From TV and short films to music videos and art pieces, the heart of my work is finding a compelling story to tell.
I find that the best way to do this is by searching for clarity through pace, visual syntax, fluidity and feel.
Some recent examples of my work are:
Coronation Street
Over 100 episodes, including one that was submitted to - and won - the Best Soap and Continuing Drama BAFTA 2022
Short Stay/Long Stay
Officially selected at 9 festivals, award-winner at 2
#realmusicrebels: the exhibition
On display at La Maison d'Art, NYC & Somerset House, London
Heartbeats
Official music video for double-Grammy winning musician Derrick Hodge, with over 27,000 Youtube views
FILM/TVEDITOR
BILL KNOWLES
CRAFTING STORIES THROUGH CREATIVE EDITING
AWARD WINNING STORYTELLING
Coronation
Street
Editing a major Soap means turning round episodes constantly, at a breakneck pace (between 4 and 6 episodes a month, every month, for almost 3 years). In doing this, and by working with a succession of Directors, I have been able to hone my craft, learning how to best showcase each Director's work.
I spend 2-3 weeks cutting scenes as they’re shot, feeding back any potential issues and then working intensively with the Director and Producer to ‘fine-cut’ episodes.
In this loop I can constantly learn new techniques - then apply them, receive feedback and further refine them.
This process, repeated every 3-4 weeks, has allowed me to grow in stature as an Editor.
PACE AND CONSISTENCY
Short Stay/
Long Stay
My most important contribution, in any project, is in building the story shot-by-shot - in choosing the correct shot, speech and performance to tell the story.
To create Short Stay/Long Stay, I worked closely with the film's Writer/Director to build the narrative through non-verbal storytelling, as well as create a pace that could gave weight to the few words spoken.
In the final cut we were able to draw moments and complexity from space and silence, and build a self-contained world for the characters to inhabit.
Currently in the middle of a successful festival run, the film has received a range of Official Selections, Awards and Nominations.
ART, MUSIC
AND PROTEST
This Is A Movement
Key to my work has been developing an understanding of how filmmaking - and editing in particular - fits into the broader scope of written, visual and audial arts.
By working with a Grammy Award winning musician (Derrick Hodge), I came to understand more clearly how the interplay between sound and vision can heighten each art form, and can also create something new.
I've also learnt - by working with #RealMusicRebels and This Is A Movement, that creative arts can harness (and be harnessed by) social and political movements, and that significant weight can be carried by clear and effective storytelling.