Richard Markworth, Lifelong Horror & Sci-fi Fan on Isolation Horrors

As a lifelong fan of horror and sci-fi cinema Richard Markworth has always had a deep interest in the behind the scenes mechanics of the films he loves. His interest encompassed both the production and acting aspects of filmmaking. He’d toyed many times with the idea of trying his hands at acting and filmmaking but had procrastinated to the point of inaction.

In 2018 I was presented with the opportunity to appear in my friend, John Whitaker’s, AKA the electronic music artist 1i2c, promotional short film for his track Umbilichord. It was on this production that I met my fellow “Isolation Horrors” filmmakers, Nicolai Kornum and Martin Daniels, for the first time. Umbilichord of course starred Emma Dark in the lead role whom I had met via mutual friends only a few weeks prior to the shoot. I was so entranced by the whole experience of the shoot, watching and learning as well as acting, that the metaphorical lightbulb went off in my head and I knew I had to do more.

indieactivity (IA) : What acting technique do you use?
Richard Markworth (RM) : I have had no formal acting training whatsoever. However, I do believe I have the ability to get inside the skin of a character and see the world through their eyes. I suppose Method would be the nearest equivalent to any acknowledged style or system but I really don’t want to overstate my capabilities! Basically, I have an overactive imagination that I’m finally putting to good use!

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How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would still have got the part?
RM : I was contacted by Nicolai Kornum who asked me if I would like to be involved in his project. I had previously worked with Nicolai on a couple of 1i2c projects and had hired him as DoP and Editor on my first short as writer/director “Carrigan Wakes” so I’m sure he knew I would be more than interested in this project. To me, it seemed a really positive way to deal with the unprecedented situation we had all found ourselves in.

Let’s take this project you did; how did you prepare for such a role: the cast, the physicality the terrain, the climate, weather and the demands of the project?
RM : At the time of shooting it was the early days of the lockdown. I’d become increasingly frustrated with the way certain members of the public had stripped the shelves of shops with a complete disregard for anyone else. We’d also had years of certain factions in the media likening a potential no deal Brexit to the 2nd World War and how we as a country would get through it. Clearly that supposed unified spirit had evaporated in some people at the first whiff of a crisis. I wanted to portray someone with a mis-placed confidence that he could manage any situation because of his nationality and how he, like his country, was an island that could endure anything. Whilst I’m positive this country will endure and come out the other side of this situation, this was certainly never going to be the case for my character!

As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
RM : As I was also the writer/ director for this segment of the anthology I feel I achieved the performance I had envisaged when formulating my segment. Several friends have joked they will try to never upset me in future having watched the film so I take that as a positive comment on my acting!

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How do you create the character from a script into a person?
RM : Again, as writer, the character was fully formed in my mind so it all came naturally. On other projects, I have found my imagination to be the most consistent and useful tool.

What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
RM : The whole concept of shooting in isolation with whatever limited resources were at hand was both challenging and irresistible.

Explain one creative choice you took on set of this production?
RM : I had limited props available but decided to use sunglasses to help depict the character’s self-styled coolness amidst the isolation situation as a juxtaposition to the staring-eyed madness that he eventually succumbs to.

You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
RM : It’s a fantastic creative outlet and I have met some truly wonderful people along the way.

Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
RM : I directed myself on this project so, I knew if something wasn’t working or needed to be improved along the way. This did involve some maniacal mumbling to myself!

How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
RM : Apart from my initial conversations with Nicolai, the contributors generally got on with their segments individually. In fact, we were instructed not to discuss the contents of each segment until the film was completed. I did have a few online chats with the others during the process but no specifics were discussed.

As main cast on the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Where you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes where difficult to shoot?
RM : I am the least experienced contributor to the project. Nicolai, Emma and Martin are all award-winning filmmakers and John has been very successful with his short films and music so I did feel I had plenty to live up to and certainly didn’t want to let the others down. However, it was a healthy incentive and inspired to me to produce the best work I could.

What did you take away from the film production?
RM : Everything is a learning process and it was a great exercise in how to tell a story with limited means.

What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
RM : I consider the other contributors to be friends so I loved the camaraderie involved with us being part of one all-encompassing project.

What is next for you?
RM : I have several ideas for shorts, both solo projects and collaborations, at the planning stage so watch this space.

What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
RM : Believe in the character you are portraying and be true to them (even if you don’t particularly like them)!

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