Henry Schofield interview

Henry Schofield - Director

Please tell us about yourself and how you became involved in directing.

I was in my last year of University, studying Chinese, a friend of mine had written a short film about breakdancing and I thought it would be fun to have a crack at making it. The final film itself was not brilliant, but I had become totally hooked on the creative process of filmmaking and have been doing it ever since.

How have you developed as a director since completion of your first project?

I think I've developed a lot in terms of working out how to tell a story and express an artistic intention and I gues a lot of hit has been down to throwing myself into every project, often way over my head, with my eyes and ears open. I've been very lucky to have had the opertunity to learn from some fantastic people I've worked with.

PROFESSOR GREEN
UPPER CLAPTON DANCE

What was the first phase in preparing for the shoot and how was this executed?

When Professor Green gave me the track I didn't know anything about Clapton, the area he's from and the subject of the song, so I went up there to meet Corres (who also features) to spend a day going around taking pictures and meeting people.

How much time did you have for the shoot and for editing? How much footage was shot overall?

There was about a month to complete the video and we shot for two days over a weekend. I think overall we shot about two and a half hours of footage.

When shooting, how much is directed with editing in mind?

Initially I had written the idea with much more multi-character narratives in mind, but because of practicalities we had to simplify as we went... and I think the video benefitted as a result. Really though the video was made in the edit.

What camera was used and how was it setup to achieve the parented affect?

I actually used my own Nikon D90, a stills camera that shoots HD. We did a bit of research into rigs and in the end found a really versitile clip on bodyrig that was originally made to film downhill skiers.

The close shot cinematography seems to bring the viewer into an intimate relationship with the characters, would you agree?

Before going up there I had imagined that this video would be about the locations, but actually I discovered that it was the people that really represented the character of the place, which is why the close shots and bodyrig technique was incorporated to really bring the viewer into their lives.

I believe that most of the characters were friends of Professor Green's as well as people from his old neighbourhood? Was there any time allowed for rehearsal or were their performances impromptu?

They were indeed almost all friends of Professor Green who came down on the days of the shoot. Although this didn't allow any time for rehearsal all the guys we had were naturally very atuned to their characters and really made the performances their own. For a lot of the bits with the kids they were just groups hanging around the shoot who wanted to have a go... when they asked 'what should I do...' I'd just say be yourself... and they were brilliant.

Were there any outstanding creative or technical challenges?

When the light was dropping on the first day of shooting and we were trying to shoot the last scene it was a bit tricky as we didn't have any lights. Also, I guess we didn't have any crew really either... there was only four of us.

What advice would you lend to aspiring directors?

Take every opportunity to make something, and if the opportunity isn't there then make it yourself. I've really found that the best way to develop is to get as much practicle experience as possible.

What was the last great book you have read?

Liver by Will Self, it's a collection of four short stories, very surreal, very funny.