Larry Eissler III - Interview

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Who's your biggest fan?

My family and friends are very supportive of my work.

What brings you inspiration the most?

There are so many movies, novels and games that inspired me, and Satoshi Kon’s animations is one of them. His works constantly reminds me that there is no limit to storytelling and visual expression. Imagination is always the most important thing in film.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

I would like to work with anyone. But it is better to work with people who like to try new things.

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival is an amazing film based on Ted Chiang’s novel, Stories of Your Life. I think the movie did a great job of recreated the story depicted in the book, which I think is very hard to visualize. But I won’t say which one is better, both the movie and the book are great.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

If I must pick one movie that taught me the most, I will choose Satoshi Kon’s Paprika. I saw the film several times and I learnt a lot from it. The visual of Paprika is amazing. His way of depicting the dream is very worth learning.

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

No, I love what I am doing right now. And I will keep doing that.

On set what excites you the most?

The moment I got the footage, that is when all magic starts.

And what scares you the most?

Make the first step of doing anything.

What's your next project?

My next movie will be a cyberpunk-themed science fiction movie.

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

I am satisfied with being myself.

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of....

Compassion and imagination.

For you Cinema is....

A dream

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

It’s hard to tell if black and white movies are still powerful. The last black and white movie I saw is The Lighthouse(2019). I can imagine that if they shoot it with color film, they can also reach the same level visually.  

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

Yes, absolutely.

Do you think you're going to win it?

I wish I can.

Who's your biggest fan?

Probably my mom. 

What brings you inspiration the most?

I think I admire those who have their ‘own voice’ with clear vision, regardless if it’s weird or non-commercial. I also admire those who ‘keep at it’ as I don’t believe this is an ‘overnight success’ industry as many believe. It’s something John Madden called ‘stick-to-it-ive-ness’.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

So many to pick from. Born and raised in Vancouver, it’s hard not to actually mention Ryan Reynolds by name.

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

It’s really hard not to mention Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump as those two are almost Trivia Pursuit questions.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

I have to say Corrective Measures but those lessons were more tiring and painful than this question. As an audience member, the documentary I leaned the most was probably Food Inc, and oddly I think Avatar, along with James Cameron’s Masterclass really gave me insight into his decision making process.

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

Weekly. This is a brutal industry with exceptional highs, and crushing lows. Looking back, I’m actually thankful I’m in a position to quit. When I first started out, I was so over-leveraged that quitting wasn’t even an option as it would have ruined me and my family. Weirdly, a moment contemplating to quit everything, is somewhat a luxury. And no, I hope I never will quit this maddending race.

On set what excites you the most?

Getting a production financed.

And what scares you the most?

Getting a production financed.  ;)

What's your next project?

The next movie I’m writing, directing and producing will be American Wasteland and we’re in production of our next animated feature film, Ultraduck. 

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

I’m not sure about ‘steal’, but man I would love to have been a fly on the wall with George Lucas and some of his meetings at Fox, Disney, toy manufacturers, writing rooms and more. 

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of....

An actor is made of equal parts talent and dedication. They have the ability to fully inhabit a character and bring them to life, whether on stage or on screen. They are also made of hard work and a willingness to continually learn and improve their craft.

A director is made of equal parts creativity and organization. They have a vision for how they want to bring a story to life and the skills to bring that vision to fruition. They are able to see the big picture and break it down into manageable tasks for the cast and crew. A director is also made of determination and resilience, as they often face challenges and setbacks on the road to completing a production. And of course, a great director is also made of a love for storytelling and the desire to create meaningful, impactful art.

A screenplayer is made of imagination and the ability to craft a compelling story. They have the ability to visualize a story and translate it into a written document that can be turned into a film or television show. They are also made of the discipline to sit down and write, even when the words don't come easily.

For you Cinema is....

To me, cinema is a powerful medium for storytelling and self-expression. It allows us to explore different worlds, to see things from different perspectives, and to experience a wide range of emotions. It also has the power to bring people together and to spark conversations and debates.

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

Black and white movies can certainly have a powerful impact. Many classic films are shot in black and white, and these movies have stood the test of time due to their strong storytelling and enduring themes. The absence of color can also add to the mood and atmosphere of a film, and can allow the viewer to focus more on the performances of the actors and the emotions being conveyed. In short, the use of black and white does not necessarily make a film more or less powerful; it is ultimately the content of the film and how it is conveyed that determines its impact. 

