Media Arts

18/12/2025

This is why I love doing what I do.

Helping people record their podcasts in a way that feels natural, professional and true to them is always the aim, and feedback like this means a lot.

A big thank you to Anna Brand Creative for the kind words and for trusting Media Arts with her podcast recording.

16/12/2025

A few days ago I talked about leaving my last job at a video games company to start Media Arts in 2004. What I didn’t mention was that I didn’t leave by choice, I was made redundant. Quite unceremoniously, too.

Luckily, I’d had a bit of warning and already had my ducks in a row when I was escorted out with my cardboard box.

A year earlier I’d bought my first Apple Mac (I’m on my fourth desktop now!) and I already had a couple of clients lined up. The local development agency also gave me a small grant, which helped me buy a few bits of kit and take my first real steps into the scary world of self-employment.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing. There have been plenty of feast-or-famine years. But I’m proud to say that just last month I completed another project for my very first client. The same one who took a chance on me all those years ago.

I must be doing something right!

PS: stock image of an old mac for attention, not my original!

12/12/2025

If you’re ready to show people what you do, what you believe in or what makes your business unique, video is one of the most powerful ways to do it.

Happy Friday and here’s to the next story waiting to be told.

11/12/2025

I was chatting with a friend the other night, someone I’ve known for over 10 years and realised I’d only ever known him as an ex-firefighter.

Turns out he’d also been a gravedigger, a bookmaker, a factory worker… and even dug sewer tunnels for a week before finding his calling.

It got me thinking about my own journey.

I’ve been doing what I do now for over 20 years, but before that I had quite a mix of jobs.

At 13, I helped a lovely elderly lady set up her vacuum cleaner stall at Chelmsford market, then cycled home to do my paper round.

I worked on book stalls and electrical stalls, survived one day in a butcher’s (never again!), and eventually ended up in an opticians making glasses.

That led to roles in Southend, Chelmsford and Colchester, before eventually being based at head office in Nottingham, opening new stores.

From there I moved into a video games company, where I became Training Manager and more importantly, where I discovered my love for video production.

In 2004 I finally took the leap and set up Media Arts… but that’s a story for another day.

It made me realise just how many of us take the scenic route to where we end up.

So here’s my question for today:

👉 What’s the oddest job you had before you settled into your career?

10/12/2025

Everyone has stories worth keeping, moments, memories and lessons that shape who they are.

This Christmas, you can give a gift that lasts forever.

Precious Memories Preserved offers a warm, relaxed video interview where we capture your loved one’s stories on film, creating a keepsake for future generations.

We work across the North East and offer two packages to suit different budgets. We’ll even help with the questions so the experience feels easy and natural.

🎄 Christmas offer:
• £100 off the luxury package
• £50 off the standard package

Find out more:
https://preciousmemoriespreserved.com

09/12/2025

One camera, six microphones, a male voice choir… and a bid for Christmas number 1.

A few months ago, one of the ambassadors for Age UK asked if I could pop along to a local choir rehearsal as a favour and record the audio of them singing The Blaydon Races.

Intrigued, I agreed and threw the camera in the car, just in case.

They were rehearsing for a big concert the following week, so time was tight. It was just me setting up and managing six microphones into a portable mixing desk, with only a couple of run-throughs to capture it all. I decided to rig the camera up as well and just let that run.

The result? North Tyneside Age UK have released it as a Christmas single, with all proceeds going to dementia care in the North East.

🎥 You can watch the video on your favourite streaming platform (or YouTube) by searching 'Felling Male Voice Choir Blaydon Races'

And if you’d like to support the cause directly I will add the link below 👇

It’s a fantastic project supporting a charity that makes a real difference locally.

08/12/2025

Documentary & Feature Film Showreel

I’ve been fortunate to produce a wide range of documentary and feature film projects over the years, working with some brilliant teams and fascinating contributors.

This showreel brings together a selection of that work, projects I’m genuinely proud to have been part of.

05/12/2025

Last week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in the County Durham countryside with Keiron Young, filming a short piece about The Heritage 100.

I’ve known Keiron for many years, and admire his passion for the countryside and for encouraging people to get out walking.

The Heritage 100, a Community Interest Company, has developed a series of short walks designed to help people explore the region and gain a deeper appreciation of its landscape, history and heritage.

The video will form part of their upcoming crowdfunding campaign. I’ll share it as soon as it goes live.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

04/12/2025

One of the most memorable shoots I’ve ever done was a cookery TV pilot filmed in the poshest kitchen I’ve ever seen, with Ainsley Harriott and three comedians.

It was an absolute scream to work on… even if it never ended up being commissioned!

02/12/2025

Precious Memories Preserved

People are fascinating! Their stories, their memories, their highs and lows, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. All of it becomes part of who they are.

This Christmas, you can give your loved ones a truly unique gift:
a chance to have their life stories recorded and preserved forever.

Precious Memories Preserved offers a friendly, cost-effective and lasting way to capture these recollections in a filmed interview that becomes a treasured keepsake for generations.

We work predominantly across the North East and have two packages available to suit different needs and budgets. We’ll even help with the questions to make sure you get the most from this special experience.

🎄 Christmas offer:
• £100 off our luxury package
• £50 off our standard package

For more information or to get in touch, visit:
👉

People are fascinating! Their stories and recollections. Hard times, good times and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. It’s all an important part of what makes us who we are. Precious Memories Preserved offer a friendly, cost effective and lasting way to record those memories and lessons...

01/12/2025

I took my youngest daughter to a college open day last week as she starts thinking about next year and it got me reflecting…

During her interview they asked what she wanted to do for a job. I remembered being asked the exact same question at her age by my careers teacher. He had one of those old rolodex-style job cards and we were supposed to flick through and choose what we fancied.

Nothing really stood out for me then, and I imagine my daughter felt the same the other day. How are you supposed to know your “future career” at 15?

For most of us, life shapes the path we end up on. Experiences, people we meet, opportunities we stumble across… all of that matters far more than a decision made as a teenager. My first job was nothing like what I do now, thank goodness!

Some young people know exactly what they want from an early age, but many (like me) take a bit longer to find their niche. And that’s perfectly okay.

Did you know your 'future career' at age 15?

28/11/2025

A great night at last night’s awards dinner.

The Boiler Shop made a brilliant and very fitting venue, and it was a pleasure to work with such lovely clients, guests and a fantastic sound crew. I also had the chance to meet TV engineer Rob Bell, which was a real bonus.

To round things off, there was even a Ceilidh afterwards (proof that engineers absolutely do know how to have fun)!

This event was another seamless collaboration with Gavin Forster Commercial Photography With Gav on stills and me on video, everything flowed smoothly, and we left with a promise of future work - a big win I'd say.