Glenvista’s storyteller making waves on the global stage

International filmmaker and author Gareth Crocker from Glenvista speaks about his journey, the challenges he has overcome and his passion for storytelling.

Crocker, who grew up in Glenanda, is married and has two daughters, both of whom are at university. He has degrees in English and psychology, has authored seven novels and has written and co-directed several films and TV shows for Netflix, Amazon and AMC.

Although dreadful at most things, the talented storyteller had the exception of being good at football and writing.

“Sadly, I ran out of footballing talent quite quickly, but the writing seems to have worked out okay,” shared Crocker.

He has also been a journalist, spokesperson, columnist, novelist and screenwriter.

“Luckily, that ‘H’ I got for Matric maths wasn’t too damaging,” he added.

Reveals the inspiration

Crocker first realised he wanted to tell stories the day he watched the film Rocky.

He said, “It had a profound effect on my young mind. As I left the cinema, I realised I wanted to tell my stories and make people feel what I felt that day.

“Most young boys watched that film and wanted to become boxers. I wanted to become a writer. I loved how the movie made me feel. It stirred something deep within me.”

Rocky and his lovely and supportive family influenced significantly influenced his work.

All of life’s experiences have shaped his storytelling. He said we can often glean something interesting from our life experiences. Even the things we think are mundane.

“Us writers always have our eyes open, looking to steal story nuggets wherever we can. Most of the characters I write are amalgamations of people I have met,” said Crocker.

Additionally, Crocker loves the south.

“There’s something about these koppies that resonates with me. I have a view of one of them from my office, and I swear they are a muse.

“We also have some great people there who kindly allowed us to film various scenes for our shows on their properties. There is a beautiful house in Kibler Park that features prominently in our show, In Your Dreams (on Amazon Prime),” expressed Crocker.

Behind the lens and the pen

Motion Story is an independent film and TV studio Crocker co-founded with his partners a decade ago. He describes the venture as a wild ride, and they have been fortunate enough to produce several films and TV series that were picked up locally and internationally.

These include Shadow (Netflix), Dead Places (Netflix), Office Invasion (Netflix) and In Your Dreams (Amazon).
“We’ve just wrapped production on our biggest show to date, an ambitious six-part action-drama that will be out next year,” shared the filmmaker.

Now You Suffer is Crocker’s latest novel, book one of a new detective series. His idea for it came from his love of a good twist. However, for Crocker, it has to be clever and a real showstopper.

“The whole plot of Now You Suffer is constructed around three colourful characters and the most mind-bending twist I have ever thought of. When it dawned on me about two years ago, I literally stopped walking mid-step.

‘Could this work?’ I asked myself. ‘Could it? Could it?‘ Thankfully, it worked out great in the story. I’m quite proud of it. Readers seem to be loving it as well,” he said.

Challenges encountered

Crocker has faced many challenges and was rejected hundreds of times by publishers and agents as an aspirant novelist. Some agents in the UK pleaded with him to stop sending them my manuscripts.

“But little by little, I improved. Until, at last, my breakout novel was published in London and then again in New York. That was a pivotal moment in my career, and everything launched off from there.”

More than anything, the journey taught Crocker the power and value of persistence.

Creative evolution

On a superficial level, Crocker wants to entertain, but his deeper goal is always to move people.

“I want to make them feel something. That’s what I really care about,” Crocker said.

The central message Crocker wishes to convey through his storytelling is hope; despite how crushing things might seem now, you must keep going.

“Keep trying. Keep looking forward. The clouds will always lift,” Crocker said.

The future is looking bright for this talented filmmaker and author, and although his latest novel has just been released, he is working on book two and looks forward to getting it done in the next few months.

If you read Now You Suffer, send Crocker an email to let him know what you think on info@garethcrocker.com

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