Talking To: Shaun Thomas
From skipping school to ride horses to making his acting debut in Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant, Shaun Thomas has made name for himself on both the big and small screen. His most recent release is Ali & Ava, a beautiful portrayal of a working-class, modern day love story. His second film with Barnard, Thomas plays Callum, a son to Claire Rushbrooks’ Ava and a young dad himself.
Opening in the UK at London Film Festival last October, the film has garnered critical acclaim. We sat down with Thomas to discuss his admiration for Barnard, how he workshopped the complex character of Callum and what it was like filming back in his hometown of Bradford.
I watched Ali and Ava the other day and I loved it, I thought was brilliant; I was wondering what drew you to the part of Callum?
So basically, Clio was creating the story and building a story. She was in Prague for quite a lot. And we spoke quite a bit, we did a lot of workshops. I kind of I kind of helped to create the character of Callum and had little bits of input. And then when it comes to the casting stages, I got an audition. And I'm thankful I got the part. I’m very grateful for it.
What was it like to working with Clio [Barnard]?
Unbelievable, she's like no other director I've worked with before. She's very understanding and gives you a lot of freedom. And she wants you to be as free as you possibly can. So everything is natural, you know, you don't want anything to feel forced. She gives you a lot of freedom on set, which is which is really nice to nice to be around in a nice environment to work in.
You said you had kind of an input in the character beforehand, what sort of thing were you advising?
We just brainstormed and worked closely together to come up with the character, and then just kept workshopping, really. I spoke about my own my own experiences; she helped me bring it all to life and, and directed me perfectly.
How did you kind of approach the character? Do you see any similarities between yourself and Callum?
We have got a lot in common you know, we're both young lads from Bradford. So instantly, I felt a connection. Because you grew up in Bradford and have lots and lots of friends from round here and I've seen how I'll react in different ways to different situations. Clio kind of kept it grounded and kept it simple.
The film deals with some heavy themes. What was it like managing that onset?
Again, working with people that made you feel so comfortable. You know, and if you've got any questions or anything like that you can just to ask and if I were ever meant to be felt uncomfortable in a situation I would have to deal with speak to Clio or one of the guys on set and things would have been sorted. I didn't feel good in parts and I was a little bit worried. I was like I don't want people to get getting mixed up with my character and me. I think Clio did a good job at helping me keep them separate.
Was it a nice being back in Bradford to film again?
Yeah, it was lovely. Because the first time I did a film, it was in Bradford and that was seven/eight years ago and I've never worked really in Bradford again so to get the chance to do it again for a second time but knowing when I when I first ever did it, when I first started acting, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. So then this time around, it gave me a good chance to have a second go at it and really get involved and really to take it all in which I really really enjoyed. It's also good to get some light shone on shine on Bradford.
Do you think much has changed in the way you approach acting since the first film that you shot in Bradford to now?
Most definitely. When we were doing The Selfish Giant I can see how oblivious I was and I didn't really know what was going on. I just used to feel like I was turning up and I didn’t know what was going on. It’s weird to see how far I’ve now. I definitely felt like a professional actor on the second one.
Have you thought about like writing or directing? Is that in the long term plans?
Most definitely, I've wrote like a few little bits and bobs? I've been getting like, I've sent them to a couple of people and got a good reception, and they're encouraging me to do more so it's definitely something that I'm going to get my head into and hopefully do a little bit more of.
Critically the film’s done very well. Are you surprised or were you aware on set when you were filming that it that it was a very special film?
I think anything Clio does is very special, I've never worked with anyone else like her, just how down to earth and how in touch she is and how open minded she is; she doesn’t turn a nose up to any idea or opinion. She’s amazing.
Were there any scenes like in particular you were nervous about shooting?
Yeah, I was nervous about the living room scene you know coming in with a sword. The audience are watching me and Claire [Rushbrook] in the room arguing but on the outside, you've got a boom operator running round, you've got your health and safety making sure everything’s alright as I'm running around with a big sword so that kinda worried me. Also what Clio does well is that she can sit me down and taps into these little emotions, she draws them out of me and goes right let's get on with this one. But then once you've done it, you feel drained from it then I've got it all out but we reset and go again, then I ready myself back up so it got to a point where I don't know how much more I can do but she just kept chipping away at me and we got there in the end.
But you’ve got that low point with the sword and then a high moment with you and Claire doing karoake in the pub…
That’s classic me and Claire; I love that scene. I think that come about because when we were filming, I constantly felt like Callum was either angry or upset and I was worried I was overdoing the emotions. And then we did reshoots in July and Clio said that she had thought about what I said and thought we need to show a happier side Callum so she'd gone away and came back with a happier scene for these guys.
The film premiered at London Film Festival last year, what was that like?
I've not really been to premieres before, I've been to a few little ceremonies and stuff like that but not a premiere since The Selfish Giant. I realized how lucky I am and how highly regarded these guys hold me. They've give me a second opportunity. And now they put me in a position where I got to go into London and stay in a beautiful hotel and go to the red carpet and mingle with people that I never possibly would have mingled with in my life and I can't I can't thank them enough, man.
What have you got in the pipeline at the moment?
So I've been doing a BBC comedy, Ladhood which should be out around round summertime. Then I’m shooting a drama in the summer as well, boys. I think it's two episodes, but I better not go into it because I don't know what I can or can’t say!
Ali & Ava is currently showing in cinemas now