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

I guess I’m guilty of having a fleeting thought, but I know I’m not pursuing anything that has a ‘shot’ at winning an Oscar. While I do love movies that qualify for the Oscars, I’m usually more in the genre space which has a harder time getting recognized.

Do you think you're gonna win it?

Not unless I try.

For you a Film is…

A portal into another world where you can escape this one.

What do you feel when you're directing/writing?

Invincible. (I worry that I’m not the rest of the time!) I also feel really privileged to be able to create worlds and stories and characters. When writing comedy I also laugh out loud a lot. If I don’t laugh, what chance does have an audience have?!

You can go to the movies with a director that you love. What movie and who will you watch it with?

I’d take Steven Spielberg to see Saving Private Ryan. I’d take to dinner afterwards to ask a hundred questions - I think in terms of learning from a great director that combination of director and film would take some beating.

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”; what do you think about it?

I think this about self-belief. The film industry is a tough nut to crack, and if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. But if you believe you can be an Oscar-winning actor - or whatever - then that’s the first step. The next thousand steps will be putting that into action, for which you will need talent, determination, unassailable confidence (combined with clear-sighted realism) and probably some luck… so with that in mind, I rather agree with Audrey.

What's more important talent or luck?

Talent. Without it, luck will only carry you so far. A dash of Mojo helps too.

You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie…

The English Patient. It captured my imagination as a young man and I still love it.

Have you ever accepted a movie to direct or a script to write even if you didn't like the project?

No. I have to be totally into a project to work on it: there’s just not enough time to become involved with projects that don’t excite me. But when something excites me I give it my all.

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?

Winning awards is wonderful. And compliments from colleagues, actors, crew, other writer and directors, especially ones whose work I like and respect is huge. But the things that stick with me most are the audience’s reactions to my work: hearing a theatre erupt into laughter, or watching an audience coming out of the cinema with tears in their eyes...

Are you satisfied about your career?

Yes, when I think about it. But I never look back; only forwards and upwards.

Do you have a good luck charm?

No.

Which is the worst moment on set?

When it rains when you really need sun. Otherwise I quite like the stress that a set brings. It’s a good type of stress: if there’s a problem, it needs fixing, then and there. Practical solutions. Good stress. 

How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending? 

When is the end? The end of a shoot is a milestone which is simultaneously fulfilling, happy, and sad. But the end of the shoot is the beginning of post, and the end of post is the beginning of the project’s journey into the world… to an audience… There are so many stages of a project, and the end of one project can often lead to another, so I rather regard individual projects as part of a bigger journey. 

Have you ever lied to get a part/job?

No.

If you should win an Oscar your first thought would go to…

The team that helped make that win happen. That’s the great thing about the industry - it’s all about teamwork. 

Who's your biggest fan?

My wife, a successful creative in her own right, is my champion, always. But, as her quality of life is inexorably tied to mine, she’s also something of a realist. Rightly so. I have, though, a core group of friends, mostly in creative fields, who are not so reliant on my ability to produce half a monthly household income, and they are blindly in my corner.

What brings you inspiration the most?

Movie trailers and book titles. I’m still inspired by titles of books I’ve never read. I also watch well-crafted trailers that misrepresent the movies they’re promoting. I like to dream up the story of the movie that’s promised. Teasers are the best for this.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

Robert Rodriguez directing David Harbour in a film produced by Christopher McQuarrie.

Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?

I think, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” while it stayed very close to its source material, made small changes that heightened immediacy, quickened the pace, and added even greater weight to the ending. That’s expert craftsmanship on the part of either the screenwriter, Horton Foote, or perhaps more likely, the editor, Aaron Stell, as, really, only one scene was left out of the book. The rest was a matter of arrangement.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” taught me how to respect an audience and the source material at the same time. “Dark City” taught me pacing, “Desperado” taught me to treat a gun in cinema like a musical instrument and a gunfight like a dance. Everything else, I learned from Sergio Leone.

