NARRATIVE FILM
DAWNBREAKER
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Length: Short
Camera: Panasonic Varicam LT with DZOFilm Vespid Primes Director: Eli Lower Producer: Esther Saunders-Jennings (2026) |
A gorgeous short film from writer-director Eli Lower, this was a big lighting challenge. We lit many different times of day including sunset, sunrise, and day-for-night, all on a tight schedule with no option to shoot outside 9am-5pm hours. Thanks to Gaffer Michael Sides, and focus puller Josh Kelly Jones.
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Cardboard Adventures |
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Length: Short
Camera: Fujifilm X-H2S with DZOFilm Vespid Primes Director: Cat Boot Producer: Sam Wilde (2025) |
Pilot episode for Sam Wilde's Cardboard Adventures series, Arti and Box venture underwater to find Captain Cardboard's lost telescope. This was unbelievably fun to shoot and a great challenge. It turns out lighting cardboard isn't as easy as it sounds!
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BANTER
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Length: Short
Camera: Panasonic Varicam LT with Contax Zeiss Primes Director: Kristjan Knigge Producer: Rhys Freeman/Toad Abode (2025) |
Hard hitting rugby-based drama starring Kyle Rowe (Reputation, The Devil's Hour). With a mix of fast sports action and kitchen sink drama, this was a great opportunity to practice more subdued and naturalistic lighting. Gaffered by Michael Sides, and focused by Jack Hayter.
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KIN
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Length: Short
Camera: Arri Alexa Mini with Zeiss CP.2 Primes. Director: Helena Middleton Producer: Tim O'Brien (2016) |
Bristol-set short film telling the story of the relationship between two brothers and their vastly different experiences of the care home in which they both grew up. Starring Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Gladiator II), Sunetra Sarker (Casualty), and Jack Hollington. Directed by Helena Middleton, and written by Papatango New Writing Winner Samuel Bailey, with a resonant score by David Ridley (Boiling Point, Adolescence). This was one of my first short films and still remains a favourite, with so many of the cast and crew going on to do great things.
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TABLET
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Length: Short
Camera: Sony FS5II with Contax Zeiss Primes Director: John Stephenson Producer: LoBu Films (2022) |
Shooting in black and white, I was able to employ hard lighting and atmospheric smoke in a really enjoyable way that wouldn't usually work in colour. This was a brilliant project, Gaffered by Matthew Joiner and Michael Sides, and focused by Bethany Fitter.
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FEELING THING
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Length: Short
Camera: Red Gemini with Arri Ultraprimes Director: Jo Bannon Producer: Candoco Dance Company (2021) |
Directed by Jo Bannon, and performed by members of Candoco Dance Company, this dance short explores sexuality and intimacy through household objects. I worked very closely with camera operator John Stephenson, and my principle challenge was to light with as small a footprint as possible to allow him and the dancers to freely improvise over several days in the same locations, ably assisted on focus by Bethany Fitter.
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SON OF HELIOS
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Length: Short Camera: Sony FS5II with Cooke S4i Mini primes Director: Julia Head Producer: Hattie De Santis (2021) |
A one-shot short film written by Julia Head, Xahnaa Adlam and Young SixSix. The film is a 35 minute handheld long shot following Femi's life unravelling in real time, with a cast of over a dozen teenagers.
The film was incredibly challenging to shoot but overwhelmingly satisfying. I learned to use memory techniques (thanks Derren Brown) to navigate the blocking and remember the script, with some scenes involving the whole cast of 13 people. The energy of the cast was tremendous. Particular mention goes to sound recordist David Bekkevold (AMPS), and boom operators Tom Codd and Paul Turner, who completed the incredibly complex puzzle of navigating such a large area with so many moving parts. BTS Photos by Chelsey Cliff. |
PUSH
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Length: Short
Camera: Arri Alexa Mini with Cooke S4i Mini primes Director: Scarlett Plouviez Producer: Popelei (2021) |
PUSH is a film translation of Popelei's successful stage show, largely playing out in a 40 minute long gimbal shot. Directed by Scarlett Plouviez, and created by writer-performer Tamsin Hurtado Clarke.
