Paul Campion (film director)
Encyclopedia
Paul Campion is an English/New Zealand film director
, and screenwriter
.
at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. He began his career as a freelance illustrator and was represented by Folio Artists Agents in London. He created book cover illustrations for authors such as Wilbur Smith
and Ben Elton
.
In 1999 he completed a Masters Degree in Computer Animation
at Bournemouth University
, and then moved to New Zealand
where he worked on Peter Jackson
's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
, as a texture painter, creating digital textures for the Balrog
, Mûmakil, Fellbeast and Shelob
.
He then worked as a matte painter on Sin City
, "Constantine
", as a texture painter on The Waterhorse
and the remake of The Dambusters
and as a concept artist on X-Men: The Last Stand
, Dorian Gray, Clash of the Titans
and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
.
. In 2008 he followed this up with the short science fiction horror film Eel Girl
, featuring special makeup effects by Weta Workshop
.
.
In 2010 he directed he directed his first feature film The Devil's Rock
. Set in the Channel Islands during WW2, it tells the story of two New Zealand commandos who uncover a Nazi plot to summon up a demon, using a book of black magic.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
.
Life and career
Born in England, Campion studied technical illustrationTechnical illustration
Technical Illustration is the use of illustration to visually communicate information of a technical nature. Technical illustrations can be components of technical drawings or diagrams...
at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. He began his career as a freelance illustrator and was represented by Folio Artists Agents in London. He created book cover illustrations for authors such as Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Addison Smith is a best-selling novelist. His writings include 16th and 17th century tales about the founding of the southern territories of Africa and the subsequent adventures and international intrigues relevant to these settlements. His books often fall into one of three series...
and Ben Elton
Ben Elton
Benjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
.
In 1999 he completed a Masters Degree in Computer Animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
at Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University is a university in and around the large south coast town of Bournemouth, UK...
, and then moved to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
where he worked on Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings is an epic film trilogy consisting of three fantasy adventure films based on the three-volume book of the same name by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are The Fellowship of the Ring , The Two Towers and The Return of the King .The films were directed by Peter...
, as a texture painter, creating digital textures for the Balrog
Balrog
Balrogs are fictional demonic beings who appear in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. Such creatures first appeared in print in his novel The Lord of the Rings, though they figured in earlier writings that posthumously appeared in The Silmarillion and other books.Balrogs are described as...
, Mûmakil, Fellbeast and Shelob
Shelob
Shelob is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. She appears at the end of the fourth book, second volume , of The Lord of the Rings.-Literature:...
.
He then worked as a matte painter on Sin City
Sin City
Sin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
, "Constantine
Constantine (film)
Constantine is a 2005 American action horror film directed by Francis Lawrence as his directorial debut, starring Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, with Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, and Djimon Hounsou...
", as a texture painter on The Waterhorse
The Waterhorse
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep is a 2007 American family fantasy-drama film directed by Jay Russell. The screenplay by Robert Nelson Jacobs, is an adaptation of Dick King-Smith's children's novel The Water Horse...
and the remake of The Dambusters
The Dam Busters (film)
The Dam Busters is a 1955 British Second World War war film starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd and directed by Michael Anderson. The film recreates the true story of Operation Chastise when in 1943 the RAF's 617 Squadron attacked the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany with Wallis's...
and as a concept artist on X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: The Last Stand is a 2006 superhero film and the third in the X-Men series. It was directed by Brett Ratner and stars an ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Kelsey Grammer, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones,...
, Dorian Gray, Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans (2010 film)
Clash of the Titans is a 2010 fantasy and action remake of the 1981 film of the same name . The story is very loosely based on the Greek myth of Perseus. Directed by Louis Leterrier and starring Sam Worthington, the film was originally set for standard release on March 26, 2010...
and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a 2010 3D fantasy-adventure film based on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the third novel in C. S. Lewis's epic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia . It is the third installment in The Chronicles of Narnia film series from Walden Media...
.
Short Films
In 2006 Campion directed his first short film, the black comedy horror Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters
Night of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
. In 2008 he followed this up with the short science fiction horror film Eel Girl
Eel Girl
Eel Girl is a 2008 horror science fiction short film written and directed by Paul Campion, in which what appears to be a sort of human-eel hybrid woman, being studied by scientists in a Naval research facility, takes revenge on one of the scientists who is studying her.The film was produced by...