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

Every day. I believe very much that nothing I write will ever be produced. I live in constant fear of the day that I look back on my life and think about all the time that I’d wasted focusing on a passion - an obsession, really - that took me nowhere. I’ll be stuck on an image in my head, of my wife waking up every morning, alone, in a cold bed. Possibly, she’d be wondering why I’m not there, but I know that I will, because I already do. When I was younger, I had the foresight to know that, if I ever fell in love, I’d want to give up my creative endeavor in favor of happiness. To combat that, before finding the love of my life, I arranged my whole existence around writing and, to a lesser degree, acting. Now, I’m trapped. Just as I’d planned.

On set, what excites you the most?

The opportunity to collaborate. I feel very connected to my work and, certainly, I’d love to see it play out on the big screen just as it’s written. But for that to be my overarching goal is too selfish, alienating, and, frankly, boring. I wrote the script. I already saw that movie as it played out in my head. So, my greater interest is to connect my work with an engaged audience, and the best way to do that is through the collaborative process that’s so unique to filmmaking. The screenplay is a roadmap, and maps have borders. the road does not. It’s a lot more fun to take the trip than it is to draw the map.

And what scares you the most?

Regret. I think the fear of regret is mostly what fuels my drive, even in the face of imminent failure. To a lesser degree, I fear having a worthwhile idea or manuscript and having it stolen. As I understand it, there’s minimal risk of such a thing actually happening, but the fear is there, nonetheless.

What's your next project?

 A sci-fi noir actioner set in modern-day Chicago, “Men In Black” meets “The Big Heat”.

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

I’d never want to take the career of an artist whose work I admired. If I did that, I’d lose the chance to admire their work. Rather, I’d want to take the career of someone I didn’t admire but whose work got produced, and I’d make use of their resources to further my own creative ends. That said, while a few names come to mind, I think it’s best I not share them.

An actor/director/screenplayer is made of....

Screenwriters are pretentious and insane. They must be, in order to compensate for the cynicism they need in order to produce something of value. We must live cosntantly in this duality, to be both firmly, dubiously confident in our ability, and to question and despise every idea, notion, word, and syllable we write. Until we don’t. That’s how we know we’re ready to show our work.

For you, Cinema is....

At its essence, Cinema is communication. A shared dream come to life or a timelapse of fleeting culture. It’s honest, it’s propaganda, it’s a journal of hypotheticals. If a work is remembered, it’s a time capsule.

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

The impact of black and white on modern films can’t be overstated, for better or worse. Where appropriate, B&W can be an effective tool. “The Artist” and “The Man Who Wasn’t There” come to mind. But as a gimmick, it rarely works. Black & White is representative of an era in film when tech was low, and story was minimal and effective. By minimal, I don’t mean simple. B&W is best used when the story’s focus is on material, specific, or minute detail. Converting overt or obvious CGI, meant to be experienced in color, to b&w or “chrome” has a neutering effect that can take a viewer out of the moment. As well, converting a film shot for b&w can have an equally negative impact on a story. For example, It’s A Wonderful Life is a cold film, and the b&w has an immersive effect for the viewer to connect with George. Taking that away by adding color severs that connecting thread. While I think it’s rare that a film made today could be enhanced by a b&w conversion, I think one such example is, “The Hudsucker Proxy”. It’s a story which reflects that bygone era and even that “cold” feeling similar to “It’s A Wonderful Life”. For a contemporary-set film, I’d say, “Fargo” or “A Simple Plan”. I don’t think it's coincidence that these are films by the Coen Bros and Sam Raimi.

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

As a boy, it was something I liked to think about, but anymore, I don’t think what interests me as a writer would be considered Oscar-worthy. And I’m all right with that.

Do you think you're gonna win it?

I don’t think my work will ever make it to the screen, but I’ll never stop trying, because I don’t know what else to do

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

Many times!

How can you stay focused on your goal?

Self-discipline and self-awareness. This autumn I have spent some time with a professional coach reviewing my life, work and goals, both creating new ones and redefining and refreshing others. 

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job? 

Not a breakdown exactly but a substantial period of burn out and emotional pain, which was resolved by leaving Scandinavia, where I’d lived nearly 20 years, to return to the UK. I studied my Masters in Choreography in London, my home town, at 50 (!) and then moved to the North East, where I formed a dance company. It took years to sort out life, personal and professional and all that that entails. 

Talent is a blessing or a curse? 

Talent is about curiosity, imagination, drive and work, so is mostly a blessing, but can be overwhelming without some support and guidance on how best to use it!

