Dinosaurs, Passion, and Comedy: Meet Neil Zemouli
Welcome Neil, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.
Who is Neil Zemouli and how did the passion for creating begin?
I'm a 22-year-old writer and director from Switzerland. I've always had a vivid imagination since I was a child, and I wanted to find a way to explore that creativity. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to pursue an artistic career. Over the years, my aspirations shifted. I dreamed of becoming a cartoonist, a singer, and even a game developer. But at 13, I realized I wanted to be a filmmaker. It felt natural, given the special connection I had with the animated and live-action shows and movies I watched. I used to imagine different scenarios and play pretend with my friends. As I grew older, my passion for filmmaking deepened, and I wanted to learn more. I spent three years studying filmmaking, two years in Switzerland, and one year in the United Kingdom.
Can you tell us about your previous work ?
I started making short films in 2019. I’ve made three short films prior to Gideon the Dinosaur, but at the moment, it is my most important project.
"Gideon the Dinosaur" has such a unique and random premise—what inspired the idea of a palaeontology-loving young man in a dinosaur costume trying to get a job? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked this idea?
The original idea came to me after an all-nighter. Initially, the concept was quite different from the final result, but as I developed the project, I realized it was influenced by various sources. A few notable influences include the movie Step Brothers by Adam McKay, the French mini-series Bloqués created by Kyan Khojandi and Bruno Muschio, and the fables of Jean de la Fontaine, among many others.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: ‘‘Gideon the Dinosaur’’
The film takes a comedic tone but also seems to comment on family expectations, career pressures, and passion—did you always intend to balance the humor with those more serious undertones, or did that evolve over time?
From the start, I knew it would be a comedy because that’s how I envisioned it, and the premise naturally lent itself to that genre. However, I wanted to include sadder and more serious moments, as the core theme of the project is passion. Passion, with its intense nature, brings a wide range of emotions not just humor. The young adult context also contributed to this. While being a young adult can be exciting and full of opportunities you might not have later in life, it's also a time when you face, or at least consider, some of the biggest decisions of your life. This inevitably brings moments of stress, fear, and even sadness, which are reflected in the project’s various tones. I followed a writing rule: if a moment needs to be serious, let it be serious. Don’t dilute it with a joke or a funny moment just because it’s a comedy.
Wearing a dinosaur costume to get a job is a bold move! What does the costume represent for David as a character? Is it a symbol of rebellion, his passion, or just pure randomness?
I think the costume symbolizes many aspects. David's passion, and along with that, his determination. After all, passion is a powerful force that can drive you toward anything. However, this also ties into the third major point: disappointment a desperate attempt to get something he truly desires. These aspects represent the most important ideas of this tale, as the story was built around David’s relationship with the costume. It wasn’t merely a simple comedic element added to an already completed story.
The episodic format of the film is intriguing—can you tell us how this structure adds to the overall experience of "Gideon the Dinosaur"? Why did you choose to go with episodes rather than a more traditional linear narrative?
Originally, Gideon the Dinosaur was meant to be a miniseries, but I realized there were more opportunities for short films, so I decided to merge all the episodes into one. The episodic format offered several advantages; it allowed me to artistically divide each segment in terms of mise-en-scène and writing, making it easier to approach the different themes with a unique style. Characters were crucial to the story, each with their own personalities and key roles. Given the large cast, I knew I would have to sacrifice some individuality in a short film, but a series would allow each character to shine. The miniseries structure helped me develop David’s journey by making it non-linear in terms of tension and key moments, which made it relatable despite its incredibly strange premise. After all, life has its ups and downs, but not in a precise order. I believe this approach helps the audience feel and understand the various themes and lessons.
What is the central message or feeling you want audiences to walk away with after watching your work ?
Passion is essential, but when combined with deception, it can blind you and lead to poor decisions. Take time to mourn your disappointments, then get back on your feet.
In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore ?
I’m open to the idea of working within a similar genre intersection again, but I’m also eager to explore other genres and formats, such as features, short films, and series. This would not only be a great challenge for me but also an excellent way to explore different themes.
I have many stories to tell.
If you had to wear a dinosaur costume to get a job, what kind of job would you go for? And do you think you’d actually get it?
I might dress up as a pterodactyl, since it was my favorite dinosaur as a kid. I could apply for a job as a pilot, given that I’d already have wings with the costume; however, I don’t think I’d get the job.
This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artist, Neil Zemouli. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.
