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Student Success: Ross Langill Goes From Award Winning Shorts to Blockbuster Film Crews

 

Since graduating from InFocus Film School, Ross Langill has been on a steady climb through the film industry ranks, building a career that reflects both talent and relentless dedication. From working behind the scenes on hit TV movies to landing crew roles on major productions like The Predator, Peacemaker, and The Magicians, Ross has proven that hard work and the right attitude can open serious doors.

Now, he’s gaining recognition as a filmmaker in his own right. His latest short film All That She Wants has been making waves on the festival circuit, earning multiple awards at this year’s Top Indie Film Awards including Best Short and Best Director. We caught up with Ross to talk about his journey, his advice for emerging filmmakers, and what’s next in his rising career.

 

Congratulations on all the recognition for All That She Wants! Can you tell us what the film is about and what inspired you to tell this particular story?

I think it’s a fun twist on a common story. We have all gone through a tough relationship loss, but putting it in the form of a comical softball match with some heart, and excellent acting from our wild characters, helps to have it resonate with people I think.

As well, I think the music is a big aspect. Our editor and composer added great songs and scores to help amplify the short. The climactic montage cuts really well with the signature track.

 

Did anything from your time at InFocus influence how you approached the storytelling or production process for this film?

I think trying to keep the script as tight as possible has always been drilled in since I was at InFocus. As well, trying to organize and prep a lot, so on the day we could be as efficient and as fast as possible. Knowing, that you can only do so many set ups in a day.

 

all she wants

 

Your post-graduation trajectory has been incredibly inspiring. How did you build your network and gain the kind of momentum that led to working on major productions like The Predator, The Magicians and Peacemaker?

Lots of networking and taking any and all jobs. When I finished at InFocus I worked as a set decorator for two months. Then, I got hired on as a 3rd AD for an independent movie called Freaks. I was able to get that opportunity because the directors came to a Booze n Schmooze meeting at the Anzac club and were looking for people. I emailed them and they asked me to come on.

After that I went on to work on Hallmark movies as a Trailer 3rd AD. They were a fantastic training ground to learn the industry and understand how everything goes! I then reached out to a 1st AD who was actually a friend of my grandparents. Did an interview and luckily got hired as the Trainee AD on The Predator. It was a massive production. Lots of people, and moving parts. It was intimidating, but I learned so much, and met lots of people.

From there, I went back to do some more Hallmark films. And then, I reached out to join the AD team for Magicians Season 5 as the 3rd AD. They already had their 3rd AD, but offered me the TAD position. I jumped at the opportunity. Despite taking what looks like a “step down” from 3rd to Trainee, I knew it would be a bigger production with lots of opportunities to grow.

After Magicians, the 1st and 2nd AD brought me on to Resident Alien Season 1 as the Onset 3rd AD. Then, the 2nd AD from there, would eventually reach out and bring me on to Peacemaker!

Overall, working hard, being able to work with everyone, being enjoyable, networking, and keeping in contact with people helps to lead to lots of opportunities.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHXq62VCaCM

 

Were there any surreal or standout moments on set? Or fun stories?

Everything! Each show I’ve been on, I’ve had a moment of surreal realization. Actually working in film, being able to do what I had dreamed of doing is always crazy to me.

I always take a moment each show to look back at where I started. I’m truly grateful to be able to work in the film industry, and love what I do! Being on elaborate sets, being around great crews, awesome directors, explosions, all of it! Very lucky!

 

What are some key skills you picked up at InFocus Film School that helped prepare you for the real-world film industry?

I think speaking up and showing your passion. I definitely told the teachers and made it known I wanted to direct when I first got to InFocus. I learned more about the industry and got interested in ADing as route to direct as well. Letting people know what I wanted to do I think helped them direct me to what I need to do how and how I should get there. Because I got into the AD side of things, I definitely learned at InFocus to ask questions, and know 100% what is going on.

I remember Ingo Lou teaching us about call-sheets and we had to make our own. No one asked questions about it and just did what they thought. The next day he told us, ask questions. Make sure you know what’s going on and there are zero assumptions.

 

If a young filmmaker wants to work on major productions, where should they start?

Anywhere! Network! Meet people. Go be a PA. Be a Set Decorator. Be a Grip. Be a Lamp Op. Be a Props Assistant. Get in and then talk to people in the departments where you want to be. Tell people what you want to do and from my experience, people are willing to help out if you are eager and willing to learn.

 

What do you think makes someone stand out in such a competitive field?

I think it’s a multitude of varying traits. Reliable, timely, calm, trustworthy, and the biggest in my experience, positivity. Be happy to be where you are, and excited to do what you do. We’re very lucky to be able to work in film. It can definitely be stressful and tiring. And it’s easy to become negative or overwhelmed or stressed, but if you can stay calm and stay positive I think that’s what separates people.

 

What advice would you give to current or prospective film students who dream of doing what you’re doing?

I hate to be a broken record, but network!

  • Go to mixers
  • Talk to people
  • Tell your teachers what you want to do
  • Do a Run n Gun
  • Join Facebook groups
  • Volunteer
  • Do shorts with new people
  • Reach out to people
  • Take the swing and talk to lots of people about what you want to do and where you want to go. You’d be surprised at how just talking with people can lead to opportunities.

 

What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about and can share?

I’m working on an independent horror feature this summer and very excited about that. And, as always, working on my own shorts and hopefully my own feature in the near future!

