We were lucky to catch up with Liam Hooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a recent project that’s meant a lot to you?

I recently directed the incomparable Christopher Lloyd in a spot for UK Chart-Topping band Busted’s sold out arena tour across the UK. When growing up in Brighton, UK, I was grew up watching Christopher Lloyd in films and, perhaps at the same time, I was listening to Busted so when I was asked to direct this, it was a full-circle, double pinch myself moment. Working with a hero like that, and him being respectful of my opinion as the director and eager to bring my idea to life, was something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I couldn’t think much about it while doing it as we had a short time with Christopher to pull off a pretty complex idea so I just went into full director mode and fanboyd briefly after we’d wrapped and were posing for the wrap picture.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Liam Hooper and I’m a narrative Film/TV director, originally from Brighton, UK and now based in LA. I started as a director after a brief stint wanting to act in school, then I picked up my dad’s old video camera and realised the fun that can be had when telling other people what to do instead! I was probably about 10 years old when this happened and, basically ever since, the goal has been to direct movies, live in LA near the Hollywood sign and to drive a convertible in the sun. This was also, probably in-part, due to seeing Cameron Diaz’s character’s lifestyle in the movie The Holiday, so wishing I could be Kate Winslet and move out here myself.

My work always has a narrative edge and my goal is to continue to tell stories that connect with audiences globally. I want to take people on an adventure with characters they see parts of themselves in so they can come along for the ride.

A few of my projects to date have really achieved this, namely the Home – Scouting For Girls music video and my short proof of concept for my upcoming TV Show The Touch Protocol. I can’t wait to continue this momentum on a bigger scale with each future project.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

A strongly rewarding aspect of my work is the people I meet and work with along the way, the rooms I’m allowed into and the places I get to travel to. If I could tell 10 year old Liam that he’d one day be at a party with his favourite actor, speak on a panel alongside his favourite director, travel to the Caribbean to direct a music video or even direct Doc Brown from Back To The Future, 10 year old me wouldn’t believe it.

Also experiencing the reaction of a live audience and reading comments of viewers that completely get the story or my vision is always rewarding, and reassuring that I’m onto something with all this directing jazz. When I script supervised season 2 (and part of season 1) of the period drama Sanditon I got to see and experience first-hand the fan reaction. It developed a core fanbase between seasons who are very vocal and interactive online with cast and crew so it was lovely to see their responses and feel their excitement to each beat of the episodes as they were transmitted.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Starting this year actually I’ve been trying something new with my work day to allow more time for myself to have hobbies, have fun and to grow outside of work. I feel most creatives share some kind of guilt – or guilt-adjacent emotion – when doing anything that isn’t somehow working to better their career during the week. Be it reading a book, watching a TV show or playing a video game, if it’s not pushing one’s career forward, it’s easy to classify it as a waste of time. That was until I met DP Michael Greenwood recently who told me about his very structured workday and that’s inspired this approach for me. Growth within my personal life will indirectly impact my professional life by default and inspire me creatively.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.liamhooper.com
• Instagram: liamhoops
• Twitter: liamhooper
• Other: Agent: Freddie @ Claire Best & Associates

Image Credits
James Gardner. Paula Neves. Robert Tapaltsyan.