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Five Questions from Quarantine: Karen Thomas
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The Snapper Films food photographer and director tells us how she's prepped to shoot from home, and recommends a board game that you should bee playing.
What’s your self isolation set up at the moment?
I’ve brought my Hasselblad, tripod and a few lights home so that I can continue to work here and do tests.
I'm shooting tethered to my laptop, rather than my usual large Eizos, but it works really well.
I’ve earmarked a spot in the kitchen that has beautiful daylight streaming in which is really lovely to shoot with.
It's lockdown; aside from your family, which four people, past or present, would you most like to be quarantined with?
Lee Miller - I’d find it fascinating to hear how it felt going from being a model and Man Ray’s muse, to a gritty documentary war photographer.
Elizabeth David - I’d love to hear about her travel adventures and what it felt like to introduce the British to aubergines, amongst other foods considered exotic at the time.
Oprah - She’s like an oracle. I’d like to persuade her to run for president.
Wanda Sykes - She makes me laugh so much and we all need that right now.
We need entertainment, what's your favourite short film?
It would have to be Bird which was written, directed and produced my brother Paul Harry Thomas from xFilm.
It is a sweet and tender piece, which is beautiful to watch but then something happens that really jars.
It sat with me for a while.
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Credits
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- Director Paul Harry Thomas
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Unlock full credits and more with a Source + shots membership.
Credits
powered by
- Director Paul Harry Thomas
- Audio Engineer Nick Olsouzidis
- Editor Chris Newcombe
- DoP Chris Newcombe
Credits
powered by
- Director Paul Harry Thomas
- Audio Engineer Nick Olsouzidis
- Editor Chris Newcombe
- DoP Chris Newcombe
You've completed Netflix. And Amazon Prime. And Disney+. It's on the hard stuff; board games. What do you pick and why?
Hive. It’s a strategy game like chess although its a lot quicker.
You have to surround your opponent’s bee using your set of insects that each use different moves.
I used to be in the chess club at school so I’m a sucker for a good strategic game.
On a serious note, how do you think this situation will impact you individually, and the industry as a whole?
I think the sudden change to our lives came as such a shock and we’re all trying to keep busy by finding distractions, especially when there is so much worry concerning loved ones.
I read a comment by a blogger that I follow, saying the reason they hadn’t posted any recipes that week was because they felt it might be too frivolous under the circumstances. They received an overwhelming response for them to continue posting, the reason being that we all need some distraction and an interesting recipe post can give a little respite to the day. I love cooking and posting on Instagram so this gave me the impetus to continue myself.
I’ve been rummaging through kitchen cupboards and finding ingredients such as tapioca and hemp seeds which I’ve made into flat breads. I found a recipe for making Swedish meatballs from banana skins so I made these and shot a little story on that.
It’s been really fun, and that’s allowed!
In the industry we’re learning to become even more resourceful than before. Large shoots have been postponed but it’s been really interesting working on post lockdown strategies for projects with skeletal teams and employing zoom sessions for remote art direction.
The situation is gravely serious right now, but becoming creative and thinking diversely will help, not only to lift our spirits, but for us all to become stronger.
