Lindsay Bennett-Thompson, Armed with 3 Shorts Heads for Feature Debut

Lindsay Bennett-Thompson continues to work professionally as an actor foremost. However, her interest in creating her own work began six (6) years ago.

“Having taken a break from acting in 2010 to travel and “find myself” – whatever that means I returned to the UK and returned to study. I graduated in 2014 with a 1st class honours in Contemporary Theatre. In that time I wrote, produced and was commissioned for two (2) one woman shows. Looking back, now, writing those shows lit-aflame a fire inside of me, and the natural progression was to make films. My experience in contemporary theatre, “I think can be seen in my work” by which I mean strong visual aesthetics, “I tend to see the film (visually) before I hear it.” says Lindsay Bennett

indieactivity : How do you choose a project to direct?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I have written the projects that I’ve directed so I suppose that’s the short answer. I would love to work with someone else’s writing in the future.

indieactivity : Why filmmaking and screenwriting? Why get into it?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I have a passion for film and knew that’s where my acting career was focused, spending most of my professional work on sets I was inspired by so many of the amazing directors I worked with who have continued to encourage me to develop my own projects. I had also reached a point where I wanted to take control of my own career – (nobody wants to sit around waiting for the agent to call)

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indieactivity : ‘How can a filmmaker, if she so chooses, distribute her film?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I’m still at the very early stages of my career and so very much still learning the “business” side. I think it’s important to ask yourself who your audience is and cater how you promote your film accordingly. Distribution is a business and I’ve heard so many horror stories so my novice advice would be – read the contract.

indieactivity : Is there anything about the making of independent film business you still struggle with?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Definitely the business side, I’m an “arty farty creative” and I have no head for numbers and marketing. I have produced three (3) projects and certainly do not enjoy producing, it as much as I do the creative part.

indieactivity : Talk to us about your concept on collaboration?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I heard some great advice years ago which I think came originally from an American director – Make everyone the director of their own department. By which I mean the costume direct their department, the sound direct their department etc. It gives people ownership and confidence to make their own decisions without being micromanaged. A good collaboration for me comes by open communication, all ideas get heard but the final decision lies with the director.

indieactivity : What uniqueness do female directors/filmmakers bring to film/TV/cinema?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I’m keen not to umbrella female directors here, I’ve seen a wide genre of work by male and female directors and have not seen a difference in the work per se. I can only offer my own perspective that I feel female directors are aware of everyone on set and can manage emotional conflict swiftly.

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indieactivity : How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : It is tough, there’s no easy route and a lot of learning. If you leave your ego at the door so many more avenues get opened to you. As I’ve transitioned behind the camera I’ve found everyone to be incredibly welcoming and generous with their advice and time. As an indie filmmaker you do everything yourself which I think is a great tool to build up your career. You don’t learn anything going from the Mail Room straight to CEO.

indieactivity : Why would you choose an actor, writer or producer? What do you look for?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Passion for all 3. You want to surround yourself with people who love the project as much as you do and will work hard to bring it to life.

indieactivity : At what period in the filmmaking process, do you need to start planning for distribution?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Again, this is new territory for me so I’m not sure I can offer a valuable answer. However an amazing podcast I listen to regularly which offer loads of amazing advice on this is The Filmmakers Podcast.

indieactivity : How do you get an indie film to the audience with such a zero/low budget?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Well the list is endless really. I’ve seen friends get an exclusive cinema release to only releasing projects on social media. There are so many platforms for indie filmmakers to get their work seen – I know that Amazon Prime for instance distributes a lot of independent work which is available to rent or buy. The industry has opened up so much for indie filmmakers.

