From First Feature to Lasting Career: Rob Hollocks on Surviving the Film Industry

So, um, so you've made, uh, short films.

You've gone on to a feature.

What would you say to somebody who is about to make their first short film, for example? What, what advice would you give them?

Oh, wow.

Okay, that's an interesting one.

I think for me it's about... there's two parts to it, I think.

You know, I've been lucky in that 'cause, 'cause I was involved on the business side of the studios, I, I've got this kind of thing where I can, I work on...

I've, I've got an understanding of how the business works as well as the creative side, and I know that's, that's tough, and it's rare to get that combination, so I know that put me in a very fortunate position.

So there's sort of two sides to it.

From a creative point of view, I'd sort of go into it thinking, know exactly what you want to achieve.

You know, like, it's like I, I treat it like a feature film, to be honest with you.

I mean, give it the same level of attention and seriousness.

Do as much planning as you can.

Figure it all out beforehand.

Work with good people who are, you know, you know, when you're, usually when you're making your first film, you're doing it for nothing, and you're calling in favors.

And, and try and work with people who are equally passionate, equally care about the quality of what you're trying to do, and surround yourself with good people.

Um, so that's sort of the creative side.

And then on the business side is have a plan.

You know, what do you want to do with it? Are you just making it for fun? Which is okay, there's no problem with that.

But if you wanna use it to try and springboard a career, what are you gonna do with it? Is it gonna be something that's- A proof of concept for a bigger idea that you have.

Is it something that you can see you can get into some festivals and get some recognition that way? Um, so try, try and have a plan behind it.

And, and one of the things I've done with, with approaching my sort of independent film stuff is never treat it in isolation.

Whenever I go into a movie, I always have something else lined up behind it where I know what I wanna do next, or even better, have three or four different things that you can get out, that you have, you know, a bunch of material ready so that you're never caught on the hop.

'Cause if someone sees it and likes it, you need to be ready to go, "Well, I've also got this one, or this one, or this one," and, and that kind of thing.

So, you know, one of the things I, I... for me that's always worked is just planning.