When the cameras roll on Jamie Fraser’s directorial debut Thoughtless in 2025, it will be the fulfilment of a serious filmmaking ambition, coupled with a nod to his comedic past. Fraser, originally from Aberdeen and now based in London, came to writing and directing via live comedy.
Announced as a satire about attention, distraction and inequality in London, Thoughtless Executive producer is Triangle of sadness Co-produced by Mike Goodridge via Good Chaos and supported by BBC Film. “It’s loosely based on something that happened to me,” says Fraser. “A guy goes for a run on his lunch break because he’s stressed and then loses his phone, which sets off a series of disasters that make him think about who he is.”
The path to the 31-year-old author and director’s first feature film project leads back to listening to the “inspiring” radio show and podcast Cinemast (later Filmspotting), 13 years old. “My parents are not in the creative field, but I loved films and enjoyed watching them with my brother,” he says. “I became obsessed with learning about the history of film and film criticism and started writing reviews and making small films.”
Fraser fell in love with stand-up comedy while at university, joined the comedy company Footlights and spent his 20s in a sketch group touring the UK. He spent six years working as an editor for Film4 and Netflix, which encouraged him to “write my own scripts”.
In 2018, Fraser was hired to create gags for the Living the dreamwhich led to him being signed by Independent Talent. He co-wrote the screenplay for the crime comedy Say your prayersAnd Living the dream Producer James Dean assisted him in directing the short film What in the world.
After teaching Ruben Östlund, one of his favorite directors, at the University of Gothenburg, Fraser applied to study for the Masters in Film there. As part of his studies, he wrote, directed and edited Green spacean ensemble comedy-drama set in a London park.
“I have plans for the future that are perhaps more serious,” says Fraser. “I would like to make a historical film about Scotland, but there will always be something to laugh about as well.”
Contact: Humphrey Elles-Hill, Independent Talent
