One Smart Cookie

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.

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.

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