The production team's first meeting took place at my house. I had ideas and a color scheme in mind, how I wanted the movie to look, because that has to be a real collaboration.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
You always make a film with the hope that all types of people will want to see your work and that it doesn't matter about your color, but unfortunately it still does.
When I started producing, it was George Abbott directing and he would let me do the scenery. He just wanted to know where the doors were - the entrances, the exits; the tables, the props - and then I would hire the designer. I took charge of the visuals - scenery and costumes and so on. And, the shows looked wonderful.
Any filmmaking, any film is a collaborative process. There's always a lot of people working on things together.
On the clothes front, I have a designer who sits with the director for each film to chalk out a look for me based on the script.
Every time you get the chance to work with somebody you admire and would like to collaborate with... it feels like the best opportunity that's ever come your way, whether that's in fringe theatre or a really big-budget Hollywood movie.
I just wanted to do this all Australian film and we didn't want to give creative control to overseas 'cause whoever comes on my sets, whether you're sweeping the floor or an actor, it doesn't matter who comes up with the ideas, it's a collaboration.
I think film is collaboration, and I always want to hear everyone's input.
'The Look' is my first documentary, and I enjoyed the freedom of working within a small team.
John Schlesinger had one of his friends designing it and he had never done a film before. Ten days before it started, they didn't have any costumes. I was rung up and joined up.
On a film, you do your own work, you come together and meet on set, and then you shoot. It's great.