When Morley’s Music Academy called and needed a hero video to launch their social media channels I jumped at the chance to make something that felt as raw and energetic as the academy itself. I’d known their founder Sam Thompson for a while - as the blisteringly-fast drummer of Bad Nerves, a punk band from my hometown of Southend-On-Sea.

 

The goal was clear: capture the energy of the students and the one-on-one creativity of their lessons in a way that felt authentic, dynamic, and connected to the local music community. Instead of a polished, overly produced approach, I pitched a 60-second performance piece featuring students and vocal tutors playing along to ‘Palace,’ the latest single from Bad Nerves.

 

It was the perfect bridge between the academy and the world of working musicians, reinforcing that their tutors aren’t just teachers - they’re recording artists - without whom we wouldn't have been able to clear such a cracking soundbed for the promo.

 

We shot over the course of a full day, working with students across a mix of instruments, abilities and ages. The filming style was deliberately handheld, raw, and high-energy, embracing minor imperfections to match the pace and attitude of the track; echoing the alternative spirit of the academy. 

 

In post, I leaned further into that DIY punk aesthetic, layering in organic film grain and analogue textures over the color grade to give it a lived-in feel. The end result? A launch video that doesn’t just introduce the academy but feels like stepping into one of its sessions—loud, expressive, and creatively charged. I always love a project with a strong musical link, harking back to directing indie music videos and this was a standout shoot as we picked up our gear after lockdown.