Archie Waterson is an emerging Australian filmmaker who recently completed his biggest project yet – The Couple Across the Way. The drama/comedy follows John and Abbey as they go through the many stages of their tumultuous relationship. The Couple Across the Way encapsulates the bleak life of dating in Australia. Archie and I discuss his process and motivations for the short while also diving into his future. Read on for more.
What inspired you to write this short film?
“I watched a film called the Worst Person in the World. It has these beautiful romantic scenes, but I remember finishing it and thinking, “I will never be able to make this because nothing in Australia is that romantic.” I wrote this big poem that was venting about how unromantic Australia is and that became the intro and then I just kept writing.”
How was the writing process for Couples, what did the day in day out of it all look like?
“I wrote the first draft in a day. Scenes just kept coming to me. The structure was there within a day. At first, it was a very satirical comedy, but it ended up changing into a more dramatic script. I got to about draft 18 and it changed a lot but the structure was always there.”
I remember reading the early one and it was completely different tonally. Was that just an instinctual decision?
“Yeah, it was. The ending was always bleak, and I wanted to always stick with that end. I wanted to make a funny film but end with an emptiness. I had to adjust the tone dramatically so that the ending could work.”
How did you help guide Ruby Gudenswager into such an incredible performance?
“I think it’s all down to casting. I didn’t know she had the ability to cry on the spot like she did. Ruby understood the people in the script. She said it in the audition, and it made it a dead giveaway to me. For the last scene, we just left her outside with the camera by herself. She listened to music and got herself there. You just have to give good actors the space to do it and make sure there comfortable.”
How did you run the set?
“I had a lot of talented friends on board. We were all very prepared and had done so much pre-production. I trusted the DOP (Adam Potts) to set up his side of things. I would just come in, look at the shot and give notes if I needed to. He understood it completely so I could just spend my time with the actors. Other than that I just stand around trying to look serious…”
What did you learn from Couples?
“That’s it okay to be really inspired by films and show that to everyone. Not having that pride to not look original and I just found that learning from these masters was very positive. Another lesson was not to take yourself too seriously. Film isn’t the be all and end all.”
You have recently finished film school, what was the main thing you took away from it?
“You can find people who have the same interests as you. Creative people need that. Going to film school made me feel a lot more comfortable with who I was and what I am passionate about.”
What would you recommend new filmmakers to do in film school?
“Don’t be afraid to want to succeed. I brought this idea on from school that people give you shit for being passionate and intense about things. But at Uni that school mentality is gone. You can be yourself completely and that’s where the best work will come from. Also, do want you want to do. Learn the technical skills but don’t be afraid to completely commit to the thing you want to do the most.”
Favourite films you have been watching recently?
“I just discovered Aki Kaurismaki. He is a Finnish director who has a film out at the moment called Fallen Leaves. It was the first film of his I had seen so I went through and watched all his other big films. But I am always looking for new sources of inspiration.”
What have you been watching lately?
“I have been going over filmmakers I love and looking at their first short films. Like Yorgos Lanthimos, Ruben Ostlund. Just trying to see where their seeds of style and tone began.”
What are you working on right now?
“I am trying to write again. Just writing different sketches, a lot in the comedy space. When I find one that I love I will go through another year of making that film and spending all my money on it. I am just waiting for that sparkle before I dive in again.”
All Stills by Finnian Mullen