Award-winning actor and director James Pratt joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about his filmmaking journey, the success of Malibu Crush, his proudest career moment, and much more.
Hi James, welcome to Close-Up Culture. What brought you to the crazy world of acting and filmmaking?
I have always had a love of cinema and storytelling. Although most of my upbringing in Australia was spent surfing or playing sport, I used to love surf videos and the way they blended the surfing, the music, and the tone and feel of the location. I discovered my strong passion for making movies and turning it into a career once I graduated high school.
What was the first moment you realized you could be a success in this industry?
A key turning point was back when I was starting. I made my first short film called ‘New York Model Agent.’ It was a $200 project shot in a small outback town in Australia with little resources, but what the town did have were these spectacular landscapes, with wheat and canola fields stretching for miles, and sunsets straight out of ‘Dances with Wolves.’
The film caught the attention of NBC Universal through their competition at the time, NBC Shorts Fest, and they contacted me for a meeting with some studio executives in development. I remember going to that meeting thinking they must have mistaken me for someone else, but during the meeting, they expressed interest in turning my short into a feature film and asked if they could buy it. It was after that encounter that my mindset truly changed.
One of your many successes so far is ‘Malibu Crush,’ which you wrote, directed, and starred in. How do you reflect on the incredible success of this film?
I’m very thankful because there were a lot of people involved in that one. The idea that it’s made people laugh and given them joy is the most rewarding part, especially in today’s world.
What do you think has been the biggest key to your success?
I think taking risks has a lot to do with it. Usually, the hardest things to do in life are the ones that give the biggest payoffs, but they require a level of risk and getting outside your comfort zone. I have learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable while striving to achieve something.
You work a lot both in front of and behind the camera. Which do you find most fulfilling?
I really enjoy directing, but acting is hard to beat, especially when you’re working with great people.
What are you most proud of in your film career so far?
It’s hard to say but Winning Best Actor at the Beyond Hollywood Int’l Film Festival in 2022 was a special moment. I hadn’t really stopped that year with projects, and then there I was at the awards ceremony in Beverly Hills and I had the realisation. I’m here, with leading industry names in Hollywood, and it just felt a long way from the $200 short film days in outback Australia all those years ago.
Do you have any other upcoming ambitions to share with us?
I’m excited to be starting a new comedy feature film best described as ‘Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ meets ‘American Pie,’ shooting in summer with Mikaela Phillips
Title image by Diego Ferres
Follow James on Instagram –@james_pratt7