Chanya Button

Chanya Button
Button at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival screening of Vita & Virginia
Born
Chanya Joyce Dorothy Button

(1986-12-25) 25 December 1986 (age 38)
London, England
NationalityBritish
Education
Occupations
Years active2011–present

Chanya Joyce Dorothy Button (born 25 December 1986) is an English director and screenwriter. After studying at RADA and learning the ropes in the assistant directors' department on the Harry Potter franchise, she directed two feature films, Burn Burn Burn (2015) and Vita & Virginia (2018), the latter of which she also co-wrote. She then moved on to television, directing the 2019 period dramas World on Fire and The Spanish Princess, as well as the final 60th anniversary special episode of Doctor Who, "The Giggle" (2023).

Early life and education

Button was born in London[1][2] on 25 December 1986.[3] Her father is Roy Button, former executive vice-president and managing director of Warner Bros. Productions in the UK,[4] who has worked behind the camera on over 300 films and was awarded an OBE in 2009 for services to the film industry.[5] She therefore grew up on film sets and her earliest memories are of "wandering through elaborate film sets, spending whole weekends sitting on the back of a camera truck watching the machine of a film crew whir around me".[6]

"My father is my mentor. [...] He's worked in the film industry for 40 years, and I've learned simply from watching him work: how to have a strong sense of your own taste, an unrelenting and passionate work ethic, and most importantly I've watched him treat absolutely everyone he works with, with kindness, sensitivity and respect. Even though we have very different tastes, and have taken very different paths into the film industry, the lesson I've learned from him that resonates most is that, if you treat people well, it's not only a respectful way to make work, but better work is made as a result."

— Button on her father[6]

Button studied English Literature at the University of Oxford from 2005 to 2008.[7] At the age of 18, she took part in the Royal Court Young Writers' Programme.[8][9] During that time, she started directing theatre, choosing productions that aligned with the literature she was studying at Oxford.[6] She gained experience as an assistant director at the Bush Theatre, the Tricycle Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe.[9]

After graduating, she worked for the UK Film Council Film Fund in London, and then, shortly after, moved to Los Angeles to undertake work in the creative department at Warner Bros.[10] Button also worked extensively as a runner and assistant director on big-budget features shot in the UK, notably on several Harry Potter films,[11] Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014).[10][12][13] In 2010, she received a master's degree in Theatre Directing from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[14]

"I [...] was making coffees and sweeping the floor, and sort of watching every department do their jobs – Stuart Craig, the production designer, amazing D.P.s like Eduardo Serra, and incredible hair and makeup designers like Amanda Knight and Lisa Tomblin... I had the privilege of observing all of that very young. I realised – as very lowly third A.D. – looking after actors like Helen McCrory and Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith, waiting to take them to the set – I would hear them talking about a show they were going to do, and I realised I actually knew nothing about acting. But, I knew about literature, I knew about filmmaking. So I went to RADA and did the acting classes for a year, and rolled around in a leotard pretending to be a piece of seaweed."

— Button on working on the Harry Potter franchise and studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art[15]

Button has cited Tim Burton as her favourite director and listed epic '70s and '80s films like Empire of the Sun (1987), Gandhi (1982) and the Indiana Jones instalments among some of her absolute favourites. She once explained that she finds the way those films were made before huge advances in visual effects, CGI and the raft of technological support that the filmmakers use today "utterly romantic and inspirational".[6]

Career

She started her career as a director with three short films, written by Sex Education executive producer Siân Robins-Grace.[6][16] Those included Frog/Robot (2011) starring Charlie Covell,[17] Fire (2012) starring Richard Lintern as Charles Dickens and Charlotte Randle as his wife Catherine, and Alpha: Omega (2013) starring Sebastian Armesto.[18] In 2012, her work was selected as part of the Directors Guild of America's New Directors to Watch showcase,[6][9] and she also shot the music video for Matt Cardle's single "Anyone Else".[19]

Button's debut feature film, the road-trip black comedy Burn Burn Burn, premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2015 and was later acquired by Netflix.[20][21][22] It was nominated for the Discovery Award at the 18th British Independent Film Awards, for an outstanding debut feature,[23][24] and won the Grand Prix at the 7th Odesa International Film Festival in Ukraine.[25] The Observer's film critic Wendy Ide concluded, "Burn Burn Burn is nicely acted and emotionally authentic. Button shows real promise as a director".[26]

