Interview with Gareth Tandy, 1st AD and winner of The Production Guild Inspiration Award 2018.

Gareth Tandy, 1^st AD
Winner: The Production Guild Inspiration Award sponsored by Kodak.

What would you say are some of the highlights of your career?
Meeting my lovely wife. Working on my Ken Russell trilogy as a 3^rd AD (Tommy, Valentino, Lisztomania). I’d have to waste a ream of paper to name the rest…

What was your route to becoming a 1st AD?
I started as a child actor and soon became more fascinated with what the ‘grown-ups’ were doing behind camera than wearing makeup and acting. I managed to flunk my O levels, twice, allowing me to get a job at AB Pathe in Wardour St whilst still in my teens. I got into running on films quite soon after and then got my first 3^rd job via an ACCT (Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians) Film Lab ticket, in 1970 on Digby, The Biggest Dog in the World.

I jumped around on films through the 70’s until I got a call from Dusty Symons asking me to cover him for a morning on a model unit on Superman while he was in a meeting. Five weeks later he suggested they put me on contract! I learnt a bucketload of stuff on miniature effects with the likes of Derek Meddings through the late 70’s and early 80’s until I started a brief 2^nd AD period on films like Little Shop of Horrors and Spies Like Us and 2^nd unit on For Your Eyes Only to name a few. I got my break into 1^st second units on Master Of the Game, Willow, Roger Rabbit and The Last Crusade before getting picked for my first main unit on TV, Jeeves and Wooster.

From then until now I’ve enjoyed many wonderful experiences as a 1^st AD on films such as Nanny McPhee, The Borrowers, Flyboys and 45 Years as well as numerous TV dramas.

How do you decide whether to commit to film or TV projects?
A job is a job and I’m not precious about whether it’s for the big or small screen. If I want to do it, I’ll chase it.

Did you have a mentor in the early stages of your career?
My early mentor was Roger Simonds. I worked with him as runner, 3^rd, 2^nd and even once as a (really naff) Location Manager! He showed me the ropes to be a 1^st AD. Hitting the ground running at an early age was my training.

Why do you feel it’s important to give your time to help those who are new to this industry?
It’s a two-way thing. I think I’m learning as much as everyone else is, every time I do a short or graduation film.

As a mentor yourself, what do you aim to instil in others?
Enjoy and relish the opportunity you’ve been given.

What is the proudest moment of your career?
This award. Very unexpected.

What advice would you give to anyone starting out in assistant directing today?
There is no such thing as a problem; only a fresh opportunity. And Hawaiian shirts work!

See the full list of PG Award 2018 winners here