I made a special gimbal/steadicam rig specifically for this film so that I could operate, which kick-started my interest in Steadicam operation, something that brings me a lot of joy to do! Special mention goes to gaffer Jack Lilley, focus puller Alice Berkeley, and sound recordist Graeme Willetts, who navigated the complex task of pulling off a long take with enthusiasm and skill. BTS Photos by Chelsey Cliff. |
assembling
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Length: Short
Camera: Sony FS5II with Contax Zeiss Primes Director: Helena Middleton/Tim Lytc Producer: Knowle West Media Centre (2020) |
Produced by Knowle West Media Centre, and choreographed and performed by Tim Lytc, this dance film focuses on self-building homes as a construct for social change.
Filmed at Block West by Autumated Architecture Labs, "a temporary pavilion that showcases adaptable building systems and people-friendly technology that can help communities collaborate to create the spaces, homes, and places they need." The structure was designed and built by residents of Knowle West, who Tim also took inspiration from in their choreography. Shooting on a cloudy day, we worked patiently to exploit the gaps of sunlight in order to be able to film the wonderful shadows produced by the construction. Directed by Helena Middleton, with a pulsing score by Joseff Harris. |
Through Draft
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Length: Short
Camera: Sony F5 with Cooke Varotal 20-100mm Director: Joshua Cole Producer: Tommi Floor (2019) |
A psychological thriller starring Joseph Langdon and Gemma Reynolds. Written and Directed by Joshua Cole. A reclusive man refuses to leave his flat while facing eviction, terrified of what may be released if he can no longer keep guard over the evil trapped within. The location was scheduled for demolition, which was a production design dream! Beautifully lit by gaffer Michael Sides.
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The Search Party
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Length: Short
Camera: Sony FS7 with Contax Zeiss Primes Director: Graeme Willetts (2018) |
A young woman has gone missing. Frustrated by a slow investigation, her parents take the search into their own hands to search the local woods. Their close friend Tara comes to help their desperate search but this good will gesture has other motives. Written and Directed by BFI backed screenwriter Graeme Willetts, and starring Laura Bayston (Killing Eve) and Martin Bonger.
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THE BALLET OF THE NATIONS
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Length: Feature
Camera: Sony FS7 with Zeiss Contax Primes. Director: Joshua Ben-Tovim and Roseanna Anderson Producer: Gwenfair Hawkins and Kim Heron (2018) |
Billy Zane narrates this 50-minute arthouse film in which war is imagined as a diabolical dance choreographed by Satan and Ballet Master Death.
Directed by Impermanence Dance Theatre, and starring Sonya Cullingford (Egon Schiele: Dangerous Desires) and Peter Clements. The film has a semi-permanent home as part of British Art Studies, and is fully watchable here. This was my first feature length film, and with a huge number of locations, it's where I really learned (by fire) the skills of complex pre-production. Gaffered by Matthew Joiner and Michael Sides. |
COOKIN' MADE EASY WITH MR ZAZZIZI
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Length: Pilot Episode
Camera: Sony F3 with Zeiss CP.2 Primes. Director: Lizzie Franks and Rew Lowe Producer: Rew Lowe (2018) |
A pilot for a kids cookery show concept, written by and starring Rew Lowe, following the adventures of 1970's italian spy film inspired secret agent and chef Mr Zazzizi.
Entirely shot on green screen, this was a good excuse to play with some very retro looks and techniques. |
CHRISTMAS AT MUM'S
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Length: Short
Camera: Sony F3 with Zeiss CP.2 Primes. Director: Ben Tate and Joe Trickey Producer: Calling the Shots (2017) |
A Channel 4 Random Acts commissioned short, directed by Ben Davies and Joe Trickey. A foolish son returns home for Christmas dinner to find his Mum has invited a few special guests.
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