The brilliant 1st AD Dan Gibling strongly persuaded me against and we went for a Thursday. Regarding the actual shoot, initially for realism I wanted to shoot on a weekend. And achieving this unflinchingly yet with sensitivity and without sensationalism was a great responsibility. Will, Fox, producer Scott O’Donnell, excellent commissioner Tamara Brooks, the actor Finn and myself, shared many rigorous meetings discussing the issues at length. We wanted to show the defiance of a character as he is met by vulgarity and brutality, resolving with a catharsis. The biggest challenge is it’s a work of fiction, expressing very real experiences and engaging real people.

When did you shoot it, and how did you overcome the challenges that came with shooting the idea? And did you have any difficult moments? You shot the video in the middle of Brighton. His inscrutability and inner grace personified the character.' 'As soon as Finn - the lead guy - walked into the casting I knew we were blessed and our aim was true. His inscrutability and inner grace personified the character.

And this would have been impossible without the authority and collaboration of Fox Fisher, a highly respected trans activist and filmmaker. As soon as Finn the lead guy walked into the casting I knew we were blessed and our aim was true. We all understood from the beginning that this project needed to be conducted with utmost authenticity and integrity, so there was no question of not using real locations and not casting a trans actor. How did you cast your main character – did you cast from the transgender community? As I’ve said before to my mind Will in his own way is as provocative and important artist as a Lady Gaga or a Nick Cave. ‘Fuck the Daily Mail!’ was one of the conversations. Initially Will didn’t want to be in it as he felt his presence would distract, but I insisted knowing that between us (and this comes from mutual trust) we could pitch a performance that was sincere, informed the narrative but without overpowering it.Īlso it’s important to say that along with Will, his management and Island Records committed 100% to the concept. 'I have a transgender friend who I’ve watched successfully navigate their transitioning journey, which I found incredibly inspiring and humbling.'

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