Elliott Hasler

Watch This Episode On YouTube

The tagline of the podcast is “the future of filmmaking.” I don’t think you can earn that without hosting my guest, Elliott Hasler, who began his filmmaking journey at the age of 10.

Fifteen years later, he’s two features in, the latest being VINDICATION SWIM (2022), a biopic around Mercedes Gleitze and her attempt to become the first British woman to swim the English Channel. Big period pieces aren’t what you’d expect him to take on, but that boldness is partially, he acknowledges, why he’s been successful. He also has a keen sense of the business of film, writing for the film festival Raindance about “What It’s Like to be the UK’s Youngest Film Director.” Elliott is here today to share his unique insight. 

In this episode, Elliott and I talk about:

• His unique start at filmmaking at the age of 10(!) and whether something like that is made easier through YouTube and online tutorials;
• His article “What It’s Like To Be UK’s Youngest Film Director” and what he’d change about it looking back six years; 
• How he related to older filmmakers at 16 and his advice for young filmmakers now;
• Encouraging the youth movement in filmmaking;
• How people should feel when they watch VINDICATION SWIM;
• The challenges of shooting at sea without a green screen or a tank and what drew him to spending his resources on that part of the film versus other elements;
• Whether he’d use AI in a future film;
• What he’s learned about in the world of distribution;
• Whether he’s interested in producing films;
• What a bottle film would like from him, coming from period pieces;
• How to make a unique short film;
• Breaking away from the festival circuit and branding of the system;
• Whether he feels pressure to have a large presence on YouTube, TikTok and social media; 
• Differences in US and UK filmmaking;
• What’s next for him.

Elliott's Indie Film Highlight: WITCHFINDER GENERAL (1968) dir. by Michael Reeves

Memorable Quotes:

“What sets this film apart is the fact that it is all real.”

On nepotism: “if it’s going to make your life easier to get into something, then why not; I certainly would’ve used it, it would’ve made my life a hell of a lot easier.”

“ Making the film is 50% of the journey and then releasing it is the next 50%.”

“ What you always wanna strive for in a film is to take audience somewhere where they've never been before.” 

“ Always aim big. And then you can always temper your expectations a bit. But if you start out too small, then I think you're selling yourself short.”

“ In terms of AI, I think essentially what it will be good as is sort of a big cost cutting exercise.”

Links:

Follow Elliott On Instagram

“What It’s Like to be the UK’s Youngest Film Director.”