What would you like to improve about yourself as an actor/director/screenplayer?

As I’m primarily a performer, educator, choreographer now in my 70s I’d say Director and actor.

What's the worst critic you have received? 

It was a mess.’ About a show and ‘No, I don’t care’ about my company.

If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be? 

I’m actually a dancer/performer, educator, choreographer and consider myself an emerging Director and actor! 

If Cinema was a color what would it be?

Not one colour but it’d definitely include red.

A day without a movie is..

A day to dance and think ahead

If someone offered you to play/direct/write in/a movie that you despice but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job? 

Almost certainly not, but it does depend exactly what it is and what the role would be…You never know what opportunity and fate can bring.

What's your greatest ambition? 

My child’s continuing health and happiness and the realisation of my next and very ambitious project, which includes film, live performance and immersive technology. 

What's your biggest fear? 

Not to get it done!  

Does music helps you to play/direct, write?

As primarily a choreographer, my life is very much steered by music, from classical composers such as Beethoven and Stravinsky through to Japanese white noise. My relationship to music is close and intimate.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience? 

To move, to dance, to be is life, even with the dark side.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar....

I quite simply can’t believe I’m here! It’s been a long road, but my goodness it’s been worth it. I certainly didn’t start out my life wanting to be a filmmaker, so it makes it even more extraordinary, overwhelming and exciting.

Thank you to every-one, from those who pushed and cajoled me, to those who simply loved me and those who had words of love and support and a coffee ready, when I flagged. And of-course to my wonderful, wonderful child.

Thank you for this award and recognition.

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

Definitely, but I never let it stop me. Especially when it comes to my art, I've always had people look down at it. My brother was a natural at drawing so it came easily but I've always had to work hard to achieve my goals. 

How can you stay focused on your goal?

That's a hard process, but like a muscle, the more you do it, the more you

train your brain to stay focused the easier it gets. 

Writing down my goals always helped.Keeping a constant reminder as to what I

want to achieve helps tremendously. For me, it's digital sticky notes on my desktop. 

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

Thank heavens, I have not. there have been tough moments though, like all

things when working it can get overwhelming, but I have an amazing support system of family and friends I can go to for help. 

Talent is a blessing or a curse?

I think it depends on your understanding of it. Talent without humility can be a curse.  If you don't understand how difficult it could be for someone who has no natural talent, and instead works hard with skill then it could be a curse. 

But I think talent is inherently a blessing. 

What would you like to improve about yourself as a director/screenplayer?

I'm always trying to improve my writing and directing skills. I think with writing I'm always trying to improve my dialogue choices. and with directing it's every! haha, always trying to up my game, in every department.

What's the worst critic you have received?

I wrote a script for a story I want to complete called Autonomy and I sent it into a screenwriting competition for feedback, and it was completely torn apart. The person even said they thought the name didn't fit, and that every aspect of the story needed to be changed. It was pretty rough. 

If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be?

I've always thought carpentry would be fun to try out. something physical like that, or even sculpting. 

If Cinema was a color what would it be?

A Rainbow. Every genre of cinema could be broken down into a color I think, but the whole of it would look like a rainbow if you could see it. Or like the rainbow prisms make when they refract light. 

A day without a movie is...

A beautiful day still. But, I do prefer a good story! 

If someone offered you to direct/write a movie that you despise but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?

I think about this a lot and truly, I don't know yet. and times I would have said yes, but now, I feel the answer would be no. I'd want whatever I work on, to be something I, at least, am okay with, but if I despise it, I definitely couldn't bring myself to do it. 

What's your greatest ambition?

That's a tough one, I don't know. I think, to make a big impact on people, but only if it's positive. 

What's your biggest fear?

That's tough to say, it changes, but maybe, to not be loved. Even by myself. 

Does music help you to direct, write?

For me, music comes first in the creative process, I usually get my best ideas 

while listening to music. 

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience?

I honestly don't know. I'd really have to think about this one. but I love the idea of telling stories without words. visuals only. and trying to communicate complex ideas with that medium is quite the challenge. I'll have to think about it for a while. 

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....

