digital subculture
Director Andrew Gunn: Interview
Andrew Gunn has worked on some legendary programmes, including Doctor Who, BAFTA winning cult classic Green Wing. He has a unique artistic mind working in many genres from documentary to short films. Having worked Andy Serkis and John Simm, Gunn's talents are evident.
What's the one piece of advice you wish you received starting out your career?
The best piece of advice I wish I'd received when I was staring out was to write more short scripts and make more films. It's super easy these days to make a film. When I was a young filmmaker it wasn't easy. The costs and equipment made it prohibitive and expensive.
What's been your biggest challenge? What motivates you creatively?
My biggest challenge has been to simply become a director working at a big level. It took a long time and a lot of hard hard work and persistence. However the bigger challenge is to find the determination, stamina and mindset to keep going no matter how much rejection and indifference you face. Becoming a director (a good director) who actually works and earns is not for the faint hearted. So the real challenge for me was finding the courage and energy to keep going over many years.
What motivates you creatively?
Many things motivate me creatively. Music, stories, emotions, ideas, images, people, moods, words and landscapes. If these things can be translated into powerful and compelling visual storytelling then that is when I am most inspired as a filmmaker and director.
Not Another F**king Montage - Gunn's Showreel
Whats the most fun project you've worked on?
The most fun I've had on a project is on my self-initiated, self-produced shorts films. Having complete creative, editorial and technical control is a lot of 'fun'.
Ideal environment on set?/relationship with actors, do you prefer a more professional space or relaxed?
Shooting on set or location is busy, quick, and relentless... so I prefer a disciplined and professional set/environment to work in. I like a relaxed, controlled space where people can do their best work, concentrate on their performance or tasks, yet have a bloody good time and leave at the end of a busy day feeling like they've achieved something and contributed to something special. Close collaboration is key to the way I like to work. It should be fun and fulfilling but disciplined and focused.
Gunn on set for the BBC/Netflix special GET EVEN
If you could redo any of your films, which one would you choose, if any at all?
I wouldn't redo any of my films or TV dramas. They are what they are, and one should always be seeking to learn from the next new project, not revisiting old work.
The iconic Victory of the Daleks episode, a snippet, directed by Gunn
What could the industry do better?
What the industry could do better in the UK is pay TV drama directors more money and give them more credit for their huge contribution to a production, which is substantial, but seemingly not valued or recognised. On a wider issue the industry really needs to look at its negative impact on the environment. A film/TV production is a huge consumer of energy, food, water and a polluter with the amount of refuse that is generated each day by large crews and units.
Whats next for Andrew Gunn?
What's next? Well that will all depend on what develops out of the Covid-19 lockdown. It's having a big impact on the film and TV industry, so many things remain to be seen.
Follow Andrew Gunn on Instagram @theandrewgunn