THE MAKING OF THE WHISPER MAN – DIRECTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING, PRODUCTION DESIGN

Go behind the scenes of The Whisper Man with the filmmakers who brought the psychological thriller from page to screen. In this special two-part edition of Pizza Film School: Secret Sauce, the team breaks down the creative choices, collaboration, and craft behind the film, from adapting Alex North's bestselling novel and developing the mythology of the Whisper Man to directing the cast, building its visual language, designing its world, and shaping the story in the edit.

Part One features director James Ashcroft, cinematographer Peter Deming, production designer Anastasia White, and editor Chris Tellefsen, alongside AGBO producers Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco, and Kassee Whiting. They explore working with Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan, creating the film's look and atmosphere, building character through production design, and finding suspense and story in the edit.

Part Two brings together producers Michael Disco and Kassee Whiting with co-writer Chase Palmer to unpack the years-long journey of developing The Whisper Man, adapting the novel for the screen, creating the cassette tapes and mythology surrounding the killer, assembling the cast, and sharing stories from production with Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Keaton, and more. Together, the two episodes offer an inside-the-making masterclass in how a psychological thriller evolves from development through production and post.

SPOILER WARNING: This is intended as a companion to The Whisper Man and discusses specific scenes, characters, and major story points. Watch the film on Netflix before listening.

ABOUT SECRET SAUCE

Secret Sauce is a subseries of Pizza Film School focused on the making of a single AGBO film or TV series. Hosted by AGBO's creative leadership, each episode brings together the filmmakers and key creative collaborators behind a project to explore development, production, and post, offering a practical masterclass on how a project comes to life.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Created and hosted by Anthony and Joe Russo, Pizza Film School is a video podcast that demystifies the filmmaking world, with each episode delving into creative processes, favorite films, and personal anecdotes from working in the industry, while enjoying a couple of slices from local pizzerias. An AGBO Production.