LOUISA CONNOLLY-BURNHAM // EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW // 'THE CALL CENTRE'
Updated: Sep 26, 2020
"Oh!! - we haven't talked about the masturbation scene. I hope you're not skirting around it, CK."
With a hearty laugh, British actress Louisa Connolly-Burnham playfully challenged my interview technique. She was right, I mean, what man in his right mind wouldn't talk about the masturbation scene? Not only is it a refreshingly hot moment of workplace erotica, more critically, it displays Burnham's undeniable eye for direction. The scene drips with Louisa's signature close-ups, breathy exhalations, deft facial expressions and a creative fearlessness you simply must applaud.
Louisa joined me on the phone to talk about 'The Call Centre' - a tantalisingly intense short film that also serves as her directorial debut. Written and produced by Louisa, too, she stars as the film's lead character, Paige - a young, shy, innocent Customer Service worker. Bored, Paige daydreams of a better life, unaware that her next phone call will change her life forever.
With a clutch of awards, hundreds-of-thousands of YouTube views and endless praise, The Call Centre is a taut 18-minute adrenaline hit - navigating drama, erotica, suspense and even wit with remarkable flair. Set against an unforgettable soundtrack, the film's aesthetic is equally stand-out - with cold blues, sharp whites and piercing greens amplifying its chill.
WARNING: My interview with Louisa is packed with spoilers - for which, I make zero apologies. This interview is intended for people who, like me, adore the film and wish to delve into the weeds of its construction. To avoid ruining your enjoyment of The Call Centre, watch it first, then click play below to hear Louisa and I deep-dive into its production secrets:
Interview highlights:
Making the transition from Actress to Actress/Director (02:23)
Is Louisa a control freak (03:25)
REVEALED: The story behind that remarkable soundtrack (06:00)
REVEALED: Why the call centre scenes looked so realistic (12:15)
The dilemma of being a writer (19:00)
The Call Centre's many YouTube conspiracy theories (20:22)
Louisa's deliberate choices as a Director (21:07)
Shout-out to Louisa's Director of Photography (24:18)
REVEALED: The truth behind THE FLASK! (27:40)
Kitchen scene analysis (32:49)
Why Louisa cast Alun Raglan as her co-star (37:23)
Louisa's love of dark characters (39:20)
What's in store for Paige's future (42:50)
Louisa's favourite YouTube comments (45:50)
Was the masturbation scene a step too far? (47:03)
Was it challenging acting in her directorial debut? (49:36)
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Film credits:
Writer & Director | LOUISA CONNOLLY-BURNHAM
Producers | LOUISA CONNOLLY-BURNHAM & EMILY EVERDEE
Director of Photography | ANGELA ZOE NEIL
Editor | STELLA HEATH KEIR
Soundtrack | FERANMI OGUNS & O.L. CREATIVE
Sound Design | EDWARD A. GUY
Colourist | LIZ GLENNARD
ProductionCo. | THIMBLE FILMS & EVERDEE MEDIA
Starring LOUISA CONNOLLY-BURNHAM with ALUN RAGLAN, TARA FITZGERALD, SID SAGAR & MARK FLEISCHMANN
