HER(E).

Where are you from?

 

My roots are in Yorkshire, where I originally lived in a small industrial town, before moving to Cornwall at the age of 10. 

 

What did you study, or what got you into filmmaking?

 

I studied BA (Hons) Film Production at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. I originally wanted to be an editor, but I much prefer working on a concept from the start and being active on my feet. 

 

How did the idea for 'RED' come about?

 

I love the attention to detail of set design in fashion-film & photography - they achieve a surrealism that I wanted to emulate in RED. At the time of production, I was on the brink of graduating and I think the film handles a theme many people can relate to - a feeling of being in control of your own direction, but at the same time being unsure of what comes next.

 

How important are Devon & Cornwall to you in your filmmaking/film inspirations?

 

My ideas always seem to feature themes of the sea and rural landscapes without even meaning to. There's an atmospheric quality in Cornwall that is hard to ignore and I see it as the first setting to a blank canvas of ideas. I do however also take a lot of inspiration from the diversity and dramas of the city - I like bringing contrasts of the two together. 

 

How important is it to you that females get a voice in filmmaking? Do you think females in the film industry are doing enough to get their voices heard?

 

I think there is still a long way to go. Until the number of females working successfully in the film industry increases, you have to look closer to find favourite filmmakers who are female. The quality of female filmmakers is there, but not the quantity - yet! I think sometimes quality and quantity are confused. We assume that because there is a large quantity of men in film, they have more talent, whilst women are still striving to get the quantity. 

 

From my personal experience, there are a lot of female (and male!) filmmakers supporting and inspiring each other.