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Student Success: Drew Forster Talks Going Indie With His New Short ‘The Hermit’

For InFocus Film School Film Production graduate Drew Forster, going the indie route felt like a perfect move. He embraced the freedom to tell his stories, his way. Not long after graduating from the program he co-directed and starred in Negligence, Its Child and His First Shot at Morality, a film about a teenager’s personal campaign against contraceptives and the effect it has on his sister, best friend and Christian girlfriend. Following up from his 2024 short, Forster is stepping back into the Producer’s chair and acting spotlight with his new film The Hermit.

 

The Hermit is a reflection of lived experience, a creative exhale after emotional hardship, and a call for audiences to choose compassion over judgment. Structured in three powerful vignettes and made in collaboration with fellow InFocus Film School alumni, as well as siblings Leopoldo and Isadora Vieytes, The Hermit is a deeply personal piece of independent cinema that highlights the strength of artistic community and the bold spirit of DIY filmmaking.

 

Drew worked as a Producer and Actor in the film. In this interview, Drew opens up about the story behind the film, the importance of InFocus connections, and why going indie has been the most rewarding path.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adN6KAoBqII

 

The Hermit is a deeply emotional film exploring themes of isolation, addiction, and societal disconnection. What inspired you to tell this particular story at this moment in your lives?

 

It was about one year prior to filming The Hermit this past February that I witnessed siblings Leopoldo and Isadora Vieytes, my best friends, roommates and everyday co-creators go through the events of the film. Afterwards, we started pouring this into a script, something that not only healed that hardship, but moreover, reminded us why we do what we do; film, and hence The Hermit.  We were burning to do it, emotionally it felt necessary to tell the story now rather than later.

 

The film is structured in three vignettes. What was your intention behind this format, and how does it help us understand Miguel’s character?

Although the film is edited to a linear beginning, middle and end, we wrote and shot the project in a way that allows for the viewer to watch any of the three parts in any order for the purpose of being able to interpret their own beginning, middle and end for the main character Miguel and his personal struggle.

 

You describe The Hermit as leaving viewers to “choose judgement or compassion.” What conversations are you hoping to spark with audiences?

 

We’re inviting audiences to follow someone they might not adore, or who they might feel sorry for. That’s the fun part, it will depend on the audience member. What do you resort to upon instinct: judgment or compassion?

 

BTS of The Hermit

 

You mentioned that The Hermit wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of fellow InFocus alumni. How did these collaborations come about?

 

The film of course wouldn’t have been possible without every single person involved in the project, but yes, as for the InFocus alumni on board, I cannot stress their importance enough. They’re all incredibly talented, down to earth, hard-working and best of all, very fun to work with.

 

We worked with Emma Campbell (1st AD) on a previous set and were immediately drawn to her work ethic, so we told her about the project and the rest is history. She ran the set with such efficiency, is very driven and is an incredibly talented filmmaker herself.

 

We also worked with Meghan Robinson (Sound Mixer) on a previous set. We told her about the project, saved her contact, etc. She is one of a kind, super knowledgeable about sound in every aspect, very passionate about her work, and, always the first one to set and the last one to leave.

 

Vadim Venedyukhin (Editor, Colourist) is the go-to. Him and I have been in contact since I was at InFocus. He’s won a few awards, is seriously creative, and is fluent in every software. We were very lucky to have him on board. Isa, one of the directors, said the colouring Vadim did on the film was verbatim to what she had in mind from the very beginning.

 

KaronhÍ:io Delaronde (Day 1 of 3 Unit Stills Photographer/BTS Videographer) is a current student, and is the nicest person you’ll ever meet. We met Karonhí:io at the InFocus Holiday Industry Party. Always offering to help, eager to create in every regard, even stepping into another role when we needed someone to fill in. KaronhÍ:io also has great stories to tell, and is already putting out very impressive projects at InFocus.

 

InFocus Film School graduate Emma Campbell

 

Since graduating, you have taken more of a DIY indie route, which we love. How did your experience at InFocus Film School prepare you for the realities of independent filmmaking?

 

It feels amazing to be the creator of our own realities, the ones in charge of achieving our desires. And I think most alumni take this approach, which yes, is really special. Every project is built purely on passion, and everyone brings their own unique touch on the project.  And that’s exactly what I got from InFocus; the opportunity to learn about every department. Even if I wasn’t as focused on for example, lighting, as I was with producing, when I graduated and began making films I was well equipped to understand other aspects of filmmaking, and therefore am always getting better at co-creating with other filmmakers. We all help each other, it is really cool.

 

What would you say to current students about the importance of building strong relationships with their peers while in film school?

 

Connections and contacts are everything, of course. The people I created with at InFocus were the same people I created with after graduating. Enjoy every second too, that may feel challenging in some moments, but there is something about learning everything about film for the first time that I wish I was more present for. It’s such a cool thing, so let it flow and learn everything you can. And, rather than worrying about making every project perfect, I suppose my advice would be to enjoy making any mistakes you make, you’ll learn a lot more from them.

 

The film deals with emotional isolation, a theme many young people and artists relate to. How do you personally find connection and community as emerging filmmakers?

 

We’ve all got something special to share and hearing that from anyone, let alone another artist (especially in the form of a story), is just as special to hear as it is to speak it, make it, and watch it. Collaborating and creating with everyone off-set is just as awesome as the on-set fun.

 

What’s next for The Hermit? Are you submitting to festivals, or planning to make it publicly available?

 

“The Hermit” is on its way to festivals. We just last week submitted to 30+ festivals across Canada, as well as internationally. So, we’re really excited about this, and for the cast/crew that made it possible.