Running in Heels

Running in Heels: Pretend We Don’t Exist Productions

Posted in Culturelle » Cinema » by Alice Revel :: February 19, 2009

Have you always wanted to be a director?

Francesca: When I was a kid I would draw everything. I’d write stories about pirates and monsters and adventures on space ships and then illustrate these moments. I genuinely wanted to be an author and illustrator up until about age 12. Film-making didn’t seem a realistic goal for me until I was about 14, despite experimenting with the art form from about age 13. I found then that I would start to pay close attention to films, their structure, their messages and characters and the way that they were actually produced. I think it started with M Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense. I was just inspired by his cinematic technique and way of storytelling. I started to imagine being able to make films too. To merge two exciting ambitions into one even more exciting ambition. Writing and drawing and taking pictures are all very invigorating things to me and to do them all as a career would just be overwhelming. So, in answer to your question: No, I’ve not always wanted to be a director, but I can’t imagine anything else I would want to be.

Hayley: I’m a pensive person; kind of effusive, so my outlet has always been to write. I have masses of notebooks devoted to the background stories I’ve created for strangers I’ve walked past in the street, or sat next to on a train. I’ve always liked creating stories. I used to write and stage my own plays in Primary School; I’d tell everyone how to say their lines. With an over-active imagination and a slight incline towards being…well, a control-freak, I guess it was inevitable I would want to explore these stories visually through filmmaking as well as on paper.

How did you get to where you are today and would you do anything differently?

F: As corny as it sounds I believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason. Simply put, I had the right people around me. I met the right people, and I’ve worked hard to be able to do what I love doing. I think hard work, optimism, the support of family and friends and an overly ambitious streak have got me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t do anything differently.

H: In terms of making short films consistently, it’s through the genuine love and passion of, and dedication to filmmaking.

Who helped you along the way?

F: My parents have been so supportive throughout my life and have provided me with so much love that sometimes I feel like the luckiest person in the world. They supported me through any obstacles that came along and have encouraged my ambitions. I’m also lucky enough to have such an inspirational, creative, and caring best-friend (Hayley) and without her I don’t think I’d be where I am today either. Lastly my English teacher Mrs. Isaac was a huge inspiration for me and she gave me the confidence to keep writing, and go for what I love doing.

H: My Parents have always helped, supported and encouraged me to be creative. My love of Film was developed through visits to the local Cinema with my Nana Carole as a kid. And of course, my best friend and co-founder of Pretend We Don’t Exist Productions Francesca Sophia has helped me along, we learn from each hother.

Who inspires you?

F: I often find inspiration when I’m listening to music on the bus. I say on a bus, because when I’m walking I tend to stare at my feet a lot. I feel like there are soundtracks to life. I’ll watch the world go by and I feel like my eyes are the camera and I’m carrying out a tracking shot. It’s crazy really, but I imagine what is going on in a certain house, or I’ll be listening to a particular song, and I’ll imagine the people I see on the streets playing the various instruments and create a background for them. It flashes through my mind, “Run Lola, Run” style. I’m very visual, so I have to imagine a lot of what I write in order for it make sense.

H: People. I find people fascinating… I often feel like an outsider, watching the world and observing everybody else’s behaviour.

Influences?

F: I am influenced by various writers and directors, specifically Jean Pierre Jeunet, Danny Boyle, Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry, Terry Gilliam, Luc Besson, Orson Welles and Gus Van Sant. I love the variety, artistry and pure imagination, which goes into their work and they truly love what they’re doing and bring so much vibrant life to cinema.

H: Directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Miranda July, Sofia Coppola, Michel Gondry, Gus Van Sant, Pedro Almodóvar and Wong Kar-Wai influence me. Lonely people, the weather, train journeys, awkwardness, great records, and great books also inspire me.

What do you think is the biggest problem in British society today and what is the most positive thing?

F: I don’t know about the biggest problem, but I think the fact that British society on the whole is so desensitised to humiliating themselves on TV is a annoying factor to take into account. Despite this, I think Britain is a very accepting multi-racial and supportive country and it has a hell of a lot to offer its people and people from other places too, and I feel very fortunate to live here. There are not many countries in the world where I think my ambitions could have flourished as much as they have.

H: The biggest problem in Britain at the moment is everybody moves so fast, nobody seems to slow down and take things in anymore; I think is that people want instant gratification, people are so influenced by reality TV and immediate fame – I hate that. The best aspect of British society is the creativity – we are definitely one of the most artistically vibrant cultures.