"To my parents who raised me, guided me, and showed me how to live a life full of love and appreciation for all but also how to chase after my dreams, I thank you. This award is not just for me but for them. and to my friends who at every turn stayed with me and encouraged me to do great things. This award is also for you. thank you all, for if it was not you in my life, I would not be here in this moment, at this time." 

For you a Film is...

For me a film is a message from the artist to an audience. Film is a medium a filmmaker can use it to express a feeling a concept or to visually tell a story 

What do you feel when you're acting/directing/writing?

My films are kind of experimental I never use the same technique twice to tell a story. So the first thing when I am making a film I will be learning a new  technique so that excites me.  The 2nd thing I am always trying to see things from an audience point of view. 

You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenplayer that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with who you're gonna whatch it? 

One of my favourite directors is Robert Rodriguez I would love the chance to see how he approaches his film making process. And watch with him From Dusk till Dawn 

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

Kind of true. But we should have realistic appreciation of our own abilities 

Can you live just of your passion?

Impossible to answer. Passion is very important in life but also having specific goals and try to achieve them is as important 

What's more important talent or luck?

Both are needed. Talent and being technically ready when luck turn up is important 

You must go to a desert island but you can bring with you just one movie...

Un Chien Andalou  

Have you ever accepted a part/ a movie to direct/ a script to write even if you didn't like the project?

Yes I did and it is very important for the development of a film maker is to go through different type of situations. That taught me good lessons. 

What's the best compliment you have received about your Job?

For your film to be selected by a festival is a huge honour to win an award is a huge compliment and an amazing feeling a recognition of what you are trying to achieve. 

Are you satisfied about your career?

I make films that highlight injustice or point the light on a particular issue i happen to notice. When my films get screened to audiences gives a huge satisfaction with what I am doing .

Do you have a good luck charm?

Not really. But I feel my parents spirits look after me 

Which is the worst moment on set ? 

When you did a whole day of filming and technical issue ruined the whole process. I had to  confront the whole crew and Actors and say we have to go through that all over again. trust in your director is very important to pull  a crew together to produce good work, very difficult if the team loose that trust  

How do you feel when a job you've been part of it's ending? 

It is a good feeling for me. Means that the vision you set out to achieve is close and we are about to share it with the rest of the world. 

Have you ever lied to get a part/job?

Never. 

If you should win an Oscar your first taught would go to…

My son and mum and dad 

For you a Film is...

Magic!

What do you feel when you're screenwriting?

I do a lot of research and preparation, which I really enjoy, such as; what makes a person depressed, self-destructive, greedy, vain, selfish, etc.. Thank you Internet and Psychology Today!

I enjoy outlining, and I enjoy holding myself back. There is always a desire to begin writing the script before you have a solid structure. I try to stick to the Mini-Movie-Method, ( 8 Acts instead of 3). I use this for Feature and Short Scripts. I create a loose outline and then ask myself questions, such as where can I increase conflict, add a twist, use a more unique location, and what am I really trying to say? Then I relax. I read screenplays or work on creating a Poster or even a Trailer while I wait for the answers to bubble up from my subconscious. This is the most fun because the answers always surprise me and are much better than what I could achieve by just brainstorming. If you train yourself to take the extra time, it becomes a superpower!

You can go to the Movies with an actor/director/screenwriter that you love. What kind of movie do you choose and with whom are you going to watch it?

I would choose APOCALYPSE NOW with MARLON BRANDO.

Audrey Hepburn used to say “Nothing is Impossible”, what do you think about it?

She wouldn’t have said it... if it wasn’t true.

Can you live on just your passion?

It’s worked so far.

What's more important talent or luck?

Luck is created with your Talent.

10. You must go to a desert island and you can bring just one movie with you. What do you choose? 

E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial

Have you ever accepted a script to write even if you didn't like the project? 

Yes. I find that I learn the most when I leave my comfort zone.

What's the best compliment you have received about your screenwriting? 

It’s out of this world!

Are you satisfied with your career?

My career has been extremely creative and has taken me places I never dreamed of!

Do you have a good luck charm?

I carry a small quartz crystal to cleanse my vibration.

Which is the worst moment on set?

There are none.

How do you feel when a job you've been part of is ending?

Grateful for the opportunity and all I experienced.

Have you ever lied to get a job?

No. I have Instant Karma.

If you should win an Oscar your first thought would go to...

All the people who have supported my efforts on this path. Thank You!

