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Interview With Eben Skilleter the Director & Writer of the Film The Break

The Break won Best Performance (Female) Award in the 10th Season of MP Film Award Eben Skilleter Director & Writer of the Film The Break agree to interview with us.

Eben Skilleter

Eben Skilleter: Independent filmmaker based in the South of England. 17 short films shot, 38 film festival acceptances to date









Poster The Break

About The Film: Synopsis: The Break Film Synopsis: The friendship of three young women rapidly deteriorates when they become lost in the middle of nowhere.






"The Break"



What was your drive behind making this film?

Eben Skilleter: I wanted to take a predominantly fun look at young female friendships, and what happens when they are tested. However the core of the story and the issues facing one character in particular are revealed only toward the climax, and this is altogether more serious.



How do you feel when you are awarded with the MP FILM AWARD Award?

Eben Skilleter: I’m delighted that my actor’s hard work and dedication has been recognised. And if that means my direction helped her achieve this wonderful performance, that’s gratifying.



Can you tell us about the greatest moment during shooting this film?

Eben Skilleter: The shooting of the climax. We actually had time to experiment, which allowed for greater spontaneity and we could shoot the climax more creatively than we’d planned.



How rigorously did you stick to the script while shooting?

Eben Skilleter: I always give me actors a little bit of leeway with their characters and lines. I think in the end though we stuck to the script for about 95% of it.



Where there any onset problems During the filming of the film & how did you deal with it?

Eben Skilleter: It was one of those rare shoots where there were no real problems. I like to think this was because I had prepped thoroughly to eliminate issues before they arose.




Do you have any advice for young filmmakers out there? Or like yourself?

Eben Skilleter: Get out there and film something. Don’t strive for technical brilliance like you see on TV shows and movies that have real budgets. Concentrate on the script and the acting.



Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?

Eben Skilleter: No. I didn’t. Yet you can make valuable contacts there, and you can also make use of their resources.



Which film has inspired you the most?

Eben Skilleter: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Probably!



Which particular filmmaker has influenced you the most?

Eben Skilleter: It has to be Spielberg – he has that perfect blend of knowing what an audience responds to, being able to tell terrific stories visually, getting great performances out of his actors, and technical brilliance as a filmmaker.



Which book would you love to make a film out of one day?

Eben Skilleter: I’d like to take a crack at Hamlet.



If you got the opportunity to go back in time & change something in any particular movie of yours, then which movie & what changes will you opt for?

Eben Skilleter: My first one, Brian & the Grim Reaper. It’s still one of my best shorts, yet I hadn’t learned how to maximise time on a shoot efficiently. I had to cut a page-and-a-half out of it on the fly in order to get the film in the can. This meant some of the visual gags and humour had to be cut, hurting the film somewhat.



If you were to shoot the film again, what would you do differently?

Eben Skilleter: Plan the days more efficiently. Stress exactly what I wanted more clearly. All things I’ve since learned.



What is your greatest achievement till date?

Eben Skilleter: Either ‘Boxes’, again about female relationships. That won Best Short at three film fests. Or ‘Archie’s Last Drive’, the one short film I’ve made with a real budget.



How do you pick yourself up after a failed film?

Eben Skilleter: Treat it as a learning experience then get to work immediately on the next one.



Where our viewers can catch you (share your social media)?

Eben Skilleter: @EbenSkilleter on Twitter,

@eben_skilleter on Insta.



 

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