All Quiet on the Western Front: Co-Writer and Executive Producer Lesley Paterson on Channelling an Athlete’s Mindset

03/01/23 • 40 min

Lesley Paterson is a triathlete, screenwriter and producer. She co-wrote and executive produced the critically-acclaimed film 'All Quiet on the Western Front'; the first international film to be nominated for fourteen and win seven awards at the BAFTAs. In addition, it was nominated for nine Academy Awards. The film follows a young German soldier as he experiences the horrors of the First World War.

Scottish-born Lesley began competing in triathlons when she was just 14 years old, and went on to become a five time world champion. Later on, she studied English and Drama, and spent time working as an actor.

However, it was after discovering the novel 'All Quiet on the Western Front' in a bookshop in Los Angeles that Lesley embarked upon one of the toughest challenges of her career to date: a 16-year journey to bring the film to life.

After a gruelling and expensive struggle to have the film made, producer Malte Grunert and director Edward Berger joined Lesley’s team, the film went into production, and it was released on Netflix and in theatres in late 2022.

In this episode Lesley shares her advice on:

how to maintain motivation to get your project made
focusing on the mastery of a craft rather than a fixed outcome

Lesley’s journey from the world of sport into filmmaking and her utter dedication to getting this film made is a great inspiration to us all to keep persevering despite the odds.

Please note that there may be some spoilers relating to the film in this episode

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Women Behind the Scenes is hosted by Eloise Singer and produced by Ben Weaver-Hincks for Singer Studios.

Executive Producers - Eloise Singer and Cathy Anderson

Production Manager - Hannah Alexander

Post Production - Matt McGuinness

Editing, Mixing and Mastering - Tom Fred Bradshaw [iGame.Audio]

Music - PremiumBeat.com

Production Assistant - Lucy Davidson

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Social Media:

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