Ben Wheatley is an award-winning director, writer and editor whose films include Kill List (2011), A Field in England (2013) and High-Rise (2015) starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons and Sienna Miller. He’s also directed for TV and was at the helm for Deep Breath - Peter Capaldi’s debut as the Doctor in Doctor Who. His latest movie, Free Fire, stars Brie Larson and Cillian Murphy. We caught up with Ben ahead of its release and asked him 5 fast questions about bad advice, what makes him laugh and more…
BBC Writersroom: How did you get your first break in the business?
Ben Wheatley: My first thing on TV would have been a series of animated idents for the Extreme Sports Channel. That had happened through them seeing my work online and that I knew the guy who was commissioning because I'd worked with him at another company.
BBC WR: In terms of directing, what’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
BW: ‘It doesn’t matter what you think, it doesn't matter what the audience wants, it's what the management wants that counts…’ - BBC producer
BBC WR: Which is easier… Writing or directing a film?
BW: Those are two totally different things. Writing is slightly easier because you can do it in bed.
BBC WR: What was the last thing you saw (on TV, stage or the big screen) that made you roar with laughter?
BW: The Wolf of Wall Street.
BBC WR: Free Fire looks like it will be awesome. Can you tell us a bit about it… and when is it out?
BW: It's an action film set in the late seventies about a gun deal gone wrong. It should be out in September.
Big thanks to Ben Wheatley!
