Interview with British Writer, Director & Producer Stephen Harrington

From a very young age, I enjoyed watching films and television shows that told great stories and inspiring characters, such as Back to the Future, Beauty and the Beast and Doctor Who. At five-years old I was given a video camcorder to film and create puppet shows with my younger sister. Since then, I wanted to achieve my goal of working and making films in the moving image industry. I have recently founded a film company, ArrowKid Films and graduated from University studying Film and Television production.

indieactivity: Why did you get into screenwriting and filmmaking?
Stephen: Watching Back to the Future. It all started when I was a child, I loved anything that told a great story. I always consider that film to be the inspiration that guided me to my goal of becoming a screenwriter and filmmaker.

indieactivity: How does an indie filmmaker distribute his or her film?
Stephen: I share my work with people through Social media. I’ve had a couple of films reach a film festival, but I love the response from people who watch some of my short films on Facebook and YouTube. I can engage more with the audience and gain constructive feedback.

indieactivity: When should an indie filmmaker start planning for distribution?
Stephen: It depends. I would usually start planning throughout the end of Post-Production.

Stanley is haunted by terrible thoughts that pass through his mind, such as violence, murder & suggested suicide

indieactivity: How can an indie filmmaker get his or her film in to theatres on an indie budget?
Stephen: It doesn’t matter about the budget. If you can get the film shown at festivals or competitions there is a chance the film could be screened to an audience.

indieactivity: DHow can an filmmakers finance their project?
Stephen: Through many crowdfunding sites. Such as, Indiegogo, Crowdfunding, Kickstarter, etc.

indieactivity: What films have you written?
Stephen: I’ve written many short films. Such as Weekdays (2016), The Last One (2016), Holes in the Skin (2017), ONE (2017). I have two projects that I am writing at the moment.

indieactivity: What is your concept on collaboration?
Stephen: I love to collaborate. Sometimes, working with different creative people can clash. However, it sometimes can workout well. I made two films with two very different filmmakers and they both turned out well.

indieactivity: How do you find the process of filmmaking?
Stephen: I find the process very fun. That’s how you should look at it.

indieactivity: Describe your work?
Stephen: I’m currently making the sequel to Weekdays called “Weeknights”. During Pre-Production, I was coming up with ideas on how to make the story and the film weirder than the first, like “How can I disturb the audience?”

indieactivity: What are you future goals?
Stephen: Still doing what I love. Making films. Making the audience, laugh, cry, or shock.

indieactivity: What does an indie filmmaker need in today’s world of filmmaking?
Stephen: An indie filmmaker needs passion, dedication and to bloody have fun writing and filming something great.

indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Stephen: I don’t want to drag this out, so I will use this as a shout out section to the talent that I had the pleasure of working with. Lora Moss, Molly Ridley, Megan Sowerby, Jack Hitchen, Leanne Cross, Jack Watling, Colin Bradley, Rob Moore, Jack Taylor-Stocks, Barney Thomas, James Simms, Archie Burton, Ben Blunt, Jade Taggart, Dani Warren, Nathan Jackson and Nance Turner. Thank you all of you for helping out on all the projects that we’ve worked on – You will all have a successful career.