Kris Aird
- Director
- Writer
- Composer
While working for London Underground, Kris was given the opportunity to
write, direct and produce the sound track to a short film. The film was
originally funded by Kris and he was to be reimbursed on approval by
TFL(Transport for London). Having won the right to make the film in a
competition open to 19 000 employees, he set about the daunting task
of, "how does one make a film when given the approval to do so?". Armed
with only a 10 minute treatment of a script, a love of film and music,
Kris got to work. A lucky break came when discussing the project with a
friend and colleague, Anthony Smalley. Tony had gone
to Uni with Shaye Leonard and Alexis Bicart. Shaye and Alexis had been
working on films for 10 years prior to this conversation. Why Tony
decided to keep this information to himself for nigh on 5 years of
their friendship will always be a mystery but nevertheless, phone calls
were made and after a few meeting they all knew that the four of them
would be making a film together. One thing led to another and they
ended up getting some quite high profile actors and crew involved in
the project and the ball was really rolling by day 1 of the shoot. As
with most first time directors, Kris was eager and passionate but had
probably bitten off more than he could chew with a 25 actor, 8 story,
18 location script that needed to be filmed in 7 days and edited down
to the "What is London's" film competition criteria (and then get his
money back). Getting a free pass to all London Underground stations
and bus depots proved invaluable experience for the crew, allowing for
a one take steady-cam shot from a Piccadilly Line tube train traveling
through a tunnel, up through 5 floors of escalators during peak traffic
to be filmed. Sadly due to the time restraints on the film, this was
one of many shots that hit the editors floor. The film in theory added
up to a far greater product than the film itself, but still got
nominated for Best Short Film in the competition and he got his cash
back. Kris wasn't deterred by his lack of experience and continues to
write and collaborate to produce one of his upcoming features. The
directing will be left to the directors in the future tho.