Saleh Nass is a 21 year old talented film maker, photographer & editor, finishing Bournemouth Media School(BMS) in a few months. He is the director of the film The Body, which was shot just a few weeks ago and is his final year film at BMS. The Body is a dynamic comedy about several characters who think they killed the same person and are investigated by two town policemen who are used to rescuing old ladies’ cats from trees.

Titas Petrikis is going to create music for The Body. He has also played a role of Francisek, the Polish tourist. TitasMusic asked Saleh Nass a few questions about his newest filmThe Body.

TitasMusic: The Body is a comedy. It is not usual choice for genre in Media School. Also, it is rather difficult to make a good one. How did you choose to make comedy as your major film?

Saleh: I don’t think I consciously wanted to write a comedy when I first started researching the script. I was looking at different films, at the time it was mostly Coen Brothers films and Ealing Comedies so I suppose it was the mood I was in at the time that helped shape the final script. I also like to add something from my own background into my own scripts and so I used Arabian Nights as my inspiration.
I look at The Body more as a tale than a comedy. Once I started developing the characters and the plots I found that there was an opportunity to do something really funny with the script and so I made it more comedic than I originally intended it to be. Let’s see what the finished result is – it might not be funny at all! Ha!

TitasMusic: There are two completely different policemen, a widow, an Eastern European and other original roles in the film. Was it difficult to work with such different characters?

Saleh: It was a bit daunting when I saw the different characters I had to develop and cast for – especially as I was on a micro budget but you tend to put worrying aside and just work with them. It was definitely a challenge.

TitasMusic:What kind of music do you expect for the film?

Saleh:I think music would play a very important role in this film. Right now, it’s in a rough cut and I don’t think it works as much as it would do when Titas Petrikis slaps the final soundtrack on to it. We have discussed what type of music will go on the film and we thought of something that was quite bright and yet signified a “craziness” in the world this story is set in. Im pretty excited and looking forward to watching the film with the soundtrack on, definetely one of the most important elements of the film as it aids comedic timing.

TitasMusic: What was your main challenge during the Pre-Production and actual shooting?

Saleh: Time!! I really would have liked more time for pre-production and for shooting. I would have liked to develop the characters more and rehearse with the actors more, but I worked with what I had. I had an excellent Director of Photography and a great Producer, and the whole crew was really on the ball which helped a lot. I missed one or two shots one day because of time and stress but everything was manageable!

TitasMusic:What are your future plans after finishing The Body?

Saleh: (Laughs) I’m not sure! One step at a time. I have a dissertation to finish and we might make another film after all the projects are handed in before I start looking for a job!

TitasMusic: Thank you!