Documentary / Project Documentation - Filmmaker

As a filmmaker and videographer, I'm constantly seeking projects that delve into the heart of a place, its people, and its culture. So, when the opportunity arose to become the dedicated videographer for Wildworks ambitious 'Hello Stranger' project series, part of the wider 'WE ARE SHINING' programme in Cornwall, I knew it was something special. I was honoured to be entrusted with the significant task of documenting this year-long exploration of Cornish identity.

Wildworks’s 'WE ARE SHINING', running through 2024 and into early 2025, was inspired by the ancient Greek explorer Pytheas, who reputedly named this peninsula Belerion, 'The Shining Land'. The programme sought to celebrate Cornwall's enduring traditions of welcome, community spirit, and outdoor performance, while asking pertinent questions about who we are today. At its core, the 'Hello Stranger' strand posed the question: What defines Cornwall now, and what would an explorer arriving today truly find?

“I Am Stranger” - Newquay Treviglas Academy. Image: Neal Megaw

My role, spanning ten intensive months from April 2024 to January 2025, was to visually capture the entirety of this journey across 17 distinct and varied projects that Wildworks had commissioned. This wasn't simply about passively recording events; it was about active immersion and storytelling. It required understanding the unique vision behind each project – from intimate workshops to large-scale community performances – and finding the most effective cinematic language to convey its essence. I needed to capture not just the planned spectacle – the fantastical imagery, the stirring songs, the crackling fire, the vibrant performances – but also the crucial, often quieter, human elements: the collaborative energy, the personal reflections shared in confidence, the behind-the-scenes dedication, and the authentic atmosphere of each gathering.

On the way - “Lightly Sea Salted” - Tough Dough. Image: Neal Megaw

Being selected as the filmmaker responsible for this meant carrying the trust of the organisers and participants. The brief from Wildworks was clear: capture a snapshot of Cornwall, "the beauty and the reality." This required sensitivity, adaptability, and a commitment to representing the diverse experiences authentically. From documenting the creative processes in schools like Treviglas Academy ('I am Stranger'), Fowey River Academy ('Hello Stranger film'), and Bodmin College ('Departures & Arrivals'), to capturing the community spirit in projects like 'Kite Tales', 'Story Shelter', 'HomesGrown', 'Open Circle', 'On The Way', 'Folk On The Edge', and 'Multi Story', and reflecting the personal explorations in 'Through My Eyes', 'Seen/Heard', and 'This Is Me' – each required a tailored approach.

“Through My Eyes” Aga Blonska & Tori Cannell. Image: Neal Megaw

The ultimate goal extended beyond mere documentation. It was about bringing the 'Hello Stranger' experience to life on screen. How could the footage convey the pride, passion, laughter, and thoughtful inquiry that permeated these projects? How could it allow someone who wasn't there to feel the energy of a performance or the reflective mood of a workshop? This involved careful consideration of framing, movement, editing, and capturing soundscapes that would immerse the viewer in the moment, creating a lasting and evocative archive that truly reflects the spirit of Cornwall during this period.

“Open Circle” Vicky Abbot and Mercedes Kemp. Image: Neal Megaw

This deep, sustained immersion offered me an unparalleled perspective on the county. Week after week, traversing Cornwall, I witnessed communities grappling with themes of heritage, identity, and belonging through incredibly creative means. As the visual storyteller for 'Hello Stranger', I felt a profound connection to the people and places involved, constantly learning more about this 'Shining Land' through their diverse expressions and my own lens.

“This Is Me” Caroline Schanche and Melanie Young. Image: Neal Megaw

Being the videographer for Wildworks 'Hello Stranger' was a unique way to experience Cornwall – for Cornwall, about Cornwall, and made with Cornwall. It was a demanding schedule covering 17 projects, but an honour to help create a visual record of this vibrant, questioning, and ultimately shining moment in time. This undertaking was challenging, yet immensely rewarding; a significant responsibility, but also an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the ongoing narrative of contemporary Cornwall. The resulting body of work stands as a testament to this specific period, and I hope it serves as a valuable archive showing how the 'Shining Land' continues to explore, express, and define itself. Wildworks have achieved something special, and i'm very greatful to have been part of it.