Introduction:
Thanks for Considering Me is a drama/comedy following the lives of two actors in a complicated co-dependent relationship. Whilst Sophie rises to new heights with her BAFTA nomination, Maxwell recovers from a severe yet unknown accident. Shot on 35mm, the tension is palpable throughout the entire short, keeping us on the edge of our seats as we watch the destruction unfold and can’t look away.
Inspiration:
Without giving too much away, the film was inspired by my own severe accident that you will see in the film. When we are rendered so vulnerable and suffering in pain, we often batten down the hatches and put ourselves into protection mode. This leads to a selfish way of being in the world which only further pushes us away from others, making it difficult for them to care or be with us – at precisely the time when we need their support the most.
When we finally come face to face with our own pain, and the pain we are causing others, we can only hope to grow. This film ultimately asks whether we ever truly grow, accepting the deep hole in our hearts, or whether we simply pretend long enough until it becomes real.
The Process:
The film was shot in winter in London on beautiful 35mm Kodak film. I have to first thank Kodak and Sunbelt for their incredible generosity. Without their support, we would have never been able to achieve such a feat. Ebba Hult did wonders with the film. Everything looks so natural, yet behind her was an incredible lighting and camera team achieving that precision.
We wanted to shoot on film because it reflected the imperfections that these characters, and all of us, hold. We didn’t want a clinical look; it needed to have a timeless and soft feel to it – because behind all the complications in this relationship lie two deeply wounded and broken people, looking for love and happiness like the rest of us.
Working with Barney Fishwick and Tia Bannon was a pleasure. There was not a single take they weren’t truly listening to and responding to each other in character. Together, we withheld certain information in some scenes to enable real reactions which allowed for improvisation to bring truth to scripted moments. In rehearsal, we built their relationship from the ground up by crafting truly lived moments between them which created a real history that you can feel behind their every choice.
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
It’s an honour to be screening our film in such a stunning city and to have been selected amongst many other wonderful films at this prestigious festival. This screening is actually our UK premiere, which is extra special.
Where to Watch / Follow:
We are currently developing this film into a feature, which will be my debut feature as a writer/director. You can check out more of our work at our production company, Courageous Donuts. www.donuts.film or on Instagram @donuts.film.
About The Author
