Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton rode local critical acclaim for his debut feature film Samson And Delilah all the way to the Caméra d’Or award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and international notoriety. We caught up with Warwick to ask him nine questions about filmmaking and here’s what he had to say…

Name: Warwick Thornton
Occupation: Writer / Director/ Cinematographer

What was the first film you ever made?

Pay Back; a short film about an Aboriginal man who, when released from prison must then face traditional punishment- pay back.

What’s one thing you know now you wish you knew then?

Not to be afraid of actors.

How do you approach the filmmaking process, is it something you breakdown into stages or do you approach holistically?

You write it, you fund it, you shoot it and hopefully you screen it…and if you’re lucky people might even like it.

Name one personal attribute crucial to making a film…

Perseverance and creativity

If you had a film set survival kit what would it include?

A good script, a great actor and a kind, loving crew.

What filmmakers, artists or writers have influenced you or your work and why?

Beck Cole because she rocks

Favourite online film resource you use for inspiration or community?

IMDb

Play Now Act Now participants must engage our signature item of alcohol and drugs. What advice would you give a young filmmaker in tackling a thematic brief?

Honesty, truthfulness and impact- tell it like it is.

If you weren’t a filmmaker you’d be…

A star ship pilot.