Case Studies

Nicola Mills (writer/director) mentored by Roger Michell

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“I applied to Guiding Lights at the point when I wanted to shift from short films into the world of features. I’d been working on feature ideas, mainly in continental Europe, and needed to get them under the noses of UK people who could help me make them.”

What did you learn during your time on the scheme?

“I learnt some specific points about my writing, had questions answered about directing, and benefited from a general demystifying of the film industry as a whole – from funding to sales and distribution. I learnt to have two or three projects to bounce around and became fearless about pitching ideas early on. There’s no point beavering away on something that you haven’t tested out – albeit briefly – on a few trusted and industry-savvy ears. I think about the market more than I did, or rather I am more aware of it and therefore able use it. "

How has your career progressed since the scheme ended?

“I’m now working with a producer at Free Range Films (Roger Michell and Kevin Loader’s company) and we have two projects with potential funders right now – one a feature film, the other a TV/feature crossover. It’s not been a smooth run and there has been some disappointment but I’m stronger, more knowledgeable and know more people in the UK industry. I’m certain I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now without Guiding Lights introducing me to Roger Michell. "

Suhayla El-Bushra (writer) mentored by Christopher Hampton

Why did you apply to Guiding Lights?

“I applied to Guiding Lights because I felt I’d hit a brick wall in terms of my career. I’d had some success writing for TV and local theatre, but was finding the film industry quite tough to crack. Screenwriting is such a solitary experience; you do most of your work on spec, at home, by yourself and you don’t have access to other people within the industry. I wanted a mentor who could offer useful advice and feedback on my writing, but I also wanted the chance to meet directors and producers who could help me get my work off the ground.”

What have you gained from being on the scheme?

“Being on the scheme has given me a lot more confidence in my writing. I used to shyly offer my scripts to people with what was almost an apology and I don’t do that anymore! People seem to read my stuff a lot quicker as a result. Like most writers I just want to see my work produced. Thanks to Guiding Lights this now feels achievable.

Obviously meeting my mentor Christopher Hampton and talking to him about writing has been a massive highlight, but there have been lots of others. Going to the Edinburgh Film Festival with the other Guiding Lights mentees was great fun and it’s been really refreshing to spend time with so many other people from the industry."

Laura Hastings-Smith (producer) mentored by Graham Broadbent

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“I was leaving a company to become freelance, having produced one film amongst many other productions, and wanted to establish myself in the UK’s feature film sector.”

What did you learn during your time on the scheme?

“I gained a much greater understanding of financing, and about the sector here and internationally, in terms of sales agents, distributors and talent agents.”

How has your career progressed since the scheme ended?

“I was the lead producer on HUNGER and CHATROOM, I have a first-look development deal with Warp Films and a small development slate with two co-productions that I’m actively seeking finance for.”

Faisal Qureshi (writer) mentored by Mark Peploe

Why did you apply to Guiding Lights?

“At the time of applying, I’d already had some ups and down in the industry. I felt having a mentor would be useful as I’d had some unpleasant experiences on two film projects that shook my self confidence and made me question my abilities.”

What did you gain from your time on the scheme?

“I’m still in touch with Mark and we regularly meet up in London. He reads and comments on my scripts which has proved to be very useful. It’s great to be able to learn from a writer who has worked with filmmakers I admire such as Antonioni and Bertolucci. It’s also good to touch base with a fellow cinephile.”

How has your career progressed since the scheme ended?

“I pay the bills lecturing at the Northern Film School and also work as a researcher on Coronation Street. I won the Best Story award for my script, THE FOOTSOLDIER, at the Brussels Film Festival. The script was then selected for development at the Berlin Talent Campus Script Station. Additionally, I was credited as Associate Producer on the film, FOUR LIONS.”

Ian Clark (writer/director) mentored by Christopher Smith

Why did you apply to Guiding Lights?

“I had applied to Guiding Lights a few years ago but was unsuccessful. However I knew some of the previous mentees and heard about their experiences and decided to try again the following year. At the time of applying I was in a position where positive things were happening in my career. I was shortly to go into production on my first feature – a micro-budget horror for Vertigo Films. I felt that going into this experience with a mentor would be really beneficial – rather than having a relationship based around me shadowing another director, it would be about him advising me on what I was going through.”

What have you gained from being on the scheme?

“The start of the scheme coincided with the start of pre-production on GUINEA PIGS and consequently the two experiences have run side-by-side. It’s been a year of constant learning, as I have been through the whole process of making a feature. My mentorship has been based primarily on Chris helping with specific problems relating to my work. It has been great to have contact with an experienced film-maker who has been through the same experience and who is independent of the film’s production.”

Nadia Denton (Business Professional) mentored by Eddie Berg

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“I had reached a stage in my career where I needed a new development challenge. I had many creative ideas, but was uncertain about how to take them forward as projects. I was also impressed with the calibre of previous mentors and felt certain that participating would enhance my current positioning.”

What have you learnt during your time on the scheme?

