Sound Ideas Media

A complete range of digital media production services including digital video, stills, web, audio, social media, training, workshops and project management

We offer a broad range of digital media expertise. If you know of any organisations, businesses or individuals who would require any of the following please get in touch! Entertainment / music-related multi-camera video production
Documentary videography projects
Promotional videography
Audio blogging, vlogging and podcasts
Social media content production and training
Digital stills photography
Gr

aphics for online and digital use
Audio production and editing
Workshops on digital media production
Music workshops and projects
Photography and videography workshops and projects
Web site design and development
Digital media project management
Training on Photoshop
Training on Final Cut Pro x
Training on audio and radio production
Event and wedding photography
Guitar and drum tuition

21/08/2026

I’ve found an unexpected use for AI recently: helping me discover more human creativity.

As someone who works creatively in film and music, I’m always looking for things that might inspire me, feed my imagination or send my thinking off in a direction I hadn’t considered before.

So I’ve been having conversations with ChatGPT about music, films, books, artists and writers I love and asking it where I might go next.

What’s been fascinating is how quickly those conversations become less about recommendations and more about connections.

I can explain what I love about a particular record, film or artist, and we can explore what it is that appeals to me (the songwriting, atmosphere, humour, harmony, storytelling, visual style, whatever it might be) and then follow those threads somewhere new.

And because ChatGPT can remember our previous conversations, it gradually builds a better picture of my tastes. The more we talk, the more interesting the conversations and suggestions become.

There’s understandably a lot of anxiety about AI and creativity, particularly among people working in creative industries.

But one of the possibilities I find genuinely exciting is almost the reverse of the thing people fear.

What if AI doesn’t lead us away from human creativity, but helps us discover more of it?

A tool with access to such an enormous range of knowledge can introduce me to musicians, filmmakers, writers and artists I might otherwise never encounter.

And every new piece of music I hear, every film I watch and every writer or artist I discover has the potential to sow another little seed in my own imagination.

I really love the idea of using artificial intelligence to help me become more curious about human creativity.

And, perhaps most importantly, I’m really enjoying the conversations!

Image obviously created with AI but headphones model’s own.

06/08/2026

One of the real privileges of being a filmmaker is getting to spend time with people who genuinely love what they do.

I recently had the pleasure of making a film with Teresa Peters at Accelerator Coaching Ltd , documenting some of the leadership development work she’s been doing with the team at Troo.

What struck me wasn’t just Teresa’s expertise (which is obvious), but the way the relationship has developed over time. This isn’t a one-off training day or a tick-box exercise. It’s an ongoing investment in people, helping each individual become a better leader, colleague and communicator.

TROO already has a fantastic culture, and it’s clear they believe that investing in their people is one of the smartest investments they can make. Talking to members of the leadership team, it was genuinely moving to hear how valued, supported and encouraged they feel. When people feel that way, everyone benefits – individuals, teams, customers and the business itself.

As someone who spends a lot of time interviewing people, you notice when people are simply saying the right things, and when they truly believe them. This definitely felt like the latter.

Thank you to Teresa and everyone at TROO for welcoming me in and trusting me to tell a small part of your story. Projects like this remind me that some of the most inspiring films aren’t about products or services, they’re about people, and the environments that allow them to flourish.

04/08/2026

It was fabulous to work once more with Samling Institute for Young Artists last month to capture their 30th birthday celebrations in this little film. Happy birthday Samling!

31/07/2026

It’s the weekend! Which for some people equates to gin o’clock! Which for me is a reminder of this music video I shot at Prohibition Cabaret Bar with the very lovely Gilded Thieves band featuring the even more lovely Trixie Blue!

I’ve been chatting to a client this week about a new music video project, and as I was showing them my previous productions, I came across this one. I really loved making this and still like it a lot. What an evening we all had!

Enjoy your weekend and remember to drink and dance responsibly!

30/07/2026

What would you change if you were given a year to live?

First of all, I really hope you’re never given that news. But Keith E Alessi was 10 years ago. The fact that he’s still alive to tell the tale is the story of his show which he has now performed almost 500 times in 6 countries, and which last night brought him once more to Queen's Hall Arts, Hexham

Keith was a successful business executive in America at the top of his career when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and the decisions he made about how to spend his final months changed everything - not only for him, but for thousands of others.

This was the show I was at last night, filming an interview with keith and some of the audience. It’s people like Keith who give me hope and make the world a genuinely better place.

‘Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life’ isn’t just a show, it’s a cause. A heartfelt passion project. Through donations, including 100% of all artist fees, the show has raised over $1.3 Million Dollars (CAD) as of March 2026 for various charities including cancer organizations, music programs, community groups and artist funding and development. He gives every penny of ticket sales back to the communities he performs in. Incredible stuff and a life well lived. Find out more in this video.

https://youtu.be/3Ta058BMRHM?is=YhhIm2qusPRXwMlX

21/07/2026

It's all graduations at the moment, and while I can't claim to have a PhD just yet, I do have a modest announcement.

For years I've suspected that I might be neurodivergent. More recently, through a lot of research, reflection and some excellent ADHD coaching, I've come to understand what that really means for me. I've stopped seeing it as either a failing or a superpower. It's simply a different way of thinking.

