When we found out that we where going to be heading to this years National Student Film Festival in London you could have knocked us over with a feather. We can not underestimate how incredible this years line up of films are with 100 student films from all over the UK taking part in what is set to be a spellbinding weekend for all the filmmakers taking part.
To celebrate the festival, which takes place in London this weekend TNC is running interviews with some of the Student Film Award Nominees. We are really excited to bring you our interview with Alex Thomas who is nominated for 4 awards including Best Film for ‘Entropy’.
For more information on Alex and his work you can find it all Here. The 2011 National Student Film Festival takes place in London 18th-20th March with the Student Film Awards on the 19th March, for more information Click Here.
How did you get into filmmaking has this always been a passion?
Filmmaking began as an extension of my interest in writing. I enjoy philosophy, literature, art, theatre and photography. Film allows me to distil different elements of these interests. As a kid I never anticipated being a filmmaker (I thought I’d be a footballer – I even sincerely believed I would win the World Cup with Wales, so I guess I always had a strong imagination) but film was a hugely formative influence and it feels like a natural home for me now.
Tell us about your film, what is your approach, how do you come up with your projects?
Entropy was inspired by a collection of essays by scientists called The Edge Group. It’s a kind of polemic, intellectual forum. They philosophise on questions like ‘What is Your Dangerous Idea’. The evolutionary biologists and those scientists engaged with the study of life on Earth commonly held a belief that everything is knowable: all the fundamental questions of our existence will be understood. They typically had a materialistic and atheistic viewpoint. The physicists and those more engaged in science at a quantum or universal level (two realms where prevailing scientific explanations seem to contradict each other) espoused a more tentative philosophy: that perhaps our cognitive powers will never be able to grasp the complexities of the universe.
The evolutionary biologists struck me as quite unscientific in the dogmatism of their world view and I found the agnostic approach of the physicists more restrained and open-minded. It was this conflict that I turned into a kind of metaphor within a family drama situation. Many of my ideas come about like this. I start with a philosophic concept and try to transform it into something accessible which is light and entertaining on the surface but has a layering for those wishing to probe more deeply.
Your film is part of the National Student Film Festival in London, are you excited about this?
Absolutely. It’s very rewarding to have your work shown on a big screen in front of an audience. This is a great festival with work from around the country. It’s a vital part of the learning process for students and I hope it will bring about new opportunities for me.
What was did it feel like when you got the news?
I was struggling to write a new script at the time so it was just the shot in the arm I needed. I’d love to say, accolades don’t matter to me, as long I express what I want to say, but that would be slightly disingenuous. In the embryonic stage of your career, you need some affirmation that your work is worthwhile – it bolsters your faith in yourself – and that’s essential to draw the strength and energy to create.
What have been the challenges you have faced, what help/advice have you sought?
Regularly getting Entropy in front of an audience on a big screen. Once you’ve made a film you want it to be seen as widely as possible to justify the hard work. Consequently, I’m delighted about this film festival. The next big challenge is trying to make a living from writing and directing – I haven’t cracked that one yet, so any advice is more than welcome.
Things are going so well for you, you feeling the pressure?
Not at all. Things going well will hopefully lead to more opportunities. That’s all I ask for. It’s then up to me to make the most of them.
What do you want people to take away from your film?
I’d like people to think a little, laugh a lot, and ultimately feel that life is a bit better after watching. Quite an ask.
What has been your biggest sacrifice?
I gave up a well paid but unfulfilling career to study filmmaking. Although I could be earning more in the short term, that is pretty low down my list of concerns. Life’s short and if you have a passion you owe it to yourself to follow it.
What advice would you give other filmmakers?
Make films and show them to people. It’s really easy to talk about but very hard to do. You learn so much by having your work in front of an audience. You can’t afford to be precious, and you mustn’t make excuses about why you can’t make a film. Seek collaboration and exposure and go make films.
Finally, what are you working on now?
I’m in postproduction on my new short film called The Undream. It’s a dark, surrealist, pseudo-comedy about an insomniac. I’ve also just finished the first draft of a short called Tender which will be more of a social realist piece. Finally, I have two feature ideas, one of which I’m in the process of writing. It’s all keeping me busy.
