Edmund is a London based Actor, Writer and Director originally from Yorkshire.
‘In Isolation’ is his first written and directed short film, which he also stars in.
Written during the first UK lockdown in 2020, ‘In Isolation’ was inspired by the events at the time socially, politically and personally. He is currently in the writing stage of a project for Television.
Hi there! Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about who you are, where you’re from, and what you do?
Hello. I’m Edmund C. Short. I’m predominantly an actor, originally from Yorkshire, now living down on the Kent coast.
“Being my first, fully written script, I felt mentally, and visually, attached to the piece and after a chat with the cinematographer Charlie Carter, it was decided that I should direct this.”
Edmund C. Short
“In Isolation”, a dark comedy short film, is your first written and directed short. Tell us how filmmaking started for you. Is there a specific time / event that made you realise that this is what you wanted to do?
During last year’s initial lockdown, and with acting roles diminished, I decided to focus some time on writing, which is an area of creativity that I’ve always been involved in, whether it’s script related, poetry or lyrics.
Being my first, fully written script, I felt mentally, and visually, attached to the piece and after a chat with the cinematographer Charlie Carter, it was decided that I should direct this. I’d already had some experience of directing a music video for an old band so I was able to step back into that mindframe.
You wrote “In Isolation” during the first UK lockdown in 2020. Why was it important for you to release that film and talk about that event?
The pandemic has changed society in many different ways and human interaction is definitely something that has been affected.
I wanted to place the film in this specific time to give an exaggerated account of how quarantine could be for some people living in such close proximity to one another, and not being allowed to escape. Mostly because that’s pretty close to what we were currently in. Maybe it is relatable to a certain degree, but it isn’t totally fantastical.
Your film has been well received by festivals, winning its first awards. Tell us about your filmmaking process. How do you go from an idea to a produced film?
Having an over-proactive approach helps. As soon as I had finished writing the screenplay and we were out of the first lockdown, I knew I wanted to get the thing filmed asap, before another inevitable lockdown.
I got Charlie, the cinematographer, on board, cast the other actors and we shot over 2 days. Once that was complete it was straight into another lockdown and straight into the edit. By the time we had arrived into the new year the film was complete and ready to be distributed to the festivals. The quick turnover is definitely a reflection of my personality!
As a first time director, what have been your greatest challenges?
Compromising. Certain scenes or shots that I would have liked to have originally used just couldn’t fit in the final edit. Having to make those decisions is a tough one when it’s your own story, although you learn that it’s for the best. Editing the film myself made it harder to make those sacrifices, but I soon learnt why you need to do these things. Also, the sound edit at times was excruciating. In some scenes we had to recreate the whole sound (eg, movement of clothing, food crunching) due to unfortunate background sound. Just the usual stumbling blocks you need to overcome.
You wrote and directed the film but you also starred in it. This is not your first time as an actor. Tell us about your acting process. How do you get into a role?
As my character does not speak throughout the whole film it made it easier for me to concentrate on getting the mood right for him. As some shots show my character on his own in solitude, it was important to make those scenes evocative enough to tell the story.
What would you like the viewers to take from “In Isolation”?
I want them to feel uneasy, while also being able to see something relatable in the experiences of each character and the situation that we’ve all been through. Also, to maybe question the people you live with… 😉
What are the upcoming projects you are working on?
A much bigger biographical project I have been working on for a few years, and probably many more years to come, due to the intricate detail to it. Television is the aim at the moment.
What can we wish for your future in filmmaking
Hopefully no more new pandemic themes.
In Isolation, directed by Nicholas Carrodo
A dark comedy short film.
Three housemates are confined to their home during a severe military lockdown.
