We had a chat with writer/director Rollo Begbie Crewe (perfect surname for a filmmaker if you ask us). We talked about his latest short and finding your voice as a filmmaker.

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Rollo, and I’m from the UK. I recently graduated and consider myself an aspiring writer and director. Like many people, my interest in filmmaking started at a young age. I used to make action and VFX shorts for fun on YouTube, which led me to learn Adobe After Effects at around 11 years old. During my teenage years, I stepped away from filmmaking, aside from the occasional school project. After moving to Norway to study film, that early passion came back. Over the three years of my program, I really learned the filmmaking process and had the opportunity to write and direct two of my own short films.

What is the latest project you worked on that you are proud of?

Still Swimming! This was my graduation film and the most recent project I completed.

One of the things I’m most happy with is the performances from the actors. It’s incredibly satisfying to see someone take something you’ve written and make it their own. I felt especially lucky with the main character, Jules. I cast him based purely on his look, without an audition or self-tape, so I was unsure going into the shoot, but he really nailed the character and became a standout element of the film.

I’m also quite proud that Frank the goldfish survived the entire shoot and was returned safely to the pet shop.

If your work could give the audience one feeling, what would it be?

That’s a tricky question. I still feel like I’m experimenting and trying to find the feeling that defines my style. Each project I’ve written and directed so far has explored different subjects, and with that, different emotional approaches.

If I had to put it into words, I hope my films encourage some form of self-reflection. I think that’s one of the most powerful ways audiences connect to a film, when they see a situation, a person they know, or even themselves in the story.

If that reflection can offer some perspective on their own lives, then I feel I’ve created something meaningful beyond myself.

Who in Oslo should get the spotlight next, and why?

I haven’t been in Oslo for very long and haven’t had the chance to fully engage with the local scene yet. However, I recently saw a short film at Oslo Fusion called Uvær, and it really stood out to me.

It tackled serious subject matter with a sense of ease and lightness that I found incredibly well written and executed. I would recommend giving a spotlight to its writer and director, Kristina Aas.

CONTACT:

IG: @rollowbc