Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Kopp.
Hi Keith, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised in Vancouver, Washington State in a working-class family. Storytelling was really important in my family and so was going to the $3 cinema on weekends. As a child, I was really drawn to dramas (anything related to family and romance) and I would rewind the VHS and watch them over and over again, they felt as though they held the mysteries of adulthood. Unknowingly I was soaking up film grammar and history. I was not engaged with high school but I did find my passion in theater and a visual communications class (I can’t remember the curriculum but the important element is they put a camera into my hands). I loved working with actors and this started to plant the seed that I wanted to pursue film direction. I was not able to afford film school so I found myself joining the military (Active Army and the Air Force Reserve), this was my first time in Texas. An interesting choice for a soft theater kid.
I moved to the UK after my enlistment and meeting my amazing wife. I used my G.I. Bill scholarship to attend the London Film School. While there I started to identify the stories that really capture me and that I want to tell intimate and personal films. It makes sense that I love the works of Cassavettes, Bergman, Polley, and Baumbach. I started by making shorts films, learning the form and how to lead a team to a creative vision. Eventually, my work started being screened at film festivals globally and broadcast in the UK. I have also learned how to direct by trying out various roles in the film and television industry (Assistant Director, Locations, Camera) and understanding what that department’s process is. I still do the odd bit of crewing and last year I had the pleasure of working on The Crown (Series 5) and Casualty.
I have just completed my debut feature film Translations. It’s a Welsh romance drama that focuses on love between two people facing challenges with their mental health. It stars some amazing up-and-coming cast Alan Emrys (Young Wallander, Host) and Kate Morgan-Jones (The Pact, The Forfeit). The film is partially in the Welsh language (which I am now trying to learn but I didn’t speak it before shooting the film) and it also has a positive tone which is rare with films that deal with mental health. We are now packaging the film for a festival and cinema release.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish someone had told me two things about filmmaking before I started, the first is failure is a part of success (if you learn from it) and the second is that every new film is like starting a new business. The short answer is that I and every other person who has ever picked up a pen or a camera and decided to make a film has faced challenges and that is “sometimes” it’s even a part of the fun. Getting a financier to invest in a film, casting actors, and securing your key crew are all skills that you develop by being told no a lot. This makes you hone the art of asking and makes you be specific when approaching potential collaborators. You build a tough skin and learn that no isn’t a personal attack on your ideas.
The second point is that every new film is a new business because it has a different story, with new cast and style, so you can’t expect the same approach will give you knew results. You will keep the elements that may have worked for you last time, an actor you formed a great relationship with, press agent who knows how to sell themes you work with but in large it’s a whole new strategy. You need to think of the audience that will watch this film, where will it screen, and most importantly will the excitement drive you for five years (from idea to it ending up on the back catalog this is how much a feature film will take a filmmaker’s life).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe my focus on intimate and tender moments is where my directing talent comes into play. So really drilling down into relationships and what makes them tick is my strong suit. This is manifested in transformation of the script into shots, directing the actors and collaboration with my crew. This is greatly supported by my long term screenwriter Laurence Guy who has very similar creative interests.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think one of the most important skills for creative people is being open to being inspired by life. Talking with genuine people who have nothing to do with your industry and understanding their motivations and perspectives is vital to anyone who wants to create a story. You don’t always have to root for your characters (they might not share your values) but you do need to at least understand them and know what makes them unique. I have worked in various jobs over the years while making films, some have been manual labor and others in office environments, and knowing how people speak and think have added a layer of authenticity to my work. I have seen films in the past where this seems to be lacking. Also having close friends who are honest with you about your material and challenge you is helpful.
The other element is time management. In the past ten years, it has been a process of learning how to prioritize what is important in my life and ensure that I am present for my family, paying the bills, and also pursuing my own creative passions. I find having a couple hours in the early morning (before school drop off) to write or edit is my most productive/creative time, so instead of blocking out full days, I ensure I have this time five times a week. I also schedule deadlines and this puts the correct amount of pressure on my process.
Contact Info:
- Website: kwkopp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/translationsmovie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/translationsfilm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjzQMY4JN6o
Image Credits
Mike Marchlewski
Ross Wilson
Harrison Galgut
