15/6 - Negotiating Nudity: The Intimacy Coordinator

“I don’t look after people. I empower them to look after themselves”.

Sex scenes are a feature of modern filmmaking, yet require meticulous planning and sensitive handling in our post-#MeToo world. 

Enter intimacy coordinator Lucy Fennell - whose credits include True Detective, All Of Us Strangers, and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Navigating Hollywood power dynamics, she assists storytellers, whilst also protecting performers in vulnerable moments. 

In this eye-opening conversation with Olly, she reveals the techniques that prevent unwanted physical contact during simulated sex, explains how male and female directors sometimes react differently to her presence on-set, and considers what happens if and when an actor gets an erection…

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates BookTok, the TikTok subculture where users trade book recommendations and reviews. 

How significant has its impact been on the publishing industry? How has BookTok revived interest in older books? And can it be manipulated?

With the help of Literary Death Match’s Suzanne Azzopardi and creative consultant Miriam Robertson, Ollie reveals all… and puts their advice to the test. 

Armed with a Ladybird classic, can Ollie establish a BookTok presence, self-publish his own opus (generated by AI, of course), and become the next Colleen Hoover?

Lucy Fennell with Olly Mann, June 2024

📺 Watch Ollie’s TikTok debut here…

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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox fails to find out why comedian Sofie Hagen hasn’t had sex for eight years, but comprehensively tackles a complex listener question: How does one train to become a sex therapist?

With the help of Jo Coker, Director of Therapy and Training Standards at COSRT, sex educator Gigi Engle, sex and relationship coach Lucy Rowett, and therapist Chantal Gautier, Alix unpicks the demanding training process psychosexual therapists undergo; discovers the broad range of issues their clients can present with; and explains why therapists must manage their own biases and emotional reactions to provide effective support.

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Finally, our Record of the Month showcases the soulful vibes of Jaz Karis, with her sultry Summer single ‘Tequila’ 😎 feat. Reekado Banks.  👇

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This month, Olly is going to be answering your questions on our Discord server! Sign up and join the MannFan community:

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This episode is sponsored by Readly, the UK’s largest digital newsstand. Discover thousands of top magazines, alongside Olly's favourites, with an exclusive THREE MONTH free trial, at readly.com/mann

CONTACT US…

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

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13/2 - Taking The Credit

“This film played in my head for all these years. And, suddenly, I'm not a part of it.”

LISTEN: Apple // Spotify // Google // MP3 // RSS // TuneIn

Getting a screenplay in to production is notoriously tough.

Writer Jack Barth came closer than most - scripting an episode of The Simpsons, and attracting the attention of Lord Puttnam at Columbia Pictures.

He achieved his dream after 40 years in the business, when his script ‘Cover Version’ was optioned by Working Title.

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But, as Jack explains in this interview with Olly, the journey from page to screen did not go entirely as he’d hoped…

His script was adapted into Yesterday, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle. The movie made over $150m, but Jack never received another penny, and watched from the sidelines as Curtis’ publicity interviews for the film implied he’d never read Jack’s script. At a screening, Jack’s ‘Story By’ credit was “buried” in the closing titles.

[We’ve asked Richard Curtis’ agent to comment, but have yet to receive a reply. In 2020, he told The 237: Film School Podcast: “We are well aware of Mr Barth’s claims and they are of course refuted, in general and in detail - as he knows. He was well paid for his work under the terms of the perfectly reasonable contract with Working Title and did receive a proper credit for his contribution - a contribution that I would say Richard has acknowledged often and enthusiastically”.]

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the world of non-fungible tokens by minting - and offering up for auction - the very first Modern Mann NFTs.

And - as is his wont - he’s taken to virtual reality to do it. Can he persaude a hardcore Mann-Fan snap up his digital wares? What is the environmental cost of trading with Ethereum? And are NFTs a fad - or here to stay?

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

If you’d like to challenge Ollie to investigate a trend, fill out the Feedback form.

You can visit the virtual space Ollie set up at Spatial here.

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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox investigates dating after divorce. At 40+, is it possible (or desirable) to leave the ‘baggage’ from your previous relationships at the door? Plus, she dishes out some advice for a listener considering dipping his toes in polyamory.

The Foxhole is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed and developed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

Got a sex question for Alix? Reach out via the Feedback form.

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Finally, our record of the month is this soulful number from jazz powerhouse Poppy Ajudha, Holiday From Reality 👇

Her new album, The Power In Us, is out on 22nd April.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Pact, the speciality subscription coffee company. New customers get a free V60 filter kit (worth £11) when they sign up to a Pact plan at pactcoffee.com and enter the code MANN at checkout.

• Betterhelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform. Get 10% off your first month of affordable, private therapy at betterhelp.com/modernmann

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This show is free to download, but it isn’t free to produce.

If you can afford to, please buy us a beer once per month - or as often as you like - using our secure, customisable form here. Thanks!

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… And we’ll see you with something new on March 10th.

LISTEN: Apple // Spotify // Google // MP3 // RSS // TuneIn

7/4 - Anatomy of a Movie Trailer

"We are going to lie to you, if we really have to. We have to get you to come to the cinema"

Why are movie trailers more beloved and enduring than other forms of advertising?

How has the medium changed, to keep the video-game generation engaged? And what tricks do editors use to keep us watching, and returning to the flicks, week in week out?

In this episode, editor Gareth Davies sits down with Olly to review some classic examples of the genre, and provides a masterclass in how to market a movie - from the choice of soundtrack, to navigating plot spoilers, and defining the right pace.

Listen Now:

• MP3 

• iTunes

• Spotify 

• TuneIn

• Stitcher

• PocketCasts

You can watch all the trailers discussed in the interview - Rear Window, Alien, Three Kings, A Serious Man and The One I Love - here:

Rear Window - Trailer - (1954) - HQ

Alien (1979) Trailer

THREE KINGS - Trailer ( 1999 )

A Serious Man - Official Trailer

The One I Love Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Elizabeth Moss, Mark Duplass Romantic Comedy HD

View fullsize

Hey Siri - Can you tell us how to play our podcast? PLEEEEASEE?

Elsewhere, in this week’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart uncovers a plot to sell Guy Fieri’s hair follicles, explains why Google opening up its Maps API could be a game-changer for game developers, and reports back on his challenge to find the perfect combination of words to make this podcast play on Apple Homepod, Amazon Echo and Google Home.

If you have a challenge to set Ollie for a future episode - or think you know how to program an Alexa skill in ways he could only dream of - don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Feedback form.

Meanwhile, in this week’s Foxhole, Alix Fox considers the merits of a reusable tampon applicator, and tackles a buxom listener question: is it possible to have an orgasm solely through licking, flicking and lightly squeezing your nipples?

The Foxhole is proudly sponsored by our friends at MyCondom.com. They have a great range of toys and protection at incredibly good value prices. Check ‘em out, and remember to use our code ‘Foxhole’ to get an astonishing 15% Off!

If you have a question of sex for Alix to answer on a future episode, stick it in her box via our Feedback page - you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer.

Finally, our record of the week is ‘Habibi’, the haunting debut single from half-Egyptian, half-Belgian singer Tamino. It's available to stream now, courtesy of Communion Records:

If you enjoy the show, please support us by buying us a beer for just £3.60 (around $5) via MoonClerk or via PayPal. Your contributions help keep us on the air; funding our independent podcast series so we can continue making episodes you love. Thanks!

See You Next Tuesday...