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May Recap

02 June, 2025

As May comes to a close, Film Punks continues to expand its presence across the content creation landscape — from live event coverage and CGI to animation and photography. It was a month full of emerging projects and growing partnerships, reflecting Film Punks’ capacity to tackle challenging and exciting projects. 

Rapid Fire Collaborations

We partnered with our friends at Alive to deliver a fast-paced highlights video showcasing a well-known drinks brand’s engagement in several international events. The film was a punchy, fast-paced motion graphics animation cut together to portray fun and friendly moments.

We also collaborated with the mighty White Bare, Milk & More and One Living. We covered the Mental Health Week activation featuring the one and only Jonny Wilkinson. The in-person event included team games, during which Jonny Wilkinson revealed his “7 Magic Morning Routines.” These practical and effortless tips were posted daily throughout the week in a quick reel format to raise awareness and promote their implementation into daily routines for a more fulfilling work-life balance with better stress management.

Punks’ International Reach 

During the same week, we covered the Deckers’ Managers conference, which brought together UGG and Hoka managers from across Europe at their London offices. We captured spontaneous and genuine moments as the European management teams forged ties by sharing their knowledge and experiences, conveying the authentic spirit behind Deckers’ successful brands.

On the international stage, we resumed our partnership with Hedayah, developing content to support their vital mission in Preventing Countering Violent Extremism. Being part of Hedayah’s efforts brings a sense of optimism in a world that often faces significant challenges on the path to a more peaceful future. 

With its skilled and collaborative approach, we brought to life compelling films that highlight Hedayah’s research on Artificial Intelligence, exploring both the risks and opportunities it presents for P/CVE. 

These films also showcase Hedayah’s dedication to education and its global knowledge-sharing workshops with other international institutions like the Workshop with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of Nigeria, which reviewed Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.

In other news, Ed, our Head of Production, welcomed his beautiful daughter Marley into the world this month. Both mum and baby are doing great, and Ed is settling into life as a new father, sleepless nights and all. It’s a joyful milestone for him and the whole Film Punks family. Huge congratulations to Ed, Marley, and the gang, although we hear Chilli is still deciding what he thinks, dishing out his signature side eye from a safe distance.

As Ed settles into fatherhood, the rest of the team is gearing up for an exciting June, focused on growing our partnerships and continuing to build meaningful work together.

If you’ve got a project in mind, big or small, we’d love to hear from you.

🎬 Here’s our latest showreel: https://filmpunks.tv/showreel

filmpunks by filmpunks

Film Club: Issue 6

15 April, 2025

Film Club: Issue 6 – Latest Film Picks | April 2025

Welcome back to Film Punks Film Club – our monthly round-up of what’s new, what’s niche, and what’s just damn cool in the world of film and animation. This issue has modern myths, cosmic jazz, gritty indies, and a big hit of 90s nostalgia.

đŸŽžïž MUST WATCH

“The Return” – Modern Mythmaking
Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in a moody, modern take on The Odyssey. Understated, epic, and beautifully bleak.

 

đŸ“ș Watch the trailer:

🎧 SOUND & VISION

Lazarus – Soundtrack of the Year?
From the mind of Cowboy Bebop’s Shinichirƍ Watanabe, this anime series features a jazz-electro dream team: Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points.

🎧 Listen here:

🧠 DEEP CUT

The Sweet East – Cult Classic Incoming
A surreal, satirical road trip through modern America. Think Harmony Korine with better hair and a DOP who’s had enough.

đŸŽ„ Watch the trailer:

 

đŸ“ș ONE FROM US

Horizon RMS – Hero Brand Film

We worked with Horizon RMS to create an eye-catching and industry-disruptive hero film destined for their new site. The brief was to distill their USPs into a punchy, engaging 90-second film to greet users on their new landing page. We wrote, filmed, and edited the piece > turning it around in under two weeks. CEO Andrew Moss’ response?

Simply: “Absolutely amazing
..”

A head-turning film to match the impact of their standout in-store activations.

đŸ“Œ Check it out:

🎹 ANIMATION LOVE

Iyanu: Child of Wonder – African Mythology Meets Superpowers
Gorgeous animation. Epic folklore. Iyanu blends superhero storytelling with West African legends – and it looks stunning.

