Filmmaker of the Week – Thomas Burke

Episode 47 of Filmmaker of the Week featuring Thomas Burke!

Give us a brief introduction of yourself, where you’re from originally and where you are now if different

I grew up in the Chicagoland area most of my life and moved to Austin, Texas in 2010- where I live today. Initially I moved to try and advance a career in the music industry, but film quickly piqued my interest thereafter. I gained a lot of experience working as a post-production editor for different networks, and then it was in 2014 when I started directing and producing my own films.

What is it that first got you into the world of filmmaking?

I actually wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a filmmaker or not. But in 2012, I studied production courses in France, with a lot of other first timers too… Our instructor instantly threw us into the ring by telling us we were going to be making a documentary in four weeks. I think that sort of crash course experience made us all equally terrified, yet thrilled.

Share a little bit about your specialty in the film world

Post-production editing is something I’m proficient in. I have also gained a good amount of experience working as an assistant director- which pretty much is the person who must oblige to safety, scheduling and communication protocols on set. It’s a tough position to break into, but I think I was prepared because every time I’d walk on a set as an extra, instead of viewing that experience as a monotonous sort of position, I really just tried soaking everything in. It was like being paid to go to film school. Haha

 What has been your most challenging project to date?

I’ve been working on a script for the last four years, and am certainly proud to have finished it, but due to the nature of the storyline, it required me to treat the subject matter with the utmost sensitivity. So I can only imagine making this would require me to face a similar sort of uphill.

Tell us a bit about your latest project.

Well we just finished making ‘The Barbados Project’ (2022) – which is a found footage barbadian creature-feature, covering a group of journalists who try to uncover a global conspiracy involving monsters roaming the island. It’s set to release this year with POV Horror, and we actually just premiered the movie last week at the Unnamed Footage Festival. This year I also made a micro-short, where I act in it too, and play out my real-life biggest fear on screen, spontaneous human combustion.

What is one moment you’ve had in any part of the filmmaking process where you learned a really valuable lesson?

Out of respect for the filmmakers, I’ll leave names out- but early in my career I was hired onto a department head position for this three day shoot, only two days prior to the commencement of principle photography, which isn’t actually that unusual to be brought on so fast- but for me I just wasn’t prepared (nor qualified) to be working on a set of that caliber. The experience was terrifying, but it was also refreshing too because everyone was just so nice to me and willing to teach me the ropes, so-to-speak. So for that, I’m truly grateful.

What are some of the 5-year goals for you as a filmmaker/creative?

I always try to set some sort of reachable goal that isn’t totally impossible for me to attain based on where I’m currently at that time. And so if and when I reach that point, then I can replace it with a new goal. So I don’t know, it’s ever changing- but there are a few particular stories I’ve written that I feel very passionate about- so I’m hoping within the next five years, I’ll be able to share those!

If you could work with one idol of yours, who would it be?

I would really like to work with Javier Botet one day, who’s widely known as being a ‘creature actor’ – his performances are just extremely terrifying and realistic, and he’s also worked on some of my favorite movies of all time.

Name three films that have inspired you most in your journey.

Hmm. Good question! I’d say:

1. Donnie Darko (2001)

2. The Truman Show (1998)

3. Sinister (2012)

Where can folks find out more about you online?

You could check out my website at thomas-burke.com. I’m also pretty active on Letterboxd and Instagram at TheMovieArchive. And currently, I’m active content manager at Found Footage Critic, which is the world’s largest database for found footage movies, reviews and more.

Any last thoughts or pieces of advice to filmmakers out there?

I would just say remember that spark that gets you into this line of work, because some days are more difficult than others, so if you can keep that ‘spark’ and hold onto it for dear life, then you should always be able to follow your gut and intuition when it comes to decision making further down the line. Also, I think it’s important to never take anything too personally, because there’s just so many moving parts in the industry, that if something either doesn’t work out or changes drastically, there’s always an opportunity to learn and grow from those experiences.

Thanks again for allowing me to partake in the filmmaker of the week spotlight. I really appreciate it! I’ve attached 14 photos, some of them might be sent to you via google drive…so feel free to scroll through and use whatever you think will suit. Cheers!

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