Interview
Daniel Christophersen
Director
Daniel Christophersen
Director (UK)
Daniel Christophersen previously studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh and worked for several years in renewable energy. Realising his proficiency for nonsense and humour may be suited to other fields, Daniel began studying at London Film School to continue his ambitions of becoming a filmmaker.
Daniel wrote and directed two short films in 2019 and will shoot his graduate film next year.
Daniel was a finalist of the Papaya Young Director of the Year 2019 competition.
Daniel took part in our festival with his film "Final Call". We asked him to share his filmmaking experience.

— Tell us a little about your experience? Was it only a film connected or you did/do something else?
This is a world where we are constantly told that if we do this or achieve that, then that will make us happy, but it's rarely that simple leaving many people disillusioned and unhappy. We have two characters who tried completely different paths of life, that were meant to make them happy but it didn't work out for either of them. As someone who once found myself lost in the corporate ladder before leaving to try and find a life of adventure, I can relate to these characters a lot, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So, our film is about challenging the concept of what the best way to live our lives really is.


That all sounds pretty serious for a comedy…
— Maybe, but the great thing about comedy is that it quickly gets people's guard down and engaged. So, if you can make someone laugh then you can make someone listen, sometimes even without them realising it. Comedy can also allow you to discuss difficult subjects, like we do with unhappiness, disillusionment and depression, in a more open and comfortable way, without taking away the seriousness of the issue.
How did a student film afford to shoot on a plane?
— We actually couldn't afford it... so to make this film we had to literally build our own plane! Or at least we built one wall, and would then flip the chairs around to pretend it was the opposite wall, for reverse shots. We were really lucky to have old plane parts and pieces provided to us by the lovely people at 'Shoot Aviation'. They told us that it would all easily slot together like IKEA furniture, which I can tell you after three long days of building is not true.. It was a pretty crazy process but we were all proud of the final result of our plane, even if flying now gives me PTSD.


—Funny or scary moments on the set?
— The day where we filmed the plane crashing sequence (spoilers!) with all the practical effects was a crazy, funny day. On the other hand, there was a now infamous incident involving a toaster on fire in an oven and a crew running around unsure whether to dowse the flames or run from plastic fumes, that will live forever in the memory for the wrong reasons.
— Do you have a dream?
— My dream is to one day live a financial stable life. Also, if I could do so by spending my days making films that entertain people that would be pretty cool too.
— What is your favorite film?
— Head says BOY by Taika Waititi, or BIRDMAN. Hearts always, always says LION KING.
— Give advice for those who want to make a film, but don't know from where to start?
— I have no idea what I'm doing, and neither does anyone else, which means you don't need to either. Making films for a living is a really bad idea in the first place, so you have nothing to lose. Just go for it, make mistakes, learn from them, and continue.
Made on
Tilda