INTERVIEW: Clare Pearce

This month we had the wonderful opportunity to sit and have a gab with film producer Clare Pearce. Clare produced & directed for some of the largest broadcast clients such as the BBC, ITV, SKY, Channel 5 and MTV. Her wealth of experience led her to form the production company ‘London Music Video Ltd’ in 2010. It wasn’t long after that she produced her first feature film ‘Gangsters, Guns and Zombies’ which has achieved worldwide distribution with Lionsgate, Assent, E One, and Xlrator.

With the formation of her second production company ‘Lost Eye Films Ltd.’ Clare is now happily in production for her,3rd, 4th and 5th features, with a slate of commercial films being released world wide in 2014, 2015 and 2016…..Wowza, how does she find the time!. This is truly one talented lady. Ladies & Gents I introduce Clare Pearce!

Hey Clare, thanks for taking time out to chat to us, welcome to The Slaughtered Bird.

Hi The Slaughtered Bird, its a pleasure to chat to you.

Lets start from the beginning. Did you always want a career in film?

No, I was never looking to work in film, it kinda just happened. During my studies at college and unit , I stumbled across animation , I made some animations and video installations and went from there into TV after graduation. Looking back at it now its a bit obvious to me that I should have got into film/ TV a lot sooner. I remember when I was a kid, I was always directing plays and shows with my friends. Is that normal?

Haha, what is normal?

Did you go down the official route of studying film in college and gaining qualifications or break into it another way?

When I was about 23 I managed to get a scholarship into College and then to university, I studied Fine art and I am so grateful they offered me the chance to study. It was at college and university that I fell in love with TV/Film/Animation until then I wanted to be an artist.

How did you make the transition from TV to film?

I was working at MTV Directing and Producing, during this time I met my business partner Matt and he said that he wanted to make films and needed a producer. We started working together and began making films. So it was kind of because someone else wanted to make films and together we made that happen. Now I love it and I am very grateful that I am now on this path.

Was Horror a genre you specifically wanted to break into? and were you always a fan?

I have always loved good horrors and I am a fan of any genre as long as the film is made well.

What was your earliest memory of horror when you were a kid?

“Nightmare On Elm Street,” I watched that loads and what a classic and always scared me, loved Jaws… amazing! Another film I saw when I was very young I think it was called “Talking Tina”, about a doll that tried to kill you, it was shot in Black and White and I remember not liking it much as I was so scared.

What films have had a huge impact on your career and influenced you the most and why?

When Quentin Tarantino started getting his films played in cinema, that was ground breaking for me. I remember watching Pulp fiction and loved it, to me it was like a new genre had opened up, mixed media film. Shortly after Pulp Fiction, you start seeing Oliver Stone and other Directors/Producers with their versions. It kicked film up the Butt! For Tarantino to follow that with Kill Bill shortly after, that is what I wanted/want to create. His films use music and visuals closely and film and music go so well together.

What’s your favourite film and why?

Kill Bill to me, that is the ultimate film.

Working as a producer on films such as ‘Gangsters, Guns & Zombies’ & ‘It Never Sleeps’, talk us through the process of bringing them to the screen?

To list a few things, First I would find a script and go through it with a writer and get it ready, find directors if none is attached already, in “Gangsters Guns and Zombies” case and” It Never Sleeps” Matt was attached already. I will then work with investors and get the finance secured and prepared. Then I would hire and find cast, crew and Locations. Then work onset everyday and manage the film, make sure investors are getting what they want from the production and that we are doing our job well. I need to make sure we are keeping productions values high as we can, while shooting. After we wrap on a production I will then go into the edit, sound, score stage and work on the film with the editors, directors, composers, sound artist. Once post production is completed I gain a sales agent for the film ( finding the right sales agent for the film). Approve with the director that art work and deliver the film to the sales agent. Phew!

You’ve worked with Matt Mitchell on numerous projects. Why do you guys collaborate so well and what does he bring to the table that’s so unique?

Matt is a great writer and director, his scripts always fascinate me and are always current, it is always a pleasure to work with him. He has the same ideas and visions that I want from a film. Sometimes I will suggest a change to an edit we are working on or want to make a film a certain way and he will say “I was thinking we could do this”. Then he will say what I was thinking , making it better then I imagined. Amazing!

Lets talk about The Rizen. which is now in post-production. It has a fantastic cast, you must be seriously buzzing working alongside people like the legendary Ade Edmondson?

I know, they are such talents and they are working with us in Kent, it blows our minds to see this film come alive with such great British talent. So exciting!

You landed cult actor Bruce Payne who I absolutely love since seeing him in films such as ‘Passenger 57’ & ‘Full Eclipse’. What was it like working with him?

Bruce was great, a real Gent and fascinating to talk too. I could spend ages just listening to his stories.

I’ve noticed ‘The Rizen 2’ is currently filming. Can I ask what happens if the first film isn’t received very well? does that put more pressure on the sequel or do you have complete faith you’ve got something special?

I have complete faith we have something we can be very proud of, not just us, but the British Film Industry. We are making something very special, both films are stand alone films. I can’t wait for you to see them.

Sandwiched between ‘The Rizen 1 & 2’ is ‘The Gatehouse’. What can you tell us about this?

“The Gatehouse” `Yes, that’s in Post Production at the moment. Its waiting for me to finish while I’m onset with The Rizen’s. This is another Lost Eye Film that will be released soon, before The Rizen, The Director and writer of The Gatehouse is Martin Gooch. Its a great film and very different. Its almost like an adult horror fairy-tale and looks beautiful.

‘The Gatehouse’ has an interesting cast including Vanessa Mayfield who briefly starred in this years ‘Survivors’ and was one of its stand out stars and also a very young actress called Scarlett Rayner. Is it more difficult working with younger actors or more the established?

Scarlett and Vanessa are great, everyday Scarlett would amaze me, she is going to be an actress to look out for in the future and has the starring role in “The Gatehouse”. I would say, that everyone is different, and not limited by age.

We can’t wait to feast our eyes on ‘The Rizen’ and eagerly look forward to what you have up your sleeve next, especially if its horror-themed. Its been wonderful chatting to you Clare and please don’t forget to spread The Slaughtered Bird love with all your filmmaker chums.

Will do, its been a pleasure and you are very welcome, thank you.

Interview by- FOLKLORE