Go Furness

I’ll do it my way

Tom welcomed me into his ‘shed’ situated on a field at the end of a dirt track, surrounded by mountains, and not too far from the end of Lake Windermere. I was invited to take a seat on a beautiful 3 legged chair that he had crafted from wood. The most sophisticated software I have ever seen sat on top of the elegantly carved desk, and the views from the windows were stunning. Has Tom got life sussed or what?

Tom traded in his London lifestyle in favour of this rural setting when he realised that he was working in London in order to ‘earn enough money to live in the countryside’ so he decided to go and live in the countryside!

He had completed a degree in Audiovisual Communication, worked in film editing in London, in the days of 35mm film. After working really hard for a year, in a job that paid him less money than it took to live in London, then as an assistant editor and then off-line editor, he decided to leave and travel around the country with a couple of horses!

His Dad had always bred fell ponies and he decided he really wanted the fix of ‘reality’ that the horses gave him alongside his creative work. He did an MSc in Creative Technology where he explored how to use motion sensors to control video.
Tom is a skilled musician, artist and philosopher and is constantly exploring new horizons. This work with sensors allowed him to add a new dimension to his work, the use of space. Sensors enable the audience to stop or start a video and to be involved with each screening.

Meanwhile, he has taken over the care of the ponies, and enjoys the balance between the creativity and working outside.

I could not even attempt to define his creative and cutting edge film work with words, it must be experienced. Tom pointed out that 50% of any film is the sound track, and that music is a means of defining time and place. He spoke about ‘images’ as being sound, sculptures, visual or spatial.

This means that Tom’s work takes him to diverse and obscure places; artistic, creative, corporate, social, educational and always ethical. He works with young people, with social services, youth services and in the school system. He has worked with top bands such as The Orb, and in large corporations and businesses in the marketing sector. He knows that ‘it’s not Hollywood round here’ but when he did get a chance recently to work with a cast of actors and a couple of camera crews, Super Casino went to Cannes!

He has lots of projects on the go, including a whole new website which will be launched early in the New Year. More on this later.

The Secrets of his Success?

Tom has not played the normal game. He has not compromised on what is important to him.
He has stayed true to his self. He has the same dreams and aspirations as he always had. And he does it his way.
He puts 100% into everything he does, knowing that his reputation is only ever as good as his last job.
He knows he is offering a really unique and eclectic mix of talents, skills and experience and this has created a kind of niche market.
Advice to other budding filmmakers?

Get diverse experience. Know what it is to act, direct, produce and edit. Get out there and do it.
It is not always glamorous work, in fact it is often quite boring and tedious.
Be prepared to work for nothing in an enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated way.
Be willing to be rejected, keep brushing yourself off and getting on with it.
See for yourself!

Well enough words from me, check out these links and see, hear and feel for yourself why Tom Lloyd is a bit of a legend in his own lunch hour!

Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 11th January.