Each week we'll be profiling one of the six finalists in this year's Orange FilmFour Prize For Short Film.

This week: Jonathan Soper and Billy O'Brien, Director and Writer of The Fishmonger

Jonathan Soper (pictured left), 29, Film Director from East London
Jonathan is a Director with a BA Hons in Film and Photography from the Newport Film School and an MA in Animation from the Royal College of Art. His credits include: Window - 3min 16mm Animation/Live Action Short, Letter - 6min 16mm/Beta Live Action / Animated Computer Special Effects Short, The Hiding Place - 5min 16sec 16mm Animation/Live Action Short.
He has had screenings in Prague, Paris and Lodz, not forgetting the Welsh BAFTA screening.Jonathan has recently had his first baby. Quite a good year so far.

Billy O'Brien, 31, Writer/Director from East London
Billy is a writer/director with an MA in Film and National Diplomas in Design communications and Film Production. He studied at the Limerick College of Art and Design, the Laoghaire College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art. He is a commercials Director with Alan Friel and has worked on many commercials including Orange, Rover and Barclays.
His Short Film credits include: An Incident at Bob's Barber Shop - 9mins B/W, Coal - 16mm Colour, The Wind - 35mm Colour, The Tale Of The Rat That Wrote - 14mins 35mm. Billy is also in the process of developing a feature with Working Title Films.
Awards for The Tale Of The Rat That Wrote: Cork International Film Festival (Best BW Cinematography), Toronto Film Festival (Best International Short), San Franciso Film Festival (Golden Spire Award), Pifan Korea (Best International Short), Derry Film Festival (Short Film Award), BAFTA Nominee (Best Short).
Quite a line up.

The name of Jonathan and Billy's short film is The Fishmonger. Mr Davis buys his fish at the quayside at dawn until Mr. Leech the wholesaler tries to squeeze him out. Mr. Davis is forced to resort to extreme measures to save his livelihood. Where will this battle of wills end?

We asked director Jonathan to tell us a bit more about himself and The Fishmonger

I studied for many years as a Graphic Designer and a Photographer, before becoming interested in Animation at Newport Film School. I continued Animation at the Royal College of Art, but felt that an opportunity to develop and learn other disciplines could aid my Animations, which at that time were experimentally driven. I began working with "Live Action" and "Story", which I found to be a perfect partner for my Animation.

Did you think that you and Billy had a good chance of getting onto the shortlist for the Orange FilmFour prize?

We felt that the story was strong but we knew there would be many submissions. I hoped we might get shortlisted, but had no idea that we would eventually be chosen as one of the six selected for production.

How do you want The Fishmonger to make people feel?

I would like the audience to feel for Mr Davies, and believe that anything in life is possible.

What is your favourite film or short and why?

"The Haunting" (1963), directed by Robert Wise. A horror film like no other in the fact that there are no monsters or madmen, only a Victorian house that Robert Wise brings to life with wonderful use of sound, editing and direction.

Who is your favourite Director?

Directors change with each good film.

What are you most looking forward to about making your film?

The opportunity to concentrate on telling the story through direction and working with professional people involved in the process of making a film.

What will you do with the money if you win the prize?

I would use the money to help develop a new project.

How did you find the day of the interviews?

Being a shy animator I initially found the interview process intimidating, but soon settled down. However, I generally feel that the process of interviews does tend to work much better within a team. Ideas and suggestions tend to bounce better.

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