What is the Question – February

For this month’s What is the Question Roland talks with Ballarat-based filmmaker Ben Plazzer.

 

What is your name?

Ben Plazzer.

 

What is your occupation?

Film director/producer.

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

I came as a boarder at St Patricks College in the late 80s. After Ballarat University I left the city only to return permanently 15 years later. I couldn’t stay away. I missed Ballarat’s weather.

 

What is your favourite spot in the city, and why?

I’m quite fond of The 18th Amendment Bar. It has a great speak-easy atmosphere and feels like you’ve taken a step-back in time. It’s easy to chat and relax.

 

What is happiness?

The time between the camera standing-by on the first day on-set until it’s a wrap on the last day – and you are totally spent. I think this type of happiness is what Aristotle called ‘Beatitudo’. It has both positive and negative connotations; but nonetheless, an apt description.

 

What would you do to make a difference in the world?

Make people laugh. I use comedy loosely and liberally. Some might argue I only have an annoying, long-string of dad jokes, but that’s fine with me.

Comedy makes us smile and it makes us feel better, and if it’s done well it can challenge us. Comedy unites, and makes us better people.

 

What do you hope the future might hold for you?

Making more films and always making better ones. There are so many stories in Ballarat which would translate to the big screen. It’s a talented city that’s starting to find itself. We’re lucky to be here right now.

 

What is your most treasured possession, and why?

My mind; it’s how we perceive everything we own, and it gives value to our other treasured possessions. By default, it must come first. From our worldview to happiness. It all comes from this one place.

 

If you could ask your pet one question, what would it be?

Fifteen years ago our cat Whites walked in through the front door and has never left. I’d like to ask, “What kind of life did you have before you came to us?”

 

What was your first job?

A mechanic – specifically a diesel mechanic in the Mallee. I remember really questioning my vocation when I was inside a combine harvester, itching from wheat in 40-degree heat.

 

What did you want to be when you were growing-up?

A mechanic.

 

What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

I can tell you what I wish someone hadn’t told me. When I was in boarding school in the 80s I was into computer programming. I loved it and found it engrossing. So much so that for fun in year 11, I coded three other student’s projects. Then someone gave me some advice, and to which I listened, “There’s no future in computers”.

 

What was your favourite toy?

My Commodore 64. A heap of games all packed with 16 colours and a SID chip which could produce three sounds at once! It was awesome.

 

What is your all-time favourite book, and why?

The Hobbit. Yes it’s a kid’s book but it’s packed full of action; has a dragon; a sword named Sting; and big spiders. What more could you want?

 

What would your childhood-self think of you today?

I think he would be impressed. I was a timid, introverted kid with lots of energy. After finding what I loved doing (making films) things changed as I immersed myself in it. Now I have the confidence I didn’t have when I was younger because I know what I’m doing …and I love it.