Can We Talk (excerpt from short film)
What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
My first professionally directed work was for Jess Glynne’s Brit Awards 2019 performance with creative director Es Devlin. It was an awesome experience working with multiple teams and with a TV production.
How did you get into directing?
I started off by making dance videos for my friends and discovered I had an eye for framing and story pace. These videos started getting recognition, which led into low budget music videos and then I went on to shooting branded content.
What is your most recent project?
My most recent project was “Find Me.” It’s a personal project on the idea of finding yourself through thoughts, observation and life experiences. The preparation stage for my personal projects are really interesting because I have to explore myself in more depth than usual. Every personal project I’ve directed has had some sort of influence from my life. Whether it’s about my relationships, a friend’s story or something I’ve experienced.
What is the best part of being a director?
Bringing others into your world. It’s amazing when you look back sometimes and think, this started off as a small thought in my head and now it’s a film being viewed by people around the world. This is why I believe your team is so important as I wouldn’t be able to create these ideas without them.
What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
My current career focus is commercials. I love the challenge and opportunity, when you receive a brief and it pushes you to think of new ways you can take the client’s idea to the next level whilst staying true to their brand.
Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I’ve had mentors, but I have had a few big directors give advice, which has helped massively with development.
Who is your favorite director and why?
For commercials, François Rousselet and Fleur Fortune. It’s the way they are able to work on different genres and bring something fresh to the table each time. An example of this would be François Rousselet’s “DIESEL – Go With The Flaw” and “Cash In Cash Out,:” different genres that standout.
What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
Favorite movie, I’d say Joker at the moment because of the way Todd Phillips brings you into another world but still makes it relatable (something I like to do). Favorite commercial, Adidas Originals – “Original is Never Finished,” directed by Terence Neale. This project is so original in terms of the song, environments and execution.
Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I grew up in the UK, within a small town called Reading. I ended up moving to London because I heard about the opportunities. I had a sales job at the time, which helped me fund film projects and camera equipment. None of my family are in the creative industry and it just wasn’t seen as an option when I was younger but London definitely changed that perspective.
How has the pandemic impacted your career, art, craft, shaped your attitudes and reflections on life which in turn may influence your work, approach, spirit, mindset?
During the pandemic projects slowed down however I took this opportunity to redirect my path and started writing. This was by far one of the best decisions I had made because I started executing clearer messages within my work and directing narrative projects, in addition to branded content. My new mindset to each project is to outdo the last project. This mindset resulted in me being signed to Anonymous Content and my recent projects nominated for numerous awards.
Contact Tor Fitzwilliams: tor@anonymouscontent.com
Anonymous Content