Available for weddings and children’s parties
Most PR photographers and corporate videographers I know steer well clear of weddings. “I did a wedding once,” they will…
Film, words, strategy, droning…all freshly-baked
Hi, I’m Nick. I’m an award-winning videographer (film maker when I want to sound pretentious), qualified drone pilot, copywriter, PR pro and former journalist.
A bit like Liam Neeson in the movie Taken, I have a particular set of skills. I will find you and I will make your campaign magnificent.
When it comes to marketing communications, I’m a Swiss Army Knife.
I trained as a journalist, worked in local newspapers and then went into PR, eventually working at Account Director level, before going freelance.
Words were always my thing, but over the past 10 years, I’ve become equally obsessed with video – honing my filming and editing skills and buying far too many expensive cameras.
From a talking heads style interview with your CEO to a highly-creative, high production value mini masterpiece to grab eyeballs on social platforms, I produce Netflix quality videos on an iPhone budget.
While the video side of things is booming, I still write a mean press release, social media post, feature or report, help clients conceive and plan their campaigns, provide crisis management support and media training.
In apocalyptic times, it’s good to be versatile!
My campaigns have won lots of awards and people seem to like what I do. At least, I get lots of repeat work.
There’s just me, but I have a network of talented folk to call upon as the situation demands.
I live in the sheep-strewn village of Marsden, equidistant from Manchester and Leeds. I have a wife, a daughter, a dog and far too many cameras
If you fancy a coffee and a chat, please do get in touch.
Great ideas and fabulously executed content are what get me out of bed in the morning. Those, and Barney the Cockerpoo jumping on my chest.
I do the following:
- Video production: I shoot and edit video to a high, professional standard, from corporate videos and video news releases to vlogs and quirky, shareable content for social media.
- Droning: my droning is legendary – just ask my wife and daughter. I’m a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) qualified drone pilot, with all the necessary certification and insurance for commercial shoots.
- Copywriting/scriptwriting: As a trained journalist and PR pro I’m an accomplished and versatile writer. Press releases, features social media posts, lengthy, complex reports, scripts – I can turn my hand to pretty much anything.
- Media relations: As former journalist, I know what makes headlines. These days, I often provide broadcast media with video footage and audio clips, as well as traditional press releases.
- Ideas generation and storyboarding: I often get involved in the very early stages of a multi-channel campaign, to help shape the creative approach. My journalism and PR background means I speak the same language as my clients and instinctively understand what they are trying to achieve.
- Media training: I’m not a specialist media trainer but I regularly coach clients ahead of TV and radio interviews – and can mock up a full studio experience if required.
- Crisis management: during my PR career, I’ve been at the sharp end of all sorts of reputational crises – such as product recalls, hosepipe bans, gas explosions and industrial action. Never a dull moment!
Video of the month
THE WONDER OF WYRE
Just up the coast from Blackpool you’ll find Wyre, the less noisy but rather beautiful neighbour. Most of this tourist video had to be filmed in the biting January cold! The area still looks pretty, whatever the weather.
Recent Work
KEEPING THE STREETS SAFE
I’ve been doing lots of work with Lancashire Police recently, to highlight the work of the frontline and office staff in keeping the region safe. Here’s a quick montage of highlights.
OUT AND ABOUT WITH ANDY
This fly on the wall video with Andy Burnham was filmed, edited and released in a day, and clocked up more than 1 million views in 24 hours!
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
When he was just 12 years old, Will experienced the suicide of his dad. He suffered PTSD after being in the thick of the fighting in Afghanistan, plunged into drug addiction, and spent a spell in jail. After turning his life around, he’s supporting a major suicide prevention campaign
A HAVEN FOR THE HOMELESS
Embassy Village will see disused railway arches be transformed into a haven for homeless people – a place for people to live, upskill and rebuild their lives.
HIS TOUGHEST FIGHT
Ciaran McVarnock is a pro boxer. He’s making a comeback after taking two years out of the ring to support his wife during her battle with Cystic Fibrosis.
REALITY CAR SHARE
To promote car sharing, I put Go Pros in commuters’ cars, and captured their conversations on the way to work. You really couldn’t script this stuff!
The science of mixology
I had great fun filming professional drinks mixologist Pritesh for this promotional video for a brand of commercial fridges. I even got to try some of his creations (at the end of filming, obviously).
BACK TO SCHOOL
Going back to school after lockdown can be a daunting experience. I interviewed young students about their experiences as part of an NHS mental health campaign.
LAST RACE HOME
This music video for Manchester band Last Race Home was filmed in a freezing cold mill on a winter’s evening. The location and temperature certainly gives it some Northern grit!
CONFESSIONS OF A GINGERBREAD MAN
Life can be complicated when you are a videographer and full-time gingerbread man. A daft promotional video for my business!
At home with the Hulmes
During lockdown, my family starred in a series of videos about keeping active at home. I filmed, directed and even starred in these!
Lazy parent bootcamp
My daughter Alice puts my wife and I through our paces, in this lockdown video to encourage people stay active.
Greater Manchester’s mass vaccination centre
From three tennis courts at the Etihad stadium complex to a fully-functioning field hospital, this film charts the creation of Greater Manchester’s mass vaccination centre.
Hot property
A video to promote the first housing development by Northstone, an imaginative new developer that is part of Peel L&P.
Manchester in a minute
24 hours in one of the world’s greatest cities, condensed to 60 seconds!
A SPOTLIGHT ON SUICIDE
One in a series of poignant video case studies about men who came close to the brink of suicide, but eventually managed to find hope.
All that jazz
Every year, the picturesque West Yorkshire village of Marsden comes alive to the sound of music. Jazz music.
Why I cycle
“I cycle because I’m tight!” There were some fantastic responses during this day of vox pops style interviews with cyclists of all ages, abilities and levels of commitment.
Beautiful but deadly
Reservoir safety video for United Utilities, using horror tropes to engage a teenage audience. In partnership with fab digital agency Delineo.
A new cycling network for Manchester
I worked with cycling legend Chris Boardman to make this video to promote a major new cycling network for Greater Manchester.
From smoker to runner
Leigh Webber hasn’t looked back since she replaced smoking with running. One in a series of case studies for an NHS campaign to encourage people to kick the habit.
Greater Manchester Walking Festival
Transport for Greater Manchester sponsored festival, with guided walks taking place across the city – from art trails to ghost walks.
Green Salford
If you thought Salford was all dark satanic mills and urban sprawl, think again! One of a series of videos I made for a project to promote Salford’s many green spaces.
Let’s take a buggy ride!
I took a buggy ride with these adorable sisters and their mum to find out what it’s like trying to get a double buggy around Manchester. Hint: pretty tricky!
Christine: living with COPD
Despite suffering from COPD – which leaves her uncomfortably short of breath – ex-smoker Christine is getting the most from life. One in a series of short films for an NHS stop smoking campaign.
Thelma: my cycling story
Transport for Greater Manchester video to encourage more women to take up cycling for commuting or leisure.
A website ‘how to’ guide
A guide to new accessibility features on the website of North West water company United Utilities.
Testimonials
Blog
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