Thomas Pollock (26) is a Filmmaker from Belfast.
He got started in the industry by picking up a camera, studying the craft, and collaborating with professionals.
What genre / style do you create in?
Focused on social realist drama, crime, thriller, and period genres.
What would you be best known for?
My WW1 Short Film Victories.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
Setting up my own company.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
Networking is everything and to make your presence known. Get your work in front of the right people.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Securing financing for my first feature film.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
Outside of my passion for film and film history, I am obsessed with Japanese culture and history.
- I have also been skateboarding all my life when I get the chance.
- I taught myself how to play piano at 18, but can’t read sheet music.
- I enjoy cooking Asian cuisine.
Tell us about your most recent work?
My latest project is a 3-minute experimental noir film which was shot as a nod to the classic films of the 30s. It’s a real genre piece, made with a meditative tone.
What would you like us to tell people about?
The reboot of my crime-thriller Belfast Calibre 9. It was screened at Belfast Film Festival in 2019, but due to being limited to filming new productions I decided to give the film an overhaul. Having learned so much since making it in early 2018, I knew it could be made into something stronger and more vivid for audiences. This has included a re-edit using new and unseen footage and updated sound design and music composed by Neil Hughes. This has also been made exclusive for sometime at New Ireland TV, available on ROKU and I am excited for people to check out the project.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
Full of drama, violence, grit and sometimes a step back in time.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
Filming a music video for Leo Miyagee in Belfast City Centre with 4 lads dressed up as Roman soldiers. Some people must have thought there was a Stag-do haha!
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Don’t let your failures dishearten you. Consider them lessons to shape your success.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
I would like to collaborate with emerging writers and producers. I intend to develop more homegrown stories, and drama content that will engage with not only a national audience, but globally.
Who do you look up to and why?
Charlie Chaplin. Not only did he help form the shape of cinema in its early days (as well as comedy as we still know it), but he emerged from severe poverty to being the world’s first celebrity. And he was a writer, actor, director, producer and even composer! The man was a true genius, and understood what was at the core of storytelling: to connect with an audience.
Watch Thomas Pollock’s Showreel>>
You can find Thomas on Instagram and Facebook or check out his website: www.thomaspollockdirector.com!