WORDS / KODY FORD

On the second day of class at The International Film School of Paris, the head of the international department told everyone that being a director is something that cannot be taught. Scott Eady had journeyed far away from his home in Fort Smith to learn to be a director, and now a school official had given him the cold truth: you just can’t learn it. Luckily for Scott, the extensive study of film mixed with hard work was the best way to become a director and this was something that had been on his agenda for several years.

“I grew up with the desire to become an actor,” Scott says. “Movies to me were always a form of escapism. Like many college students I was oblivious after my sophomore year as to what vocation I could pursue. I took a basic Film Appreciation class and began thinking to myself  ‘I could do this.’ I began exploring what a director’s job is and found I could put all my talents into this art form. I continued to study the aesthetics and theory on filmmaking as an undergraduate with intentions of applying for film school after graduation.”

The University of Arkansas graduate chose film school in France because he felt it could make him appealing to production companies when he finished. During his time in France he was the producer, production assistant, and casting director in over 20 short films. In 2012 Scott directed, produced, and co-wrote his highly acclaimed short film eNigma, which secured him a spot in the Cannes Film Festival.

Getting into Cannes seemed like a shot in the dark, but he felt confident about the short he had directed. eNigma is a psychological tale of lost love that mixes Ingmar Bergman with early Christopher Nolan.

“I find psychology fascinating. Specifically psychological disorders,” Scott says. “It’s a very difficult subject to depict an internal conflict of a character. With my film I wanted the audience to feel as though they are in an enigma. I wanted to create a mix between Shutter Island and Inception.”

At Cannes he rubbed elbows with Christoph Waltz, James Franco and Robin Thicke. The experience certainly wet his palette and inspired him to jumpstart his career when he returned home earlier this year.

He says, “In order to make it in the film industry one must possess patience, resilience and persistence. I’m trying to get my foot in the door with a reputable production company. Meanwhile I’m going to begin coaching actors and working on my next short film.”

Watch eNigma here.

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