We had the good fortune of connecting with Imogen McCluskey and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Imogen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been fascinated by people – their pride, shame, love, grief. Everything that makes up a life. And I believe what Roger Ebert said about cinema is true; that it is a machine that generates empathy.
I’m drawn to watching and making film and television because it allows me to live many lives in one, and am inspired by great movies made by other people. Audience is always front of mind for me: what do I want them to feel when they’re watching? What message or question do I want to provoke, or for them to take away?
That said, I never forget that it’s entertainment first and foremost. People want to have a good time! Even when watching something that makes them think.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a filmmaker, and love telling thrilling, funny, and bittersweet stories of misfit characters building love and family in unique places. I’m a recent graduate of the AFI Conservatory Directing program, and have been living in LA just shy of 2 years.
I’m very proud of my work so far, but it was certainly hard won. After dropping out of a number of university degrees in Australia – including Law and Bio-Medicine – I enrolled at AFTRS (Australia’s national film school) in the new Bachelor program with a film I made overseas that was a one-taker about two strangers processing grief. At the time, I made it without a second thought about where it would go, it was just a means of expression I needed at the time to process what I was going through. But in retrospect, I owe a lot to that little movie.
At AFTRS I met one of my closest collaborators, Lucca Barone-Peters, who is an incredibly talented cinematographer and great friend of mine. We’ve made a lot together, including our first micro-budget feature film SUBURBAN WILDLIFE, that went to festivals including Cinequest in the US, Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, London Australian Film Festival where I was awarded the Debut Director Award, and Sydney Film Festival where we were runner-up for the Audience Award.
Recently, we made the first season of SOUNDTRACK TO OUR TEENAGE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE together, a 10x30min TV series for the ABC in Australia. This was my first television director credit, and I’m so proud of the series – especially the incredible young actors in the cast, Mina-Siale, Nick Annas, Ruby Archer and Isaiah Galloway.
I came to the US to study a Masters of Directing at the American Film Institute, because I was feeling frustrated and stuck in my career in Australia. It’s a very small industry with a limited number of jobs, and despite making award-winning web series and short films, as well as a TV series and feature film, I wasn’t able to break through into the next rung of my career.
Coming to AFI has allowed me to grow as a filmmaker. I’ve spent two years refining my craft, discovering my unique ‘voice’ and perspective as a filmmaker, and making films that I didn’t have the means to create in Australia – including DEEP FAKE, a political thriller, WAR BRIDE, a 1950s period romance, and most recently my AFI Thesis film RAIN, a psychological horror about the dread and absurdity of living in a warming world.
The fellows I have met at AFI are some of the most talented, inspiring, generous and creative people – and I’m so grateful to have been on this journey with them. I’m excited to see where we’re at in a few years!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m in Los Feliz and have miraculously survived 2 years in LA without a car, so most of my recommendations are local. Little Dom’s is a classic for great Italian food and occasional celebrity sighting, there are amazing hikes in the Griffith Observatory, and always something great showing at Los Feliz Theatre & Cinematheque.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m so grateful to have a loving and supporting family, particularly over the last few years in the US which have been tough financially and emotionally, despite the generous support from scholarships and grants that have assisted my studies. And shoutout to my AFI Conservatory family who inspire me and support me every day, and who I’m so lucky to know in this lifetime.
Website: https://www.
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Linkedin: https://www.
Other: Vimeo Showreel – https://vimeo.com/237838745