đŸ–Œïž Watch the trailer:

🔭 ONE TO WATCH

The Peasants – Painted Frame by Frame
From the Loving Vincent team, this one’s a hand-painted Polish period drama. Yes, painted. And yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

🎹 Watch the trailer:

🍿 LONG LIVE CINEMA

April’s Best New UK Releases:

Minecraft: The Movie – Creepers. Chaos. Momoa.


Last Swim – Coming-of-age indie with heavy vibes.


Mr Burton – Not that Burton. A heartfelt teacher biopic.


Four Mothers – Grit, grief, and generational drama.


That’s it for April. Seen something we missed? Send it over. We’re always up for discovering the next brilliant or bizarre thing.

Madalena Prata by Madalena Prata

Becoming a Punk: My First Month

09 April, 2025

A Spring blossom

During the Ides of March, amid seasonal fevers, I joined the Film Punks production team as an Account Manager. Film Punks kindly set an adjustment period, and once they saw my eagerness to roll up my sleeves, they matched my enthusiasm and welcomed me into their ongoing projects. Immediately, I felt like part of the team.

Parachuted into Action

The beauty of filmmaking is the diversity and fast-paced environment that surrounds its process. In my second week, lo and behold, I was part of my first project, on-site in Cambridge with Horizon RMS. This experience showed how I could learn and adapt as a filmmaker on a less hierarchical film set while helping creatively manage the project to fruition and bringing my experience into it.

Moreover, I had the opportunity to aid in the production of a variety of projects across distinct mediums, including photoshoots with the outstanding Edgeborough School, hybrid projects – photoshoots and video – with Modulek and their exciting eco-friendly buildings at Halliford School and Black Park. Overseeing these projects and connecting with the clients has been as joyful as being on film sets and has brought a warm spring sunlight to London. 

Looking Ahead

This first month with Film Punks has reiterated the importance of open communication and a willingness to hear different voices in the room in collaborative environments. Meanwhile, I deeply treasure the flexibility of working with a team of like-minded individuals who allow you to express your individuality and support your creative endeavours. I’m excited to grow and learn as a filmmaker at Film Punks.

Jack Ashley by Jack Ashley

How Small Tweaks Make Big Impacts

When we’re on set, everything feels raw. Ideas are captured in real time, the footage is shot, and the atmosphere is buzzing with potential. But when it’s time to return to the edit suite, something magical happens. This is where the content comes alive, and the real transformation begins.

The Foundation

Before the camera even rolls, there’s a lot that goes into making sure the shoot will be everything we imagine. Storyboarding is one of the first steps, and it’s like drawing the roadmap of the film. It’s about figuring out the shots, angles, and movements so that every scene has purpose,clarity and delivers on the message. Whether it’s sketching a quick rough idea or a full on frame by frame storyboard, this stage ensures that we know exactly how to capture the vision.

Pre-vis takes things a step further, where we film the boards to map out complex shots, camera angles, and even animations. It’s a way to experiment and test how everything will flow before we even step foot on set, making sure there are no surprises when it’s time to shoot. Pre-vis helps streamline the shoot, saving time and avoiding unnecessary reshoots.

Where the Magic Happens

Our love of editing is mirrored in the final products we craft for our clients. For example, our VMO2 campaign, which aimed to educate parents on navigating difficult conversations around online threats, came to life in the edit suite where music, voiceovers, and graphics pulled everything into focus. Watch the VMO2 project here.

Similarly, our work with Severn Trent Water focused on creating dynamic content that communicated key messaging while also engaging viewers with smart animations and tight editing. The challenge here was to make water related topics, often seen as dry and technical, into engaging, impactful storytelling that resonated with audiences. Check out the STW campaign here.

With LV, we helped bring their rich history to life through a series of internal films and animations. These pieces celebrated their long and successful journey, and through editing, we were able to highlight the key milestones with precision and emotional depth. See the LV work here.

Setting the Tone
The right music can shift the entire vibe of a piece. It’s more than just background noise. Music sets the rhythm, enhances emotions, and cues the viewer in on how to feel. Whether it’s a slow, brooding track to create tension or a fast-paced beat to keep things energetic, the right score elevates everything.

A New Lens
Color grading is where we get to play with the mood of the footage. It’s about choosing the right palette to enhance the story. A subtle adjustment can make a sunset look even warmer or give a scene a dreamy, cinematic quality. The grade isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about aligning the visuals with the narrative tone and ensuring the final look speaks volumes.