“It has boosted my confidence in my creative and technical abilities to a great extent. Whereas in the past I doubted whether or not I was on the right track and whether or not initiatives I had started would be successful, conversations with my mentor have in fact shown me that I know more than I gave myself credit for. It can be easy in this industry to feel unsupported as in many instances your contemporaries may also be your competitors, and people can get caught up with their own projects and become quite introverted. Through our conversations, I have been able to learn from his experiences. It has been nice to know that there is someone to call upon should I need any assistance or advice. It has also been incredibly valuable to have suggestions made about some of the activities that I should consider, which I certainly would not have been thinking of before. It has also been wonderful to be part of a filmmaking network that is quite different from the ones that I have been involved with in the past.”

How has your career progressed as a result of being on Guiding Lights?

“Off the back of this I have started writing a book titled The Black British Filmmaker’s Guide to Success. It is unlikely that I would have written it otherwise. Knowing that I have the scheme to fall back on for guidance and support has been a great motivator.”

Faye Gilbert (writer/director) mentored by Danny Boyle

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“Originally I was looking to get a deeper insight into how an established director might work with actors on set and during rehearsals. I was also feeling quite frustrated because although I had made several short films, I was finding the transition into feature films incredibly difficult. I was really looking for a mentor who had the knowledge and experience to help me define my route into features.”

What did you learn during your time on the scheme and what were the highlights of the year?

“Danny Boyle’s time and advice have been invaluable to me. Most of all he helped me to think more commercially about my films and their appeal, which has led to the development of my new feature project SPENCER, due to go into production later in 2011.

Another highlight of the scheme was meeting my producer, Yaw Basoah (mentored by Alison Owen). We have developed SPENCER together and formed a very inspiring and solid partnership.

I also got a huge amount out of the camaraderie and friendships that developed out of the scheme. It’s easy to feel lonely working your way up in the film industry and programmes that bring filmmakers together are often competitive (unlike Guiding Lights) and do not necessarily nurture peer support. The support from peers, Guiding Lights staff and my mentor has been integral to me feeling like I am part of something – not just an industry but a community of filmmaking."

Keri Collins (writer/director) mentored by Kenneth Branagh

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“I was living in a rural backwater where nobody made, or even talked about, films. This meant I could not develop my writing or directing and my work was stagnating. I had worked as 1st Ad on a few indie films and made a few contacts that way, which led to me having a couple of scripts optioned by independent companies; but when they failed to move forward I felt that I was totally stuck in a rut.

What I desperately needed was to get to know a broad range of people from different parts of the country, and from different disciplines within the film industry. If I was going to make any films, or get my scripts to people who could help me make films then I needed to somehow enter a network of people that just didn’t exist where I lived!"

What did you learn during your time on the scheme and what were the highlights of the year?

“I learnt a great deal from my mentor; his experience and nous were invaluable to me when he gave feedback on my work, which really enabled me to step my scripts and shorts up to the next level. However, I also gleaned a huge amount of knowledge, tips and invaluable contacts from my colleagues, the other mentees, who were such an incredibly talented bunch of individuals. Watching their work and speaking to them about film taught me more than I ever expected.

A very practical skill I developed during the year was the art of pitching; how to do it succinctly, yet with passion and excitement. I actually got a great deal of interest in my scripts through the various pitching sessions that GL ran throughout the year."

How has your career progressed since the scheme ended?

“When the scheme ended in 2009, I was commissioned by BBC Wales to write a ten minute short, which was produced in the summer of that year. At the same time an old short film that I had written and directed was also broadcast by BBC Wales.

In 2010, I was shortlisted for the Digital Shorts Wales scheme with a project which has now garnered the interest of the Film Agency for Wales. I was also commissioned to direct a BBC Wales short film and was even fortunate enough to be named ‘Best Director’ at the series awards.

I am now directing a new short, FUNDAY, written by one of my 2008-09 Guiding Lights colleagues Nicholas Horwood, and am attached to direct a low budget rom-com which should be happening in 2012 with any luck!"

Emma Sullivan (writer/director) mentored by John Hillcoat

What were your reasons for applying to Guiding Lights?

“I always wanted to have a mentor. It’s invaluable as a writer/director who spends so much time alone to have an experienced mentor’s input. The scheme is intended for people who are on the cusp of change, or have hit a glass ceiling. As a mother and female director – both of these applied to me – they still do. But meeting my mentor John Hillcoat was a huge boon for me. A supremely talented man who I have huge respect for, he’s also a kind, intelligent father who’s a great collaborator and a decent human being. So I lucked out on all fronts.”

What have you gained from being on the scheme?

“John is generous with his knowledge and we have similar taste and views on film. He’s a great disseminator of information so always has words of wisdom – even if they’re not his own. Watching him work with other people is also instructive – he’s a positive collaborator and the kind of director I’d like to be. He’s constantly creative – but makes it clear there is no easy route in this industry.

He has also let me read projects that he is working on. Being asked for feedback was a thrown down gauntlet, but I rose to the challenge and the discussion that ensued from that was great.

I want to shoot my first feature film which is a thriller and have had interest from a few parties. I am more than ready to direct long-form drama. I hope to gain the support I need from the industry to do this and I think the Guiding Lights scheme is a prestigious badge of honour to have. But more importantly than that – Guiding Lights is run by people who genuinely care about film and who properly understand the ways of the industry. They are supportive, positive and although the scheme will end for me, I know the relationship won’t. And in this industry that counts for a lot."