Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Plastic Pollution's Impact: Guy Trevellyan was inspired by alarming research on plastic pollution, aiming to highlight its impact on human health through his debut short film, Plastic Surgery.
- Creative Adaptation: The casting of Anna Popplewell, pregnant during filming, prompted a significant script rewrite, adding depth and tension to the story.
- Steadicam Challenge: A complex 360-degree Steadicam shot tested the team but ultimately paid off, enhancing the film's pace and tension.
Introduction
Guy Trevellyan, an emerging voice in socially conscious cinema, makes his directorial debut with Plastic Surgery at this year's HollyShorts Film Festival.
Since graduating from MetFilm School, Trevellyan has honed his craft alongside industry giants like Wes Anderson and Greta Gerwig.
His film, featuring Anna Popplewell as Dr. Terra, explores the unsettling realities of plastic pollution.
The project is supported by a talented team, including producers Sophie Stacey and Caroline McCrystal, and cinematographer Helena Gonzalez. Together, they bring a visually striking and poignant narrative to life.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
I was drawn to make this film because of the rise in news and discussions surrounding plastic pollution and our health. Recent research globally has revealed just how much plastic is inside our bodies. The British Heart Foundation has identified plastic surrounding our hearts in plaques and arteries. I had to make this film now while there is still time to make a change in our everyday lifestyle and warn people about its effect on our health.
How did Anna Popplewell's casting influence the film?
The moment we got Anna onboard to play Dr. Terra completely changed my creative approach. Anna revealed she was six months pregnant, leading me to rewrite the script around her. It was an epiphany—who better to represent Mother Nature than a pregnant woman about to give life? This created rising tension throughout the story with real characters in extraordinary circumstances.
"Who better to play a character representing Mother Nature than a pregnant woman about to give life?"
What was a challenging creative decision you faced?
The hardest was probably our 360 Steadicam shot around the second surgery. I wanted to build pace and tension while moving continuously around our surgery. To prepare, we rehearsed the move on an iPhone with crew members standing in, helping us work out the blocking. The final result was worth the risk and challenge.
What do you hope audiences take away from "Plastic Surgery"?
I hope audiences will leave feeling more aware of the threat of plastic on our health. I want them to feel shocked and maybe even scared, realizing it's of our own making that we now have plastic within us. Hopefully, it will be a catalyst for small changes in our lives to reduce plastic consumption.
"I hope audiences will leave feeling more aware about the threat of plastic on our health."
How has this film shaped your future storytelling?
Plastic Surgery made me realize I want to create films with a social or environmental impact. My next project is an animation set 100 years after the MT Haven oil tanker disaster, aiming to impact our understanding of past mistakes.
What does HollyShorts mean for your film?
It’s such an honor to be selected for HollyShorts, a festival I've always admired. Screening at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood is a dream come true. We hope it will be the first of many festivals to spread awareness about the plastic threat.
"Hard work pays off!"
Main Cast and Crew
- Daniel Ings as Intercom
- Rebecca Wheeler - Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics Designer, founder of The Prosthetics House
- Karen Smyth - Costume Designer, expert in conveying messages through clothes
- Michael Llewelyn Barker - Composer, known for evocative scores
- Millie Wilkie and Liberty Scarlett - Production Designers, the SET SISTERS
- Flaura Atkinson - Editor, award-winning and based at STITCH editing
For more on Plastic Surgery, visit their Instagram.
