“TheworldofHETVnolongerfeltsoalienanddistant”:JackNorrisshareshisexperienceonDirectorsUKInspire
Jack Norris came into Directors UK Inspire with a solid track record in short-form storytelling, but was keen to take the next step in his career as a director.
Jack shares with us his experience on Directors UK Inspire in 2024–25, and how his mentorship with Slow Horses director Saul Metzstein not only lifted the curtain on large-scale genre directing but also inspired him to stride towards the next stage of his career.
Read about Jack’s experience on Inspire, below.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a writer and director based in the West Midlands and London. I’ve already built a strong foundation in short-form. My films have been broadcast on Sky Arts, won a Royal Television Society award, screened at BIFA and IFTA festivals and screened internationally. I’ve also directed national campaigns for the NHS and leading charities.
Why did you apply for Directors UK Inspire?
When I applied for Inspire, I was looking to bridge that gap between socially-driven shorts and longform genre filmmaking. I’m drawn to stories about characters under pressure, ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and genre work is such an exciting framework to explore that through. So, I wanted to understand how large-scale genre directing operates from the inside. Inspire offered the chance to learn from a director who was doing what I want to do, so it felt like the perfect next step.
I’d reached a point in my career when I was starting to cap out trying to learn and navigate everything myself. There’s so much I want to do, and I wanted to give myself the best possible footing for the next steps by learning from someone who’s work and career I genuinely love and admire.
When I reached out to Saul, he was directing Slow Horses which I’m a huge fan of. It felt strange to contact him out of the blue to ask for guidance. But I’ve started to learn that most of my progress has come from simply saying “F*ck it”, and doing it anyway. So, I had a chat with Saul and he agreed to be my mentor through the programme. Directors UK really helped with that whole process.
What did your mentorship with Saul involve day-to-day?
My mentorship with Saul has included everything from meetings about writing and development, learning about directing HETV and features, short film script feedback, and feature treatment feedback.
He also brought me onto the set of Slow Horses Season 5, which was a fantastic opportunity. The night before my first day on set, I realised that it would be the first set I’d ever been on that wasn’t my own, which definitely made the nerves kick in. But the minute I walked on set, it all felt so familiar. It was a huge confidence boost because the world of HETV no longer felt so alien and distant.
I was lucky enough to shadow on tech recces, shoot days, and a load of post-production. There was so much to learn that I knew I couldn’t possibly take it all in at once. So I’ve got countless pages of notes which I keep coming back to as touchstones.
What did you take away from the experience?
So much! When I joined the programme, I suddenly had access to a great industry mentor who understands the type of work I want to make and where I want to go. I’m now able to navigate my next steps in a smart, informed way. The mentorship is already helping me get some exciting projects off the ground, and the long-form genre projects I’m developing are starting to get attention because I’ve got the clout and know-how needed to make those steps.
How did Saul’s guidance influence your approach to writing and developing projects?
I have a background in directing charity films and campaigns. Which I love because working with people with lived experience is incredibly rewarding. Making work that has literally been credited with saving lives is something I can’t quite process. But, I wanted to take the authentic, character-driven core of that work and fuse it with genre frameworks to create work that exists in the exciting space between entertainment and making a social impact.
Saul has such a wealth of experience in genre directing and has led some of the best crews and actors in the game. He’s been kind enough to share his own working documents with me, which has given me a strong understanding of high-end development work. Paired with the shadowing, I’ve had an incredible grounding in genre directing and how to develop commercially-viable projects within that space.
Saul’s also given me invaluable guidance as I’ve been writing and developing my slate. He’s able to see what I’m trying to do, even when I’m not able to see it myself, which has helped me to figure out my own style and process as I’m scaling my work up to longform. He’s honest in the best way, and will tell me when an idea isn’t working or when it’s got potential. It’s really helped me refine my voice and approach as I develop and interrogate ideas and projects.
As a regional, working-class director, were there any ways in which the scheme helped you specifically?
In a word, access.
I’m at a stage where I’m ready to work in the feature film/HETV world, but the opportunities for people from my background are limited and everyone wants to put you in a box as a regional, working-class director. I’m proud of my background, but I refuse to let it be the sole aspect that defines my career.
The scheme has given me the support I need to break out of that box and get the access to make the next steps in my development and career. I’ve now got experience from one of the biggest shows on the planet, which really helps to give me some clout. People’s ears prick up when I mention Slow Horses - they love it! It’s so well respected and has helped me to start some interesting conversations.
Having Saul as a mentor has also helped me get my next project off the ground. His feedback was invaluable and pushed everything further than I could have on my own. It’s been a huge boost for both my craft and career.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently directing a very exciting short that blends the authentic character work I love with a genre framework. It’s a story that means a lot to me and is inspired by some wild real world events that are incredibly tense and gripping. I’ve got an amazing team bringing it to life, and I can’t wait for people to see it.
I’m also building a slate of digital, TV, and feature projects that bring bold energy and fresh perspectives to genre storytelling with real punch. With the lessons, insight, and access I’ve gained over the past year, I’m moving into long-form with real momentum. These projects aren’t just ideas on paper anymore, they’re actively coming to life.
You can find Jack’s portfolio here: www.jacknorrisfilm.co.uk