(Synopsis from IMDb): Uloaku works the graveyard shift at a remote service station and is bored out of her mind. Fortunately a chance encounter with a suspicious stranger will soon fix that.
Bio from website:
John Addis has worked in the film industry for over 10 years, predominantly as an Editor in features and a Writer/Director on micro budget short films, music promos and other commercial work. In 2008 John made a commercial as part of a competition for Doritos which won and was aired internationally, following that he made virals for Lynx and several music promos. His promo for 'Dead Man's Suit' was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2009 Music Video Awards. In 2011 his short film 'Starcrossed' won Best Film at the Fringe Report Awards, was nominated for Best Newcomer at RUSHES Soho and won Judges Commendation at the Reed Short film competition. His last short ‘Hands Free’ from 2018 won Best Comedy at Lancaster Film Festival, Reel to Real and others. His latest short ‘Lucky Break’ is completed and entered into upcoming festivals. This short is intended to act as a proof of concept for the feature film ‘Burning Down The House’ which he is developing.
1. First off, what is your favorite comedy movie and why?
This is one of those questions I always struggle with. It totally depends on my mood at the time so can I cheat and say Big Lebowski, Caddyshack and Midnight Run? That covers a few moods and yeah Caddyshack is a 'guilty pleasure' but I've probably watched that film more than any other.
2. How did you get the idea for Lucky Break?
The idea came about in a slightly backwards way. I'd written a feature script which featured a bank robbing character (much like Steve Oram's in this). So I initially thought of this as a fun way to see what this guy does immediately after robbing the place. Like a tangential scene to a bigger story. But as I wrote it it became much more about Jessye Romeo's character so it kind of became its own thing.
3. What influences (if any) helped you with writing Lucky Break?
I was influenced by 30's screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby or The Philadelphia Story especially in terms of the tone and pace.
4. Did you know how Lucky Break would end or did it come to you while writing the story?
I wrote a few different versions, initially Jessye's character worked out Steve was a 'bad guy' early on and spent a long time toying with him before ultimately deciding to let him off the hook. But in the end it seemed better if she was genuinely worried before he came to her rescue. I liked them both saving each other because it gave them both a nice arc and the film some warmth that was missing initially.
5. Use one word to describe each of your cast member in Lucky Break?
Jessye Romeo: Star
Steve Oram: Generous
Diana Weston: Legend
Dean Kilbey: Natural
Tom Dayton: Talented
( Interviewee: "I added this last name") Aidan Sansom: he's the dispatcher on the radio. He does an incredible Matt Berry impression.
6. What is your writing habit in general? Do you write in the daytime or night?
I go for long stretches when I won't write anything at all, mostly when I'm busy on a job. Once I start writing I like to try and get through it as quickly as possible (it doesn't come naturally so I find it quite painful). I write mostly in the morning if I can, I'll still write in the afternoon but feel like it's diminishing returns as I slowly run out of steam/get distracted.
7. Are you thinking of making Lucky Break into a feature-length film?
As I mentioned before I had written a feature which was very loosely connected to Lucky Break. Since making the short I've re-written that feature so now it bears little resemblance anymore but the tone is very much the same.
8. Which novel/novella/short story/article have you read that you would like to make into a feature film?
I read an article about an octogenarian jewel thief that I thought would make an amazing film. Kind of like Robot and Frank without the robot. Please no-one steal this idea.
9. You were an assistant editor for The Grand Budapest Hotel, Frankenweenie, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, could you talk about your experience working in those projects.
Fantastic Mr Fox was my first proper job. I was a massive Wes Anderson fan and was lucky enough to blag my way onto it. It was a very intense 'trial by fire' entry into the world of film-making though. I still use that as my yardstick for the relative toughness of jobs. I was stressed a lot of the time. Grand Budapest Hotel on the other hand is still my favourite experience. I was a little further along in my career, working with great people and I genuinely loved that film (still do) so I'm incredibly proud to have worked on it.
10. What did you learn or take away as a location dailies operator for Avengers” Age of Ultron?
I probably shouldn't say this but my job was basically just playing rushes to the Director, DOP/anyone who wanted to stop by the trailer to review anything so I had very little to do a lot of the time. So I ate and wrote a lot! It was a great time.
11. Congratulations on getting a BAFTA nomination for Best British Short Film, where were you when you discovered that you got nominated?
I was in my garden. It was a sunny afternoon so I'd planned to be sat in the sun when I heard the bad news. I honestly never thought we'd get nominated, the whole experience was quite surreal.
12. If you win the BAFTA Award who would be the first person you’d like to thank?
That's really tough, like the favourite comedy film question. I need to cheat because Rami Pantoja produced it so it wouldn't have happened without him, my wife Jude Spencer script supervised on it/provided a huge amount of emotional support, Matt Bowron a long time friend and collaborator helped me with the initial idea (and to shoot some test footage) and Frank Madone shot the film beautifully and provided his home as unit base. So I'd say Rami, Jude, Matt, Frank in quick succession.
13. What piece of advice do you have for aspiring director or screenwriter starting out?
Develop a thick skin because there's a lot of rejection but if you keep going you will be better and stronger for it. Oh and be nice.
14. Last question, in one word how would you sum up your overall experience with Lucky Break?
This is cheesy but 'Lucky' because I lucked out in so many ways getting to make it.