‘Extraction 2’ Director Sam Hargrave Explains Why It’s Important to Make a Bad Short

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Not everything you make will be good, but you’ll learn a lesson. 

At No Film School, we strongly advocate for the creation of short films. They offer a valuable opportunity to test and improve your skills in writing and directing, while also being relatively simple to produce, allowing you to gather a group of friends and shoot it, resulting in an amazing on-set experience.

Short films serve as a vital resource for aspiring writers and directors, acting as a foundation for their creative arsenal.

This is why our podcast episode featuring Sam Hargrave discussing the concept of “creating a poorly executed short film” generated significant excitement among us.

If you’re unfamiliar with Sam Hargrave, he is an acclaimed stuntman, stunt coordinator, and second unit director known for his work on films like Suicide Squad and Avengers: Endgame. He has also directed Extraction and its sequel, Extraction 2, which can be found on Netflix.

During a conversation between Hargrave and NFS Podcast host GG Hawkins, Hargrave displayed a wonderful openness about his process. As we listened, we made note of his remark, “There’s so many questions that come the way of the director, it feels like you’re a switchboard operator on methamphetamine.”

However, what really caught our attention was his casual mention of “doing a bad short film.” Hargrave’s perspective was that creating anything, even if it turns out poorly, is valuable for the learning experience. He revealed that he keeps all his old work available online so he can revisit it, learn from the lessons it offers, and observe how much he has progressed over time.

In addition, Hargrave has emphasized the significance of marketing oneself and establishing connections in the industry. Creating these short films not only provides a platform for artistic expression but also serves as an incredible opportunity to meet and network with like-minded individuals. By engaging in these creative endeavors and pushing personal boundaries, one can form lasting friendships and professional relationships that span years.

Moreover, I discovered Hargrave’s 2013 short film titled Game Changer on YouTube, and it is evident that his journey towards directing Extraction is marked by glimpses of brilliance displayed in that earlier work.

You see a lot of those early flashes of his fighting style and even some longer takes that have become a trademark in his feature career. 

We have previously covered Sam Hargrave’s remarkable 22-minute long take in Extraction 2, which showcased his exceptional planning skills. He has a tendency to envision shots in advance and thoroughly discuss them with his teams both in person and on set. It’s highly likely that he honed these skills while working on action-oriented short films.

Furthermore, Hargrave’s collaborations on these shorts demonstrate the high level of respect and familiarity he shares with his crews. These experiences serve as valuable lessons that can be acquired through the process of creating more projects. By building a foundation through smaller endeavors and gradually progressing, one can aspire to undertake larger ventures, ultimately crafting a successful career that offers limitless possibilities.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this concept and the interview in the comments section. I’m eager to hear your perspective.

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