My break… Zak Hilditch
In a piece that first appeared 
in Encore, the Perth-based film-maker Zak Hilditch talks about breaking into the industry.
How did you get into film-making?
I studied at Curtin University and did a film degree. Once I was out of there, I chipped away for six or seven years making backyard features, some funded shorts and some unfunded shorts; just trying to make as many things as humanly possible. Little by little I built up enough of a strong reel that when it came time to go for the money for a full-length feature, I ticked enough boxes.
What was your big break?
It wasn’t necessarily that one specific big break it was realising that I could make films when I was at uni and then just wanting to do that once I graduated. Just working hard at it, the planets aligned and I was lucky enough to get These Final Hours funded.
What is the difference between making films for yourself and with professional funding?
I have done three backyard features with my mates but this is definitely my first film “for real-zies”. Everything was done properly and we had a budget. Surrounding yourself with professional people is the big difference. It makes all the difference in the product you end up getting and the fact that everyone is that much more experienced than yourself. You get very comfortable trying to make films this way rather than doing everything yourself.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out?
How to work with actors. That is something you have to work out and find what your style is. I have realised that every actor is different and there is no one way to work with actors. They all require their own processes.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Make as many things as you can. It is the best way to learn. You learn so much from just doing it, and doing it, and doing it. Over time, there will be things that you never want to do again and things that you should be doing. Get out there, make films and tell stories.
Zak Hilditch’s feature These Final Hours, part of the MIFF Premiere Fund, made its debut at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Friday.
This story first appeared in the weekly edition of Encore available for iPad and Android tablets. Visit encore.com.au for a preview of the app or click below to download.