Breathing Life Into the Story
A great voiceover doesn’t just narrate it becomes the soul of the story. It has the power to change the perception of a scene with just a few words. Whether it’s the way a character’s line is delivered or the tone of a narrator’s voice, this is where clarity, emotion, and engagement are truly crafted.

The Small Tweaks
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference. A subtle sound effect, a few frames shifted, or a slight volume adjustment can be the finishing touch that ties everything together. These tweaks might seem small, but they’re the pieces that make the puzzle whole.

At the end of the day, editing isn’t just a technical process  it’s a creative one. It’s where all the elements come together to tell a story in the best possible way. Our love of editing comes from knowing that every decision, no matter how small, plays a part in transforming something good into something unforgettable.

Gellan Watt by Gellan Watt

So You’ve Hired a Film Crew
 Now What?

27 March, 2025

So, you’ve appointed a film production company to work on a TV ad, animation or brand film comes. How do you get the best out of the relationship? Here’s out top ten tips – navigating everything from clear communication, collaboration, and a shared vision.

1. Set Clear Objectives

Define what success looks like from the start. Whether it’s increasing awareness, driving sales, or telling a brand story—make sure the production team knows the “why” behind the project.

2. Share Your Brand DNA

Take time to give your production partner a deep understanding of your business and brand: history, tone, visual identity, target audience, values, and any existing brand assets. The more we understand your world, the more aligned the creative output will be.

3. Choose the Director and Team

Take time to work with your production partner to choose the right time — ask about their process, communication style, and experience in your industry. Chemistry matters just as much as capability.

4. Collaborate on the Creative Brief

A solid, co-written brief is everything. Involve the agency or production company early so they can help shape the creative from the start—not just execute your ideas, but build from them
 these are creative people, let them bring their magic to your project.

5. Respect the Creative Process

Give space for the team to explore and pitch ideas and treatments. Avoid over-directing too early — great work often comes from creative freedom within a well-defined framework. Share your ideas, but keep an open mind.

6. Be Decisive and Consistent

Nothing derails a production like moving goalposts. Gather internal feedback early and consolidate it clearly before sharing with your production partner.

Avoid changing direction mid-way unless it’s critical. And if you have to, be aware that big changes bring in new costs – that’s why it better to get the detail locked down super early.

7. Plan for Pre-Production

Don’t rush this phase. Approving scripts, storyboards, voiceover artists, and music up front helps avoid costly changes later, and builds a more joined up end-product. The better the planning, the better the result.

8. Trust the Experts

You’ve hired them for a reason. If they advise on timing, technique, or storytelling—listen. They’ll be sharing their thoughts with the sole intention of making your work better!!! Animation and film are crafts with complex pipelines.

9. Think Long-Term, Not Just One-Off

Build a relationship, not just a one-off project. If they understand your brand deeply, the quality and consistency of future work only improves over time. Trusted relationships deliver increasing value over time.

10. Be Respectful of Budget and Timeline

If you push for cheaper or faster, know what trade-offs you’re making. Quality. Things can be done fast and to a high quality, but that usually costs more. Work with your production partner, set reasonable deadlines and requirements and you’ll usually be delighted with the outcome. Transparency goes both ways—ask what’s possible within your scope, and trust their recommendations.

filmpunks by filmpunks

Film Club: Issue 5

19 February, 2025
Film Club: What’s New on Screen?
2025 is already delivering some great big screen moments, and we’ve got our eyes on four major releases some nostalgic, some mind bending, and one potentially on the horizon. Let’s dive in.

Things we loved:

A bittersweet return that proves Bridget is still as charmingly chaotic as ever. The latest instalment follows her as a single mother navigating loss, love, and the ever changing dating  world. It doesn’t disappoint it’s funny and great to see the band back together!!

A Complete Unknown:

TimothĂ©e Chalamet channels Bob Dylan in a stylish, biopic that hits the right notes. James Mangold directs this dive into Dylan’s early years, featuring a stacked on-point cast and a killer soundtrack. We loved this one and we were griped all the way through.

