Sebastian Thiel
{{short description|Zambian filmmaker (born 1990)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sebastian Thiel
| image = Sebastian Thiel.png
| alt =
| caption =
| other_names =
| birth_name = Sebastian Henry Thiel
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|08|31|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Luanshya, Zambia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| citizenship = United Kingdom
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|writer|producer}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| agent = Cathy King
| notable_works = Just a Couple, Dreaming Whilst Black, Riches, Supacell
| website = {{URL|sebastian-thiel.com}}
}}
Sebastian Henry Thiel (born 31 August 1990) is a Zambian-British film director, writer and producer.
Career
Sebastian Thiel's career in filmmaking commenced in 2008, following his pivot from aspirations in basketball. He established Upshot Entertainment, focusing on the production of short films and comedy sketches, and started distributing his self-produced videos on YouTube. His early projects garnered attention, notably receiving recognition from Richard Branson, who highlighted Thiel as a Virgin Media Pioneer.{{Cite web|date=2014-04-04|title=Former basketball prodigy Sebastian Thiel's new documentary tells the|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/former-basketball-prodigy-sebastian-thiels-new-documentary-tells-the-story-of-londons-postcode-life-9237960.html|access-date=2020-07-17|website=Evening Standard|language=en}}
By 2012, Thiel earned a spot on the Evening Standard's list of the Top 25 under 25 most influential Londoners{{Cite news|title=London's 1000 most influential people 2012: Generation Next, Rising|language=en-GB|work=Evening Standard|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/the1000/londons-1000-most-influential-people-2012-generation-next-rising-stars-under-25-8289507.html|access-date=2020-05-26}} and his short film Illegal Activity secured the Screen Nation Digital award.{{Cite web|title=Sebastian Thiel: The only way is up {{!}} The Voice Online|url=https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/sebastian-thiel-only-way|website=archive.voice-online.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-26}} His documentary "Trap Town," which delves into the 2011 England riots, aired on London Live in 2014.
In 2017, Thiel took on multiple roles as the director, writer, and editor for Just a Couple starring his sister, Frieda Thiel, Michael Salami, Weruche Opia and Sean Sagar. This series, produced by Big Talk Productions.{{Cite web |title=Amanda Star Catches Up With The 'Just A Couple' Creators {{!}} The Beat London 103.6 FM |url=http://www.thebeat1036.com/amanda-star-catches-just-couple-creators-01-04-2017 |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=www.thebeat1036.com}} and aired on BBC Three, was recognised with several awards, including the "favourite comedy production" at Screen Nation and the "Debut Writer" award at The Debbies.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-01 |title=THE DEBBIES RECOGNISE THE BEST NEW & UNSIGNED TALENT |url=https://www.thetvfestival.com/whats-on/news/the-debbies-2018/ |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=The Edinburgh International Television Festival |language=en}} It contributed to his inclusion on BBC's "new talent hotlist," curated by Idris Elba and Tony hall.{{Cite web |last=televisual.com |date=2017-03-28 |title=Tony Hall, Idris Elba unveil new BBC talent initiatives |url=http://www.televisual.com/news/tony-hall-idris-elba-unveil-new-bbc-talent-initiatives_nid-6462/ |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=Televisual}}
Within the UK's black film community, Thiel is frequently mentioned as a notable young black director who has made significant strides in television in recent years.{{Cite web|title='Get Out's' Kaluuya responds to Samuel L. Jackson's comments about black British actors|url=https://andscape.com/features/get-outs-kaluuya-responds-to-samuel-l-jacksons-about-black-british-actors/|last=McDonald|first=Soraya Nadia|date=2017-03-17|website=Andscape|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-26}}