, featuring special makeup effects by Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for television and film.Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
.
Feature Films
In 2010 Campion was attached to direct the British sci-fi/horror feature film Further Instructions, but dropped out due to commitments to The Devil's RockThe Devil's Rock
The Devil's Rock is a 2011 New Zealand horror film directed by Paul Campion, written by Paul Finch, Paul Campion and Brett Ihaka and starring Craig Hall, Matthew Sunderland, Gina Varela and Karlos Drinkwater...
.
In 2010 he directed he directed his first feature film The Devil's Rock
The Devil's Rock
The Devil's Rock is a 2011 New Zealand horror film directed by Paul Campion, written by Paul Finch, Paul Campion and Brett Ihaka and starring Craig Hall, Matthew Sunderland, Gina Varela and Karlos Drinkwater...
. Set in the Channel Islands during WW2, it tells the story of two New Zealand commandos who uncover a Nazi plot to summon up a demon, using a book of black magic.
Planned Feature Films
- Dark Hollow is a planned feature film based on the novel "Dark Hollow" by US author Brian KeeneBrian KeeneBrian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards.- Background :Keene was born in 1967. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and many of his books take place in these locales. After graduating high school, he...
. - Scorpion Raiders is a planned World War 2 feature film based on the true story of the Long Range Desert GroupLong Range Desert GroupThe Long Range Desert Group was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War. The commander of the German Afrika Corps, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, admitted that the LRDG "caused us more damage than any other British unit of equal strength".Originally called...
's Barce raid (Operation CaravanOperation CaravanOperation Caravan was a subsidiary of Operation Agreement under which four simultaneous raids were carried out against important Axis Lines of Communication positions....
). - Voodoo Dawn is a zombie feature film previously called "Lore of the Jungle", set in London, written by Paul Finch. Campion described the film as "set in London and involves black magic and re-animated corpses and it's designed to be a very fun entertaining Evil Dead 2/Dusk Till Dawn style film."
Filmography
| Year | Film | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Night of the Hell Hamsters Night of the Hell Hamsters Night of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:... |
Director, writer | Co-wrote with Mike Roseingrave and Hadyn Green |
| 2008 | Eel Girl Eel Girl Eel Girl is a 2008 horror science fiction short film written and directed by Paul Campion, in which what appears to be a sort of human-eel hybrid woman, being studied by scientists in a Naval research facility, takes revenge on one of the scientists who is studying her.The film was produced by... |
Director, writer | Produced by Jennifer Scheer |
| 2011 | The Devil's Rock The Devil's Rock The Devil's Rock is a 2011 New Zealand horror film directed by Paul Campion, written by Paul Finch, Paul Campion and Brett Ihaka and starring Craig Hall, Matthew Sunderland, Gina Varela and Karlos Drinkwater... |
Director, writer | Co-wrote with Paul Finch and Brett Ihaka |
Awards and nominations
- Won: Best Director Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
A Night of Horror International Film FestivalA Night of Horror International Film FestivalA Night of Horror International Film Festival is a genre specific film festival that is based in Sydney, Australia.There seems to be some consensus that the event is Australia's premiere, and possibly only, horror film festival...
(2007) - Won: Best Horror Film Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
Vine Short Film Festival (2007) - Won: Audience Favourite Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
Zompire: The Undead Film Festival (2007) - Won: Audience Favourite Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
Big Mountain Film Festival (2007) - Won: Honorable Mention Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
Tabloid Witch Awards (2007) - Nominated: Best Horror Short Film Night of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell HamstersNight of the Hell Hamsters is a 2006 B-movie comedy horror short film in which demonic possessed hamsters terrorize a young babysitter and her boyfriend.-Plot:...
Terror Film Festival (2007)
- Won: Canal+ COCETTE Minute Eel Girl Brest European Short Film Festival (2008)
- Won: Grand Prix Eel Girl Court Metrange Film Festival (2008)
- Won: Best Short Film Eel Girl H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival (2008)
- Won: Best Comedy Eel Girl H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival (2008)
- Won: Honorable Mention Eel Girl Tabloid Witch Awards (2008)
- Nominated: Best Short Film Eel Girl Rushes Soho Shorts (2008) (Awarded 2nd Place)
- Nominated: Best Short Film Eel Girl Dark Carnival Film Festival (2008)