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indieactivity : How do you think filmmakers can finance their projects?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : The 3 Tiers I know of are Private funding (Investors), Crowdfunding (Hard but not impossible) and Sole funding (Pay for it yourself). A lot of filmmakers combine all the 3 – I think Private and crowdfunding are more successful if you have previous work to support your projects. It shows people the work you can make and compels why they should get involved.

indieactivity : Describe your recent work; from pre-production through post production?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : My most recent project is ENTER NIRVANA. It’s a short horror film which I directed in February, 2020. I came up with the full concept during a Yoga class believe it or not. I mean the full thing, the shots, and the look. Everything. I’ve never typed so fast after that class in case I forgot it. The entire film was based on a near death experience I had last year which led to life saving surgery. My brain managed to manifest this experience into the story of Enter Nirvana somehow, but it’s not an autobiographical account. The pre-production mostly involved redecorating my house. I had a strong visual aesthetic I wanted to achieve and knew my house would be big enough and keep costs down, I also have a VERY understanding husband. The film is shot in two (2) locations so once I had secured the other location we were good to go. I sourced my crew from another project I was working on and they loved the concept so once I had the storyboard finished we started shooting!

Title: Enter Nirvana
Logline : A woman’s journey to find peace leads to esoteric depths.

The story of Enter Nirvana is led through the visual aesthetic, with little dialogue we follow a sombre woman through a journey of ritual, sacrifice and peace to her home. There is ambiguity in the film which was important to me. it’s riddled with metaphors throughout and I want the audience to take away from it the story they think it is about.

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Alongside directing I also play the lead role of the woman in the film (no easy task but if you have a great 1st AD and strong crew it’s very much achievable). The incredible crew were as follows: Lindsay Bennett-Thompson (writer, director and producer), Dave Thorp (DOP), Lee Preston (1st AD), Alex Coleborn (camera assistant), Brad Sweetman (sound), Rebecca Tupman (make-up). The cast are a handful of three (3) including Lindsay Bennett-Thompson. Leah Baskaran (Yoga Instructor), and Neil Proctor (Man)

indieactivity : How did you put the crew and cast together? Did you start writing with a known cast? What was your rehearsal process and period?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : For Enter Nirvana I wanted to use the crew I had just worked with on another project. We all got on so incredibly well I knew I wanted to work with them again and so I was thrilled when they came on board. The cast I opened up to actors that I knew. I think it is important to help each other in our careers and I already knew so many actors capable of fulfilling the roles. With a small budget rehearsals aren’t possible and for Enter Nirvana weren’t really necessary. I communicated a lot with my crew prior to shooting so we didn’t have any questions during the shoot. The Storyboard was clear which I think really helped everyone.

indieactivity : What and how long did it take to complete the script?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : As discussed I wrote it in an afternoon solo. There is such little dialogue in Enter Nirvana the process was quite easy – unlike my previous project PUPPY completed in Jan 2020 which took me 2 years to write!

indieactivity : Did the tight shooting schedule make it harder or easier? How did it affect performances?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : With the luxury of a small cast and crew Enter Nirvana has been the only project I have ever worked on that didn’t run over. The AD Lee Preston gave us so much time for each location we could breathe and experiment. The perk of also filming in my house meant that no-one was going to throw us out at 6pm!

indieactivity : How much did you go over budget? If you did, how did you manage it?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : I probably went about £600 over my estimated budget – like I said before I’m terrible with numbers. I was extremely lucky that I had some private investors that helped me out and I put the rest in myself.

indieactivity : What other films have you written and made?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Prior to Enter Nirvana I wrote and produced PUPPY – It’s currently in the film festival circuit and there’s scope to develop it into a feature film. And before that I wrote and directed Lions & Tigers & Bears (full version)

a). PUPPY (2020) – Puppy Trailer
b). Lions & Tigers & Bears (2017) – Lions Trailer

indieactivity : What do you hope audiences will get from the presentation of your film?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : My ambition is to show my stamp as a director and regarding the actual film I’d love for people to have their own interpretation – I want them to do a bit of work.

indieactivity : What are your future goals?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : My energy is to develop my craft as an independent filmmaker alongside my acting career. My journey so far has been so positive and supported and I’m confident so many things are achievable. In the short term to develop Puppy into a feature would be incredible.

indieactivity : Tell us about what you think indie filmmaker need in today’s world of filmmaking?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Unrelenting ambition and drive. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and self-belief. With that I honestly believe anything is possible

indieactivity : What else have you got in the works?
Lindsay Bennett-Thompson : Alongside developing PUPPY into a feature film I have recently finished the concept for another short called La Isla which I’m keen to get off the ground at the end of the year.

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