Interview Tom Dowler

Tom, an ex-pat Brit, studied English Literature at the University of York, where he founded the University of York Film-making Society, and produced, directed and edited more than a dozen short films. He also has a master’s degree in feature film production from Goldsmiths College London. Since moving to the US Tom has focused on producing corporate video work, with an emphasis on making complex value propositions easy to understand. He is co-founder of marriage blog The Long Haul Project

What is the current project you are working on?

Melissa - my wife - and I are working on a couple of different projects. We're making a documentary short called 24 Hours at the South Street Diner about our local neighborhood haunt, Boston's South Street Diner. We're also working on an ongoing feature documentary about marriage called The Long Haul Project (http://thelonghaulproject.com)

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

I knew from the time I was in college. I founded a student film-making society and went on to do a masters at Goldsmiths College, London in film.

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

I always wanted to be a storyteller, and as a teenager I spent a lot of time catching up on classic movies I'd never seen. It was probably that experience that inspired me the most.

What is the best thing about being one?

The feeling of creation is pretty hard to beat. When a great shot comes off, or you get a great interview with someone, it's a real buzz.

What is the worst thing about being one?

The pay.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Around 20.

Who is is your favorite filmmaker?

Scorsese as a director. PT Anderson as a writer (love his directing too, but it's just a little derivative of Scorsese). Also very impressed with Miranda July.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

Magnolia is my favorite movie ever. I just saw Four Lions and was blown away by it. Chris Morris is a genuine genius.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Social media has made it easier for filmmakers to connect with each other, and that can only be a good thing.

You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Probably Star Wars just because of the sheer amount of innovation that took place on set. So many things were done for the first time on that movie. That or Apocalypse Now.

What's your favorite movie quote and why?

"Stop saying that, Withnail. Of course he's the fucking farmer!" because it's a very funny, quotable line in a movie crammed full of funny, quotable lines.

You could have any super power. What would it be?

The ability to correct out of focus shots in post.

What is your opinion on movie remakes?

I think they're sad but inevitable. I wish Hollywood had bigger balls and took a few more risks. Remakes are safe, but boring bets.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

They're fine when they're done well, but often they're not. A novel and a film are usually very different dramatic forms, and the only way to adapt a book is to take from it the elements that will work in service of the drama that a movie requires. Too often, adaptations are very faithful to the book, and as a result don't work very well dramatically on screen.

 

 

 

Thanks for doing the interview. I live outside of boston and would be interested in seeing "24 Hours at the South Street Diner".  Keep me posted.