Jerusha West

Fidge Films Ltd

BIOGRAPHIE

Having spent a lot of time in theatres and with actors growing up, and for several years working within the acting industry professionally, I realised I was most passionate and excited by the prospect of creating my own films and narratives, rather than performing within them. I have always been excited by film, storytelling, visual art, drama and music, but whilst I was studying painting at art school, film felt the most natural progression for me, with its collaborative power and ability to combine a multitude of mediums and interests. My main interest in writing and directing is being able to capture and portray human relationships, and the human condition on screen, as well as making films which open dialogue around important issues. I was lucky enough to be educated at The Slade School of Fine Art where the teaching had an experimental research-oriented approach. This meant I was encouraged to really experiment, dissect and push boundaries within the work I made. For instance, I studied in the painting department, which is where the possibility of filmmaking came to light, and I have since transitioned into narrative film. Studying with such a research-oriented focus, as well as having access to all of the libraries and resources across London meant I was able to develop the skills needed to gather information on a specific area of interest that could end up being the foundations of a film, and then really hone in on that subject, however niche it may be. Coming from an art-school background has meant the aesthetics of my work are very important; I have developed a visual style that has been heavily influenced by how I approached painting, and it is a style that I want to continue working with: using a limited colour palette in terms of the costume and production design, an understated, timeless feel in regards to my location choices, my specific casting decisions, choosing to prioritise shooting outside and in open landscapes, embracing long and lingering shots, etc. During my education I was introduced to analogue film and immediately felt very drawn to it, mainly for its ability to bring to life colour so richly. I feel analogue is also very powerful at depicting and honouring specific periods of history authentically, evoking cultural nostalgia, and as a way of contrasting the heavily digitalised world we live in now. During my course there was a strong focus on learning to be critically self-aware of the work you make, which is something I consider very important in relation to the process of filmmaking.

FILMOGRAPHIE