When I got into film, it was because I wanted to make movies— Easier said than done.
In film, no career is the same— It’s one of the best things about this business… But at the 10 year mark of directing commercials, I wasn’t closer to doing what I said I got into film to do. I felt that needed to change.
And I wasn’t alone. All around me were many friends, brilliant artists themselves, that were feeling the industry squeeze. Fewer gates, more keepers, fear driving decisions, and all under the relentless pressure of the mighty dollar.
I saw good stories, amazing writing, and moral people slipping through the cracks. If those I looked up to were struggling to get things made, how was I ever going to make a movie myself?
Questions formed:
Could this business be done differently? Could we help filmmakers make good work not for money, but because it’s the work we want to see in the world? That if you tell great stories with great people, it will find an audience— and they will keep you afloat?
@deluge.pictures was born— an artist-led prod co for filmmakers with perilous ideas.
Phillip Thomas and I, along with a small group of very special people, began to work. After a little over 2 years, I’m proud to say we have 4 feature films wrapped and on the way. Our first just got announced to headline for SXSW London— in theatres this May, directed by the amazing
@peterglanz starring Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy, and helmed by the amazing
@oliverroskill
These 2 years have been the most humbling, hardest, exciting, and creative of my career. We’ve been learning SO much, and it’s only just the start to what I hope is a long journey— one that might involve my own movie soon 👀 but what an amazing feeling to help others achieve that very same dream along the way.
Creating art, especially for those in the working class, is such a radical form of optimism these days. Here’s to all fighting the good fight. The late Steve Golin, who I would’ve loved to have asked if we were onto something, said:
“Get up every day, no matter what is going on. Be honest with your friends about what is hard for you. Make them uncomfortable with your discomfort. Keep fucking going.”