What brings you inspiration the most?

"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” and “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” are quotes that inspire me.  People also inspire me; listening to people’s stories of where and why, they are where they are today.  Sitting beside a large body of water also inspires me.

Which actor or director would you like to work with?

Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry and Julia Roberts are on my dream cast list.  I have a few feature films I am writing, and they are on the top of the list to play the roles.  I would also love to co-write with all of them.

What's the movie that taught you the most?

Hidden Figures taught me the most about overcoming barriers in spite of skin colour and gender.  Taraji P. Henson nailed that role, along with Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae.  My favourite part of the movie, is when  Katherine Johnson came back from the washroom, and Kevin Costner’s character asked why it took her so long.  She gave her explanation and the next thing he is doing is hammering down the sign.  

About your artistic career, have you ever had the desire to quit everything?

I have never wanted to give up; I know I would have regrets.  I have stories to tell, and I envision them on the screen.  I look forward, not backwards.

On set what excites you the most?

On set, directing excites me the most.; working with actors makes my heart beat faster.; working with actors who love their craft.

And what scares you the most ?

What scares me the most about being on set would be not knowing everything the seasoned directors know, but that’s why I would love to co-direct.

What's your next project?

My next project is completing my feature film script and getting it on the screen.  It’s a script, that many have told me, that needs to be on the screen.

An actor/director/screenwriter is made of....

An actor/director/screenwriter are all visionaries and have the ambition and drive, and go after what sets their souls on fire. 

For you Cinema is....

For me, as a screenwriter, Cinema is an expression of my mind.  Many things that have happened in my life,  give me the ideas of many of my scripts; my mind is always creating.

Do you think Black and white movies have a powerful impact?

I love black and white movies, it’s a feeling of nostalgia.  Seeing a movie in black and white makes and takes me back in time.

Have you ever dreamed of winning an Oscar?

I had a stranger tell me, when we first met “When you are walking the red carpet, I want you to wear something elegant, no frills.  You are going to win an Oscar for your feature film script”. We became friends, and he told me every time we saw each other, to go after it.  I had also told someone about the script, and his reply “That’s an Oscar winning script”.

Do you think you're gonna win it?

Yes, I think I am going to win an Oscar.  It’s a great feature film script, and when I get my dream cast, it will be perfect!

You can steal the career of an artist you really admire, who do you choose?

I’m not an actress, but, I would love to have Halle Berry’s career.  She is so dynamic, diverse, and so down to earth and lovely, and she has won an Oscar!

Which is the best Moment on set?

There are so many. The best moment for me is kind of an oxymoron because I enjoy shooting so much and never want it to end – but it’s probably when filming’s wrapped, everyone applauds and gives each other a hug – that’s the best feeling, because it’s the most gratifying – everyone’s worked so hard and you really feel that sense of accomplishment and love for those around you, that family you’ve spent a week, a month, a year working with feeling so happy that you’ve accomplished the really difficult task of making a movie you’re all so passionate about with.

Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough?

Yeah, loads of times and I thank them every day for it. Harsh criticism makes you thick-skinned, which is something you need not just as a filmmaker, but in life in general. Without being thick-skinned, how can you have those difficult conversations with all the people who don’t agree with you or the hateful people in the world today that try to cancel you and ruin your life for saying something they didn’t personally like? You have to power through without letting it get you down. When me and my composer Hayden made a comedy web series about eleven years ago, the ratio of comments was significantly more negative than positive. People told us to give up pretty much on the daily and we never, ever did. Now the movies we work on together are internationally award-winning. Without the harsh critics, I genuinely don’t think I would have had the drive to prove to people what I’m capable of behind a camera. So, I really am thankful for being told day in, day out that I wasn’t good enough, because all it really told me eventually, is that I was.

How can you stay focused on your goal?

When so determined to meet a goal, that becomes the focus of my life until it’s achieved. I believe that if you fail to stay focused on a goal you’ve told yourself you have, then you’re not really that ambitious about it. If you’re not prepared to put in the work to achieve the goal, you don’t really want it. So, passion and determination is what drives me to complete the goal. The Village 3 took about a year to make from writing to release and, for that year, making that movie was my goal.

Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?

