Interview with Guernslye Honorés
Get the casting right.
Seems obvious but even big-budget films sometimes fail at this. And it’s not always easy. I had to cast a Samoan trans character ‘Billy’ for my latest film. Joe Folau was nothing how I’d imagined or even written the part but his audition stood out with its originality and acting ability. Joe took on the character and together we explored a whole new dimension to the role which added real depth to the film. It was amazing.
As a part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Paul Oremland.
Paul Oremland has been directing and editing for over 25 years with a wide range of work for British, New Zealand and American Television. This includes documentaries, arts programs, drama and history series. He has also been at the forefront of exploring the LGTBQ+ experience in film and television. His first TV program, made for the launch of Channel Four in Britain, caused an uproar in Parliament and calls for the channel to be taken of air. It was the first ever UK television to be made by an openly gay team.
He has also written 4 screenplays and directed three theatrically released feature films. The first ‘Like It Is’, was well reviewed and distributed world-wide. The second, Surveillance, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2007.
More recently he has completed a personal feature documentary 100 Men. This weaves together the personal and historical, as he hunts down past lovers to look at the huge changes in the lives of gay men over his lifetime. It was picked up by Netflix in 2018 and is now on various streaming and VOD platforms.
Paul was brought up in a strict fundamentalist religion, even training to be a preacher! He explores this past in a new film Mysterious Ways.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I grew up in New Zealand. I was brought up in a strict fundamentalist religion — Seventh Day Adventist. At one point I even went to a seminary to become a preacher. But I knew I was gay and the church taught that was a mortal sin. For a while I tried to reconcile things but his nearly drove me crazy. Also, in those days New Zealand was very conservative. I discovered a wealth of stories about Queer life in books — often set in Europe or the US. So, I decided to head for the UK. This was at the end of the 70s. And by then I’d fallen in love with movies. Once I got to England I started work as a runner for a small TV company.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was in my teens, I was very confused and struggling to accept my sexuality — gay. This was the 70s. Both the church and society viewed this as a sin or a disease. When I finally came out my parents wanted me to see a psychiatrist who suggested aversion therapy! Instead, I found an escape in movies. But I was aware there were few gay characters on the screen and they were usually sad or met a bad ending. I was determined to try and do something about this. I wanted to see gay heroes in films and on TV. I headed for the UK and eventually ended up making films and programs for a Channel 4, which at the start of the 80s began broadcasting with a mission to reach new audiences.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
There have been so many interesting stories over the years however probably the most recent comes to mind. Last year we filmed “Mysterious Ways” — made on a shoestring with a committed passionate crew. The final day filming was a climactic big musical number with the character of Billy, who was fa’afafine… an integral part of Samoan culture, assigned male identity at birth, but explicitly embodied both masculine and feminine gender traits in a way unique to Polynesia. During the day we had filmed the close-ups and were setting up to complete the shoot with an audience. Just as the extras arrived Joe, who was playing the part broke his leg, while rehearsing a move. The pain caused him to pass out, which was very scary as I knew he had recently had a pacemaker fitted. I will never forget the anxious moments as the medics removed an outrageous costume while trying to revive him. After he was taken to hospital, we managed to cheat some audience reactions and later that night got the news that Joe was going to be fine. I can’t watch the end of the film now without recalling that eventful night.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Again, over the years as a documentary filmmaker I have interviewed and chronicled so many amazing people. Early on I did a profile of Drag Artist David Dale which in its day was ground breaking. I followed this with a film about ‘Andy The Furniture Maker’, one of the most talented and interesting characters I have ever met. It resulted in a powerful documentary that caught the essence of London queer life in the early 80s. In later films and documentaries, I worked with ‘stars’ such as Grace Jones, Roger Daltrey, and Graham Chapman all of whom were amazing. But I often find the most moving shots are with ordinary people who face hardship and triumph in their unique ways.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Again, there have been many people but for me as a Director/writer one of the most important relationships is with a Producer. My most recent film is a bi-racial gay love story with a Samoan character in the lead. I took the script to Ngaire Fuata, a Pacific producer here in New Zealand. It was the beginning of a huge journey together. Her commitment, professionalism, and deep understanding of the themes allowed me to realize a dream that I had been harboring for 10 years. And we became good friends.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My father always said better to be Lucky than Rich — this often kept me going when times were tough.
