Q & A with Director Clive Collier

1) What first prompted you to develop a documentary about Lisa Gerrard's work?

The first prompt was more about where I wanted my career to go having gotten myself into a never ending cycle of creatively unfulfilling projects whether they were in TV or advertising. I knew I had many skills in sound, music, animation and production which I'd developed over many years and I felt that I needed a way to exercise these in a way where I would have control. Documentary seemed to be a good option since I felt that it would be more obtainable to do something with the film in commercial terms rather than short or feature film. But I knew that the only way it would work was to make a film on something or someone I really cared about and had a passion for what they did, especially since I would be self-financing it. Having been a huge Dead Can Dance fan and a fan of Lisa's film work, whose work I had listened to constantly while working in the past, I realized that she would be a prime candidate. Prompted by the fact that no one had made a film about her already, I quickly came up with the kind of intimate film I would want to make, emailed her the ideas and within a very short period of time, an answer came back saying that she was keen to meet and discuss it. The rest as they say, is history! 

2) Was Lisa reluctant at all to have a documentary made about her career?

I think at the beginning she had some reservations for sure but that was before we met. In essence she is a private person and I knew I had to respect that vehemently in order for her to trust me enough to allow me into her world. Trust was everything with this film and without it, it could never have worked. After knowing her for a while with regular contact, she knew she could trust  that if I met up with Hans Zimmer or Michael Mann for an interview, I wouldn't say or do anything which would reflect badly on her because in some respects, they are always her potential employers. I think she quickly felt very comfortable with the kind of film I wanted to make and my intentions for doing so. At the end of the day, rather than just being a jobbing doco filmmaker who's asked to make a film on some singer I didn't know, Lisa knew that I chose to make this film out of love for her and her talent having been a fan for many years.

3) How interesting will it be for fans of film music to learn more about Lisa's career through this documentary?

With DVD special features on big movie releases, film fans have had access to 'behind-the-scenes' info on film scoring for some time but never to enough detail as I and many others would like. Unlike visual effects, the soundtrack process has always been pushed aside a little even though I think its a huge, complicated and fascinating area, so to hear any kind of detailed analysis would be interesting for fans. I think Lisa has always been on the periphery of the film music industry but a notable figure nonetheless through her uniqueness. Its hard to get away from the success she had with Hans on Gladiator since that was such a huge movie and consequent success for both of them, but it served to deliver her style to such a wide audience. However, I think that there are some very subtle insights in the film into not only film scoring but the Hollywood machine in the film from people like Hans Zimmer, Michael Mann and Harry Gregson-Williams which I've certainly never heard before. But in general, film scoring is but one outlet for an artist like Lisa to exploit what she does in the arena of vocal instrumentation. She is not harnessed by it but has somehow forged a niche for herself in film music through what she does best and in those terms, I believe her connection with the film score world is inspiring and unusual for any fan to learn about.

4) Did you gain a sense from Lisa, in working on this project, that she will continue to be involved in film music in the future?

I don't think she really plans like that. If a script came along and she loved it and felt a bond with the filmmaker, then I'm sure she would never say no. To her, its all the same thing whether its a solo album, collaboration, movie or documentary. Through her voice, she translates any story, any sensation, feeling or desire regardless of its origin so long as its genuinely coming from within her. Of course on certain kinds of movie projects, there's lots of pressure and expectation which has been hard for her and has stressed her method of working to breaking point but she's wise enough to know whether she needs to go down those roads again. Her will to serve a creative vision will always overrule the logistics or practicalities of working. That's just the pure artist she is. 

5) How interesting was it for you to bring all this together in the form of a documentary and who would you say is the target audience you're hoping to reach with this film?

It was an amazing experience on so many levels. Befriending such a special person as Lisa and the times we have spent together has been rewarding and nourishing almost beyond the purpose of the film and something I will always cherish. Learning all the details of someone's life and work and then translating that using all the years of production experience I've had in filmmaking and post-production into a feature documentary completely on my own was a creative endeavor I always dreamed about. Many said I couldn't do it on my own but I'm proud I proved them wrong. But as intense and exhausting as it was, it never really felt like work. It felt organic and natural for me and something I'm looking forward to repeating on my next project.