NEWS
Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle at NFTS

The NFTS was host to Oscar-winning British director Danny Boyle yesterday, as he gave a masterclass to enthused students in our new digital cinema.

Students got a first-hand insight into the making of acclaimed films such as Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire, and were keen to know how Danny started, and when he knew he wanted to be a director.

Danny confessed that he’d never really set out to make film. He started off in the theatre, and then found himself in television. Since turning to film, he still occasionally employs tricks of the theatre to get a script’s drama across. For example, in Trainspotting, the infamous toilet scene was done exactly how it would be in the theatre: the toilet was cut in half, and Ewan McGregor slid down a hole in the floor on the missing side, to be caught by the crew. No costly effects, yet arguably one of the most iconic and memorable scenes of 90s British cinema.

He exploded the myth that all filmmakers wake up one day knowing they want to work in film, and set out a plan of action to succeed. Rather, he states, filmmakers suddenly find that the love of film has crept in and already taken over their life, ruined their relationships, and they find themselves unable to quit. At that point, the point of no return, they realise who they are. The rest of the competition have long since left the business, because they won’t let their career take them over, and find something more ‘sensible’ to do!

Perhaps the most telling piece of information Danny gave the students was how much faith he has in his screenwriters. Hollywood, he says, doesn’t give them enough respect. He has the writer on set throughout all his shoots, and trusts them to rewrite/add sections, but only if necessary. He does not believe in writers’ visions being at the mercy of constant edits and changes by people who aren’t seeing the bigger picture.

There were many stories and words of advice to take away from the masterclass. Not least that the film industry needs ‘mad’ filmmakers that don’t always go for the most logical way of doing things, but aren’t too proud or aloof to be mainstream. It was a great evening, and we thank Danny for taking the time out to visit the NFTS.






18/09/09

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