Both Oliver and Joe will be joining us at Future Film Focus, to share fantastic advice about making it in the industry and recounting the challenges and successes of creating How To Be (staring Robert Pattinson), after graduating from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth.

HOW TO BE...OLIVER IRVING

An Interview by Rebecca Huseyin

Earlier in the year, I met with Oliver Irving, a 2003 graduate of BA (Hons) Film Production.  Originally from Sheffield but now living in London, Oliver was promoting his first feature film 'How To Be', for which he has now signed a distribution deal for. I met with Oliver in the restaurant of the Soho Theatre, London.  Over mint tea and the sound of loud drilling, he told me his story so far.

Tell me about the progression from student to writing, producing and directing your own feature film.  What's the journey been like?

When I was researching where to study, the AIB was the only undergraduate course where you could specialise from the outset. I knew I wanted to be a director so the course suited me perfectly. On leaving, the advice I was given was to make a few short films to show your distinctive style, but I had to have a go at making features.  I didn't give myself an option, it was a bit kamikaze. I wrote 'How To Be' and the producer and I had to raise the money to make it completely by private finance.  This meant asking literally anyone, everyone you ever knew, even people on the train who might look as if they had some money!

You've got some famous names in your cast, how did that come about? 

Well, I had seen Rob (Robert Pattinson, who plays main character Art) playing Cedric Diggory in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'.  He really seemed to get the idea behind the character.  I'd always thought Jeremy Hardy (British stand up comedian and actor) was really funny so I gave him a copy of my graduation film and the script of 'How To Be'.  I offered him the straight role even though he usually does comedy and after months and months he finally agreed to do it.  I was almost close to getting Alan Rickman to accept a role; when I first met him he liked the script so much he told me 'It's a beautiful piece of writing'.  That just kept ringing in my ears like the voice of God!  I asked him if I could quote him on that and he agreed - so there you go!  I was incredibly pleased that we managed to cast Rebecca Pidgeon (wife of playwright/director David Mamet) in the role of Art's mother.

What was the response to the film at Slamdance? 

Really positive.  I was putting up 'How To Be' posters when a woman actually stopped me on the street to tell me how much she liked the film.  Americans really seem to understand and identify with the story.  I was really lucky; I had so many meetings lined up for me because of Slamdance.  I visited New York and LA and met so many amazing people.  

What experience did you take away with you from the AIB, and what advice would you have for others trying to break in to the industry?

When you've got a limited budget, everything takes longer, so spend time preparing all your projects thoroughly and use the time wisely.  I think a lot of people thought I was a nerd because I planned so much!  Time is a luxury you don't always have in the real world.  Liam Scanlan (Director of the School of Media) gave me the best piece of advice I've ever had when it comes to making films: Those who get along get ahead.  I just wish I was better at following it!  To be a film maker, I think you either have to be incredibly talented or excessively, doggedly determined.  I'm the latter!

What's your next project?

I'm still promoting 'How To Be', there are more festivals to go to, it's not the end of the road yet.  I'm writing a new screenplay which I'd describe as contemporary science fiction. Because of 'How to Be', I feel like I'm really at the beginning of something now.  I've made a film, it cuts together and it works.  I can go to whoever and ask for funding on my next project because I've showed I can finance and make my own film.  I'm still going to need that dogged determination though!

'How To Be' received the Grand Jury's Honourable mention at this year's Slamdance Film Festival in Utah; the Audience Award at the New Orleans International Film Festival; was in the Marquee Section at the Austin International Film festival and was the Special Film at the Gotham Screen Festival in New York.  Other AIB alumni in the crew included Paul Swann, Chris Williams, Gunner Heidar and Dave Capon.  http://www.howtobemovie.com/news/  

Robert Pattinson's new film, 'Twilight' opened in cinemas on 19^th December 2008.