One by us:

We teamed up with Roc Aperitivo to capture their premium drink in its natural habitat, Sun drenched Italian backdrops and effortless style. 🍾 Here’s a little slice of the action. đŸŽ„ đŸ€˜ đŸ’„

Severance (Season 2):

 

Twists, tension, and existential dread back to Lumon for more mind bending brilliance. After that cliffhanger, we’re finally getting answers
 or at least more questions. Either way, expect to be glued to your screen and taken on an emotional roller coaster!!!

CODA (Sequel Rumors?):

Not a new one but a new one to us. CODA tells the poignant story of Ruby, a seventeen-year-old who is the sole hearing member of a deaf family, living the dual life of a dedicated daughter and an aspiring singer. As she navigates her responsibilities as an interpreter for her parents and works on their struggling fishing boat, Ruby discovers her love for singing through her high school choir, guided by an encouraging choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez). This film is a deeply powerful and unforgettable watch, beautifully exploring themes of family loyalty and personal aspiration. It deftly balances the challenges Ruby faces between supporting her family and pursuing her dreams, ultimately delivering a heartfelt and feel good narrative that resonates.

That’s our pick of what’s making waves right now. What are you watching? Let us know!

filmpunks by filmpunks

How to Write a Killer Film Brief That Actually Helps

05 February, 2025

We’ve received briefs of all shapes and sizes over the last 12 years, working with brands directly and alongside agencies. No two are ever the same. Some are scribbled on the back of a cigarette packet, while others read like an entire brand encyclopedia. But the best ones strike a balance and are clear, informative, and to the point.

Here’s how to make yours work:

1. Start with the Basics

No one knows your brand better than you pretend im a 5 year old give me a short overview at the top what your business does, who your audience is. This helps everyone get aligned fast.

2. The Brief is a Starting Point, Not a Script

It doesn’t need to be fully formed, but it should have enough detail to avoid confusion. Think of it as the foundation for collaboration, not the final storyboard. What’s the one key message this film needs to communicate? Trying to fit in too much weakens the impact. Keep it focused.

3. Define the Goal

Are we driving sales, increasing brand awareness, or launching a new product? A clear objective makes for a stronger creative direction.

4. Know Your Audience

Who are we talking to? Be specific about age, interests, and pain points. The better we understand them, the more engaging the content will be.

5. Where Is It Going?

TV? Social? Website? Each platform has different requirements. A 60-second hero film might work for your homepage, but you’ll likely need cutdowns for Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok. Let’s plan for the right formats from the start.

6. Tone, Style & References

Should it be punchy and fun? Cinematic and emotive? Providing tone guidelines and reference videos gives us a head start in crafting the right visual language.

7. Budget & Timeline

This doesn’t mean locking everything down before we chat, but having a ballpark figure and deadline ensures expectations are realistic from day one.

8. Cutdowns & Supporting Content

Do you need shorter edits, teaser clips, or behind-the-scenes content? Thinking about this early makes sure we capture everything you need in one go.

9. What’s the Call to Action?

What do you want viewers to do after watching? Click a link? Buy a product? Follow your brand? The clearer the CTA, the better the results.

A strong brief doesn’t need to be long, it just needs to be clear. Get the essentials right, and the rest will flow.

Got an idea? Let’s make it happen.

filmpunks by filmpunks

Film Club: Issue 4

15 January, 2025
Happy NY25…! 
It’s been a minute since we sent one of these out. But FILM CLUB is BACK!

Things we loved:

Wow. What a movie
  and what a success. We have LOVED Wizard of Oz since we were kids
 and this film, and it’s a stage reimagining and is absolutely fabulous. So many winks, threads, hints and nods to the 1939 classic
 YES 19 THIRTY NINE – really. And a global box office of $643m at the 31st December. It’s a two parter
 it’s a commercial giant of a franchise. And our chairman has seen it three times. He’s a softy.

One by us:

Online safety is everywhere right now— the Film Punks crew were proud to tackle it head-on with the Nott Brothers and Virgin Media O2 in our ‘Find the Right Words’ campaign.

74% of UK parents and guardians worry about the dangers online. Yet many feel unsure how to talk to their kids about staying safe. This campaign offers free tools and guides to help make those conversations easier.

💡 Explore the free resources at www.FindtheRightWords.uk.

Incoming at the cinema:

2025 is set to be fabulous year for the big screen, yes WICKED 2, and a mind bending hyper theatrical Nosferatu got us off to a chilling start to the year.