Thiel's engagement extends beyond filmmaking to public speaking, where he shares insights on creativity and social entrepreneurship {{Cite web|title='Entrepreneurship is in our blood' {{!}} The Voice Online|url=https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/entrepreneurship-our-blood|website=archive.voice-online.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-27}} As a teenager, he was a student at The School for Social Entrepreneurs. Collaborating with Entrepreneur Paul Lindley OBE and Musician Emmanuel Jal, Thiel worked on a documentary focusing on social entrepreneurship in Kenya, which was featured at One Young World.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=One Young World Keynote |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCJOoxmB4xg |access-date= |website=YouTube}} His company received the iDEA award, presented at Buckingham palace, in recognition of business innovation.{{Cite web |title=iDEA Launch |url=https://thedukeofyork.org/education-and-skills/the-launch-of-idea-201415/ |access-date=2020-05-27 |website=The Duke of York |language=en-GB}} In his TedxTalks ,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=TEDx Entertainment Raised Me |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTlauAI1e5Q |access-date= |website=Youtube}} Thiel discusses the role of entertainment in societal change, emphasizing the importance of conscientious content creation, particularly in filmmaking, with a focus on supporting disenfranchised youth.{{Cite web |last=jonellewilliams |date=2012-02-28 |title=My Hero – Sebastian 'Upshot' Thiel by Jonelle |url=https://theheadstarters.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/my-hero-sebastian-upshot-thiel-by-jonelle/ |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=The Headstarters |language=en}}
In 2019, John Boyega and Sebastian Thiel announced a collaborative project on Vice and Timeout,{{Cite web |title=John Boyega talks Pacific Rim Uprising, the future of Star Wars and his issues with buses |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/john-boyega-talks-pacific-rim-uprising-the-future-of-star-wars-and-his-bus-phobia |access-date=2020-05-27 |website=Time Out London |language=en}} inspired by their childhoods. Thiel is represented by WME in Los Angeles {{Cite web |title=The 19 trailblazers ready to own 2019 {{!}} The Voice Online |url=https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/19-trailblazers-ready-own-2019 |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=archive.voice-online.co.uk}} and 42 in the UK.{{Cite web |title=Actor John Boyega |url=https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/actor-john-boyega/5ab1529df1cdb30fa54a2f01 |access-date=2020-05-26 |website=Viceland |language=en-us}}
Filmography
- Adot vs. Tboy: The Brotherhood (2011)
- Illegal Activity (2012){{Cite web|title=UK SHORT FILM: ILLEGAL ACTIVITY (OFFICIAL TRAILER)|url=https://madnewsuk.com/2012/03/06/uk-short-film-illegal-activity-official-trailer/|last=News|first=Janice aka Miss Mad|date=2012-03-06|website=MAD NEWS UK|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}
- Friday UK (2012){{Cite web|title='Friday UK' spoof released {{!}} The Voice Online|url=https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/%E2%80%98friday-uk%E2%80%99-spoof-released|website=archive.voice-online.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-27}}
- Fill Me In (2013)
- Adots Apprentice (2013){{Cite web|title=Adot's Apprentice hits YouTube with a bang|url=http://africanvoiceonline.co.uk/adots-apprentice-hits-youtube-with-a-bang/|last=Dipeolu|first=Yemi|date=2014-01-28|website=African Voice Newspaper|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-27}}
- Trap Town (2014)
- The Key (2015)
- Just a Couple (2017){{Cite web|title=BBC Three to publish new sitcom Just A Couple|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/2469/just_a_couple/|date=2017-02-24|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-27}}
- Dreaming Whilst Black (2021) {{Cite web |last=Adejobi |first=Alicia |date=2021-04-23 |title=Dreaming Whilst Black cast on microaggressions and reclaiming power |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/23/dreaming-whilst-black-cast-on-microaggressions-and-reclaiming-power-14456349/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Metro |language=en}}
- Riches (2022) {{Cite web |title=Untold Riches |url=https://dramaquarterly.com/untold-riches/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Drama Quarterly |language=en-US}}
- Supacell (2024) {{Cite web |last1=Bamigboye |first1=Baz |date=2022-08-11 |title=Netflix's 'Supacell': '61st Street' Star Tosin Cole To Lead 'Blue Story' Creator Rapman's Superhero Drama |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/filmmaker-rapman-picks-61st-street-star-tosin-cole-to-supercharge-netflix-superhero-drama-supacell-1235089143/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|4976467|Sebastian Thiel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thiel, Sebastian}}