Tamsyn O'Connor is a vastly experienced First Assistant Director with credits in film, television and theatre. For the past decade, she has specialised in helping filmmakers' cinematic visions come to life. She is also a writer and currently has an original five-part TV crime drama series, Hassler, in development. Her feature film, Cry for Me, was optioned by Finite Productions. Access to her full slate of scripts can be found at her screenwriting website: premoscapeproductions.co.uk
An award-winning writer for the London 2012 Olympics Tamsyn was also selected to attend the Directors Guild of Great Britain's 2014 master class for emerging film director talent. As an assistant director she has worked on several major UK television shows; Shameless, Countdown, Falling, Bodies, Last of the Summer Wine and TV drama pilot Training Daze. Her film credits include Heretic, That Day, The Projectionist, Where Aeroplanes Go To Die, Love Like Hers, plus Leeds Film Festival's Best Short Film runner-up, Ratzilla. She later extended her work into documentary filmmaking and the production of The First Film, exploring the work of Louis Le Prince and how he produced the world's first films in the city of Leeds in the UK. Tamsyn also creates television commercials.
"Tamsyn is a conscientious and exceptional writer whose devotion to her craft and passion about storytelling comes through both on the page and in the process of working with her. I'm always impressed by her speed of writing and the excellent communication she provides during a project. The quality of sample scenes and treatments she has provided for a a feature film we're working on together have been completed to a very high standard, and often at very quick notice. A brilliant writer to work with!"
- GARRY PATON (Producer)
"Love Like Hers was my first major short film project, shooting on super16mm, with a crew of over thirty. So I needed a trusty 1st AD. I was very lucky to come across Tamsyn. She was utterly incredible and did an amazing job at keeping the production moving forward. She had the respect of the entire crew and was extremely efficient at what she did. It was a pleasure working with her and I look forward to working with her again. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending her services to other filmmakers."
- DANNY LACEY (Director/Producer)
"Tamsyn came on as 1st AD last minute to a large scale 4-day shoot for 10 short films. We hadn't worked together before and the content was challenging as our actors were all from marginalised backgrounds including homelessness and mental health issues. Tamsyn grasped the scripts and was able to flag up any scheduling issues immediately. She was fantastic with the actors, showing patience and understanding whilst keeping things on track. She managed each of the departments brilliantly, ensuring production kept moving forward efficiently, whilst supporting the director's vision. She was also fun, positive and a really great person to have on set. I would highly recommend her."
- LAUREN POUCHLY (Producer)
"Tamsyn is a grafter who gets stuck into the production which is so often what is required when everyone is planted in the same room and are expected to get going immediately. I worked with Tamsyn on a shoot working with non-actors from a marginalised background which presented so many challenges. She worked with the cast and crew to form bonds that made everyone work together like clockwork and she fought any problems before they encroached on the filming. I would recommend her for your shoot - she’s very easy going and calm which is something I respect when there are so many time pressures."
- GARRY PATON (Director/Producer)
''I really, really appreciated all Tamsyn's hard work on the shoot. She had an extremely difficult job under very difficult circumstances and she produced fantastic work & results as the 1st AD. It is no understatement to say that we would not have been able to get the film finished without her and I am extremely grateful.''
- BETH CLIFT (Producer)
- GARRY PATON (Producer)
"Love Like Hers was my first major short film project, shooting on super16mm, with a crew of over thirty. So I needed a trusty 1st AD. I was very lucky to come across Tamsyn. She was utterly incredible and did an amazing job at keeping the production moving forward. She had the respect of the entire crew and was extremely efficient at what she did. It was a pleasure working with her and I look forward to working with her again. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending her services to other filmmakers."
- DANNY LACEY (Director/Producer)
"Tamsyn came on as 1st AD last minute to a large scale 4-day shoot for 10 short films. We hadn't worked together before and the content was challenging as our actors were all from marginalised backgrounds including homelessness and mental health issues. Tamsyn grasped the scripts and was able to flag up any scheduling issues immediately. She was fantastic with the actors, showing patience and understanding whilst keeping things on track. She managed each of the departments brilliantly, ensuring production kept moving forward efficiently, whilst supporting the director's vision. She was also fun, positive and a really great person to have on set. I would highly recommend her."
- LAUREN POUCHLY (Producer)
"Tamsyn is a grafter who gets stuck into the production which is so often what is required when everyone is planted in the same room and are expected to get going immediately. I worked with Tamsyn on a shoot working with non-actors from a marginalised background which presented so many challenges. She worked with the cast and crew to form bonds that made everyone work together like clockwork and she fought any problems before they encroached on the filming. I would recommend her for your shoot - she’s very easy going and calm which is something I respect when there are so many time pressures."
- GARRY PATON (Director/Producer)
''I really, really appreciated all Tamsyn's hard work on the shoot. She had an extremely difficult job under very difficult circumstances and she produced fantastic work & results as the 1st AD. It is no understatement to say that we would not have been able to get the film finished without her and I am extremely grateful.''
- BETH CLIFT (Producer)
WRITING - WHY I LOVE IT
I'm always looking for that next thing. A feeling, a place, a person who said something that I can't stop thinking about. For whatever reason, some things, some places, and some people we meet, just stick. They're right there in the back of your mind; always. And they won't go away. It's precisely that which gets me thinking.
What motivates me? The corner at the end of the road. What's on the other side? I have to find out.
When I start work on a new script (that niggling idea at the back of my mind), the first thing I do, is I go outdoors. Sometimes on foot, sometimes on my bike, other times in the car or public transport - whatever feels right that day. I take nothing but myself, camera and notebook, then absorb as much as I can at any given moment. I talk to strangers (weird, I know!), I watch the landscapes around me, how people interact or don't communicate at all. I wonder why. I wonder how. Places and faces, a world of never-ending emotional mazes. It almost rhymes. Yet everything's always slightly out of sync. Everything. And that's the friction, the tension, the palpable, dangerous energy necessary for a great story. Once I've bagged all of that, I go home to my desk and let the games begin. I write.
- Tamsyn
I'm always looking for that next thing. A feeling, a place, a person who said something that I can't stop thinking about. For whatever reason, some things, some places, and some people we meet, just stick. They're right there in the back of your mind; always. And they won't go away. It's precisely that which gets me thinking.
What motivates me? The corner at the end of the road. What's on the other side? I have to find out.
When I start work on a new script (that niggling idea at the back of my mind), the first thing I do, is I go outdoors. Sometimes on foot, sometimes on my bike, other times in the car or public transport - whatever feels right that day. I take nothing but myself, camera and notebook, then absorb as much as I can at any given moment. I talk to strangers (weird, I know!), I watch the landscapes around me, how people interact or don't communicate at all. I wonder why. I wonder how. Places and faces, a world of never-ending emotional mazes. It almost rhymes. Yet everything's always slightly out of sync. Everything. And that's the friction, the tension, the palpable, dangerous energy necessary for a great story. Once I've bagged all of that, I go home to my desk and let the games begin. I write.
- Tamsyn
© COPYRIGHT TAMSYN O'CONNOR 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.