iLL Manors - Fabrice Spelta interview
Fabrice Spelta is an Art Director working across Film and TV in the UK. Over the years, his credits have included Harry Brown, Nanny McPhee, Hysteria, The Fades, Cardinal Burns and more. His first feature as Supervising Art Director is iLL Manors, which is released in cinemas nationwide on 6 June 2012
Can you tell us the story of iLL Manors?
Well, first of all it is 6 stories with 6 protagonists, intertwined with each other. Now, to tell you all the plots is difficult, because the sheer nature of this project is different to a 'standard' or classic drama sequence. You might be thinking of Magnolia with its various intertwining stories; but it is more than that. Each protagonist's story is not just painted in pictures, but also told as part of the music. Ben is very lyrical, and an amazing story teller as his music demonstrates.
The film is was Ben Drew’s (Plan B) directorial debut. Can you describe how he was to work with & is this a semi autobiographical film?
I would say that it is not a semi autobiographical film. Ben draws all his stories form life, from stories that he hears, from the people and world around him. But he is also amazing at combining different stories, making each work for whatever outcome he wants to have. He did grow up in a world like the one of Ill Manors. But Ben is very much his own man, a man with a vision, someone that draws you in and makes you understand where he has come from and where he wants to go. It is great working with him. He is learning fast and he will unleash some more amazing films onto our cinema screens in years to come.
Where did you shoot the film and what does location lend to the overall look?
It was predominantly shot in the east end of London, or more precisely around Forest Hill. This is where the actual stories that he draws from have happened. The locations were very crucial and we did on many occasions look at many options before settling on the right one.
What have you been working on most recently?
The last project was Cardinal Burns, an E4 comedy sketch show. I was art directing for Production Designer Julian Nagel. This was great fun and is out now on Tuesday night 10.30! :) [- apart from that, I have been working a lot on commercials. Even though my heart lies in films, having just had a baby, I have decided to do short term projects for the time being. It has been hard to turn down 2 feature films so far. It won't be for too much longer before I won't be able to resist it anymore]
How did you get into the industry?
I started off working in the camera department doing the video-assisting role on set for 2 films (I was then planning to become a DOP). The second one was a sci-fi movie (Fortress II) and I was so amazed by the sets that I went up to the art dept and asked to work for them... which did not work of course as we had already started filming. But, Simon Bowles who was the art director, liked my portfolio of technical drawings from A-Level Art, and recommended me to Assheton Gorton on his next film Shadow of the Vampire. Assheton filled me in on what the art dept actually does, and opened my eyes, big time. I was now no longer interested in being stuck behind a machine, but rather wanted to create amazing spaces. On his advice I did a degree in Wimbledon School of Art for Set Design, and was then picked up on my degree show by Dan May to work on The Calcium Kid. After that I spent 3-4 years sending out regularly CV's, meeting Designers, ringing round, and pestering people, until eventually I got more and more work.
What couldn’t you do without in the art department?
Pencil and Paper
What advice would give newcomers starting out in the industry?
Make sure you love what you want to do everyday.
If you could change one thing about the Film and Tv industry in the UK, what would you do?
For the Art Dept, have fixed pay rates for the various positions, in the various mediums, based on experience and skill level, that every company have to adhere to.
What do you do when you are not working?
Working on sideline ideas; for example, designing furniture for http://www.greatdesigntroupe.com/
If you could work with one film maker or on one film, what would you choose?
Oh gosh..... .. … Ridley Scott I suppose; but probably thinking of all the films that influenced me... His early 80's and Steven Spielberg's ones really ...
You can visit Fabrice's own website here and his profile on thecallsheet.co.uk right here. Follow Fabrice on Twitter here
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