Wesley Chambers, Director and social media friend of mine. Awesome guy by the way. He is a director and actor, known for Ligatures (2014), Nadine (2008) and The 11th Commandment (2007) and took some time out of his day and week to look over the pre prepared Spending Time With…questions and fire back some great answers (I’m very jealous of his answer to the final question by the way. Just saying!
What is one of your most favourite locations you have filmed or performed in?
This is a bit leftfield with regards to filming and performing, however there was an opportunity to take part in a game show that went under the radar on ITV Cannonball. It was a crazy aquatic affair that gave us a weekend in Malta. I was hyped as it was where some scenes from Gladiator (2000) was filmed.
Have you ever gotten someone’s autograph? Which is the most memorable for you?
I have had a few, the most meaningful being Ian Wright, who is a national treasure, and Kenneth Anger, who is an absolute pioneer of films that are a little left of centre.
What is the ONE single coolest movie geek thing you own?
I have an early edition of the book release of Mark Medoff’s stage play, When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? The film was released in (1979). Its it’s a great single location play. The film is tough to find, but I’ve seen it online thanks to the amazing @rarefilmm I’ve been after the Roadshow Homevideo VHS for a couple of years now. If any readers have a copy, I’ll happily purchase!
What is one film that gives you the ‘creeps’? Or scares you
I was initially drawn to say Rosemary’s Baby still gives me the creeps, I saw it far too young, and it was frightening. I appreciate the performances and work that the crew put into this. I then ventured on an internal digression as to whether we need to stop praising films by this director, I wonder if crediting the other creative efforts is enough to warrant mentioning his film, does that minimise the fact that he’s a scumbag?
Do you have an ‘off switch’ when not working, and how does it work?
My day job is within statutory social work, so I only work on my passion projects in the evenings and weekends. I’ve had a rather king hiatus since the last project, and prior to that I was crewing on odd projects. Essentially I want to create due to a live of the process, so no it’s always on for inspiration gathering and storing ideas. I try to be present when doing dad type things with my boys though.
What’s the first thing you do when you get on ‘set’
I try to remember names of colleagues and thank everyone for their time.
Do you prefer day shoots or night shoots?
It’s got to be day, well sunsets in summer to be precise. As the sun dips and you can get those amazing silhouettes.
If you had to make a ‘bucket list’ of people you’d love to work with, tell me one name who would be on it?
There are so many, think I’d like to have an opportunity to work with Kelsey Talton, she is an amazing cinematographer, I’m putting this out there to manifest into reality.
Let’s shine a light on some of your past work. Which of your projects are you most proud of?
I think I’m most proud of a short film, Library Majnu (2005) which I was crew on (grip). It gave me a sense of what was possible and really enabled to believe that we can get our stories out there.
Out of all the projects you’ve done, which one do people seem to ask you the most about?
The first short that I wrote, directed and got a budget for, Ligatures (2014). It’s taken this long to get back in the saddle, but I have a project being developed now that I’m really excited about, Reflections On A Relationship Between Two Broken Things.
What’s the most difficult thing about your creative journey?
Relying on others to fulfil their agreements can be tough. I think I’ve realised that the more I can do myself, the more likely the project can come to fruition. Finance was the initial answer, but I think if you find the fright team and really believe in what you’re trying to do, you can overcome the obstacles.
And, the flipside. What’s the most enjoyable for you?
Seeing actors speak the words that have been placed on the page. It’s the tangible impact of creating something. That’s why we do what we do. To put things out into the world.
I was tweet chatting with Mick Garris (The Stand, Hocus Pocus) recently and asked him which name spring to mind when he thought ‘Oh MY God I’ve met them’ My reply was George A Romero (Night Of The Living Dead), Mick’s was Steven Spielberg. Who would yours be?
I think it would be George Miller, hugely inspirational and I own by friend Simon C for inviting me to a screening of Mad Max Fury Road.
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