a global production group through one of the biggest periods of change the television industry has ever faced?

In the first episode of Series 5, Ashley Golder sits down with James Burstall, CEO and Founder of Argonon, to discuss what it takes to lead a global production group, manage multiple production companies under one umbrella, and identify new opportunities in an ever-changing media landscape. From leadership and company culture to business strategy, content ownership and emerging revenue streams, James shares how he balances commercial success with a people-first approach - proving that being a decent person doesn't have to come at the expense of building a successful business.

As the leader of a group that includes Bandicoot (The Masked Singer), Windfall, BriteSpark, Like A Shot, Rose Rock, Leopard and Leopard USA, James is responsible for guiding a diverse portfolio of companies operating across television, digital content, podcasts and emerging platforms.

We discuss how production groups are adapting to changing audience behaviour, the opportunities presented by YouTube, podcasts and FAST channels, the importance of content ownership, and how producers, directors and production companies can position themselves for the future.

In This Episode:
What a CEO of a global production group actually does
Managing multiple production companies under one group
Leadership, culture and building successful teams
Why being a good leader doesn't mean being soft on business
Adapting to a changing media landscape
YouTube, podcasts and FAST channels
Content ownership and intellectual property
New funding models and revenue streams
The future of television and content creation

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.

Edited by Ben Seale
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com