An Interview with ‘Lost Angel’ Director Simon Drake

‘Lost Angel’ – Photo Courtesy of October Coast.

LOST ANGEL director and co-writer Simon Drake spoke to us on the eve of the film’s North American release about turning a 20-page long short script into a thrilling, comprehensive feature script.
 
Nerds That Geek: How long had you been looking at bringing Lost Angel to the screen?
 
Simon Drake: A number of years, as it was based on a short script which Louise Hume had originally written. The challenge to find a way to expand the story from the initial shorter piece into a feature length.
 
NTG: And it was written by yourself and Louise, over how long?
 
Simon Drake: The writing developed over several years. Trying to find a way into the story, and there was an element which was the key to the whole thing which took a while to find.
 
NTG: What was the initial germ of the idea?
 
Simon Drake: Louise had written a short script, about 20 pages long. It was essentially where Lisa and Rich meet, spend a night walking around a museum, then it ended where the second security guard appears. I really liked the premise and characters, so I produced it as a short film with Louise directing. Unfortunately there were a number of problems with that original production, and the short film did not really come together in the way either of us were hoping. Very disappointing. I still felt the script had been strong and it could be expanded to a larger scope of a feature film.
 
NTG: And how did your co-writing work, do you send the script back and forward and one adds their bit, the other approves, adds their contribution, and so on? That really intrigues me.
 
Simon Drake: After all the complications with the short film not really working, I was keen to develop the story as a feature length project, and Louise and I trashed out some ideas. However, by this time, Louise was working on her own novel and other writing projects and was happy for me to take the reins and finish it alone. I added the sister mystery and investigative plot based on her characters and premise from the short script. For example: Lisa did not have a surname in Louise’s version, so I suggested Hill as LH was Louise’s initials. Also, as Lisa is a more down to earth, grounded character compared to others in the story. Or I would expand things like Lisa’s ex-boyfriend Gaz, who was only mentioned in one line of dialogue in Louise’s shorter script. That helped to keep as much of the essence of Louise’s work whilst making things my own too.
 
NTG: Did you have Sascha in mind for the role during the writing process or did that come later?
 
Simon Drake: I met Sascha later on when I started the pre-production of the feature. She was one of the first people cast though, so as I did rewrites (or as we went through filming) I could write with her in mind or tweak the script based on her ideas, strengths and collaboration. 
 
NTG: She’s a relative unknown – where did she come from? What a discovery!
 
Simon Drake: A mutual friend (Samantha Bolter who helped with the majority of the casting) put me in touch. We had briefly met before; on a short film we were both involved in several years previously. I knew that as she was the lead character and in every scene of the film, I needed someone who could not only carry that responsibility but also, I needed a sense that the person would commit to such a big project before I considered getting others involved. I got that sense from her straight away.
 
Neither of us knew quite how long the project would take or how much commitment it would end up being though. She was incredibly committed and brought lots of great ideas to the table, she would suggest actors she knew for other roles I’d not cast yet or suggest shooting locations she found which we would end up using.
It was not an easy shoot at times, as a micro budget with no frills, we often had very little rehearsal time or were filming in cold locations etc, but her (and the other cast and crew) were terrific to stick with it.
 
NTG: Being an independent production, I’d think you probably ended up wearing more hats on it than credited. Was that the case?
 
Simon Drake: Yes, I had not planned on editing it for example, but I couldn’t get anyone else to commit, so I suddenly had to learn that skill. Likewise with the props or costumes design, art direction and most of those jobs which needed doing yet I couldn’t get people due to the (lack of) budget, schedule or other issues. It was a quick learning curve for me (and really made me appreciate the people who do those jobs as I soon found out what those roles entail and how important/difficult they all are).
 
A number of the names on the end credits are actually anagrams of my name (and a few of my sound and camera operators) as I wanted to acknowledge that we did at least focus on those things as best we could without the same 3 names (or worse, my name seeming really egoistical) appearing again and again.
 
NTG: If an awards ceremony were going to show a moment from the film, what moment would you ask them to play?
 
Simon Drake: In the first 5 minutes there’s a scene where Lisa goes to her sister’s flat for the first time and is looking around at the tiny details of Melanie’s life. A life now ended. Lisa is looking with a mixture of sadness, confusion and isolation, then some threatening goons show up kick starting the plot. Sascha played it on the verge of crying, but still holding back the emotions too. 
 
NTG: Considering the year, we’ve had, most of us are appreciate film and other forms of entertainment more than ever.  How have you been distracting yourself from outside worries during the past year?
 
Simon Drake: I had some editing projects like re-cutting an earlier feature film I produced before Lost Angel for a re-release (Infected: Darkest Day, also distributed by Left Films). As well as editing some short videos or doing fan edits of Hollywood films (for my own amusement and to practice my editing). Going running or playing basketball is good for my physical (and mental) health, and I enjoy reading or watching movies.
 
LOST ANGEL is on digital March 15.

---