Story & Lesson Highlights with Toby Kearton

Toby Kearton shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Toby, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
As a freelancer, no two days ever look the same for me which I like, because it means nothing ever feels too “normal,” whatever normal is. It’s always a balance between chasing the next opportunity and investing in what I think is the most valuable thing in this career: time. Some days that means working on my own material on spec, other days it’s earning a wage by helping fellow creatives, whether that’s on set as crew or supporting the development of scripts and treatments. It can definitely feel all-encompassing at times, but I make a point of stepping out of the dark rooms when I can, usually by walking my dog. Funny enough, that’s often when the best ideas come, just being outside with no set destination. I like that, because it mirrors what excites me about the work, the chance to discover new territory, creatively and in life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Since I last spoke with you I have wrapped principal photography on my debut feature film ‘Sweet Nothings’, a story of the painful process of self-discovery, all set against the backdrop of crumbling family values. Writing, directing and producing this film has been a transformative experience in telling a long form story. I like to think everything I’ve learnt up to this point was implemented and has helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses as a director in what it takes to tell a story over a long period of time, which is something you’re not able to obtain with short form work. What interests me is the way storytelling can be both intimate and expansive and hit home with our own private corners of the human experience. This story is no exception.

I have come to learn that taking risks and pursuing ambitious challenges, is always worth it in the end. Independent filmmaking often means navigating a freelance landscape that can feel uncertain and at times, unforgiving. Financing, scheduling, and the logistics of getting a feature into production can weigh heavily on even the most determined creatives. There are days when it feels like I’m fighting uphill, and the doubts creep in. But then I remind myself that I’ve found what I love doing. That thought can transform even the hardest day. To wake up and realize I’m building a life around telling stories it’s a privilege. That blend of realism and optimism defines my approach. I acknowledge the precariousness of freelance life, but I see it as part of the adventure, an inevitable aspect of pursuing an artistic career. In more ways than one, my own journey mirrors the arcs of the characters, those searching for meaning in difficult circumstances, discovering who they are through struggle and resilience.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that I was someone who always had to see things in very black and white terms that I could only be good if I always did the “right” thing and that people either good or bad, right or wrong. Growing and experience more to life and especially through making films and telling stories, I’ve realised it’s not that clear cut. What fascinates me now is how messy we all are, how you can absolutely want someone to succeed, but not agree with the way they go about it. I’ve found myself drawn to that grey area, because it feels so true to life (none of us are one dimensional!). Storytelling has been the thing that’s really taught me that lesson. Exploring characters and their decisions has made me reflect on my own values and has taught me that what really matters isn’t being perfect, but holding onto integrity. For me, that’s the one constant: if I prioritise integrity, then even if the path is messy, our choices still mean something both to you and those around you.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I use to believe that failure was something to fear and it meant somehow meant I wasn’t capable or good enough especially in such a competitive industry. But over time, I’ve learned that giving myself permission to fail was really essential, because that’s where the real sense of discovery happens which a success cannot teach you. It’s in those moments of risk and trial, you can step back, check in with yourself and rethink your approach for the next project. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Especially in independent film, I think risks should be encouraged, because they give you the chance to create something that allows an audience to feel in a way they’ve never felt before. That’s exactly why I wanted to make my debut feature, ‘Sweet Nothings’, to take a risk on telling a story in a way that feels both challenging and meaningful and hopefully opens up new territory for an audience as well.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the big lie the film industry tells itself is that playing it safe is how you reach an audience. In reality, if you try to please everyone, you usually please no one. The films that really stick are the ones that take risks and lean into uncomfortable truths. That’s what I tried to do with ‘Sweet Nothings’ embrace risk in subject matter, because that’s the only way you give an audience the chance to feel something new.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do because filmmaking gives me the chance to create situations where people can connect with their own emotions in a deeper way. Ever since I started, I’ve been drawn to stories that sit with you afterwards and linger in your subconscious, prompting you to reflect on yourself and the world we live in. In the work I’ve done so far and especially with ‘Sweet Nothings’, it’s always been my goal to tell stories that ask questions and open up space for people to understand themselves better and find way to articulate themselves. That’s what drives me moving forward and what excites me most, finding new ways to create that challenges a viewer, not just to empathise with characters, but to discover something new about who we are through them. For me, cinema is about more about feeling, questioning and discovering. And if the work can play even a small role in helping an audience discover themselves more, then I know I’m on the right path.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobykearton/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TobyKearton
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectedByTobyKearton
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TobyKearton

Image Credits
Jack Evans
Jemma Gray
Rhys Protheroe