Elizabeth Debicki in 2012
Virginia Woolf in 1902

Her second feature was the biographical romantic drama Vita & Virginia (2018), detailing the relationship between Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) and Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki) that culminated with the latter's writing of the novel Orlando: A Biography.[18][27][28] Speaking about the inspiration behind the film that she also co-wrote with actress Eileen Atkins, Button said, "I have loved Virginia Woolf forever, since I could read! She taught me how to think about everything, she's the reason I became a director."[9] Vita & Virginia received its world premiere at the 43rd Toronto International Film Festival and then went on to be the opening night film for both the 43rd Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco[29] and the 33rd BFI Flare in London.[30][31] Debicki's portrayal of Woolf was recognised with a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 22nd British Independent Film Awards.[32][33]

Button then moved on to television work, directing two episodes of the BBC One war drama World on Fire (2019),[34] dealing with the Dunkirk evacuation and the Nazi occupation of Paris,[35] as well as several episodes of the Starz limited historical drama The Spanish Princess (2020) and the Acorn TV crime drama Whitstable Pearl (2021).[36] In 2022, she directed the third and final 60th anniversary special episode of the BBC's science fiction television series Doctor Who, written by Russell T Davies and starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.[37][38] Titled "The Giggle", it aired on BBC One in the UK and on Disney+ internationally on 9 December 2023.[39][40]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2011 Frog/Robot Yes No No Short film [17]
2012 Fire Yes No Yes Short film [18]
2013 Alpha: Omega Yes Yes Yes Short film [16]
2015 Burn Burn Burn Yes No Yes Based on an idea by Button and Charlie Covell; сameo as a stage manager [22]
2018 Vita & Virginia Yes Yes No Co-written with Eileen Atkins [30]

Television

Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref.
2019 World on Fire Yes No 2 episodes: [34]
2020 The Spanish Princess Yes No 3 episodes: [36]
2021 Whitstable Pearl Yes No 2 episodes: [7]
2023 The Killing Kind Yes No Episodes 4–6 [41]
Doctor Who Yes No Episode: "The Giggle" [37]
2025 Code of Silence Yes No Episodes 4–6 [42]
TBA The Rapture † Yes No In development [43]
TBA The Terrible Tempered Mrs Bang † Yes Yes [7]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 British Independent Film Awards Discovery Award Burn Burn Burn Nominated [23]
2016 Cinema City Audience Award Won [12]
Umbria Film Festival Audience Award Won [44]
Odesa International Film Festival Grand Prix [uk] Won [25]
International Competition Nominated [45]
Reel Q: Pittsburgh International LGBT Film Festival Audience Award for Best Women's Film Won [46]
2017 Sedona International Film Festival Directors' Choice Award for Best Feature Comedy Won [47]
2024 Hugo Award Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) Doctor Who: "The Giggle" Nominated [48]

