I was born in….
Blackpool! (But feel obliged to say I grew up in a few different countries so sadly lost my accent).
I now live in…
East London.
But if I could live anywhere, it would be…
Today I think a Greek island would be ideal but this dream changes daily.
Right now, I’m binge-watching…
old episodes of Jeopardy. Lockdown 2 is all about comfort watching.
The last track I listened to was…
The Lord of the Rings soundtrack while I meditated.
I dream about…
Greek islands
The app I couldn’t survive without is…
Words With Friends. I might be the last person on the planet still playing.
Social media is…
polarising. For me it is both a mighty benefactor and inhibitor of creativity.
When we can travel again, I’ll be heading to…
ANYWHERE! But probably to New York since my birthday trip there got cancelled in Lockdown 1. I can’t wait to feel the post-election energy or just spend hours in a diner.
The most important lesson I’ve learned in 2020…
Being busy doesn’t mean you’re being productive. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.
The best/worst thing about lockdown was…
Best: Not having FOMO. As a Londoner I feel like there’s constantly something to be doing or places to be going. It was quite liberating to just be home, enjoying my own company and getting back into things I don’t make time for anymore like making slow-cook sauces and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Worst: Feeling like a privileged dick at being able to enjoy lockdown knowing for many people it was incredibly difficult and lonely and it was coming at the cost of immense suffering.
What the film industry needs is…
the freedom to let creativity tell the story not just budgets
What I wish I’d known when I was starting my career…
It’s ok to have no idea what’s going on. Just speak up and ask.
The best advice I’ve ever been given…
It’s OK to leave on time. In our industry there’s an expectation that you should work hard, play hard and working late is a sign of commitment and caring. I disagree and value my time outside of work and fight for that. Great ideas happen when you’re living your life.
The film I wish I’d made…
Can I say Emily In Paris? I would have done it so much better.
My biggest inspiration is…
My mum. She raised a family in four different countries and then got her PhD in her 50s. What a legend.
The person I would canonise is…
Malala Yousafzai
If I wasn’t... I’d be…
If I wasn’t a creative I’d be a trashy romance novelist.
My last meal would be…
A fry-up from the Little Chef
My life philosophy in three words…
Go for it
