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It was on a beautiful autumn morning in October 1996 when film-maker Marcus Dillistone stood on the corner of London’s Constitution Hill and watched the King’s Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery go through their magnificent paces. He’d been invited by an equestrian dressage friend Penny Goring to
be the guest of Paul Viollet, a Captain in the Troop and sec- ond in command of the regiment to Keith Brooks.
That early morning glimpse of imposing splendour has since led Dillistone on a two year jour- ney to create a true cinema experience that is now rapidly nearing fruition. The 35mm Cinemascope film - quite simply called The King’s Troop - is between 10 and 12 minutes long. It is an evocative, atmospheric odyssey that has brought together some of the industry’s leading lights to help the young director develop the vision he experienced that day.
“Two years ago I was look-
ing for a chance to move on,”
explains the likeable Dillistone.
“I have never been in a raging
hurry in my career. But now I
feel I’ve got the experience and
stamina to take on a feature film. I understand a direc- tor’s responsibilities, how to work within a budget and schedule and know what’s realistic and what’s not. Also I know the importance of having a good team.
Dillistone has reached this stage in his career via the commercials’ route. This autumn he celebrates 10 years as an award-winning director of ads, promos and corporate videos.
He was born in Tunbridge Wells but the family his- tory can be traced back to 16th Century East Anglia. They once had a Grand National winner, Endeavour, in the mid 19th Century. But even more noteworthy are the family’s horticultural roots which include the introduc- tion of the Sturmer Pippin Apple not to mention the dis- tinction of being leading propagators of that toothed flo- ral favourite, the violet.
From an early age he demonstrated an artistic streak which began to be properly nurtured during a one-year foundation course at Rochester’s Medway College of Design where he developed his drawing, etch- ing and sculpting skills. He then won a place at Stafford University where on a film degree course he was tutored
panies like Marks & Spencer, Glaxo- Wellcome, British Airways and Smith Kline Beecham, which won him the IVCA Best Director award in 1993. More than 25 awards have come his way and since 1992 he has been a consistent
entrant at the New York Festival where he has earned two Grand Prix nominations.
Fuji was just one of the compa- nies to become associated with Dillistone on his King’s Troop pro- ject with Roger Sapsford offering help just when the director really needed it. This association was also to bring him the opportunity to direct the presti- gious Fuji 500 motion picture promotion. Sapsford admits that the demo had to be produced at very short notice and as it incorporated footage from The King’s Troop it was an easy decision to employ Dillistone and
his production company.
The Demo and the cinema short
will, Dillistone hopes, help push along
his ambition to direct features: “As
Charlie Parker said, ‘If you don’t live it, it can’t come out of your horn.’ Nobody is born a film director. You become one. When you direct features, you are in privi- leged company.” ■ JOHN WILLIS
The King’s Troop was originated on Fujicolor Motion Picture Negative
SADDLING UP FOR
SADDLING UP FOR
Trooping The Colour With Marcus Dillistone
by former Kubrick sound technician, John Jordan. Asked about his first “break”, Dillistone smiles, “It was getting fired from JVC.” That, however, isn’t quite strictly true. Between 1985 and 1987 he worked for a cable company and was then head-hunted from a pro- duction house in Chiswick where he worked as a first assistant director. From there it was on to JVC where he learned and honed his marketing skills. That 18-month tenure ended when JVC split from Bell & Howell and
closed the division.
So Dillistone went freelance and while working on
commercials for brand leader Zanussi he started his directing career in 1988. In the following four to five years he produced ten commercials which resulted in a string of industry awards. His advertising promo work has brought him employment from many blue chip com-
Photo: Marcus Dillistone with HRH Prince Andrew and Production Manager Paul-Anthony Viollet.
EXPOSURE • 10 & 11
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