Oz Thakkar

I worked with executive producer Diana Phillips to develop, budget and schedule Siberia’s script to launch the funding campaign for a subjective and objective journey into the subconscious. A film by Abel Ferrara starring Willem Dafoe. Siberia is due for release in 2021.

Collaborators: Abel Ferrara & Diana Phillips

Job Purpose: Development, initial production budget and schedule in 2015

'Made' follows the intriguing double life of a young Japanese woman in Tokyo. When a brief encounter with a foreigner threatens to unravel her hidden existence she does everything it takes to protect her secrets.

Directed by Norbert Schoerner
Produced by Oz Thakkar
Written by Juanita Boxill

Starring Rina Ohta, Jonathan Forbes & Gardar Eide Einarsson

Copyright 2014 Dayfornight / Silent Treatment Limited.
http://made.dayfornight.tv

The script is a New Wave style homage to the golden age of Japanese Yakuza genre movies. Developed with Photographer Norbert Schoerner, alongside Oscar nominated writer Hossein Amini, and Statten Roeg. With a script in hand, we tested the waters of filming in Tokyo with short film Made.

For this film, I worked through story and script development with Norbert, Statten and Hossein. We put together a treatment, budget and schedule, and ready to pitch with a test shoot in hand. After a few circles of casting and close calls with funding, we have shelved the film for the time being.

Estimated Budget: £1.5m with established cast // 45 day shoot on location in Tokyo, Japan.

Collaborators: Norbert Schoerner, Statten Roeg & Hossein Amini

Two sleepwalkers, Martha (Daisy Lowe) and Quentin (Tom Ellis), check into a hotel as returning guests and live parallel lives during their waking hours. The film questions, when it comes to human condition are we actually sleep walking through our lives?

This film was created for Corinthia Hotel, and directed by Zawe Ashton.

Collaborators: Corinthia Hotel, Zawe Ashton & Oliver Harbottle

Prior to attaching a writer, I began initial research and development for the long known Kray Twins story. After new knowledge and the release of files at the National Archives, I worked through prison records and psychological reports for the twins, culminating in a first draft treatment for the 2015 film, Legend, starring Tom Hardy.

Collaborators: Chris Clark & Working Title Films

Job Purpose: Initial treatment and writer research and development for Producer Chris Clark (2012)

Fairy tales did not stand the test of time accidentally. We need them as much as Cinderella needs her fairy godmother or Jack needs his magic beans – fairy tales show us the way through life’s adventures. By creators Sara Wolkowitz and Jessica Fox, along with executive producer Diana Phillips (Alfie, Death at a Funeral), Never After will tell the REAL, original tales – adapted and updated for modern family audiences. [2012]

2008-2012

Working Title Films, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992, is one of the world’s leading film production companies. Formed in 1984, Working Title has more than 100 films that have grossed over $7.5 billion worldwide. Their films have won 14 Academy Awards.

At Working Title Films, I had the opportunity to work in-house in the production company, as well as on location during principal photography. While there, my position including providing both feedback on scripts & edits, across the following films Senna, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Legend, Anna Karenina, Green Zone, Les Miserables, A Serious Man, Paul, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Rush amongst others.

My personal highlights include providing regular edit feedback and assistance during the edit of Senna, the BAFTA and Sundance winning documentary that uses archive footage to emotively depict the life and death of Brazilian Formula 1 Champion Ayrton Senna, directed by Asif Kapadia.

In 2011, I became Assistant to the Producers and Director of Johnny English Reborn, embracing the opportunity to work closely throughout the entire process from - script development, location scouting, casting, principal photography through to final edit and release.

Responsibilities:
Script Development, Notes, Feedback & Revisions // Location Scouts & Recces, Storyboards // Casting & Auditions // Bugeting & Scheduling // Pre-Production, Principal Photography & Post-Production // VFX budgeting, scheduling, feedback // Music & Archive Research & Clearance

Film Releases:
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Legend, Anna Karenina, Green Zone, Les Miserables, A Serious Man, Paul, Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang, Legend

In 2011, I became Assistant to the Producers and Director of Johnny English Reborn, embracing the opportunity to work closely throughout the entire process from - script development, location scouting, casting, principal photography through to final edit and release.