A breakdown, no, but I have found myself questioning if I’m going in the right direction a few times. The industry can be very competitive and you feel that taking a toll on you as you try to push your way into it. You wonder whether or not it’s everything you thought it was going to be, so I had a bit of an identity crisis when I was in university. Ultimately, I discovered that I was indeed exactly where I belonged in the film industry after I began a teacher training course and dropped out because I realised early on it was absolutely not for me. I lacked the drive I thought I had when I was accepted onto the course - something just did not feel right about it from the very start. And because of my life being consumed by that, I realised what was missing: filmmaking. So, I left and went back to filmmaking and re-discovered my passion; I do not regret that decision at all – sometimes you just need to experience something like that to really be sure of yourself. I still enjoy teaching, I run a weekly filmmaking class for young people called the Prop Box Filmmakers Academy, an off-shoot of Prop Box Youth Theatre through which I directed the first two Village films and I’m forever grateful to Caroline and Sarah and the great students at the class for giving me the opportunity to do so. However, unlike teaching in a school, it’s a very comfortable environment where I can teach my own syllabus and it doesn’t require practically giving up a social life and personal projects to pursue. So, that’s probably the closest I’ve come to a breakdown because of my job.

Talent is a blessing or a curse?

It’s a blessing. It could only be a curse if you use it the wrong way like the many famous people who unfortunately find themselves going down a self-destructive path for various reasons – maybe the wealth and being able to afford dangerous and addictive substances or just the stress of being in the public eye. But no, I think it’s absolutely a blessing being able to release something from your brain and grab other people’s attention because of it – that’s not something everybody can say they’re able to do.

What would you like to improve about yourself as a director/actor/screenplayer?

Sometimes us directors fall into the trap of getting so wrapped up in capturing the perfect shot for a scene that we lose track of time. My shoots have never had the benefit of having loads of time. The first Village was shot in two days, the second in three days and third had four days (although Village 3 was the only one without consecutive shoot days), so there have been times where I’ve spent too long on a particular scene or shot and that means not having as much time to spend on other scenes, so, although most of the time we’re good with the time-keeping I’d rather know for sure we’ve left enough time to get it all done.

As for writing, and I tried to do exactly this with The Village 3 since I felt it was lacking somewhat in the first two films, is create more in-depth characters. The Village 3 had a smaller cast which allowed room for the characters to grow more before we got to the carnage. All the films in the franchise are slasher horrors with elements of drama, but the first two focused a bit more on the splatter violence and less on the drama, but the new one swaps that around, which has been quite positively received. So, I think in future screenplays, I’ll stay focused on character development with smaller casts.

As for acting, I feel I’m more of a writer-director than an actor – I’m really in the new film because we struggled to find the right actor for Officer Redfield and having written probably the most complex character in the franchise, I knew how I wanted him to behave and new it’d be fun, so I took on the role myself, but never really intended to when writing it. I think if I act again, I’ll have to get better at learning my lines, because there was a fair few times during editing, I was getting frustrated with myself because there was a great take and then I’d have to stop to remember my lines halfway through and ruin it.

What's the worst critic you have received?

They say you are your own worst critic. I have a habit of saying that looks awful or something to that effect whenever anything looks slightly off. It doesn’t help that I edit most of my own stuff, so I kick myself when I see something not quite right and I didn’t think to do it a different way on set. Actually, I suppose it does help because I know for next time. Of course, we have plenty of banter on set, none of which any of us take to heart – I think it was Charlie, one of the sound recordists and cinematographers on the set of The Village 3 that told me my policeman’s outfit made me look like a stripper, so if you haven’t watched the film yet or next time you do, try not to think about that. We all laughed our heads off, we have a great time on set, but in all seriousness, I think my worst critics except myself were the aforementioned people that told me and Hayden our web series we made at like eleven to fourteen years old was awful – there really were some scathing remarks that are far too sweary to repeat here, but as I said, I actually look at it in a positive light – not that I particularly encourage it, I think constructive criticism is a much nicer way to give feedback, but those who scream obscenities about your work and tell you to kill yourself will always be around – this is the age of the internet and hiding behind computer screens, you might as well just embrace it.

If you weren't an actor/director/screenplayer what would you like to be?

It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be really, so that’s a particularly tough question. I don’t have any skills in it really, but a record producer or DJ sounds fun. I love a concert, so being able to perform and having my art out there in a different format would be awesome. As a gamer, I often find myself thinking ‘how would I have done this’ when playing, so being a game designer or a play tester would be up my ally too.

