In one of the most unexpected turns in recent entertainment news, President Donald Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States.

In this episode, host Chris Maynard unpacks the potential consequences of this controversial proposal and what it could mean for the future of Hollywood and global filmmaking.

Later in the episode, Chris sits down with Sonnet Daymont, a therapist and horror film consultant, to discuss her work on the film THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, her unique approach to trauma recovery, and her upcoming memoir, When Dangerous Feels Like Home.

Introduction

• Welcome from Chris Maynard

• Overview of today’s topics

Trump’s 100% Tariff Proposal

• Trump’s Truth Social post and policy goals: “Bring movies back to America”

• Analysis of Hollywood's recent struggles: COVID, strikes, wildfires, and shifting viewing habits

• Industry stats: 2024 production budget cuts, 2025 box office rebound

Policy Uncertainty and Industry Questions

• What qualifies as a foreign film?

• Challenges with co-productions and digital releases

• Legal questions around presidential authority and possible court battles

Global Fallout and Industry Reaction

• Backlash from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand

• Concerns over lost jobs in international markets

• Threat of retaliatory tariffs and a global trade war in entertainment

Economic Nationalism vs. Global Industry

• Could tariffs work? Only if paired with serious domestic incentives

• Warnings from critics like NPR’s Eric Deggans

• The broader question: Are tariffs the right solution or just political theater?

Listener Engagement

• Share your thoughts on BlueSky @FollowingFilms.com

• Email: contact@followingfilms.com

Meet Sonnet Daymont

• Psychotherapist specializing in PTSD, ADHD, social anxiety, and trauma

• Academic background in Counseling Psychology and Child Development

• Former Pearson Teacher Fellow at Tufts University

Film Consulting & Memoir

• Discusses consulting for horror films and her psychological approach

• THE WOMAN IN THE YARD – now available on VOD

• Upcoming memoir: When Dangerous Feels Like Home, a powerful exploration of healing from trauma

THE WOMAN IN THE YARD – Available now on Video on Demand (VOD)

• BlueSky: @FollowingFilms.com

• Email: contact@followingfilms.com

• Website:⁠ followingfilms.com⁠

Welcome to The Following Films Podcast — your go-to destination for deep dives into music, movies, and pop culture that push boundaries and spark conversation.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the dynamic indie rock duo Durry to talk about their explosive new single, “THIS MOVIE SUCKS.” This track is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in a storyline they didn’t choose — a metaphor for navigating life like a movie you didn’t write.

We unpack the song’s message, its raw energy, and the nostalgia-packed music video that pays homage to VHS-era classics like The Matrix, Jurassic Park, Die Hard, and more. From clever film parodies to existential themes, Durry delivers a cinematic experience in both sound and vision.

Whether you're a fan of retro movies, 90s aesthetics, or just searching for your own rewrite in life’s script, you won’t want to miss this one.

Hit play and step behind the scenes of THIS MOVIE SUCKS with Durry — only on The Following Films Podcast.

Today on The Following Films Podcast, I’m joined by cinematographer Martin Ruhe. Martin’s latest film, The Amateur, is a tense, grounded thriller, and we spend a lot of time talking about how he helped shape its unique look and feel. We also get into his earlier work, like the beautifully shot Control, and how his collaborations with George Clooney kicked off with The American and later continued with The Tender Bar. It was a real pleasure hearing Martin break down his process, how he approaches working with directors, and how he keeps pushing himself creatively from project to project.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Following Films — I'm Chris Maynard.
Today I'm really excited to have cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw on the show.
You probably know his work from Snowfall, Straight Outta Compton, and a bunch of other incredible projects.
We’re talking about his newest film, Opus, and how he approached the look and feel of it, what it was like putting it together, and just his overall process behind the camera.
It’s a great conversation — so let's jump right in.

On this episode, we’re diving into a story that blends nostalgia, music, and the origins of esports — a follow-up to one of the most beloved documentaries in gaming history. I’m talking about Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day.

This new film is the feature directorial debut from Oscar-winning producer Ed Cunningham — best known for Undefeated and The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. If you're a fan of the latter, you're in for a real treat, because this film brings us back into the world of Walter Day — the iconic star of The King of Kong, and the man often credited as the father of esports.

Now 74, Walter is taking center stage once again in this musical documentary that follows his legal battle to protect his legacy, all while chasing a long-held dream: recording and performing the rock-opera love songs that have been echoing in his mind since his heart was broken back in the golden days of the arcade.

This episode features not one but two great interviews — first with Ed Cunningham, the director of Arcades & Love Songs, and then with the legend himself, Walter Day. We’ll talk about everything from the making of the film, to Walter’s unique musical vision, to what this journey has meant for him personally.

So whether you’re a longtime fan of The King of Kong, a lover of indie film, or just curious about this one-of-a-kind story, stick around — you won’t want to miss this.

Today, we’re heading straight into the dust, danger, and drama of the wild west with a very special guest—director and writer Brian Skiba—who joins us to talk about his latest film, GUNSLINGERS.

Starring Stephen Dorff, Heather Graham, and Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage, GUNSLINGERS is a gritty, high-octane Western thriller where justice rides on a hair trigger. When America’s most wanted outlaw lands in a quiet Kentucky town, chaos erupts—brothers clash, bullets fly, and vengeance rides hard and fast.

In this conversation, Brian gives us an inside look at crafting the story, assembling an all-star cast, and what it takes to bring an explosive modern Western to life.

Welcome to Following Films, the podcast where we go beyond the screen to bring you conversations with some of the most unique voices in cinema today. I’m your host, Chris Maynard.

Today, we’re diving into Last Breath — the sleeper hit that no one saw coming. Directed by Alex Parkinson, this gripping thriller tells the true story of a commercial diver who becomes trapped 100 meters below the surface of the North Sea with only five minutes of oxygen — and no chance of immediate rescue. It’s a harrowing, edge-of-your-seat survival story that’s as emotional as it is intense.

With masterful direction, stunning underwater cinematography, and a narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish, Last Breath quickly built momentum through word of mouth and has become one of the most talked-about films of the year.

I had the chance to sit down with Alex to talk about how he brought this incredible true story to life, the technical challenges of filming under extreme conditions, and what it was like turning real-life events into cinematic suspense.

Stick around — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Welcome to Following Films, the podcast where we explore the creative minds behind the movies and shows we love. I’m your host, Chris Maynard.

Today, we’re diving into the sonic world of Invincible—Amazon’s hit adult animated superhero series that’s equal parts heartfelt and harrowing. If you’ve been following the journey of 17-year-old Mark Grayson as he discovers his powers and unravels the dark truth about his father, Omni-Man, then you already know this show pulls no punches—visually or sonically.

Joining me is Brad Meyer, MPSE, a Golden Reel-winning and Emmy-nominated Supervising Sound Editor whose work has helped define the visceral, emotional landscape of Invincible. Brad brings over a decade of experience in post-production audio and has lent his talents to projects across Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Nickelodeon, and more. From creepy horror flicks to energetic animated adventures, Brad’s sound design isn’t just about effects—it’s about storytelling.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how sound shapes the world of Invincible, what it takes to balance superhero spectacle with grounded emotional beats, and why audio is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—tools in filmmaking.

So turn it up and settle in—this is Following Films.