FOCUS: Toby Robson

Sunderland-based feature-length documentary Poised, created by local production company Two Yanks And A Brit, has been longlisted for ‘best sports documentary’ at the hugely prestigious Grierson/British Documentary Awards, and is due to be streamed via STV from 10th August. Poised is a high stakes human interest story revolving around community activist and mixed martial arts coach Steven France, whose determination to offer a group of troubled teens a way to see past their challenges, is a classic underdog tale.

Here, director Toby Robson tells us more about the production.

Who are you and where are you from?

Hi folks, my name is Toby, I’m from Newcastle but Northumberland raised.

What is it you do?

I’m a film director who makes mostly documentaries and keeps delaying working in scripted drama. There’s usually enough drama in docs without the need for actors but it would be nice to have a bit more structure into the everyday that scripted provides… in theory as some friends would say.

How long have you been doing it?

Too long or not long enough depending on how you look at it and what side of the bed I wake up on. Probably long enough to know better! But it’s an insatiable bug and every day is different which keeps you on your toes.

What inspires you?

That’s a big question. Discovery mostly – I know that’s a cop out because that could cover anything. But I genuinely find as I get older that I love learning about things I have absolutely no idea about and unearthing connection with them more than when I was younger. I’m not easily impressed by nature but I’m very wide eyed and I find that continues to grow. Travel, food and culture mostly – I loved Anthony Bourdain and his curiosity about the world told through the prism of food. But I always think about that infamous Mark Twain quote, which now seems more relevant than ever in the times we currently live: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Sage advice if you ask me.

Tell us about your work

I’ve made films for Amazon and Channel 4, but I’m really proud of an indie film I had the opportunity to make when I moved back to the North East from London. It’s a socio-cultural sports documentary called ‘Poised’ with its central question: “Out of the ashes of loss, can one man use MMA to help a group of young people from some of the toughest parts of our society?” We’ve been so fortunate that it’s travelled the world to major film festivals, received nominations for prestigious industry awards and is finally getting its first UK wide release, August 10th via STV Player (part of ITV). If you read this, please do give it a watch. I have to shout all the incredible people that made this happen on both sides of the camera – you are the absolute best!

What have you got coming up in the future?

Ask anyone in the industry, it has been a brutal few years and huge huge droves of incredibly talented people have left as they cannot survive on the money on offer with the current state of affairs. It’s been the perfect storm and rarely a week has gone by where I’ve not had an approach from someone far more talented and experienced than I, asking if there’s work going – it’s so sad. I’m pivoting more into the indie space as I find greater value there despite the commercial element being more hit and miss. That said, after a handful of ‘almosts’, I’m finally closer to announcing at least one if not two new projects that will keep me busy for the next couple years.

Where can people find out more about you?

Website: www.twoyanksandabrit.com. Insta: @tobyrobsondirector