BULB Directed By Arlene Cullum

Shane: Tell us about your film?

Arlene: Bulb is a short film shot in a farm in rural Scotland but it is set in a technological city in the future, in a world on the brink of collapse. It’s about a breakdown in communication, both in the world and in the relationship of the two main characters, Jack and Jill.

S: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

A: Whilst considering why some people are able to focus in on what they are doing and are oblivious to all else around them. Then I wondered whether what people think could be picked up like radio signals and if so who would be controlling who.  

S: Was this a school project?

A: Nope. I’m a bit old for school.

S: How did you find your cast? 

A: Through a casting agency.

S: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

A: Must have been 7 months - but this also included attending training sessions plus I was working full time on another job so you could probably half that anyway.

S: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

A: Lack of time. We had a very tight schedule and had to shoot a lot of green screen on location with the actors individually and with each prop so that ate up a lot of time. The majority of this was shot in a run down barn which had one door and this door opened directly onto our set. All the crew had to walk through the set to get to a tiny space we created – we were all packed away at one end behind a low wall we built. Then there was the mud, the lowing of cows, the twittering sparrows flying in and out of shot. I could go on but I’ll stop there.

S: Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

A: Bulb premiered in Edinburgh  2007 and went on to show at Bristol, London, Berkshire USA and Morroco. In March 2008 it won a Scottish New Talent BAFTA for Innovation and I was nominated for Best First Time Director.

S: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

A: I like films that surprise, whether they do that through a good old fashioned scare such as Psycho or Jaws or whether they are traditional horror such as vampire or werewolf films or whether it is a film that uses a twists or unusual images such as Little Yorik which is about a couple who can’t have a baby so they believe that a piece of wood is a baby and look after it. I particularly enjoy surreal eastern European filmmakers and David Lynch. Then I start to think of all the traditional English Films that are my favourites such as Great Expectations and Whistle Down the Wind and then I think about the wonderful Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in films like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. All those Saturday afternoon black and white movies I watched as a child. Too many films and directors to mention…

S: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

A: I enjoy telling stories and I like making them come alive. I’ve also written a novel and write the odd short story but there’s not so much time for that anymore.

S: What is next for you? 

A: I’ve just finished a first draft of a feature film I want to direct so I’m happy to have the whole plot nailed so I’ve got something to work with. Playing with the story once it’s there is good fun. My full time job isn’t in film so I’ve got to focus on one thing. Otherwise I’d make another short film whilst developing the feature.

S: What is next for the film?

A: I’m hoping Bulb plays at film festivals across the world. It’s showing in France and Spain towards the end of the year and hopefully I’ll be successful with other submissions.

S: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

A: Stick to your vision. When you are pulling the script apart and working with the actors keep going back to the core of the film.