Homeworking exorcise regime

Dina Jacobsen is a London-based screenwriter and director.

What dark forces drove you to
the home-working lifestyle?

My silent inner rage. The work I do helps me to exorcise my demons and hopefully makes me a better person to be around.

How long have you been based there
and how long do you plan to stay working from home?

For the last eight years or so. I plan to move more into directing as I’m starting to lose any social skills I had.

Have you modified your home at all for your work or is your working area basically a spare room/attic/shed moonlighting as an office/studio?

I use a laptop so I’m flexible in my working area – it tends to be mostly at the dining room table, or in bed if I’m feeling really energetic.

Does your work eat into your leisure time or do you have a secret formula that protects your personal time?

My work is personal, it’s about people - it is my leisure.

Do partners/children/friends/pets respect your working boundaries? How do you make sure they don’t interrupt your working day?

Yes, family and friends are incredibly supportive. Even those who don’t really understand what I do. My cat, however, has no respect.

How long does it take you to reach your office in the morning and what mode of transport do you use?

It just takes a large cup of coffee.

What motivates you to start and stay
working each day (or night)?

The simple fact that if a script doesn’t get written, it doesn’t get made, and I love to make films. And the indefinable itch to tell a story.

Do you ever find work takes a back seat to valuable conflicting interests like going back to bed, watering
the plants or staring out the window? 

I am co-founder of the procrastinator’s society - the other didn’t show up. Unless a story blazes through my mind I can be endlessly distracted, so deadlines are a good thing.

Do you ever feel slightly cut off from the rest of the world or is that an advantage in your line of work?

Yes, writing is very solitary and lonely and can make me peculiar. That’s why I’m directing now. Interacting with others is vital to my mental health.

What do you miss about the more
conventional Home/work divide?

I miss the company of others and the clearly defined work time. I enjoy the flexibility of working from home, the luxury of contemplation and not having to brave London Transport every morning.

On what terms would you contemplate
a return to the other side?

My work would never necessitate working in an office full-time, so it would have to be a job change and I wouldn’t do that unless my life or someone else’s depended on it. And, even then, it would require deep thought.

Dina has written a number of original screenplays and created and written a TV drama series The Wishaway. Her feature debut, Coma Girl: The State of Grace, won the Viewer’s Voice Award at Cinequest and the DVD is currently available to buy or rent. Contact Dina at vista.films@virgin.net