It's all about people
The selected films below vary greatly in themes but are united by a deep respect of the subject matter and a desire to reveal the humanity, creativity and passion underpinning health, society and research in all its forms. Inspired by the documentary greats, Albert Maysles and John Grierson, my approach to filmmaking is grounded in the desire to authentically document people - to tell their story.
To see more stories, visit my Vimeo Channel.
The selected films below vary greatly in themes but are united by a deep respect of the subject matter and a desire to reveal the humanity, creativity and passion underpinning health, society and research in all its forms. Inspired by the documentary greats, Albert Maysles and John Grierson, my approach to filmmaking is grounded in the desire to authentically document people - to tell their story.
To see more stories, visit my Vimeo Channel.
Showreel
Mindscapes - a global, artistic reflection on mental wellbeing
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Mindscapes is the name for Wellcome's incredible international cultural programme transforming how we perceive, discuss and relate to mental health and wellbeing.
Spanning the world, Mindscapes has engaged a diverse group of artists who are reflecting on and interpreting mental health in their own unique ways. And what they are doing is beautiful, moving and inspiring. Together, I worked with Wellcome to help produce and then edit this truly international series of films, all shot by local filmmakers. |
Remembrance Day in a weapons factory (Featured by Aeon)
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'Remembrance' features the reminiscences of a professional military sniper as he takes us through the practical and psychological aspects of killing targets, people. The film explores themes of responsibility and the impact that killing has on the individuals sent to war and on a society that participates in warfare, whether via its elected Government or the manufacture of high precision weapons.
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Paddy Hartley and The Cost of Life Exhibition
From the initial phone call to the final edit, you knew exactly what was wanted at every stage of the creative process, and you delivered a beautiful and compelling set of films that conveyed their complex and challenging subject-matter with effortless ease. Artistry, industry and modesty in rare combination! Jonathan Steffen
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Created for the pharmaceutical giant, Hoffman-La Roche, this is a series of films (10 in total) detailing the work of artist, Paddy Hartley.
Paddy and project lead, Jonathan Steffen, approached me after Paddy was commissioned by Roche to create a series of artworks inspired by the theme of their 125th Anniversary - The Cost of Life. Together, myself, Paddy and Jonathan Steffen collaborated to make a series of films highlighting the creative process; detailing the remarkable technical and creative skills and thinking of one of Britain's finest artists. |
The Singer's Tale
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This film is a labour of love. Originally drawn to Carol because of her involvement with a choir comprised of people with neurological conditions, the film became a celebration of a remarkable woman's life, passion and creativity.
The Singer’s Tale features renowned jazz singer, Carol Grimes, a wild and funny force of nature, burning brightly into her seventies. Beginning amidst the bombs of World War II, Carol’s life has been a tempestuous journey, from abandonment and mutism to one of love and singing. The Singer’s Tale explores this journey, peeling away the layers of a hugely creative soul as she confronts the struggle we will all face one day – to remain relevant in the world as one’s youth fades. Enjoy the ride. To read more about the origins and creative process behind this film, go to my article, here. |
The Gift
What can I say...you have created an absolutely stunning film. It is so rich with it's imagery and Barbara's poignant words and the two together create a wonderful piece of art in its own right. Sam Hill
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The Gift follows fun, vibrant artist, Barbara Bird, during the final year of her life and beyond her death. Fighting a severe form of breast cancer, we share time with Barbara as she comes to terms with - and celebrates - her own mortality, challenging what makes a good life, a good death, a person? Is it what they say, what they do or the memories they leave with us?
In her typical, fiercely honest style, Barbara was determined to transform notions of death, allowing her own body to be used as art, hoping to help bring meaning and beauty to the loss so many of us have recently, or will, experience throughout life, while offering hope to the living. The Gift is Barbara’s last work of art. A story that peers into the soul of a person with nothing left to prove or lose. Throughout, Barbara’s approach to creativity, art, life and death intermingle, building their own remarkable human collage that will leave viewers as inspired as they are moved. The Gift is currently being submitted to film festivals. |
Trailer
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CEPI's 100 Days Mission
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This video was created for CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, just as the world was becoming aware of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
Films of this nature aspire to capture the imagination as well as the attention of the viewer. To use an impactful, tailored visual shorthand that connects with the public, scientists and potential investors and shows them hope. That encapsulates an inspirational message that - together - as a united species, no goal is beyond humanity's grasp. |
Pam's Story (recovering from traumatic brain injury)
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This short documentary, made for The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, is a companion piece to the film above – an opportunity to find out more about the accident Pam experienced that led to her brain injury and, tragically, loss of 'her imagination'.
This film was a joy to shoot and edit. Pam was a wonderful, warm interviewee while her studio and the art therein provided a fantastic opportunity to play with visual metaphors. |
Sybille Neumeyer, a narrative cartography of virus
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Filmed on location in Berlin, I had the pleasure of working with the extraordinary artist, Sybille Neumeyer, as she developed her new walking exhibit.
The challenge here was to visually capture and represent Sybille's internal processes and approach to researching this remarkable project, part of Wellcome's Contagious Cities program exploring our relationship with disease across time and space. |
Simon Faithfull - exploring our relationship with animals
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Filmed on location in Berlin's magnificent Museum für Naturkunde, this short explores artist, Simon Faithfull's latest exhibition, An Arbitrary Taxonomy of Birds.
Part of Wellcome's Contagious Cities project exploring disease and its movement across the planet, the challenge here was to work with Simon to capture his vision whilst affording insights into his method and artistic practise. Filmmaker, Barry J Gibb Editor, Daryl Hopkins. |
New York: how the past prepared us for the future of disease
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Commissioned by Wellcome Trust as part of their Contagious Cities project, this film was a rare opportunity to explore New York's rich history of disease, with an eye to the future and epidemic preparedness.
Rooted in the stories of former residents of New York's remarkable Tenement Museum who had TB, influenza or HIV, the film examines these past lives and how their loss has informed modern health policies that could help avert future epidemics. Screened as part of the Germ City exhibition, Museum of the City of New York, 2018. Click here to read about how this film was made. |
Hong Kong: bringing Taipingshan's history of plague to life
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Commissioned by Wellcome Trust as part of their Contagious Cities project, this film features Hong Kong's remarkable Taipingshan Medical Heritage Trail, a journey through the dynamic and vibrant medical history of this incredible city.
Hong Kong's history of disease is far more dramatic than one might think, heavily featuring bubonic plague, cultural misunderstandings and completely differing views on medicine. Today, Hong Kong now ranks as one of the cities best able to respond to new outbreaks of disease. Click here to read about how this film was made. |
Last Chance Saloon – a journey into the heart of mental illness
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This is part one of Last Chance Saloon, an award-winning 11-part web series. The series features Neil 'Twink' Tinning, a troubled, magnificent man living with bipolar disorder, and his unique attempt to understand the science behind his, and many other, mental health conditions - all while getting ready to play the biggest gig of his life.
All 11 episodes of Last Chance Saloon can be found here. |