Today we’d like to introduce you to Toby Kearton.
Hi Toby, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in the UK, just outside of London, my earliest memories are grounded with a deep fascination for the documentaries found on the bonus discs of DVDs. Nowadays, these featurettes only consist of talking heads aimed to promote the film. But back in the day, they were immersive, three-hour explorations that allowed the casual viewer a glimpse of the entire filmmaking process, complete with its flaws and triumphs.
As I sat on the carpet, just six years old, my elbows propping me up, I would gaze in awe at those documentaries. These early memories instilled in me a profound fascination for the craftsmanship and dedication of the creative departments behind the magic of cinema. It was a world I wanted to be a part of.
My creative journey began with arming myself with my dad’s digital camera. I delved headfirst into crafting my very first stop-motion animation films, my actors being LEGO mini-figures. My early attempts were crude and unsophisticated; although I did not know it then, I found myself absorbing invaluable lessons of visual communication. I learned the art of framing, the magic of movement, and the subtleties of screen direction. But above all, those initial attempts at filmmaking instilled in me a trait that would become the bedrock of my creative journey: The boundaries of the possible are defined only by the limits of imagination.
A decisive moment came in early 2014 when I was offered a job as PA on the film “Tulip Fever” (2017). Making Dame Judi Dench green tea marked the official beginning of my stumbling steps into the film industry. Being thrown head-first into a mammoth production was a dream come true for an aspiring and enthusiastic teenager who was in awe of everything on a film set.
In 2015, I won a scholarship to study at the acclaimed The New York Film Academy in Burbank. I could barely believe that I was actually going to spend three years in the heart of the industry I so wanted to be part of. My goal was simple: refine my skills and learn the art of filmmaking from the best. My time in film school would prove to be a crucial step in my development. I wanted to absorb all that was offered, challenge myself, and make my future projects as ambitious as possible.
I saw film school as the best possible seat of learning and knowledge, fostering innovation and preparing myself for the complexities of filmmaking. I discovered the importance of taking risks and granting yourself permission to fail. I learnt that failure served as a profound lesson in creativity, imparting lessons and building resilience. This willingness to learn from mistakes not only hardened my resolve to be the best but gave me the mindset and adaptability needed to face the challenges of the industry: Where the stakes are higher but the rewards greater.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Embarking on a career in filmmaking has been both a rewarding and demanding journey. The path to bringing a vision to life is filled with its share of hurdles. As an enthusiastic and young creative filmmaker, with new ideas and ways of doing things, have sometimes been met with skepticism by others.
From the initial challenge of securing funding to the crucial task of assembling a dedicated team, creative differences are a common occurrence and the ever-changing landscape of film introduces an element of unpredictability. However, my dedication and unwavering passion for the craft have always been my guiding force, helping me adapt and face challenges.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a film director, I see my role as being truthful and honest to every given story, searching for maximum dramatic value within every creative decision. I look for meaning through the means of storytelling to deliver maximum effect, emotion, and entertainment. I am detail-orientated as a director, which I believe is the key to unlocking creativity and effect.
I am best known for my stories set against a historical backdrop. I like to highlight our morals have barely shifted throughout the years despite our society having evolved so rapidly. I have transported viewers to pivotal moments in history, from the Western Front in 1918 to Occupied France in 1944 and the intense setting of Vietnam in 1968. I find delving into the war genre a crucible for exploring the full spectrum of human emotions. A time where characters face life-or-death situations, testing them both physically and psychologically. Not only does this ignite profound personal transformations in characters but is a timely reminder of why war is hell and unjustifiable.
I take great pride in ‘Dissonance,’ an independent short film that made its debut at the Court Métrage during the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. An exciting aspect of this project was our unique opportunity to shoot within an active prison in Queens, NY, which added a layer of authenticity to the film that was unparalleled. At 19, my relative inexperience in the realm of film production proved to be an unexpected advantage. It allowed me to approach the project without preconceived creative limitations which allowed for an open and flexible set and endorsement from crew and actors.
The narrative of ‘Dissonance’ was set in a world where music was strictly prohibited. To capture the essence of this musically oppressed environment, I chose to shoot the film in black and white, representing the absence of color in the characters’ lives. Additionally, recognizing that the characters in this world lacked a literal voice, I opted for a silent approach, relying on a carefully composed score to convey emotion and the film’s narrative.
A significant contributor to the film’s impact was the composer, Ramesh Kumar Kannan, whose intricately crafted scores breathed life into the project. His work taught me the invaluable role of musical composition in film, not as a tool to dictate the audience’s emotions but as a means to infuse the film with a soulful backdrop and message.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
As a place with more creative people per square mile than any other city in the world, I love the optimism of Los Angeles. It’s a city that embodies the spirit of endless possibility. LA’s optimism isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a way of life. It’s a place where pursuits are pursued with unrelenting enthusiasm and the collective belief in the glass is half-full mentality. It is a daily dose of motivation. The strength of understanding between creative people and the passion to realize dreams is not matched anywhere else in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tobykearton.com
- Instagram: to3y_kea97
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectedByTobyKearton
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tobykearton/
- Twitter: @tobykearton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TobyKearton
- Other: https://letterboxd.com/tobykearton/
Image Credits
Robin Morgan, Horacio Martinez, Gabriele Fabbro, Aleks Chukmasov, Louis Murrall.
