|
Your new film Too Rough
- in a few words, what is it about?
For
me it's a film about self acceptance. Nick is a young man who feels he
doesn't belong. His sexuality makes him feel like an outsider in his
family, and his upbringing makes him feel he's "too rough" for
love.
How did you become
involved with the project in the first place, and what convinced you to
produce the film? My
co-producing partner Alfredo Covelli [Alfredo
Covelli interview - click here] approached me as he was looking for a
UK co-producer for Sean Lìonadh's [Sean
Lìonadh interview - click here] debut feature Nostophobia. We knew Sean would need to
make another short film before he could be financed to make a feature, so
we applied to Scotland's talent development programme Short Circuit with
Too Rough, and thankfully we were commissioned.
What were the challenges of bringing Too
Rough to the screen from a producer's point of view?
On a practical level it was filming during a full lockdown in the middle of
winter. I was the boots-on-the-ground producer since Alfredo Covelli was
unable to enter the UK for the shoot, and there was a lot of anxiety
around Covid. We were filming in a very small apartment, so trying to
observe restrictions and make sure the crew followed them was a huge
challenge. However they were all brilliant and such an amazing team - they
endured and collectively we made a beautiful film we're all so proud of. How
hands-on of hands-off a producer were you when making Too
Rough? Because of lockdown, I had to be pretty hands on, but Alfredo Covelli was
with me every step of the way and was always on the other end of the
phone, or on Zoom, to support me through the shoot. He's definitely the
voice of reason when the going gets tough. We have a great
partnership and I'm super lucky to be on this journey with him.
What can you tell us about Too
Rough's director Sean Lìonadh [Sean
Lìonadh interview - click here], and what was your collaboration
like? Sean Lìonadh is
a fearless filmmaker. He has a strong artistic vision and he doesn't shy
away from putting his own experiences up on screen. I think that's why
this film connects so well with audiences. Because there's truth and
conviction in the story, and it's also well executed. He's very level-headed, which is always a powerful trait in a director. Do talk about Too
Rough's cast, and to what extent were you involved in the casting
process? We were super happy to work with casting director Simone Pereira-Hind
and her associate Anna Dawson who are just brilliant. Sean, Alfredo and I
were all heavily involved in the casting process, and we all watched
every casting tape that came through. The minute I saw Ruaridh Mollica's tape
I had no doubt in my mind he was Nick, so when I spoke with Sean and
Alfredo I remember being both excited and nervous as I desperately hoped
they felt the same. Thankfully we did - it was unanimous.
Finding
Joshua Griffin (who plays Charlie) was a much wider search, but again,
when his tape came it felt like an instant fit. And because we already had
Ruaridh it was just about making sure the chemistry was there. We let Sean
go off and work with them alone, and thankfully they clicked. They became
really close on set and they're both professionals.
Neshla Caplan, Kevin O'Loughlin, Jane McCarry, and Oliver Wright were
all so brilliant we really couldn't have hoped for a better cast.
A few words about the shoot as such, and the
on-set atmosphere? The
atmosphere was charged. It was intense but there was great energy and
everyone was just happy to be working again. For many of us it was
the first time we'd been on set in almost a year, and I think we all
just loved being amongst other people again, and that positivity
helped us overcome the cold! I was pretty nervous about there being a
Covid outbreak, but we pulled out all the stops to avoid that and
thankfully we were all fine. The $64-question, where can Too
Rough be seen? It's
still on the festival and awards circuit, but we recently sold French
distribution rights to Canal+ through our sales agent Manifest who are
based in France. Any future projects you'd like to
share?
We
have Sean's first feature Nostophobia in funded
development, and I produced the short animation Burry
Man from writer/director Simon P Biggs, which is currently also
screening at festivals around the world.
I have the feature horror Don't Let It In in late stage
development with director Suzi Ewing attached to direct. Suzi made
the intense thriller 10x10 starring Kelly Reilly and Luke
Evans. The script is from an exciting new writer Corrigan Foley. And there
are a few other projects I'm in discussion to co-produce, so watch
this space!
What got you into the filmworld in the first
place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject? I've
loved films since I was very young. For me it was pure escapism
where I could venture into new stories and worlds. I would spend days
watching movies, in any genre, and rewatching movies I'd
seen a hundred times. I was also a horror film aficionado by the time I
was 10. But it was when I went to study film in my early 20s that I was
introduced to a much broader spectrum of film (not just American cinema),
and for me it was like falling in love all over again. What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Too
Rough? I've
worked in the industry for 17 years and have had many ups and downs. It's
a tough business but it's constantly evolving, and hopefully for the
better. In 2010 I produced Michael Pearce's short film Rite which
went on to be BIFA and BAFTA nominated. I then went to work for
Screen
Scotland and I left producing behind for a time so I could earn some
actual money. I stayed longer than I had originally intended because it
was a great team and I got to work with some extraordinary Scottish
talent. In 2019, I decided to make the leap back into producing. It's
still a tough gig, but I'm definitely more resilient now. How would you describe yourself as a
producer? Personable.
A film can live or die by the atmosphere on set, and I like to make
sure I'm pulling together a good team who respect each other so everyone
enjoys coming to work every day. After all, it's hard work and the
days are long. Nothing beats a positive atmosphere on set, and that should
come from the top. I'm going back a few years, but I've worked on
productions where the atmosphere has been toxic and it just filters
through the production from top to bottom and everyone becomes miserable.
For me, a good atmosphere is one of the most important things.
Producers, filmmakers, whoever else who
inspire you?
The
next generation of filmmakers. I come from a talent development background
and I know there are many incredible writers and directors out there, many
of whom don't get the support they need to move forwards. They inspire me.
Sometimes you read a pitch or see a short film and you know in your gut
you have to pursue that relationship.
I
also have some brilliant friends and colleagues in this industry and we
look after each other and help each other move forward. When I see those
behaviours and kindnesses, it helps affirm there's really no need for
competition. We're all in the same boat trying to get films made and in
front of audiences, and we need to help each other do that. There's a
great network of indie producers here in the UK and they subscribe to that
mindset. It's really refreshing.
Your favourite movies? The
Exorcist, Atonement, Carnival of
Souls, Pan's
Labyrinth, Trainspotting,
The Lost Boys, Wild at
Heart, Elizabeth, If..., Rosemary's Baby, A Cider
House Rules, Casino, Inherent Vice - the list goes on!
 |
Feeling lucky?
Want to
search
any of my partnershops yourself
for more, better results?
(commissions earned) |
The links below
will take you
just there!!!
|
|
 |
...
and of course, films you really deplore? Anything
with gratuitous violence I struggle to deal with. Your/your
movie's website, social media, whatever else?
Instagram: @jrossmckenzie @devilmaycareent
Twitter: @rossmckenzie13
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-mckenzie-79417212/
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2276881/
Burry Man website: https://www.burryman.co.uk/
Thanks
for the interview!
|
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
amazon.de
eThaiCD.com
