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The cordless screwdriver as the star

Director and photographer Florian Froschmayer likes the tool for all eventualities - maybe even in one of his next films?

Interview: Katrin Osterkamp / ©passt!

What is your favorite tool? 
The cordless screwdriver! I love its versatility. You can use it for screwing, for drilling and even for hammering if you turn it around or take out the battery. Because most of the time I'm too lazy to climb down the ladder again and get a hammer. 

Do you still remember your first cordless screwdriver?
When I moved into my first apartment, the cordless screwdriver was one of my first purchases - and it's still indispensable today. I need it all the time: to hang pictures, to screw furniture together, and for repairs. I even use it for my film and photo equipment, for example to loosen and tighten screws on the tripod. 

So you are very active in terms of crafts... 

Yes, and with great pleasure. As a balance to desk work, the physical and at the same time creative activity is incredibly good for me. Touching wood, tools, screws and dowels and watching how something is created by my own hands relaxes me immensely. 

What does it look like in your toolbox?
It's very tidy. Only when I'm in action and building something it gets more and more chaotic. But I always try to put things back in order afterwards. Because it drives me crazy if I have to spend too long looking for individual utensils while I'm working. 

Are you getting angry when something doesn't work out?
In fact, I'm a rather loud craftsman. I even yell at my dowels when they slip away or don't fit into the hole..

Do you prefer to work alone or in a team? 
Basically, I prefer to be alone when I'm doing DIY. That's better for my environment, because I would be constantly telling everyone what to do and how to do it right. However, I also reach my limits when doing this: I've already broken furniture because I really wanted to assemble it on my own...

Which project did you realize last, and what do you plan to do next?
A major project was the installation of a door in a kitchen niche. My next task will be to place our new dishwasher to my satisfaction. It was delivered and installed, but unfortunately it was not a perfect fit. As a Swiss with an innate sense of order, I can't look at this every morning anew.

Has a cordless screwdriver ever played a role in one of your movies, too?
No, but in fact I once shot a scene where someone is beaten to death with a hammer. And there are many great movies in which tools play a central role. So the cordless screwdriver thing could still be something…

About the person

Becoming a director was his heart's desire. At the age of 13, Florian Froschmayer was infected with film fever through "Back to the Future" and was later able to actually realize his dream, albeit indirectly: The Swiss-born and trained businessman made a lateral entry into the industry during a temporary job as an editor. In his early 20s, he and a friend produced the successful feature film "Exklusiv," which they financed with their own marketing concept. In the meantime, Froschmayer, who has lived in Berlin since 2003, has shot more than 50 TV and cinema productions, including the series "Post Mortem," "The Last Cop", "R.I.S." as well as several "Tatort"s and most recently two "MONEY, MURDER, ZURICH"-episodes. Florian Froschmayer not only has a great passion for filmmaking and photography, but in his podcast "I found an excuse to meet..." he also has interesting conversations with people from his professional environment.