Hollywood director and 80s movie star among interviews bagged by Buxton teacher for film podcast

A Buxton dad and his friend have bagged top names to appear on their podcast which is uniting people of all ages who share a love of all things movies.
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Greg Smith, who is a teacher at Buxton Community School, has known Dave Gash since he was 14 after they met on a beach during a family holiday to Spain and the pair have been friends ever since.

During the first lockdown, the two friends found they had more time to watch films and were already chatting about what to watch and their thoughts on new releases so decided to make a podcast, Dads on Film, thought they never thought it would take off.

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Greg said: “We never thought it would be this popular, there seems to be something about films and movies that unites people of all ages and walks of life.

Dads Dave Gash left, and Greg Smith, have interviewed big names on their film based podcast - Dads on Film -  which has been going for almost a yearDads Dave Gash left, and Greg Smith, have interviewed big names on their film based podcast - Dads on Film -  which has been going for almost a year
Dads Dave Gash left, and Greg Smith, have interviewed big names on their film based podcast - Dads on Film - which has been going for almost a year

“Films like music are not highbrow art, its something accessible to most people and we found people were engaging with us and enjoying our discussions from our homes.”

The podcast is now in its second season and has produced more than 40 episodes reaching out to hundreds of people notching up 10,000 views.

"It’s amazing,” said Greg, “We can’t quite believe it.”

The podcast has managed to bag a BAFTA nominated director and an 80s movie star to talk films but Greg says it was all down to chance.

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He said: “Early on we managed to get Eric Branco a director of photography from New York now living in Hollywood who worked on the 2019 Clemency film.

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"I liked how it was shot so we emailed him and said we liked his work, would he want to chat and he agreed and he was brilliant.”

As well as Eric, Gordon Warnecke from My Beautiful Laundrette, has appeared on Dads on Film.

Greg said: “It’s amazing snagging these great guests, it really takes what we are doing to another level.”

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With Greg living in the High Peak and Dave living near Warrington and recent lockdowns, the two friends have only filmed one episode of the podcast together which was a Halloween special at a drive in cinema.

The scripted podcast is filmed on a Wednesday and airs on a Friday but as the name suggests the films discussed are by dads while their children have been known to make cameos on the small screen.

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Greg said: “We do make part of our content about families and since lockdown started last year we have been having family film night where the children make posters for what we are going to watch and we get popcorn and sweets and make time for us which is nice.”

With a growing audience the duo are keen to continue working on their podcast and say it does not feel like a chore.

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He added: “It does take time but when you enjoy something you make the time for it.

"There has been a lot of sadness this last year but for me, and hopefully those who watch Dads on Film, this has been a gem of positivity and chance to escape for an hour or so and forget the world outside for a while.”

Dads on Film is available from your usual podcast suppliers and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dadsonfilmpod.

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