I am very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
As I mentioned earlier, growing up as a closeted gay boy wracked with guilt, there were few role-models on the screen to identify with. Now days there are many more and I find this helps raise self-esteem in some of queer young people I meet. Also, I have just completed a film where I worked with a Pacific crew and cast. This was enriching in so many ways — the performances on screen, the energy on the shoot and the friendships I made.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I have just started work on a very ambitious script about a famous New Zealand politician who gave his life for his beliefs. ‘Michael Joseph Savage’ transformed the country and his story is epic.
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
Without being too grand I think what makes me most proud is giving hope to people. I recall a film I made many years ago called “Like It Is”. It was a gay love story about a bare-knuckle boxer. After a screening at a festival a man came up to me and said his partner had sadly died a couple of years back. He was heartbroken and swore he’d never fall in love again. But on seeing my film he felt maybe he might once more find love. I will always remember the conversation and somehow that type of thing makes all the struggle worthwhile.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1. Keep it simple.
Too many times I have tried to cover everything in a story which then obscures the heart or reason I wanted to tell it in the first place. I recall struggling with numerous drafts of the film about the gay bare-knuckle fighter. A mentor film maker asked what was is its essence? I said love story. He said simple — boy meets girl or boy, they break up and then get back together or don’t. And it worked!
2. Get the casting right.
Seems obvious but even big-budget films sometimes fail at this. And it’s not always easy. I had to cast a Samoan trans character ‘Billy’ for my latest film. Joe Folau was nothing how I’d imagined or even written the part but his audition stood out with its originality and acting ability. Joe took on the character and together we explored a whole new dimension to the role which added real depth to the film. It was amazing.
3. Have a skill you can sell.
I started my career as an assistant editor. Not only did this give me insight that was really useful when I cam to direct but over the years, as I became an editor, it meant a steady income which allowed me to explore the things I really wanted to do as a film-maker.
4. Learn when to walk away from something.
Sometimes it’s just wrong time, or wrong combination or even just luck. I spent a lot of money and 4 years on a script that a friend one day said will never be made. I wish I had listened instead of spending another 2 years on it. The interesting thing is that sometimes you drop it only to discover it comes back when you least expect it. I once developed a TV history series that failed to find a home and then 5 years later was perfect for a new channel that had just started and ran to 3 series.
5. Have fun.
Making films is hard on all sorts of levels. However, I have always found the more fun you have making it the better the final product is. And sometimes this is when you have the least money — but are working with people who are doing it because they believe in it. I once did a book review series on an absolute miniscule budget. But the presenter, Syd Moore, who at the time worked for a big publisher, was both passionate about books and great company. With complete freedom, lots of enthusiasm we created a very popular show that again ran to three series.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
In trying to get a film made you have to think about all the factors such as potential audience, where you can get funding, who you are going to work with but ultimately you have to be committed to the project as it will always be hard. You need to know why you want to do it and have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
An interesting question. I believe political ideas are important (hence my new film on a leading and influential Kiwi Politician) however as a film maker I have had a wonderful career in so many ways. These days the technology allows many more people to make their own films– yet the avenues for seeing them are limited. So I guess I would be interested in creating a more accessible platform for new talent.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Got to be a bit of a rebel here — I have always loved a controversial, transgressive writer called Samuel R Delanny. I once tried to option his book ‘Dhalgren’ which would make an amazing film. I love his writing and the fact he lives a life that is true to his art. Check out his Boston Review article ‘Ash Wednesday’ about attending a sex party for old gay men.
How can our readers further follow you online?
https://www.facebook.com/PaulOremlandFilmmaker
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
Paul Oremland Of Vada Productions: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.