Rising London Photographer Pip Talks Moving Into Filmmaking With Debut Short ‘Twain,’ Starring Irish Breakout Éanna Hardwicke

As a photographer with a deep passion for storytelling, I have spent years capturing moments and emotions through the lens of my camera. But there came a time when I felt the need to explore new ways to bring stories to life. With the encouragement of my partner Daisy Edgar-Jones, who is also an accomplished actor and producer, I embarked on a journey into filmmaking.

People who have closely followed the credit lists of U.K. magazine photoshoots and fashion campaigns in recent years are probably familiar with Pip’s name. This talented photographer, originally from Yorkshire in northern England and now based in London, has gained a reputation as a preferred choice for luxury brands and popular magazines. Brands such as Prada, Dior, Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton, along with contemporary stars like Paul Mescal, Anya Taylor-Joy, Andrew Scott, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Sharpe, Milly Alcock, and numerous others have collaborated with him on their projects.

Pip, originally named Ben Seed, has previously excelled in photography but has recently dared to explore the filmmaking realm with his first production titled “Twain”. This short film, which he both wrote and directed, strays from the glamorous fashion industry and delves into grittier social realism. The narrative interweaves past and present to reveal a tale of domestic abuse and sorrow. The title pays homage to Mark Twain, whose book “Life on the Mississippi” is significant to the story’s main characters during their childhood.

The film features Éanna Hardwicke, the rising Irish actor known for his BAFTA-nominated role in “The Sixth Commandment” and recognized as a Berlin Shooting Star. In addition, Edgar-Jones, Pip’s partner, contributes to the production team and played a part in casting the lead roles.

Pip describes how transitioning from solo photoshoots to working as part of a collaborative film team is a significant adjustment. However, his background in photography grants him unique benefits, particularly when it comes to attracting not only prominent actors but also award-winning department heads for “Twain.” Hereafter, he discusses the production of “Twain” and his aspirations to helm a full-length feature film.

What was the idea behind making a short and where did “Twain” come from?

From an early age, I’ve been captivated by both photography and filmmaking. As a teenager, I was particularly drawn to the work of directors like Ken Loach and Shane Meadows, whose gritty social realism resonated deeply with me. Watching Shane Meadow’s “This Is England” for the first time left a profound impact on me. While I have always appreciated cinematic masterpieces such as “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter,” it was films like “This Is England” that showed me the power of storytelling through the lens of everyday life and human experiences. This realization came at a time when I was growing up in a narrow-minded community, making the impact even more significant. Thus, my desire to explore both photography and filmmaking stems from this deep-rooted love and appreciation for visual storytelling.

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling through visual media, with my love for films tracing back to my childhood. However, producing movies is a costly endeavor that requires a team and significant resources. To satisfy my creative urges in the meantime, I turned to photography as an alternative outlet. It didn’t take long before people started paying me for my work, allowing me to make a living and eventually move to London to pursue a career in this field.

So this is your first short film?

In my experience, I’ve overseen music videos and commercials production, which aligns with my photography background. Consequently, I’m accustomed to film sets and managing people. However, this is a new experience for me as I’ve written something original from scratch and guided it through every stage of the creative process.

How was it making that leap?

As a cinephile, I’ve recently had the pleasure of diving into the world of filmmaking. It’s been an enriching journey filled with new knowledge and insights. Yet, the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of this endeavor is the collaborative nature of film production.

Your partner Daisy Edgar-Jones is a producer on the film. How involved was she? Was it something you developed together?

She was really involved. But not in terms of the source material — that’s something I just wrote myself. She read it and really encouraged me to do it. But she was involved massively as a producer. It’s a short film, so we were a very small crew of people that made it and everyone was mucking in. Daisy was a producer amongst three other producers, but she was also making sure the crew were fed, painting sets with the rest of us. She brought so much of her experience on set it to it.

Éanna Hardwicke is currently gaining popularity and is frequently sought after, having been BAFTA-nominated this year for the show “The Sixth Commandment.” How did you manage to secure his role in your production? Was he someone you were already acquainted with?

Daisy recognized him from the show “Normal People.” I had penned the script, and as she read it, Éanna was the actor who came to mind. Intrigued, I revisited all of his previous work and was left in awe by his versatility and skill. Impressively, he seamlessly portrayed multiple characters in this production, a feat that is challenging for any actor. Moreover, given our limited budget while producing a short film, his impressive technical prowess was truly remarkable.

With your extensive experience in photographing many actors and having established industry connections through your work with Daisy, isn’t it simpler for you to approach these individuals about joining a project like this?

Totally, without their expertise, we wouldn’t have been able to launch this project. Our department heads were exceptionally gifted. For instance, our Oscar-winning hair and makeup designer, Nadia Stacey, had recently collaborated with me on a commercial photography campaign. Upon sharing the script with her, she expressed immediate interest, saying “I’m in.” Networking definitely played a significant role. Furthermore, many people intrigued by my photography have shown eagerness to join me in exploring film, which is an exciting prospect.

And you’ve also created a brand, so to speak, that can very easily crossover in film.

Absolutely, having the support and appreciation of individuals who value your skills and artistry makes a significant difference. It’s much more rewarding than starting from scratch every time. Moreover, my background in collaborating with actors on film sets has given me valuable insights into human dynamics, enabling me to effectively communicate and elicit exceptional performances, even when it comes to photography sessions.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m curious if the plan is to utilize “Twain” as a foundation for creating additional film projects. Maybe even venturing into feature films in the future?

Absolutely, I’m excited to move forward with that project. Right now, I’m working on a feature film and brainstorming concepts for a limited series. “Twain” represents the beginning of this creative journey for me. And I’m genuinely eager to share more tales with audiences.

Is it possible that filmmaking will replace photography’s prominence? Many renowned filmmakers indeed began their careers in photography.

I have a strong affection for both photography and filmmaking. Photography is not just a hobby, it’s an integral part of my identity and a means for me to express myself artistically. However, the process of making films is lengthy and challenging. The idea of striking a balance between these two passions appeals to me. I relish the quietness and independence of writing and developing stories, but I also crave the collaboration and excitement of working on short-term projects like magazine shoots and advertisements.

2024-07-26 15:48

Rising London Photographer Pip Talks Moving Into Filmmaking With Debut Short ‘Twain,’ Starring Irish Breakout Éanna Hardwicke

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