Education, British Film Institute
Mark, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at the BFI?
I’ve been at the BFI for a long time – more than 20 years. before that I was a teacher. I’ve always wanted to work in education somehow, and this is a great job
So what do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the variety – I might be working with international partners, or writing courses for adults, or teaching trainee teachers – every day is different
What would you say are your top 3 things to remember when making a film?
I think remember what film does best – it uses time, light, pictures and sounds; it doesn’t need lots of dialogue. Try and tell your story using those elements, rather than have characters ‘tell us the story.’
So, what do you think makes a film ‘stand out’?
Strong images every time; different angles or perspectives on things we think we know or understand.
Why do you think film is such a great way of getting important messages across?
Film is immediate, it can show things directly, it builds empathy
And what advice do you have for someone about to make a short film?
Keep it simple, few locations, maybe only one, a single timeframe, don’t jump about too juch, and show more than tell – try not to use too much dialogue.
Finally, can you tell us about the first time you went to the cinema?
I saw Jungle Book when I was 5, with two younger sisters and my dad; it was the only time I ever went to the cinema with my dad. Come to think of it, I’ve never been with my mum!