Kevin Short | AGPIFF

AN INTERVIEW WITH Kevin Short, DIRECTOR

As a filmmaker, please introduce yourself.

Kevin Short here. I am a writer/director/producer and performer. After decades of acting in British

theatre and television, both in London’s West End and at the Royal National Theatre, together with independently

writing and producing many shows at the Edinburgh Festival, Scotland, I decided, some 20 years ago to become a fully independent creative. Which is what I continue to be.

Why you became a filmmaker as director and producer?

I saw a double-bill of Hal Hartley films, and his writing, and use of a regular repertory of actors really inspired me.

I knew so many actors, and felt I could maybe do the same. I’d written for theatre from a very young age, and my experience in television and film as an actor had given me a good insight into the visual medium,

so, I thought I’d give it a go.

Give some more information about yourself and the films you have made so far,

about your experience?

Apart from my writing and acting career, I also had a music career. In the 1970’s I formed a punk band called….

wait for it….’Kevin Short and his Privates’. We recorded a punk dance single called ‘Punk Strut’.

EMI label signed us, and for a few years I led a mini rock life-style. The record was an almost hit, but not quite.

However, some 30years later, the single had become a cult collectors item, selling for ridiculous amounts

of money around the world. This led to having a reunion of the band, and making my first film about it.

The award-winning ‘Punk Strut - the Movie’ was the result. This was a work of part fact/part fiction.

A band of real people mixed with professional actors playing themselves or some oddball role.

I was privileged to have Jim Carter (from Downton Abbey) and Sylvester McCoy (ex Doctor Who) as part of the cast, plus some well known UK punk bands like the UK Subs. Punk Ruled!

What are the films or people that had impacts on you and deeply inspired you to become a filmmaker?

Again, from a very young age, cinema was inspiring my life, from Hammer Horror, to Elvis movies,

to classic black & white movies, to the exquisite colour of films like Minnelli’s ‘An American in Paris’ and Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’. Not forgetting Leone’s ‘How the West was won’, and Jodorowsky’s ‘El Topo’. The list is endless. John Cassavetes movies, like Hal Hartley and Jim Jarmusch, kept me on my toes too. Their independent fight for originality and experiment must have finally allowed me to take the plunge myself.

You have made your film "Have A Banana With the Jive Aces" which got award in the

"American Golden Picture International Film Festival".

As a filmmaker, why you decided to make this Music Video?

My co-producer partner, Kathryn Kraus, and I, have made several music videos over the years,

but the idea of this one was to bring the UK’s top swing band ‘The Jive Aces’ into the fold.

I took them to the Edinburgh Festival in the early 2000’s, and have waited for the right time to involve them in a project. With the success of our soon to be released UK road-movie ‘Bonnie & Clive’, came the opportunity.

The band’s trademark yellow suits provide visual style to a song that features in the film, and their

swing rendition of ‘Have a Banana’ is perfect. The intention is to show the video alongside the movie on release.

What were some of the challenges you faced in making this music video?

The main challenge, due to everyone’s availability, was to complete both the recording of the track,

and the filming of the video, in just one 8-hour day. A strict recording and shooting schedule had to be pre-planned. Fortunately, I was working with my usual crew, who know how I work, and respond in a resolute

and committed way, adding their own vision, and keeping the end in sight. The Jive Aces arrived,

having rehearsed the song, complete in yellow suits, and worked relentlessly and creatively for the full 8hours.

The sound engineer and my music co-producer, Mike Allison, were just as vigilant, thankfully.

Let us know more about your experience in film?

‘Bonnie & Clive’ will have been my 5th feature. Four of these produced by my partner, Kathryn, and I,

as K4K Films. Following ‘Punk Strut – the Movie’, came the semi-autobiographical ‘A Reel Life’,

about a screenwriter whose life slowly becomes a film. Then, came ‘Speed Love’, about an over 50’s speed-dating night that has unexpected consequences. The fourth feature was my tribute to George Romero, one of my

favourite horror directors, a zombie love story of sorts called ‘Tom and his Zombie Wife’. And now,

‘Bonnie & Clive’ , a part tribute to another of my top favourites ‘Bonnie & Clyde’. Two young strangers meet,

and go in search of freedom. No guns or robbing banks, their fight is for peace and love, but there are subtle

references to Arthur Penn’s classic for afficionados.

The Cast and Crew member of your video supports the story in a very effective way.

What was it like to work with them?

I am very lucky to have acquired a regular nucleus of talented professionals over the years,

none more so than lead cameraman Jim Nilsson, who headed the crew on this occasion.

We shot with three cameras and a GoPro, and for the small scenes, radio mics and boom were used.

To a man (and woman), cast and crew, were exemplary. Not forgetting the post- production team,

namely Kathryn S Kraus (Editor) and Graham Kirkman (Sound Design). Not to mention the Ruppies – don’t ask!

For you what was the biggest lesson you had to learn after making this?

There are always lessons learned on such shoots, the main one being, always remind myself to provide

good food and energising refreshments for lunch and breaks, and always stay positive and happy.

All this was done on the day, but it’s good to remind oneself.

What keeps you inspired to continue filmmaking?

Being an independent is inspiration in itself. Our films may not always be of the commercial kind,

but if they find their audience and are appreciated by them, that is more than enough. The important thing is

to keep on making movies. Through thick and thin.

The most important part is distributing the film. What did you do for distributing this music video?

We have a UK distributor for ‘Bonnie & Clive’ and ‘Have a Banana’ will go alongside it.

What are your filmmaking goals?

The goal’s to get to 9 features at the very least, together with a few more eco-friendly shorts.

What is your next project?

A post apocalyptic drama, a Goth musical, a Twilight Zone tribute, and a possible sequel to two of our films, are all possibilities. Another project with The Jive Aces would be good too.

GOOD LUCK Kevin,