I emailed Clive Tonge a week or two ago with a number of questions regarding film direction and how he came about making his own movies.
How did you get into directing short films?
I studied a degree but didn't graduate in The University College of Ripon and York St. John. It was because I owed them lots of money!
Then I played in bands and signed a development deal with Telstar Records. That eventually failed but because of my contacts and access to bands I got asked to photograph and video various bands. I really enjoyed it.
Then I did an animation masters at teesside and got a part time job lecturing. I still do 2 days a week now. Having that income has allowed me to pursue other more interesting stuff during the rest of the week.
During that time I met Siobhan and we made Emily and th Baba Yaga. That did well in festivals, won awards and got shown on telly in Portugal and Spain (I think).
Then I did a live action short with NFM's Stingers scheme. I think you should try this. They give new directors a small budget to produce a 5 min film/animation.
After that it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Scott Mann produced my film and it did well.
He is now Exec Producing the Night Hag. We followed the business model he did for his first feature 'The Tournament'. We have made a trailer and he is now touting that around financers.
Then I played in bands and signed a development deal with Telstar Records. That eventually failed but because of my contacts and access to bands I got asked to photograph and video various bands. I really enjoyed it.
Then I did an animation masters at teesside and got a part time job lecturing. I still do 2 days a week now. Having that income has allowed me to pursue other more interesting stuff during the rest of the week.
During that time I met Siobhan and we made Emily and th Baba Yaga. That did well in festivals, won awards and got shown on telly in Portugal and Spain (I think).
Then I did a live action short with NFM's Stingers scheme. I think you should try this. They give new directors a small budget to produce a 5 min film/animation.
After that it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Scott Mann produced my film and it did well.
He is now Exec Producing the Night Hag. We followed the business model he did for his first feature 'The Tournament'. We have made a trailer and he is now touting that around financers.
Would an education at a highly regarded school increase the chances of making it as a feature film director?
Not directly but you will learn your craft, make films and meet other producers/film makers which is alway invaluable. Having a degree in directing doesn't hold much weight beyond that (in my opinion). However, places like the National Film and TV School do have a positive influence but competition for places is extremely fierce.
Is it fair to say that diving in the deep end as a runner would be considered a better starting point to learn the craft than getting tuition at a film school?
Don't know. People have made it doing this. Others have made it via film school. I think the main thing is to have realistic ambitions, a lot of drive and tenacity and be prepared for a long road. It really does sort out the wheat from the chaff. I'm 43 and still haven't 'made it'. But I have made my living from films.
Is there one particularly strong skill that would be helpful in breaking into directing for features? Ie storyboarding/cinematography/
The more the better. Nowadays low budget features might be a good route into directing. Look at films like Colin, Paranormal Activity, Blair Witch. They were made on showstring budgets and all have had distribution. All the things you mention are very handy. One you missed is writing. I would strongly advise you take a writing course as this is invaluable for directors/storytellers.
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