References

  1. ^ Knight, Chris (26 January 2021). "Director of Promising Young Woman explains why her dark story opens on a light note". National Post. London born Fennell, 35, is an actor [...] She singles out Chanya Button, a fellow London millennial who directed her in the biopic Vita & Virginia.
  2. ^ "Chanya Button joins Another Film Company". www.davidreviews.com. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2023. Another Film Company have made London-born director Chanya Button their first signing of 2020.
  3. ^ Button, Chanya (24 December 2014). "Chanya Button on Twitter: "So, it's my birthday tomorrow. Thank god Buzzfeed made a list about it."". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Bovingdon Airfield Studios UK". bovingdonairfieldstudios.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  5. ^ Ward, Audrey (26 June 2009). "Warner Bros. Productions' Roy Button awarded an OBE". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Chanya Button | SHOOT New Directors Showcase Event". nds.shootonline.com. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Chanya Button". Independent Talent. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  8. ^ Button, Chanya (9 July 2020). "Chanya Button on Twitter: "I took part in the @royalcourt Young Writers Programme when I was 18, under the amazing @StephensSimon. I have so much love for this building, & that they're still offering this, is testament to their worthiness of the gov's painfully overdue arts grant. Apply!"". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d "Vita & Virginia: Press Kit". Mongrel Media. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  10. ^ a b Berger, Laura (27 October 2016). "Chanya Button on "Burn Burn Burn," Her Love Letter to Friendship". womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  11. ^ McCabe, Bob (2011). Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey (1st ed.). Harper Design. p. 198. ISBN 978-0062101891. Chanya Button (far left), Michael Berendt (left), and Daniel Radcliffe (center) present Emma Watson with a surprise birthday cake during filling on April 15, 2010, for her twentieth birthday.
  12. ^ a b "Cinema City - Modern Story Loaded up with Love and Emotion: Burn Burn Burn in the 360° Selection". cinemacity.org. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  13. ^ Woodward, Daisy (28 October 2016). "Girls Meets Withnail & I in this New Road Trip Drama". AnOther. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  14. ^ "RADA alumna wins Grand Prix in Odessa". www.rada.ac.uk. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2023. It is the first full-length film directed by Button, who holds an MA in Theatre Directing from RADA.
  15. ^ Miller, Julie (19 September 2018). "Meet the Woman Bringing Virginia Woolf's Notorious Love Affair to the Screen". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  16. ^ a b Rosser, Michael (20 November 2013). "Pinewood Studios backs first short". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b Halligan, Fionnuala (5 October 2015). "Charlie Covell, Stars of Tomorrow 2015". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Katsuda, Keno (10 September 2018). "TIFF 2018 Women Directors: Meet Chanya Button – "Vita & Virginia"". womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  19. ^ Button, Chanya (23 November 2012). "Chanya Button on Twitter: "Directing Matt Cardle's video for "Anyone Else" tomorrow with @HomeCorp_Blog..."". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  20. ^ Button, Chanya; Green, Leah; Kleeff, Louis van (7 October 2015). "What the hell is a 'strong female character' anyway? – video". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  21. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (7 October 2016). "Netflix strikes global VoD deal for 'Burn Burn Burn'". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  22. ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (27 October 2016). "Burn Burn Burn review – confident road-trip comedy about millennials". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Nominations Announced for Moët British Independent Film Awards 2015 · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards". BIFA · British Independent Film Awards. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  24. ^ "BIFAs 2015: full list of winners". Screen International. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  25. ^ a b Blaney, Martin (25 July 2016). "Odessa's Grand Prix goes to UK's 'Burn Burn Burn'". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  26. ^ Ide, Wendy (30 October 2016). "Burn Burn Burn review – an emotionally authentic road trip". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  27. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (4 July 2019). "Vita & Virginia review – a hothouse of patrician passion". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  28. ^ Potton, Ed (5 July 2019). "Vita and Virginia review — Bloomsbury drama fizzes with emotion". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  29. ^ Dry, Jude (30 April 2019). "Frameline 2019: Judy Garland, Virginia Woolf Movies Head Up San Francisco LGBTQ Film Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  30. ^ a b "Vita & Virginia announced as opening night film for 33rd BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival". BFI. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  31. ^ Mitchell, Robert (8 February 2019). "'Vita & Virginia' to Open BFI Flare LGBTQ Festival". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  32. ^ Parfitt, Orlando (2 December 2019). "'For Sama' wins top prize at 2019 BIFAs". Screen International. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Vita & Virginia · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards". BIFA · British Independent Film Awards. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  34. ^ a b White, Peter (29 July 2019). "'World On Fire': PBS Acquires BBC Helen Hunt & Sean Bean Drama – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  35. ^ Thomas, Lou (4 July 2019). "Vita & Virginia: 'Just because something is set in 1928, it doesn't need to feel like it was made then'". BFI. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  36. ^ a b Petski, Denise (26 September 2019). "'The Spanish Princess': Ray Stevenson, Sai Bennett, Andrew Buchan & Peter Egan Join Cast For Final Episodes". Deadline. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  37. ^ a b Morris, Lauren (7 September 2022). "Third director for Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 January 2023. Kingsley, who was also behind the camera for BBC One's Ghosts, is listed alongside Sherlock's Rachel Talalay and The Spanish Princess's Chanya Button as directors on the specials.
  38. ^ Laford, Andrea (6 July 2022). "Russell T Davies praises Doctor Who BBC centenary special". CultBox. Retrieved 27 January 2023. Davies kept quiet about plans for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary in favour of touting the centenary special but photographs of slates for Special 1 and Special 3 were shared by their respective directors Rachel Talalay and Chanya Button — revealing there are at least three specials to air as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations.
  39. ^ "Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials - From air dates to David Tennant's return and Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who debut, here's what we know so far". www.bbc.co.uk. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  40. ^ "The Power of the Doctor: Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who finale – as it happened". the Guardian. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023. The press release also says "The three special episodes will transmit in November 2023 as Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary."
  41. ^ "Charlotte Mitchell". Creative Media Management. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  42. ^ "ITV Studios Catalogue". catalogue.itvstudios.com. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  43. ^ Barraclough, Leo (20 April 2023). "Ruth Madeley to Star in BBC Adaptation of Liz Jensen's 'The Rapture'". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Burn Burn Burn vince il premio Miglior Film 2016". Umbria Film Festival (in Italian). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  45. ^ Kozlov, Vladimir (15 July 2016). "Ukraine's Odessa Film Festival Kicks Off With Increased Hollywood Presence". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  46. ^ "Burn Burn Burn". Urban Sales. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Award Winners: Past Festivals". Sedona International Film Festival. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  48. ^ "2024 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Award. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.