Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Dwbwl Trwbwl’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
Before making Dwbwl Trwbwl I was a Film student in Liverpool. Here me and a group of others created Whitehead, a dark-comedy mockumentary short-film about a former footballer named Gordon Whitehead who let it all go due to his drug and alcohol problems. My job as part of the group was script writer and producer of the film. It was in university I first learned how to make films I guess, and my love for writing scripts made me want to pursue visual storytelling even after graduating.
Tell us about ‘Dwbwl Trwbwl’. How do you describe it?
Dwbwl Trwbwl is a comedy and beat the bully story where the main protagonist Mathew ‘Shandy’ Williams aims to emulate his late-father Charlie Williams and become a Welsh Darts Champion. Unfortunately for Shandy he has many things standing in his way including his arch nemesis Big Billy Morris. Billy, the opposite to Shandy, is a big scary tough guy who is coached by his overbearing father Trefor Morris. They take darts incredibly seriously and they will stop at nothing to get one up on Shandy.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
I don’t think I have a number one filmmaker, but I do like a lot of different ones. If I had to choose, I’d say Shane Meadows. His storytelling and character-based films and TV shows are absolutely fantastic. Dead Man’s Shoes by him would be my favorite, absolutely gut-wrenching revenge story.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
My ideal project would be a Welsh language feature film. I have ideas in mind as to what I would like to do, and personally I think a dark comedy or a gritty revenge story in my native tongue would be a dream come true.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
I would select times of the year when I know the weather would be favorable, so it catches the vibe of the script. I’d then go about looking for actors and asking for them for their availability for the filming dates in mind. I’d then conduct rehearsals if necessary then I’d go about casting it properly. Then I would get all the actors together for a table read, see if the script could use some alterations based on their way of acting and their opinions also. Before filming I’d also go through the script making sure I have all the props I need and also securing all the filming locations needed for the film. I guess the only thing after that to do would be making the film. The cast and crew would all be in a group chat together where I would ask for regular updates about availability and such just so we could all be on the same page if any changes should arise.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Dwbwl Trwbwl’.
The hardest part was probably the editing due to how long it took. As it was the first time I directed a film I did find the filming and directing side challenging at first as well, but as the days went along it just came more naturally. Scheduling was easy at first but due to it being a no-budget film and the actors having lives, working around them was difficult at times because of last minute cancellations and such but it was something to be expected for a no-budget film. Most of the cast where family and friends, so despite the changing dates and such the close knit relationships we had really helped keep us on the same page and I’m very grateful for all of them.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
My next short film is still up in the air at the moment. I have continued to write short film and episodic scripts, and I’m in the middle of choosing which one to go with, or which bits from one script should I join with another and so on. In terms of other works, filming wise I have considered making sketches and compiling them all to create a sketch show or sketch channel online, to keep the ball rolling in-between making shorts. So yeah, we’ll see I guess but I am very excited to get behind and maybe in front of a camera again that’s for sure.
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