Case Study - Jamie Thraves

To gain an insight into the industry, our group have decided to look at the British film writer and director Jamie Thraves.
Whilst at Hull University, Thraves began making short experimental films after previously studying illustration. His two graduation films, Scratch (1991) and The Take-Out (1993) both went on to win various short film awards. Using these films as a 'calling card', Thraves managed to join the video production company Factory Films. It was with Factory Films that Thraves began to shoot three low budgets music videos, costing roughly £5,000 each. The company employs many award winning film writers and directors, and one of its latests projects was creating the video for Birdy's version of Bon Iver's Skinny Love, which I have already featured on my blog here.

Birdy, whose music video was filmed by Factory Films

Thraves' most recent work was for the band The Japanese Popstars. The song is called Song for Lisa.

Thraves' most successful music videos are Radio Head's Just and Coldplay's The Scientist.

Building on his success with music videos, Thraves has now moved on to shoot features films. Thus far, he has shot three: The Low Down, The Cry of the Owl and Treacle Jr. for which Thraves re-mortgaged his house so he could complete it.

Upon meeting our teacher, Thraves' gave two pieces of advice to help us with our coursework process.

• Use the lyrics of the song, but try not to be to literal.
• Go with the emotion of the song

Regarding our project, I feel as though the idea chosen has abided by both of the rules set by Thraves. This therefore means are project is heading in the right direction.