WXFF 2020: Isobella Hubbard
We have an interview with Isobella Hubbard, writer of the brilliant Beat It, which is screening as part of our Journeys to Truth strand at Women X. Here, she speaks with us about what she wants to explore in her future work, being cast in Coronation Street, and why it’s important to talk about sexual assault and mental health.
Tell us about yourself and the work you do
I am a Scottish actress/writer and director from the Highlands. I studied at Rose Bruford as an actor and since have worked across both stage and screen in shows such as Homestead at Tristian Bates Theatre, Outlander, Ch4’s No Offence and most recently can be seen as newcomer 'Chelsey' in Coronation Street. As a director I recently had my directing debut with the film Dinner Date which screened as part of BFI Flare Festival. As a writer, I write and perform various sketches for BBC Scotland: The Social and am currently working on a Scottish series set in the Highlands. 'Beat It' was my first piece of writing.
What is your proudest moment of your career so far?
One of my proudest moments was gaining a 1st at Drama school as I studied so hard to get it. Being cast as 'Chelsey' is definitely up there and the moment we wrapped on 'Beat It', that was pretty special.
What themes do you want to explore in your future work?
I am working on a few projects; I would love to work on something that highlights male suicide as it's one of the biggest killers in men under the age of 45 here in the UK. I would also love to do something regarding the modern-day clearances in the Highlands as it's becoming a real problem up there.
This is a film that’s really driven by its script and characters - what was it like translating these characters from script to screen?
I wrote the film with the actors in mind and I think for Jonny (our Director) when he heard the actors bring the characters from script to life he was like, 'Oh yeah, now I can see them!'
There’s a good balance of light-heartedness amongst the sensitive topics that the film approaches, why was it important to strike that balance?
I remember being in a workshop years ago where we had to watch a really sensitive scene and when we discussed it afterwards the director mentioned how much harder it is to watch someone fight tears than watch them have a full-on cry fest. I had that in the back of mind, but also again because I wrote the film with the actors in mind, I used their personalities a bit and so the lightness just shone through from them. I think I was also very aware my film has such a twist and I never wanted to give it away a moment before I had to.
The film is quite frank in its discussion of sexual assault and mental health in women, why is it important to be upfront about these topics?
It's not talked about enough. I have a friend who has been left broken and let down because she blamed herself, and didn't think anyone would believe her and she was a kid. It's not fair, we should never feel we need to hide because predators can't keep their urges to themselves. I feel really strongly about pushing these topics to the forefront so when women are attacked, they never feel like they won't be believed.
There’s a really great contrast between the landscape, which is expansive and bare, and the script, which is vivid and intricate - what effect do you think that has?
I actually wrote the film back to front. I knew I wanted the last shot to be them both looking out over Edinburgh and we shot so early in the morning there was no one around. I wanted to play on Della's loneliness so the bareness of the land really worked and the fact we were above Edinburgh looking down had that 'King (or Queen) of the world' element too as she decided to face her assault head-on and so there was a real feeling of power up there too.
What three things do you always have on your bedside table?
My vision board, a lavender spray and my salt-rock lamp. (I really need to get a notebook there too!)
Tell us three things you're grateful for?
My family. My friends. The arts.
What are you working on at the moment/next?
I am working on a Scottish TV series loosely based around my family from the Highlands. I have the pilot down and we had a zoom read through during lock-down and so now I am creating the rest of the episodes.
