On the 29th of January the Live Events Freelancers Society (LEFS) hosted a virtual event called WWM21 (Why We Matter). Billed as “a virtual event about freelancers made by freelancers”, it was an opportunity for freelancers to gain experience working on a virtual event and to showcase their expertise.

Working with producers Aaron Arthur, Suzanne Cook and Nicky Ammon. I filmed and edited Exploring XR. A behind the scenes film of the Duke performance on Pixl Evolution’s extended reality (XR) stage at John Henry’s in London.

I also worked with producers Cassie Barnes, Phillipa Lowe and Jenny Hazelhurst to edit the content for The Hidden Heroes of Our Community.

Guy Vellacott, Simon Grant and Nas Hussain explain how to create immersive content for virtual events and how to get the best out of an XR environment.

We talk to members of the teams responsible for some of the UK’s flagship events about their stand out moments, some behind the scenes anecdotes, and what it takes for us all to deliver at a world class level.

Hear thoughts from Becky Firth (Showcaller), Darryl Fleming (Titanium Fireworks), Gareth Owen (Sound Designer), John Farquhar-Smith (Executive Show Producer), John Thompson (Disco Hustlers Sound Systems), Mark Isbister (Sound Engineer), Maxine Kenny (Showcaller), Rachel Haughey (Youth Production Network & Women Walk Together), Rosanna Machado (Project Director) and Tom Rees (Innovation Director).

Whilst lockdown restrictions were easing towards the end of 2020, singing was prohibited in places of worship. This made it impossible for the Holy Trinity Church in Bramley to hold its traditional Christmas Carol service. It was decided that we would pre-record the service and premiere the video on YouTube whist simultaneously playing it live to the small congregation who were social distanced in the church.

I used this opportunity to film in and around the community, in significant locations such as the Wintershall Estate and St Catherine’s Hill and Chapel. The production featured readings by Reverend Andy Davis, Shona Taylor (Bramley C of E (VA) Infant & Nursery School), Richard Gates (Church Treasurer), Alice Phillips (St Catherine’s School), Reverend Graham Smith, Cindy O’Sullivan (Gosden House School), Penny Marriott (Mayor of Waverley), Emily MacGregor (St Catherine’s School), Margaret Darvill (Bramley Village Society) and the Right Reverend Jo Bailey Wells (Bishop of Dorking). The carols were sung but the Cantores from St Catherine’s School and the Bramley Holy Trinity Choir mastered by Mark Angus from Gladestock Studios.

The lockdown restrictions in November 2020 prevented places of worship from opening up to the general public.  I contacted Reverend Andy Davis at the Holy Trinity Church in Bramley to see if there was anyway that I could assist.

I used a two camera setup with a Black Magic Design Atem Mini Pro ISO to stream the Act of Remembrance live from the church to YouTube for the community to watch remotely.  The service featured readings by Reverend Andy Davis, Reverend Graham Smith and Councillor Richard Seaborne.