‘Films have a way of finding you out’ - Sir Sam Mendes at LIPA

Oscar winning director Sir Sam Mendes has described to students at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) how his films often reflect his life. 

Sir Sam, who was taking part in a Q&A masterclass with students, discussed his choice of films and approach to them. He said: “Films, whether you want them to or not, often reflect you much more directly than theatre as you shape and craft them much more.” 

He illustrated his point with the James Bond movie, Skyfall. “Bond has been off the face of the world and returns to London and everything has changed, he’s the old guard now and there are these new guys. I came back to London after 10 years to direct Skyfall and I looked around and I was the old guy. Skyfall reflected where I was. 

“When I was making that did I know that at the time? Not really. But I look at it now and it’s very clear to me that it reflects what I was concerned with at the time. Films have a way of finding you out.”  

An Oscar, BAFTA, Olivier, Tony and Golden Globe winner, Sir Sam’s film work also includes 1917, The Road to Perdition and American Beauty. While his theatrical credits include The Ferryman, Twelfth Night and Cabaret.  

Sir Sam discussed the creative process and what to look for in a collaborator. Sir Sam said: “The best collaborators tell you what they think and aren’t scared of you. You need that immediate feedback.   

“Nearly every continuing working relationship I have is quite feisty, you do rub up against each other and have little spats. But don’t shy away from collaborations that give you a bit of grief and cause you to lose the occasional bit of sleep as they often turn out to be the best.”  

At the end of the 70-minute session Sir Sam was asked if he had any final advice for students. He said: “There is no better way to spend your life. Music, art, theatre, cinema - it’s the reason we want to get up in the morning. Never forget how lucky you are to be doing this and never forget there will always be a need for you.”  

As part of his visit in June, Sir Sam was given a tour of the facilities. He described LIPA as, “Amazing. It’s an incredible space and extraordinary structure. You have people doing so many different vocational courses. I had no idea of the scale of it or how joyful it feels.”  

Sir Sam is currently working on four films that tell the story of The Beatles from each of the band’s perspectives.