Phil Hawkins
Encyclopedia
Phil Hawkins is an award-winning commercials, television
and independent film
director
from Manchester
, United Kingdom
. His work in feature film includes "The Women Of Troy" (2006) and Philip Pullman's The Butterfly Tattoo
(2008). He is also known for appearing in the Fox/DreamWorks reality television show On The Lot
.
After writing and directing a short film for BBC Manchester, Hawkins joined the commercials production company The Gate Films as a house director. His first commercial won a Roses Advertising Award in 2005 and his work since has won over ten advertising awards.
His first feature "The Women Of Troy" won Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival in 2006 and is on sale internationally on DVD. In late 2006, Hawkins was signed by the Dutch production company Dynamic Entertainment to direct the film version of Philip Pullman
's novel The Butterfly Tattoo
, the author of The Golden Compass. The independent film won three awards at international festivals including Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival in 2008 - the second time Hawkins has won the same award.
for filmmakers. He was personally selected by Steven Spielberg to appear on the show after watching his short film 'Commandeered'. Phil was controversially voted off the show to the surprise of the show's producers, critics and fans. For his work, Steven Spielberg
called him "one of the best new and upcoming directors". Carrie Fisher
(Actress Star Wars
and writer) said his work "was the most visual they have seen" whereas fellow judge and director Brett Ratner
said he was "a big fan" of his work. Since the show, Phil has signed up to US based manager Seth Lockhart for features development.
(2) The Butterfly Tattoo - Official Website
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
director
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:...
from Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. His work in feature film includes "The Women Of Troy" (2006) and Philip Pullman's The Butterfly Tattoo
The Butterfly Tattoo (film)
The Butterfly Tattoo is a 2008 feature film, based on Philip Pullman's novel of the same name . The film is particularly notable given that despite being a commercial production it actively sought to provide training and experience for young film-makers...
(2008). He is also known for appearing in the Fox/DreamWorks reality television show On The Lot
On the Lot
On the Lot is a short-lived reality show competition produced by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett. The show, which aired on Fox, featured filmmakers competing in weekly elimination competitions, with the ultimate prize of a million dollar development deal at DreamWorks...
.
Biography
Hawkins directed his first short film when he was 13 and it has been through the experience of writing, directing and editing his own films for the past ten years, that he has honed his skills as a filmmaker. As well as his numerous film projects, his work in many professional theatres as director and writer provided an invaluable insight into working with and directing actors.After writing and directing a short film for BBC Manchester, Hawkins joined the commercials production company The Gate Films as a house director. His first commercial won a Roses Advertising Award in 2005 and his work since has won over ten advertising awards.
His first feature "The Women Of Troy" won Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival in 2006 and is on sale internationally on DVD. In late 2006, Hawkins was signed by the Dutch production company Dynamic Entertainment to direct the film version of Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
's novel The Butterfly Tattoo
The Butterfly Tattoo (film)
The Butterfly Tattoo is a 2008 feature film, based on Philip Pullman's novel of the same name . The film is particularly notable given that despite being a commercial production it actively sought to provide training and experience for young film-makers...
, the author of The Golden Compass. The independent film won three awards at international festivals including Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival in 2008 - the second time Hawkins has won the same award.
On The Lot
In 2007, Hawkins was the only filmmaker from the UK selected to appear on Fox/DreamWorks reality television show On The LotOn the Lot
On the Lot is a short-lived reality show competition produced by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett. The show, which aired on Fox, featured filmmakers competing in weekly elimination competitions, with the ultimate prize of a million dollar development deal at DreamWorks...
for filmmakers. He was personally selected by Steven Spielberg to appear on the show after watching his short film 'Commandeered'. Phil was controversially voted off the show to the surprise of the show's producers, critics and fans. For his work, Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
called him "one of the best new and upcoming directors". Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Frances Fisher is an American actress, novelist, screenwriter, and lecturer. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, her bestselling novel Postcards from the Edge, for which she wrote the screenplay to the film of the same name, and her...
(Actress Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
and writer) said his work "was the most visual they have seen" whereas fellow judge and director Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner is an American film director, film producer and music video director. He is best known for directing the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Tower Heist. He was also a producer on the Fox drama series, Prison Break.- Early life :Ratner was...
said he was "a big fan" of his work. Since the show, Phil has signed up to US based manager Seth Lockhart for features development.
Upcoming Projects
Hawkins is currently signed to two feature films both to be shot during 2009/10. A Cold State is due to be shot in Poland at the end of next year, and he's currently developing what could be his most ambitious project to date - a biopic of Van Gogh.External links
(1) PHILM - The work of director, Phil Hawkins(2) The Butterfly Tattoo - Official Website