OWEN TOOTH

What's new?
My most recent short won numerous ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Comedy’ awards, and my documentary (featured below) won ‘Best BTS’ at the BRAND film awards and was screened around the world.

I'm expanding from features into TV, and been selected for BBC Elevate (raising the profile of disabled talent in TV).

I have a BBC New Creatives short on the festival circuit. I've guest-directed for the BAFTA and Emmy-winning Horrible Histories and recently shadowed on a Jack Thorne BBC1 major four-part drama... as well as on further multi-award-winning shows such as Call The Midwife, Hollyoaks and Jack Rooke’s Big Boys S2 where I also directed second unit.   

I'm midway through the comprehensive Silent Witness director-training scheme and about to start shadowing on EastEnders: I don't stay still!

What motivates you?
I’m a born storyteller known for bringing a fresh perspective to the screen. I love the whole process: collaborating with writers to bring an idea into existence, pushing the story further in the edit, the rush of that first screening...

But it’s on set, in the dance between cast and crew, where I come alive.

I have a distinct voice which shines through my work regardless of genre. I'd describe it as elegant, emotional, often dark and always highly creative.

I’m passionate about diversity and representation on and off screen. I'm trailblazing a path for myself and others into the industry, but exploding limiting beliefs about disability is just part of my mission. 

The hard sell
I hope my track record of awards and screenings at hundreds upon hundreds of festivals worldwide speaks for itself.

I'm proudest of my ability to balance filmmaking's most technical demands with nurturing a relaxed, creative atmosphere on set where I can help actors find their performance. I'm commonly told I run a calm, peaceful set where cast feel embraced to do their best work, and crew are challenged to outdo themselves.

So, your director's chair has wheels... will X, Y or Z offend you?
I'm asked this on every production I've been involved in since becoming a wheelchair-user, so let's get this out there right now: I’m totally relaxed talking about myself and disability in general - so don't be shy!

I'd love to work with you but this shoot isn't accessible...This is the limiting belief which has hurt my career the most; assuming something isn't possible without asking. 

You'd be surprised how easily I can get onto any set; be it mountainside, forests, tiny spaces, up stairs... If the crew can get there, so can I - with a little ingenuity. So why not give me a call!