In 1995, Keanu Reeves played Paul Sutton in A Walk in the Clouds. Two decades after having his life story portrayed in a movie, Paul Sutton the actor-director is releasing Nigel to film festivals. OK, Keanu’s movie wasn’t really about him. Nigel the film is real. Paul is real.
Presenting a very real e-mail interview with Paul on his movie.
How do you make the time to work on a movie when you have regular day job work, other acting work, and a family? This is a situation many people are in and want to make the best of their time.
The creative side is the easy bit. I always say my mind has 23 tabs open at any given time and I always have a pad and pen handy in the house and at work so when I get a random thought I can jot it down. It's fairly easy for me working a 9-5 so at the weekend I can spend the day writing and fleshing out the ideas. The practical side is a real juggle though I have to make sure everything is planned well in advance and that after filming I buy wine and take the family out the weekend afterwards so I don't get in trouble!
Why did you switch from drama in making The Pact to comedy for this film? Was it to avoid being pigeon holed into one genre?
My mind is pretty random - i wrote The Pact (which is very dark) in the happiest time of my life (my wife was pregnant with my son) so how that came out of my head at that time Lord only knows. While making that we tackled some very real life situations that are awful so I decided to write something more light hearted to balance it out. So while im making a film about spousal rape and drug abuse, I wrote a romantic comedy. Somewhere in my head that makes sense. While filming the comedy I wrote a horror - I don't think it's about avoiding pigeon holes as much as I'm just a bit random!
How did you coordinate filming locations and casting on a very tight budget? By tight, actually tight, not the studio director “low budget” version. “The budget was $700,000 on this movie, and $600,000 of it went to my bank account.” 🤣
Tight was The Pact, which cost a packet of sausage rolls and a 4pk of doughnuts. Nigel is big budget I've spent £100 so far 😂
Im lucky to know lota of actors locally who ive worked with before and who trust me in what I'm doing. Im not out to make myself famous. I want to tell good stories and showcase really talented people. They read the scripts, they like what I'm trying to do and they work for nothing because I give them shpwreel footage, exposure and a really fun set to work on. Location wise the main locations for this are my local pub, local church and my own house so I'm definitely a cheap date!
Why a story about a guy who can’t make it in love?
I was that guy once. Single. Shy. Quiet. Couldnt get a date. Friend zoned. And i did used to use dating apps once upon a time and while I can never tell THOSE stories the fiction isnt far from the truth!
Nigel goes on a dating app. If you were younger again, would you be scared or want to meet dates in reality? Asking as a fellow “old person” who did not grow up with dating app culture either.
I used these apps in my 20s and they’re a scary place! Every girl is 'looks aren’t important' but unless you have a 6 pack you don’t get anywhere - I just met some very lovely and in some cases very unique ladies - and I thought it would be funny to take those experiences to a more extreme level. I don’t think I'd use them now though, its all very silly and shallow, I'm not sure how a single person meets anyone these days.......
What is the plan for Nigel with the film festival circuit?
Hit it hard in the UK and US, it's a lovely feel good film so want to try some of the comedy shorts festivals in Europe too. The Pact won 7 awards so obviously I'd like to top that!
