1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?
Umm... I'd guess that you're talking about making films semi-seriously (rather than being a kid with a VHS camcorder forcing his friends to act in various skits that have never seen the light of day) in which case I'd say about 5 or 6 years. About the time that I joined this forum, whenever that was (look under my avatar).
I always really liked films. As a teenager I was much more of a film snob then I am now, and I took 'film criticism' quite seriously. But the reality is that I'm not someone who was ever going to become a scholar of films, partly because I'm too generous to them and partly because I have other, more driving interests in that field. So I started to make films as a way of being able to do something engaging with cinema that didn't require me to commit to becoming a scholar of it.
2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?
I write but I also direct. That said, others have directed my writing but I've never directed anyone else's writing, so I consider myself first and foremost a writer.
3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?
Not sure there's anyone particularly obvious. There are lots of writers and filmmakers that I admire hugely, but I don't think they tend to have a big influence on my work (not least because I wouldn't have the confidence to believe that I could emulate them). I tend to work mostly in comedy, particularly adult or dark comedy, so it's often TV that has a bigger impact on me. Still, I would struggle to think of a single voice that's really influenced my filmmaking, but if I had to pick one I'd probably say Larry Gelbart.
4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?
I actually kind of hate it all, but I inexplicably keep doing it! I really love writing, and am rarely happier than when I'm bashing out a script that I'm really convinced of. That said, I tolerate, rather than enjoy, revisions, which constitute the main part of the writing process.
I enjoy being on set and I enjoy directing, so long as I don't have too many other things to think about. My enjoyment of the production process varies from project to project: I can't say I really enjoyed the production of my feature, The Flight of the Flamingo, but I did enjoy most of the production on my two web-series.
Post can be the best and worst part of production. As others have noted, it is magic watching a project come together. But, conversely, executing post on a tight budget can be very frustrating. It's also draining to watch other people involved with the project slip away: someone once told me that you have to be prepared to be the last person working on the project, and that's a tough reality.
5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?
Go to the Films section of
nick-hilton.com