Bad Apples: Jonatan Etzler on Nailing the Pitch, Transitioning to Features, 17 Shorts, Character Arcs & His English-Language Debut starring Saoirse Ronan

Filmmakers, welcome back to the podcast! Today Giles Alderson is sitting down with director Jonatan Etzler to talk about his brand new feature, Bad Apples . Now, if you want a masterclass in putting in the reps, Jonatan is your guy. He directed 17 short films that played at various festivals, including Intercourse , which screened at South by Southwest, and Swimmer , which won Best Comedy at Clermont-Ferrand. His graduation film from film school in Sweden even led to a Student Academy Award win and helped him secure a UK agent! We talk all about the massive transition from directing shorts—which he brilliantly describes as focusing on one specific situation or idea—to building full, complex character development across a feature film. His new film, Bad Apples , is an awkward, intoxicating ride. Jonatan breaks down his entire process, from writing a five-page English synopsis based on a book by Rasmus Lindgren to teaming up with producer Oskar Pimlott at Pulse Films and hiring screenwriter Jess O'Kane. 🎬 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: The Power of Short Films: Jonatan discusses the difference between the two mediums, noting that while a short film can survive on one core idea, a feature absolutely requires character development through twists and turns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices