Face to Face with... Phil Hawkins

Phil Hawkins has come a long way since getting hold of a VHS video camera to shoot his first set of short films as a youngster. He’s shot countless commercials and helmed three feature films and he hasn’t even hit 30 yet. Recently, Hawkins signed to Little Fish Films where he’s hoping he can shoot more creative spots and to mark the signing, the director has conjured up a charming test commercial (above) for online dating site Perfect Partner. Here he tells us about his journey into filmmaking, the Spark test and the type of job he’d ideally love to win.

How did you get into directing?

I was a massive fan of The X-Files growing up and used to make awful little rip off short films for fun. I borrowed my mum’s friend’s sister’s hairdresser’s VHS video camera, donned a Spielbergian cap and started to take my little shorts very seriously. They’re funny to look back on but this was my first introduction into filmmaking and I taught myself the ropes, trying to copy the techniques and stories I’d seen on television and in movies. That and watching Jurassic Park so many times that I wore out my VHS copy.

The short films continued as I continued to try and better the previous one I’d made each time. When I reached a place I could formally study ‘the media’ I realised that I’d already gone through my own film school of sorts and I wasn’t going to learn much more from qualifications so I became a runner and worked up the ladder through VT op, assist, third AD and first AD while continuing to make shorts. I was then noticed by a commercials production company who gave me the chance to direct an ad. The rest, as they say, is history.

Tell us about your recent test spot, Spark…

I came up with lots of different ideas initally and it was no easy task when you can pretty much make an ad about anything, for anything. Spark was actually the first idea that I came up with. I knew I wanted to involve both kids and adult performances, I wanted it to be quirky and charming as well as being very visual and cinematic. Spark ticked all of those boxes. We didn’t have much money to shoot it but I had a fantastic producer and team who put their hearts and souls into making it because they loved the story and we pulled it off.

Are there any stories or interesting memories from the production you recall?

I really wanted to shoot on anamorphic lenses in order to give the film that real cinematic feel. Panavision supplied us with the same set that they shot Rocky, Cliffhanger and Full Metal Jacket on. If only those lenses could talk! Also, originally, I wrote a voiceover to accompany the film but I suddenly had a brainwave and started searching through YouTube for acoustic covers of You’re The One That I Want because I find the lyrics so ironic and fitting with this story. I came across a young girl called Emily Isherwood who has an amazing voice and performs in the finished film. She could have been anywhere in the world but ended up living just a few miles from my composer. That’s fate, I’d say!

You’ve shot three features as well, how have you managed that?

I’m a very ambitious and driven person. I love storytelling and movies so features are very close to my heart and were always a goal. I guess you could say that I’ve been lucky but I do believe that you make your own luck and I’ve worked all hours to try and make it happen. I’ve been working in the industry for just under 10 years… I just got a head start because I’ve always known that this is exactly what I wanted to do.

And what’s the appeal with commercials?

I fell into commercials when I was given the opportunity to direct my first one and haven’t looked back. I was also a crew member on countless commercials. It’s where I grew up, really. I really enjoy directing commercials; the attention to detail, time and, well, the diplomacy of the process has made me a much better director. I don’t see commercials as a stop-gap or a temporary solution whilst I wait to direct a big movie as they’re a real art in themselves.

What brand would you like to shoot an ad if you could and why?

Ooh… difficult one as there are so many great brands out there making wonderful ads. I’d love to direct a John Lewis ad. They’re brilliant short narrative films in themselves and really appeal to the storyteller in me. I’d be very lucky to shoot an ad that doesn’t just sell but makes the audience feel something, whether that’s through tears or laughter.