When I first decided I wanted to write scripts my plan was simple; shut myself away in a room, emerge from my hovel with a fully formed TV script, send it to the good people at the BBC and just sit back and wait for the commission cheques to roll in before retreating back to my room to churn out another masterpiece.
In reflection this was possibly the dullest way to approach being a writer. Yes, I write on my own and sometimes that means shutting myself away for a few days at a time in order to get it done. But as my confidence in my work increases and I'm no longer (as) self conscious about getting my work out there I am starting to look at the resources I have at my disposal to get stuff done...I'm tired of sitting back and waiting!
I made some short films as part of my Uni course (a startling eight years ago, I recently realised) and I thought it was about time I picked up where I left off. As part of the Bristol Encounters Film Festival, 'Depict' - the Watershed's super-short film-making competition - is the perfect platform to do so. Tell a story on film in 90 seconds. A perfect challenge to get back in the game!
So, my available resources; my acting and writing exploits over the past few years have built a close friendship and working relationship with talented filmmaker, Joey Beard. Having been lucky enough to appear in her 'Overlook Fairytales' short films we have a good understanding of how each other think and work. With this collaboration came Owen Benson, a filmmaker himself and was Director of Photography on the short 'WIND' which won the Encounters Short Film Festival last month directed by Joey. I have also featured as an actor in Owen's upcoming 'Mindtwist' project.
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| The Award Winning 'Bearded Gnomes' |
Completing the team are experienced designers and friends Natalie Ball and Anna Charlett, talented composer Arran Poole and illustrator Pete Element. A friend of mine, Pete is a fantastic sketch artist and I thought it would be beneficial to help each other out - he provide me with a resource for my film, I get him some exposure - and so I created a story which requires a sketch to be drawn. Also, I thought I might as well give myself an acting and co-directing credit too so decided to cast myself in the film; why not? In a very short space of time we have a small but exciting project on our hands.
I won't give away too much about the plot though it is likely to be titled 'Life Drawing'. As the Depict deadline is 9 July it will be online soon enough anyway, but the inspiration for the film came from wanting to work with and utilise the skills of the people around me.
Previous collaborations have built these relationships; not simply sitting in my room typing. We are all working for free, yes. There may be no money in this project but everyone is looking to further their skills, expand their repetoire of projects and work with like-minded people to eventually make a career of their chosen field(s). There is a small cost to cover filming locations and motivational junk food but you can't put a price on the enthusiasm of talented people wanting to create something they are proud of.
Whilst flicking through radio stations in my car I came across Radio One...a station I abandoned long ago in my mid-twenties coming-of-old-age...and heard Paloma Faith being interviewed. She described how when she started out it was all about working with friends and fellow aspiring professionals to help each other further their skills, experiences and careers whether they be journalists, designers or other musicians. In reflection she loosely compared the ethos to Warhol's The Factory studio in having an essential core of people to collaborate with. The theory translates.
Our film, produced under the collaborative signature of 'Bearded Gnomes' will be finished within the next few weeks and no doubt posted online shortly afterwards...hopefully as the winning Depict entry! The process so far has shown me that waiting around for something to happen is NOT how to get your work out there. You could be an excellent writer but you won't get your work seen or heard by simply trapping yourself in a room. It's people that inspire...not a blank sheet of paper and a hermit mentality. And if I were to 'make it' as a writer I would want to continue these successful relationships I am forging now and I hope the people I work with feel the same. Starting to collaborate can help you get to where you want to be.
If there's a way to get something made, even if it's just a short version of a bigger piece, get it done. Don't wait; collaborate!
'Bearded Gnomes' award winning film 'WIND' can be seen here:
