This month we look into ‘how it all began’ for Tasman Bay Media, with ‘Part 1: Beginnings’.
From an early age Simon always loved films, especially ones with ‘something to say’, like: ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’ (1968), ‘Time Masters’ (1982), ‘Videodrome’ (1983), ‘Withnail And I’ (1987), ‘Rear Window’ (1954), ‘The Elephant Man’ (1980) and ‘Targets’ (1968).
Simons first try at production was a short ‘Flintstones’ animated film in 1995. Using stop motion animation, he understood that the key was telling a story which the viewer would want to see through to the end to see how it will all end up for the characters.
Next up was a documentary about mountain biking. The film followed a group of riders through training and multiple races. The culture around biking was also incorporated into the doc to give it the correct feel and ‘sound’.
Ten minutes into listening to the directors commentary for Kevin Smiths ‘Clerks’ (1994) and hearing the excitement the cast and crew had for their time making the film, Simon knew he wanted to make production part of his life.
Simon chose the University Of Cumbria on the border with Scotland for a three year Media Production degree. During the course Simon regularly teamed up with now screenwriter Si Fantauzzo for lavish productions with big casts, over the top costumes, bugs (the local pet shop always wondered where all those Crickets were going) and plotlines that you’d see nowhere else.
The course also included working as floor manager on a ‘Jerry Springer’ type show where he was trained by a regular floor manager of British TV’s Ant and Dec. In the third year a final film was required to be produced by each student, Simon produced ‘Jode’, as well as working on two other students films too. The lectures though that insane, Simon loved every minute of it and all the films were highly praised.
Next month we look into ‘how it all began’ with ‘Part 2: BBC’.
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