British Comic Simon Amstell Goes Behind the Camera, Directing with Short Film
Simon Amstell, British comic and charming host of shows such as Popworld and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, has decided to make the move from leading-man to director, at least for the time being. Inspired by the work he saw on the sets of films like Florence Foster Jenkins, Amstell has attempted to try his hand at directing with his first project, a short film based on the track Something More from musician James Righton of Shock Machine (formerly of The Klaxons).
“I’m often working from my own past trauma and misery in order to produce something. My feeling was that it would be lovely to work with other people’s pain,” said Amstell of transitioning from the front to the back of the camera.
Being a successful actor relies on one’s ability to be vulnerable, something that comes easier for some than for others but which is always emotionally draining. Being on camera, Amstell said, “is a very vulnerable place, especially with the kind of stuff I end up writing – it’s all really revealing. I really like being behind the camera, helping someone else feel comfortable with revealing themselves.”
The short played as part of Channel 4’s Random Acts series, which highlights various short films, with directors ranging from James Franco and Shia LaBeouf to Beck and FKA Twigs.
Check it out here!
