Hove-based Elliott Hasler is an aspiring film director with his own production company. His current project is Vindication Swim, about the life of Brighton swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, the first woman to cross the Channel.
What I’m reading
I have been reading a David Lean biography, but I’ve left it in my student flat in Exeter so I haven’t been able to finish it since the lockdown started.
What I’m watching
I recently watched the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King. I wasn’t expecting to like it but it was actually pretty good. The characters are quite entertaining and very weird – not the best advert for America.
What I’m listening to
I’ve been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac – particularly Rumours – and The Verve’s back catalogue, Urban Hymns being a favourite.
The music that’s got me through hard times
That would have to be Oasis and particularly their Definitely Maybe album. You can’t feel down while listening those songs, they just seem to burst with optimism and a sense that things are going to get better, which I think is necessary right now. I was supposed to be going to see Noel Gallagher in a few weeks but of course that’s been cancelled now.
The last film I saw
Lost in Translation with Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray, directed by Sofia Coppola. I’d seen it before but wanted to revisit it. I also watched Whiplash recently which was really good. There is this relationship and conflict between the coach and student which was interesting to me because there’s a coaching relationship in my film too, albeit a very different one.
When I’m writing it’s nice to watch other movies that deal with similar dynamics in them. For this one I’ve watched a lot of films that are set out at sea, which is what we’re doing, including Jaws and Dunkirk.
My all-time favourite film
I would have to go for Lawrence of Arabia. The aesthetic of that film is incredible given that it was made in 1962. It’s stunning to watch which is what I strive for with my own films.
Favourite radio station/podcast
I quite like Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo’s film review show on BBC Five Live, but apart from that I don’t listen to much.
Best experience in a theatre
I have a cousin who does a lot of amateur productions in Brighton so I generally go along whenever she does one. Her company is called Ruby Tiger and the last production was at the Rialto.
Book I’m most likely to lend to a friend
Well, I had this book on acting, about the Chubbuck Technique. I’ve never read it, it was just used as a drinks coaster and then I lent it to a friend and now she’s using it as a drinks coaster. So if I ever get it back it would probably be that one! I generally keep the books I’ve read in case I want to read them again.
Best local arts venue/event
The Brighton Fringe is always pretty good – and of course the Brighton Festival itself.
