He’s The One – BAFT 3rd Year Graduation Film

As part of the LCC’s Graduate Showcase, we will be featuring the works of students from across Screen School, giving an insight into their graduation projects. For the second week we have He’s The One, a 3rd Year, BA Film and Television film directed by Lewis Simpson and produced by Alix Piat Bernat.

He’s The One is a musical journey of love at first sight clashing with the reality of gay dating.

We spoke with Alix and Lewis to discuss their work as director and producer on He’s The One.

Lewis Simpson (Director)

How did you come up with the idea for He’s the One? What are the themes explored in your film?

The idea for “He’s the One” began to take shape six years ago when I was studying musicals with my A-Level dance teacher, Miss Clinton. We delved into the classics of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, as well as more contemporary works. Miss Clinton played a crucial role in inspiring me, and as a nod to her influence, we’ve included a homage to her in the film for keen-eyed viewers.

The plot of it becoming an anti-love story musical emerged last year when I was going through a conflicting time with my sexuality and dating. While developing the pitch, I drew upon my present emotions to craft a somewhat pessimistic outlook on love. So, the initial inspiration came from my passion for musicals, and the concept evolved from there. 

As for the themes explored in the film, we delve into LGBTQ+ dating, challenging the traditional notion of love at first sight, and showcasing the beauty of ephemeral connections. By exploring these themes, we hope to resonate with a wide audience and prompt conversations about love and relationships in today’s world.

How was your experience working as a director?

Working as a director on “He’s the One” has been an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a talented cast and crew, many of whom I have wanted to collaborate with for a long time. This film gave me the chance to finally work with them, and I thank all of the crew for their passion and dedication to the project. They made my job as a director a dream!

Throughout the process, we did face numerous challenges, such as changing schedules, handling unexpected issues, and making creative decisions on the fly. I’d never worked with such a big ensemble before or used 2 cameras filming simultaneously. Working for the first time to pass these hurdles only served to enhance my skills and taught me the importance of adaptability in the film industry.Moreover, directing this film allowed me to bring my vision to life with the diverse perspectives of my collaborators. This synergy of ideas helped shape the final product, and I am truly grateful for the growth and insights I gained through this.

How is the edit of the film coming along?

The edit is progressing smoothly, and we are nearing the picture-lock version of the film. Watching the dance sequences come together is the aspect of the edit that I find most exciting. These scenes are a true highlight for me and showcase the talent and hard work of everyone involved.

We have shared some short clips and a trailer edit with friends and crowdfunding supporters and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. This encouragement has been instrumental in keeping us motivated and focused as we finalise the film. It’s worth mentioning that the dance sequences presented their own set of challenges during the editing process. It took us several versions to strike the right balance between pacing and conveying the intimacy of emotions that we wanted to achieve. Overcoming these obstacles has made the final product even more satisfying and we can’t wait to share it!

Alix Piat Bernat (Producer)

What were the challenges in making He’s The One? How was your overall experience in producing?

As a producer, creating a musical was a challenge in itself. It had never been done before in the history of BAFTV grad films, so we had a lot of things to consider.

Before the pitch, we knew we needed a composer and a choreographer attached to the project to make this idea viable. Our first challenge was finding the right people who understood the story and could make the vision come to life. 

Another challenge was casting actors who not only fit the physical appearance of the characters but also had the right skillset for singing, dancing, and acting. It was important to find performers who could deliver powerful performances in both their acting and musical abilities.

Additionally, the technicalities of dance and singing numbers were crucial to the film’s success. The choreography had to be carefully planned and executed to create visually stunning dance sequences that enhanced the storytelling, without putting anyone or the production at risk. Similarly, the songs had to be written, composed, and performed in a way that seamlessly integrated into the storyline.

We also faced a few unexpected challenges during the shoot but we were able to handle them, and successfully create the film.

The overall experience of producing a musical film was incredibly rewarding. It was my first time producing a short film and this process taught me a lot about the Film & TV industry.

How was your collaboration with the crew?

The collaboration with the crew was fantastic. As a producer, I had the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated team of professionals who brought their expertise to the table.

The close friendship I already had with the director allowed for open communication and a strong working relationship, making the collaborative process smooth and enjoyable.

I was able to work closely with the crew, including the director, choreographer, composer, and other key creatives, to ensure that the vision for the film was realized. Their passion and commitment to the project were evident in every aspect of their work, and their creativity and talent shone through in the final product.

What are the next steps with the film once it’s completed?

After the final edit is completed, the film will be shown at our graduate showcase. This will provide an opportunity to showcase the film to our friends and family, as well as the cast and crew.

In the next few months, we will be distributing the film to recognised national film festivals as well as LGBTQ+ and regional festivals to reach a wide audience.

He’s The One is currently in post-production and is expected to finish by May 2023.