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Thom Hoffman Multimedia Producer
For this one we shot remote interviews in America and Australia with great characters. I collaborated with excellent science communicator and animator Lily Shepherd and we made this short film about the discovery of B and T cells. It was a fun project to work on. You have to be happy when a 91 year old scientist swears (gently) in your film.
'We didn't even think about recording his voice'.
Had the great privilege of telling the story of how researchers and people with ALS are using film as a way of dealing with the impact of terminal neurodegenerative diseases.
What can a steam-powered brass band teach us about our place in an ever expanding universe? This film shoot saw us repeat a historic experiment, using trumpets and trains to shed light on how waves work, why sirens sound weird when they speed past us, and how we know that stars are moving away from us.
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I was a serial herb killer, until I learned these great tips from the Gardener's Question Time team. Turns out, it's not that complicated... With these simple tips you'll have beautiful fresh herbs that last with minimal effort.
Dancing in public can be scary, but letting go, and busting moves is a great release. Working with my pal and ace movement choreographer Polly Bennett, we made a film to get people dancing in that most intimidating environment... the wedding disco! Thanks to an ace group of fake wedding attendees, who brought their dancing A-Game in the sober light of day.
I was asked to make a short film about conversation for Radio 4. I chose to focus on 'The Listening Project'. An inspiring programme where ordinary people interview their friends, and loved ones. It's quite a unique form of media and can create some very inspiring, real, moments. I'm fascinated by layering visual elements on audio stories, and wanted to create an animation made from audio wave forms. For me this represents how we all have these conversations inside us. Hopefully this film celebrates the act of sharing. So go on, give it a share! It's good to talk, and even better to listen.
I've been a vegetarian for a few years now and really wanted to make a film to show that it's not hard, and definitely not dull Using a mixture of unusual ingredients, bold colours and text we made a Facbeook-friendly film that hopefully will inspire some chefs to mix up their food, and lower their Carbon footprint.
I love the guys at 10:10 they are a really cool small charity making waves, and taking on the biggest problems facing the planet. I enjoyed making this short film, and I got to weatherproof my draughty windows in the process.
I was asked to come up with a concept to tell the great story of Balcombe, a village targeted for fracking by Cuadrilla in 2013. The town responded by protesting, resisting and pledging to go fully renewable.
We painted their story in light under the guidance of light artist Sola, and with the help of the awesome schoolkids and local villagers.
It was a privilege to tell the story of a committed community, not just saying no to something, but saying yes to doing things differently. We had to change the structure of the film a bit as government cuts to solar subsidies threatened to kill the project. But they are back and planning to expand their solar offering. You can get involved here.
The second of my 'how to' films for BBC Radio4 is now live. It's been going down really well on Facebook and was one of the most popular on the Radio4 website in it's first week. It was a fun one to direct, talented bunch of actors, and I'm really pleased with how it's come out.
Go and watch some Passion in Practice Shakespeare if you get a chance, it's really cool.
"Thou weedy, fat-kidneyed, bug bear..."
Posted by BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, 1 March 2016
I made a couple of short films for The Human Zoo on Radio4. One was the most viewed feature on the website that week. The plan was to make a 1 minute concept explainer/teaser for the radio show. It did really well on Facebook and hopefully brought in a different audience to enjoy this ace social psychology radio programme. I had to star in this video as well as direct, as the turnaround time was so tight. A lot of people thought my shirt was irritating, one guy said I looked like Stephen Merchant. I have a strange job sometimes.
How irritated do you get when somebody reads over your shoulder on public transport? Enjoy this short video of life's unwritten rules being broken...
Posted by BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday, 24 June 2015
I got commissioned by Nature to direct and edit a film about epigenomics. The idea was that the human genome could be thought of like a music score. It isn't just changing the notes that change how the music gets expressed. We managed to bring a talented group of musicians together and make the piece come alive. CP Snow tried to claim science and art were two separate cultures, well roll over Beethoven... we spliced together a mash up to challenge that idea.
I'm a freelance filmmaker, writer, podcaster and some time photographer I’m looking for commissions, collaborations, grants and cool opportunities to make things. My typical beat is art, science, and music; via documentary, comedy, journalism, and education. My strength is in digging for the great stuff that hides in the spaces in between.
I have produced work for the Guardian, BBC, BMJ, Nature, The Southbank Centre, London Live, The Royal Institution, Universal and many others. I've worked in the Pacific Ocean, Mount Everest, in hospitals, theatres and mostly in my attic You can see a recent showreel here:
I also do multimedia consultancy, so if you want someone to come into your organisation to work on your digital strategy, help you tell better stories, or start you off in making multimedia of your own get in contact.
Our trip to Everest Base Camp coincided with the 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing making the first summit of Mt Everest. The Guardian and the Ri Channel commissioned me to edit a film from our footage detailing the extreme environment that the scientists are operating in, and the fascinating work they are taking on.
If anyone else wants to send me up a mountain to make a film I am open to offers.
I recently got to go to the Himalayas for a month to document Extreme everest 2: a research project looking at the effects of low oxygen levels. We started off with a group of awesome kids, and this is a feature we shot for Newsround. I was Director of Photography Greg Foot was the presenter and Editor and the multi-skilled mountain goat Nick Insley was on sound.
We made 12 of these in two days so it was pretty intense. LEARN TO FIRE A BRUSSELS SPROUT OUT OF A BAZOOKA and do HOMEMADE CANDY CANES These are all short films for kids, showing them how to make fun science experiments and games for Christmas. I did the filming, the editing was by Dermot at Big Bang Fair
I was really excited to be commissioned to make this film. The artists and participants involved were ace, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. The Midnight Run //
The idea behind the Midnight Run is simple, to negate the frenzy and hysteria of mass media and reality t.v. for actual reality; for the simplicity of walking and talking. To reclaim the streets and rediscover a city after dark, to inhabit its confines of glass, concrete, steel and structure, as a child does a maze; with as much innocence and wonder as is natural.
The Africa Utopia Midnight Run from Inua Ellams on Vimeo.
In the Midnight Run's motto, ‘star’ can be taken literally, or as a metaphor for the city, dwellers, in which case it takes on a beauty and importance:
The Midnight Run // Cause we can't see stars for fumes we turn to smashed glass, believing shards shine like constellations do.
