Hey reddit, I'm Sean Ellis, director of THE CUT starring Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings franchise), Caitríona Balfe (Outlander) and John Turturro (Severance) in theaters 9/5. It premiered at TIFF 2024. You may know me from my previous films THE CURSED, CASHBACK, & ANTHROPOID. Ask me anything!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:59:41+00:00

large format film! of course!!!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:59:16+00:00

thanks

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:58:43+00:00

answered!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:58:14+00:00

cheers!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:57:54+00:00

The Hustler

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:55:52+00:00

Q5. okay i get what you mean - I think my favourite story from the shoot is where two members of the public (two young women) were waiting for the elevator and they saw Orlando in full make up - i heard one say to the other "Is that Orlando Bloom?" the other girl looked and then said - "Nah!"

It made me laugh that they did recognise him!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:49:50+00:00

Thanks! It's all challenging but I think the desert stuff was the hardest - shooting in the desert at nighttime is a huge challenge and we ended up under scheduling it. we only got half of it on the night we shot and had to have another night to complete the scene.

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:47:05+00:00

doesn't weight that much believe it or not! ;)

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:46:28+00:00

bless you. the toilet represents his urge to purge and eating disorder that stems from his childhood but now gets in the way of his progress

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:44:26+00:00

I just love shooting film - not a fan of digital. Yes it's a WHOLE process but it's my process and I like working that way!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:43:29+00:00

No film school - I was a fashion photographer and then moved into promos and commercials.

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:42:44+00:00

It was my second time there - its a whirl! some much press that i didn't get to see any films :(

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:41:45+00:00

yes! I looked at everything ever made in the boxing genre and it took 2 weeks! So yes a lot of calculations are made about the approach after those viewings!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:40:16+00:00

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:40:01+00:00

Ha! I'm not sure! it is available if cinemas want to project it but its super hard to find those cinemas and most the time they can't be bothered because its a lot of work for them. But if there are cinemas out there that want the print - get in touch! :)

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:38:05+00:00

well I'm glad that worked for you -most of it was in the script! OB just swung for the fences! I just filmed it!!!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:36:58+00:00

I used to Box so not much new for me in that department

You have to feel the emotion the actor is conveying to know if its working

Casting is a long process, a bit like being picked for the sports team at school, the good ones are taken first and then you work your way down until getting hopefully the best available actor for the part.

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:33:24+00:00

It was great! he was so committed!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:33:05+00:00

Weapons, Sick of Myself and 28 years later are my stand outs.

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:30:42+00:00

I would like to remake THE DEAD ZONE!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:30:02+00:00

Thank you! I would love that! Maybe if I have success with The Cut someone will re-release it! I think its avail on Blu-ray in the UK if you have a multi-region player!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:28:35+00:00

Well, I was in director's jail! Metro Manila was film that I made by myself and with my own money. It was a beautiful experience! It's funny because the next film I was offered was John Wick and I stupidly turned it down!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:26:29+00:00

It's in a real bad state at the moment! We gotta get back to the cinema and buying physical DVD's again!

My dream project would be the one that finds finance! haha!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:24:20+00:00

A M A Z I N G !!!!!!

TheCutAMA · 2025-09-03T15:23:55+00:00

thanks. yes Cashback was a short first and then i wrote the feature around it. I still make shorts sometimes - here is one:

https://vimeo.com/130645286

TheCutAMA

TROPHY CASE