Do you feel British or European?

F: I’m not sure how to answer that because I think I feel neither. I sometimes feel a little like an alien, because I find it hard to relate or connect to the people around me through any cultural kind of referencing – it really doesn’t matter where others are from – I’ll get on with them just the same. Although I went to India the year before last and I actually felt like I fit in there more than here and we didn’t even speak the same language.

H: I consider myself to be British. Although the UK is based on the European continent, and is included in the EU, I still feel as though British culture is vastly different and seems to stand alone from the rest of Europe, not necessarily for better or for worse.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

F: Bright Eyes – his lyrics are the most emotionally heartrending and beautiful I’ve ever heard. I was listening to Regina Spektor on the bus, and I imagine a man I saw playing the violin, and how he dreams of this ambition, but has never been able to do it.

H: Diane Cluck is relentlessly singing in to my ears, her voice absolutely kills me because it’s so heartbreaking; she makes you feel every single word. Lately I’ve been listening to an unsigned singer called Haley Barnes who is great, she has a sweet tone to her voice and she kind of reminds me of Regina Spektor. Bob Dylan and Edith Paif have both been on constant rotation in my car. I’ve been listening to Robert Pattinson too, he’s predominantly known as an actor, but he has this fantastic, beautiful voice that most people wouldn’t expect.

What couldn’t you live without?

F: My camera. I can’t go anywhere without it.

H: Independence. I’m extremely lucky to be able to (in theory and within the law!) do whatever I want. It’s a fundamental human right to have freedom, but there are people who don’t have it, I can’t even begin to imagine what that is like, life without freedom. I’m sounding very much like William Wallace aren’t I? “FREEEDDDOOOMMM!”

Dream purchase?

F: A Film Camera? Hmm.. Plane tickets to New York at Christmas time maybe. I want to go somewhere where it snows and I’d love to ice skate in Central Park.

H: I’m going to aim high – my dream purchase is an MGB 1968 Roadster in red. I actually have recurring dreams that I own one and I’m driving it manically across a desert – ‘Fear and Loathing’ style.

Favourite movie?

F: I cannot name one movie in particular. There’s too many – It’s just way too hard. But I really admire Amelie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelie Poulain). I think its the most beautiful film in existence. I cry every time I see it. I’m also in love with Michel Gondry. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is 2 hours of pure creative genius. Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry work so well together that its actually unbelievable. I also love Boys Don’t Cry, Thumbsucker, The Secret Life of Bees, August Rush, Fight Club, Citizen Kane, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and I guess I’ll finish with Its a Wonderful Life. Frank Capra is legendary.

H: I can never narrow this down to one specific film. I can give you a list of five – Me and You and Everyone We Know, Amélie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, A Bout de Soufflé and Lost in Translation. I can’t choose, it makes me almost (but not really) feel like Meryl Streep in the Film ‘Sophie’s Choice.’

Favourite European city and why?

F: Paris because it’s so beautiful and many of my favourite films are set there and favourite filmmakers are from France. I love New York, but obviously that isn’t European. I guess that’s why there is “New York I love you” and “Paris, je t’aime”.

H: Paris is the most beautiful city I’ve lived in. Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! The winding streets, the troubadors – there’s an artist on every corner, it’s all kind of magical, creatively inspiring and absolutely stunning.

Desert island book?

F: The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s funny, romantic, tragic, reminiscent and full of drama and life lessons. I don’t think I’ve grown up yet because I can relate to a fictional fifteen year old boy and a socially awkward one at that.

H: Initially I thought I’d take one of my favorites to keep me busy – ‘The Bell Jar,’ ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ – but on a more considerate thought, I’m going to go with a how to survive on a desert Island type book. Or maybe ‘Into the Wild’…

Where do you see yourself in five years?

F: I would like to see myself enjoying life, having learnt so much more than I know now and using what I’ve learnt to further my career and grow as a person.

H: Ideally I’d like to be working successfully and living happily somewhere warm – California, New Zealand – with an Emile Hirsch look-a-like.

Can you run in heels?

F: To be honest I’m often wearing a pair of All Star shoes, so I’m not quite sure, but I imagine I could. I also imagine I would trip over and hurt myself very soon after my attempt.

H: It is an art form I am yet to master. I mean I can kind of jog in heels, but with extreme difficulty and much to the amusement of others.

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