How did you get involved in the making of Lost and Found?

The author of the original picture OLIVER JEFFERS was originally approached by Contender Entertainments’ JOAN LOFTS who had the idea to try and create a 30 min TV special from the book. Oliver was a fan of STUDIO AKA and put Joan in touch with us to see if we would be interested in developing the idea. Following some early discussion where we realised we would be able to take the project in an interesting creative direction, we came aboard as 50% production partners with Contender /E1. In our early chats about the project I had quickly realised how I wanted to handle the adaptation of a short picture book into a half hour film in a way that would bring something new to the project - and yet remain a strong counterpoint to the original book without just simply making the pictures move. I took on the projects directorial duties and thereafter it was a blur of activity for 11 months until we delivered the completed film into the hands of channel 4 for its debut transmission on Christmas Eve 2008.

What attracted you to this work in the first place?

I was familiar with the book and all of Oliver’s work in my role as a parent to two small children - and had been captivated by Oliver’s deceptive simplicity of approach and his way of creating slight yet resonant storylines that hinted at much more than what appeared to reside on the pages of the books themselves. I think overall I recognised an opportunity to create something both gentle and epic in its ambition, as the core story itself has such a great narrative sweep that belies its storybook origins. Perhaps most importantly Oliver trusted us without condition and enabled us to take the project in a largely unexpected direction. Without that I doubt I would have had the interest, as I need the process to be creative and uncharted rather than merely functional in order to get the best out of an opportunity like this.