Interview: In-Depth with Toby Wilkins
Posted by jonathon in Interviews, News on October 21st, 2008
After an hour and six minute phone conversation with Toby Wilkins (spent in my car at a CVS parking lot) I began to get a pretty clear look into the life of a talented director on the rise. It was a challenging conversation. By the end I felt as if I had run a marathon. But I don’t mean to make it sound drab. On the contrary, it was a most enjoyable and in-depth chat covering all the bases of the filmmaker’s career. Something I am excited to watch develop and suspect others are, as well.
I began taking interest in Wilkins’ career after watching his most excellent debut feature Splinter. What’s abnormal and refreshing about Wilkins’ film is that even though it’s an homage to inspirations like Dawn of the Dead and Evil Dead, and could be categorized along the lines of trendy horror, it obtains a level of mature craft; something not seen very often, especially with a new director–not that Wilkins is a new director. He’s helmed a slew of incredible shorts and an original series made for FEARnet.com called Devil’s Trade.
Wilkins jumped into the business as a graphic design and visual effects artist. It was this work that not only propelled him into directing but gave him some very crucial experience that has refined his vision (I’ll explain later). After saving enough money he decided it was time to put himself through film school. And by film school I mean he went out and shot short after short, gaining the real knowledge needed to step up to a career in directing. At it’s most basic level, Wilkins was learning how to problem solve, much like learning sudoku. He was creating worlds in a few short minutes with entirely no help and no money. This is what fueled his vision and seasoned him into an experienced storyteller. The Unbreakable Likeness of Lincoln (co-directed with Dan Harris and conceived, planned and shot in three days) and I Lost 20lbs In Two Months, Ask Me How (starring comedian and voice-over actor John Di Maggio) are two stunning examples of Wilkins’ early work.
Wilkins’ next leap was actually limiting his involvement in his films. Instead of acting as a one-man-show, Wilkins began hiring crews and editors to aid him on his projects and to curb him into focusing his energy entirely on directing. Finding the step-up infinitely more rewarding, Wilkins was clearly on track with the success of Staring at the Sun, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and garnered a 2005 ScreamFest award for “Best Horror Short Film”.
Along with the success of Staring at the Sun, Toby began generating interest from juggernaut (meant in a good way) producer/director Sam Raimi and his horror production company Ghost House Pictures. Raimi commissioned Wilkins to create several shorts including the funny and clever Mousetrap and the impressive series of untold Grudge stories: Tales of the Grudge.
By 2006 Wilkins had created a masterpiece in Kidney Thieves, a dark comedy starring Ethan Embry, Paget Brewster and Paul F. Tompkins. It deservingly won awards across the country and proved to be a cornerstone for his career.
Toby’s next leap put him to the task of directing his first feature, Splinter. What’s most impressive about the film is Wilkins capacity to create such suspense and drama with such limits (something all his previous work had taught him to do quite brilliantly) and his actors Shea Whigham, Paulo Constanzo and Jill Wagner. Rarely do you see such talent in horror/suspense. Splinter is heating up with six awards from this year’s ScreamFest including “Best Editing”, “Best Makeup”, “Best Musical Score”, “Best Directing” and “Best Picture”.
What I like most about Toby Wilkins is his approach and his versatility. With integrating his previous work as an effects artist (here’s where I explain his refined vision), Wilkins has the wisdom to not rely on cheap tricks, C.G.I. or costly special effects. He is fully aware that right now, at his budget level, trying to pull off too much in that department would end in disaster and a lapse in the reality of the story. Therefore, he concentrates much more on creating psychological tension, multidimensional characters and stark believability. Along with his foresight, all of Wilkins’ creations are stunningly diverse. From different film stock to various styles of camera movement to serious genre-hopping, Wilkins can expertly prove, with his body of work, that even though he might be shining at ScreamFest at the moment, he could just as easily find a home winning awards for comedy, drama or suspense.
Wilkins is a star on the rise. I feel fortunate to have spent time “shooting-it” with him. And can’t wait to see what’s next in line for the visionary. Oh wait, that’s right! He’s directing The Grudge 3 (produced by Raimi) releasing next year. You can catch Splinter in theaters opening October 31st. And you can check out almost all of his shorts at www.tobywilkins.com.