Like everyone, my brain has strengths and challenges. Some aspects of ADHD can make everyday life and work rather harder than they need to be. Others have undoubtedly shaped the creativity, curiosity and adaptability that have been so important throughout my career.

The biggest change has come from understanding how my brain works, rather than constantly wondering why it doesn't seem to be like everyone else's.
That understanding, combined with practical strategies and coaching, has been genuinely transformative. It helped me replace years of masking, self-criticism and working twice as hard just to keep up with approaches that weren't designed for the way I think.

That's why I'm so pleased to say I've now completed my Certification in ADHD Coaching. Receiving coaching myself was one of the best investments I've made. It unlocked things I'd almost given up on, and during those sessions I realised I'd love to help other people experience those same breakthroughs.
I'm under no illusion that coaching is about having all the answers. It's about asking the right questions, sharing evidence-based tools and creating the space for people to discover solutions that work for their brain.

It's still early days, and over the next few weeks I'll be thinking carefully about how best to offer that support and how it should be structured.

But if you're someone I already know and you're curious about ADHD, neurodivergence, or simply want to explore how coaching might help you work with your brain rather than against it, I'd love to have a conversation.

I'm excited to see where this next chapter leads!

17/07/2026

ClassicsFest 2026: Food & Feasting in Antiquity. The 2026 festival (14–16 May) was a celebration of theatre, food, ideas and the ancient world. It brought Newcastle to life with three days of theatre, talks, tastings, performance and conversation.

Across the city, audiences explored Food & Feasting in Antiquity - discovering how ancient food culture connects to contemporary questions of identity, hospitality and community. From Roman banquets to modern-day migration stories, the festival created space for shared experience, curiosity and conversation.

I worked once more with the wonderful Cinzia Hardy who directed the festival, to film and photograph across three days.

Events took place at The Lit & Phil, Tyneside Cinema, Alphabetti Theatre and Blackfriars Restaurant Cookery School. The entire festival was fascinating and the food & drink theme certainly caught everyone’s imagination.

This short film gives you a taste of what went on.

ClassicsFest 2026 in Numbers:

✨ 1 festival | 3 days | 17 events
✨ 4 live performances | 1 exhibition | 1 film screening
✨ 950+ audience members | 1,000+ tickets booked
✨ 9 academics | 13 creative freelancers | 8 volunteers
✨ 9 partner organisations
✨ 8 Roman recipes sampled
✨ 7 Roman & Greek-style wines tasted
✨ 1,000+ brochures and bookmarks distributed

13/07/2026

Last night some of the finest young classical singers in our region shared their passion and talent for a party 30 years in the making.

Samling Academy was throwing a party – and I was invited to film it all on 5 cameras. This semi-staged concert celebrated 30 years of the Samling Institute inspiring young musicians to aim high and go further.
It was a lively mix of words and music, with a cast of time-travelling guests dropping in along the way. Some planned. Some not. All adding to the buzz of an evening that didn’t sit still for long.

Director Miranda Wright and soloists Zoe Jackson, Camilla Harris and Ted Black took to the stage alongside pianist Sid Ramchander and Samling Academy singers. Thanks to Karon Wright MBE and the Samling Institute for Young Artists, and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music for hosting a wonderful celebration!

10/07/2026

I’m currently making a short documentary about Queens Hall Arts in Hexham. As part of the edit I’ve been digging through my archive looking for footage that shows the incredible breadth of their work with the community.

In the process, I came across this film from a festival a couple of years ago.

I don’t often revisit projects once they’re finished, but doing so recently has reminded me just how much I love documenting events like this. They capture communities and organisations at their very best; creative, inclusive, colourful, educational, engaging, and full of life.

The filming itself is usually wonderfully frantic. You’re constantly moving between performances, workshops and activities, trying to capture those fleeting moments that tell the story, moments of engagement and joy, while also finding time to record interviews that bring everything together.

Then comes the edit.

That’s when hundreds of individual moments gradually become a story. You start to see the full picture and the positive impact these organisations have on the people they work with.

I never take for granted that my work allows me to step into so many different communities, meet inspiring people, and help tell stories that deserve to be seen.

Looking back through the archive has been a lovely reminder of why I do what I do.

09/07/2026

The alarm clock is going to be getting a serious workout over the next couple of weeks.

Early starts are the only way to line up with Australia, as I’m recording interviews with the winners and nominators for the Australian Heroes of Retail Risk Awards (HORRAs) 2026.

It’s always a privilege to hear stories of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. These awards celebrate selfless acts, kindness, bravery and resilience across the retail sector, recognising the people who rarely seek the spotlight but absolutely deserve it.

There are eight award categories, including Community Heroes, Emergency Response, Victim Support, Fundraiser of the Year, Rehabilitation and Champions of Change. Every conversation is a reminder that behind every nomination is a story worth telling.

I’m also looking forward to working once again with my producer, the ever-brilliant Mark Miller. We’ve collaborated on many projects over the years and it’s always a pleasure.

One thing that continues to amaze me is just how far remote production has come. Recording broadcast-quality audio and video with people on the other side of the world used to feel like a technical challenge. Today, the technology allows us to focus less on the connection and more on the conversation.

Now… where did I put that extra strong coffee? ☕🇦🇺

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