Livvy J Hooper is back with a look at another of the short films screened at the University of Greenwich exhibition. She sits down with another alumni filmmaker to find out what makes her tick, and gets the lowdown on their projects.
In the previous Girls In Film segment I spoke with Tess Viera about her short film Welcome, and this time around I get to know Viera’s colleague Hannah Evans. A fellow filmmaker from the University of Greenwich, Evans’ short film combines gorgeous monochrome visuals and a pitch-perfect cast (if the lead actor’s stare doesn’t send shivers down your spine, you just ain’t right) with a tricky subject matter that in less skilled hands would be dangerous. A fluid, stylish, and well thought out short, What If God Was One Of Us? asks some big questions in a beautiful way; there’s a bright future ahead for this young writer-director, mark my words.
SPOTLIGHT: HANNAH EVANS
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Hannah Evans, 22 years old and living in South London. I spent my childhood in the vegetarian restaurant my parents owned until we moved to Spain when I was fourteen, and I came back to the UK for university, leaving my family behind in Malaga.
Tell us a bit about What If God Was One Of Us.
It’s a black and white film in which a psychotherapist analyses a man who believes he is God. The doctor analyses the man as if he were God, questioning him on the atrocities committed in the bible and in his name. In essence, the film is a dialogue between atheism and religion as a whole.
What was the crew set up for this film?
Our crew was a group of four, each making one film each for our final year in university. On each of our films, each member of the group took on another role. It meant that by the end of the year we each had real experience working in different roles on a film shoot.
What was your role in the project?
I wrote the screenplay and directed the film.
Where did the idea for the short film come from?
Unlike many of the other participants in the course, my idea for my film changed numerous times before I settled on this one. I come from a rather liberal upbringing and one night, after discussing ideas with my family (via skype) in Spain, I began to think what it would be like to ask the questions that I have about religion to God himself.
What were the biggest challenges when making your short film?
I didn’t want to offend anyone or come across as critical towards their faith, but I believe it is necessary to have these sorts of conversations and speak openly about ones beliefs, instead of preaching. I commend anyone who finds solace in their faith, but also feel that people should be allowed to believe whatever they want without judgement. This film, I hope, shows this.
What did your learn about yourself and your creative process from making your film?
I may not be extremely organised, and I may not be right on schedule; but I know exactly what I want from myself and my film and I can get things done very efficiently. I initially gave myself 3 days to film, and it took me two evenings to finish shooting.
Have you always wanted to be a filmmaker?
I’ve always written. I’ve always been drawn to all forms of creativity. I love to twist a tale. In our first year at university we were given the task to make a short film based on the word ‘desire’. My mind went wild. “What will everyone else be basing their films on?” I thought. “Sex, drugs, prostitution, love, addiction…” I wanted to take all of those ideas and flip them on their heads. I wrote this screenplay about a prostitute who was a clown. She performed juggling tricks for horny men at stag parties and was addicted to bubbles. I played the part of the clown and loved directing every part of the film. From then I knew I was on the right course.
You had a fantastic cast, particularly your lead actor/actress; tell us a bit about the casting process.
I had tried casting my film a few months earlier and the applicants were few to none. I then chose to allow the others in my group to film their films first and try and find actors in the mean time. My aunt recommended mandy.com and the response I had from that was incredible. I met Jamie, who played the lead, and when he read for me I was sold. His intensity was exactly what I wanted and he was really enthusiastic about the project.
Where can our readers see your short film? Any online links and/or plans to screen it or send it to festivals?
I am planning on sending my film into festivals, but the perfectionist in me wants to tweak it as much as possible before I do!
What’s your next goal? Any future plans for films?
I’m hoping on moving to the USA within the next year to start an internship in the film industry.
You can watch What If God Was One Of Us? online, HERE.
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