On Writing and Directing Imagine Me & You

"We talked a lot in pre-production about how to shoot that moment, the click. And then we talked a lot in post about to cut it, how to score it, how to sell it. I thought then, and still think, that ultimately it would not be that scene, and our treatment of it, that would convince the audience something momentous has taken place, but the rest of the movie. Only if we could make you believe that the two characters should be together, would be together, and would stay together, would you believe that they had truly fallen for each other that fast."

BIO

IMAGINE ME & YOU marks Ol Parker's directorial debut, though he has already gained a reputation as a rising screenwriter. As a writer his recent work includes the adaptation of Sebastian Faulkes' novel BIRDSONG for Working Title Films, and CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC, a Jimi Hendrix biopic to be directed by Paul Greengrass. He has also re-written ADIOS FOR LITTLE BIRD (Thaddeus O'Sullivan to direct); and adapted Pat Barker's novel THE EYE IN THE DOOR for Jonathan Demme.

The Sundance Festival '96 changed its ruling on made-for-TV films in order to invite Ol's BBC film, LOVED UP, to participate. The film, directed by Peter Cattaneo, about Ecstasy and youth culture was transmitted as part of the Love Bites season. His second film, IN YOUR DREAMS, another BBC commission, this time dealing with date rape, was broadcast in December '97 starring Thandie Newton.

His first feature, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT (freely adapted from Jeremy Cameron's novel) was directed by Metin Huseyin and starred Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.