If Cinema was a color what would it be?

A rainbow. It’s such a diverse medium that it couldn’t be condensed down to one colour. I guess white since that is the shade we get when lots of colours are mixed together. If red represents horror, purple is romance, etc. the mixture into cinema as a whole would be white.

A day without a movie is...

A day when I’ve been very busy. For me, I never really have a day without a movie even when I haven’t physically watched one since I’m always thinking about movies, both existent and non-existent. I see my life as a movie and occasionally, something in that movie of my life I’ll pick to make a physical movie out of. I never stop looking for inspiration.

If someone offered you to play/direct/write in/a movie that you despise

but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job?

If I truly believed the movie was hopeless then no. If I’m not loving the process or what we’re working towards, we’re not doing it right, so something needs to change. However, someone clearly truly believes that this movie can work if it will make us rich and if they were open to compromise and changing the film into something I did like, then I would consider it. If we were to work together to create something that everyone, creators and audience will love from a bad first draft I probably would. I really believe in salvaging things even if the final product bears little to no resemblance to the final product.

What's your greatest ambition?

My greatest ambition is to be the director of at least one widely released theatrical film – a horror film perhaps, but not necessarily. That will be when I know I have officially achieved my dream. Maybe one day someone could come along and help us with funding a feature-length adaptation of The Village franchise...

What's your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is failure. If I fail, I have faltered somewhere along the lines of my set rules to never give up until I achieve the intended goal. That fear is what drives me to always create the best film possible and never give up.

Does music helps you to play/direct, write?

Depends what I’m writing. If it’s horror, I might put on a film or game soundtrack in the background like Akira Yamaoka’s Silent Hill soundtracks. It’s such a diverse sound – some tracks are creepy, others are more emotional. If I’m writing characters, I’ll put on the emotional stuff, if it’s a scary scene, something more tense. If I’m writing a drama, I might listen to silence or if I need emotional inspiration, I might put on a song or album that matches the emotion – I like Lana Del Rey’s music, that’s definitely been on in the background of the writing process a few times. If it’s a comedy, I might put on some silly club music or even just a YouTube video or documentary for some background noise and when I take a ten second break to actually listen to what the TV or music’s saying, I might suddenly find some inspiration right there.

Acting and directing, sometimes – music doesn’t help so much with my directing style, but can create images in my head of what I want when it comes to creating a set, a shot or atmosphere. With acting, sometimes I do discover the emotion I need through listening to a particular song or piece of music, but I tend to take inspiration from other TV shows and films more so than music for acting and directing – writing, music does very often help though.

You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the

audience?

I have made a few silent movies in my time – in fact my favourite film I ever made is called ‘Divided’, which is a silent movie. The film’s about an emotionally abusive relationship where we see what’s happening in the real world and then symbolic shots of how the protagonist is feeling. The deeper we get into the subconscious, the more elaborate and disturbing the imagery and sound gets. If I was to make another silent film, I think I’d go in a similar art house direction using non-dialogue symbolism to show how a character’s feeling. My message would be communicating how a character or maybe even real person feels in that moment which I think can often be more powerful that a film grounded in reality. Without saying too much, there’s an art house script I wrote years ago that I’m confident will make it to the screen one day that uses silent sequences to depict modern anxieties that I really want to make – it’s probably my favourite script I’ve ever written.

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar.....

This is not just my Oscar. This is also everyone who’s ever helped me get to where I am today’s Oscar, because I couldn’t have done it without you. Caroline, Sarah and the students of Prop Box without the support of whom, I never would have won my first awards – not loads of people will trust you when you say you want to make a movie with a youth club that involves loads of blood, but my has it paid off? My crew – Charlie Lubbock and Hayden Davey, for putting up with my extremely demanding shooting days and the amount of energy drinks you had to consume to manage it. Anybody who I’ve ever roped into being in one of my films – you cover yourself in mud and blood and do an amazing job all for my dream without any fuss at all – Patch, I hope you’ve managed to get all the stains out of your trousers by now. And of course, my family – this Oscar is for you. Mum and dad, I’ve never doubted your belief in me and your constructive criticism has helped me improve upon every film, no matter how little. Thank you all of you.