 

But there’s another Bridget Jones, Snow White, The Final Mission Impossible, Ballerina (from the John Wick Franchise), F1, THE MUCH ANTICPATED 28 Years Later, MEGAN 2, a new Superman movie and potentially 2, YES TWO Predator sequels.

See the list here:

https://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/blog/25-films-to-look-forward-to-in-2025

Last one, something coming soon we are excited about..

The White Lotus creators have released the trailer for its upcoming third season, set in Thailand.

Known for its dark humour and satirical take on the lives of affluent holidaymakers, the series promises to deliver another captivating experience. The new season is scheduled to premiere on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW on February 17, 2025 and we cant wait!
Gellan Watt by Gellan Watt

How to choose a film production company or photographer?

19 April, 2024

I’ve been the advertising business making brand films, tv ads and the like for over 25 years. By trade I am an award-winning Creative Director, turned Agency Founder, now Non Exec and Investor.

I’ve worked with Apple, Barbour, Beckham, John Lewis, Superdrug, Westfield and many more leading brands. I’ve worked on movies. The works.

It’s a frightening amount of time when I think of it. So many ads. So many shoots. So many late nights, early morning and crazy deadlines. So many locations. It is NOT a glamorous life being out there with a million moving parts, spinning plates, praying for the weather to stay good, that the talent hasn’t a skin outbreak and the dog doesn’t each the child on set. It’s mad.

In all that time, I’ve worked with over 100 different production companies, way more directors and photographers and so many production people.

I can name the top 5. I’ve worked with them over and over and over. And I probably wouldn’t work with many of the rest of them.

Why? Trust.

I love working with people that ‘get it’ and do what they say. Great film production people cover every detail. They almost see the matrix – and do your thinking for you. They bring your ideas to life in new and wonderful ways. They do magic with low budgets – let’s face it, if you’re in marketing or at an agency, we all want the moon on a stick, at lolly pop prices.

Sad. But true.

Before I give you my top tips. I’ll also share a story. I worked with the founders of Film Punks in various guises over the years at other production companies. When they said they wanted to reboot under a new brand, I jumped at the chance of not just helping them. I’m now the Chairman and a shareholder.

And I put my name behind everything they do. Because there never let me down, always amazed me and they have every day since we started working together. Remember that old Remington TV Ad, I love the product so much, I bought the company
 well
 similar.

These guys are brilliant. I trust them. If you work choose to work with them, you’ll find out why too.

Anyway – my top tips to are:

  1. Portfolio and Past Work – take a look at their showreel and samples of their work. Does it look and feel credible and the type of quality you’re looking for? Is so, that’s big tick.
  2. Industry Experience – Do they have experience in your industry? This isn’t always necessary, but look for ways they may have solved problems or challenges that they’d face working for you. Shoots on location. CGI. Small products. Big products.
  3. Professionalism and Speed – Send an enquiry, how quickly do you hear back, how professional is the communication and response. yes, we want to work with humans and the people bit matters – but do you get a trustworthy feeling? Another big tick.
  4. Credibility – Do they work with big brand clients, and do big high quality work?
  5. Creativity – Can you see how great they are in their work, and when you tell them what you want to achieve can you feel that they’ll take your ideas even further, bringing their own magic to your project? That’s a big indicator
 if they’re not excited to do your work, you won’t get exciting work from them.
  6. Testimonials – who’s shouting about them? Maybe ask to speak to a couple of clients for a reference? I tell you now, Film Punks are first class and I’ll stake my reputation on it.
  7. Project Management – Ask how they’ll handle your project? Who will run it? And how? It’s not just about the ability to get work done, a great production company get the work done brilliantly and seamlessly.
  8. Team – who are the people handling the work? What access to talent do they have? Location scouts? Who will be the producer on the project? This really matters. A great producer is critical. You have to like them and believe they’ve got all the details covered.
  9. Capability – Do they have access to all the tools needed to get the work done great. The production company themself doesn’t have to be a huge team – it’s standard industry practice to have a small core team and bring in the right production talent – but ask how they scale up, what’s their capability – do they have a credential deck that you can review them fully at leisure? If they can’t send you that immediately, they’re unprepared generally. Beware!!!
  10. What does your gut say? If it feels good, and you have ticks next to all of the above
 you’ve provably found your perfect team.

Best of luck!

Gellan