Little Elevations: Wood Ear
National Trust | Documentary, Visual Poem
Brief
(What the project was, who it was for, and its purpose.)
Include:
Client / organisation: National Trust (or relevant commissioning body).
Purpose: To create a film (or films) documenting and creatively representing a poet-in-residence project.
Objectives:
Capture the creative process and community engagement (poetry workshops, writing sessions).
Produce a visual poem that translates the poet’s work into an evocative audiovisual experience.
Reflect the connection between art, nature, and place — specifically the Tyntesfield estate and its woodland.
Target audience: Visitors, poetry and arts audiences, National Trust members, and online viewers.
Intended use: National Trust’s online platforms, exhibitions, events, or educational resources.
📘 Example:
We were commissioned by the National Trust to produce two companion films — a short docupromo capturing the Poet-in-Residence’s workshops and creative process in the Tyntesfield woods, and a visual poem that brought one of her works to life through cinematic imagery and sound.
Approach
(How you developed and produced the films creatively and practically.)
Include:
Research & collaboration:
Initial conversations with the poet to understand her themes, tone, and inspiration.
Collaboration with the National Trust team to align the films with their wider cultural programme.
Creative direction:
Aim to mirror the rhythm and atmosphere of poetry through imagery, pacing, and sound.
Emphasis on nature, solitude, and creative expression in both documentary and visual poem forms.
Filming approach:
Naturalistic, cinematic style using soft light, woodland textures, and ambient sound.
Blend of observational footage (workshops, writing moments) with composed visual sequences (poet in nature, reflections of place).
Use of macro details, slow motion, or shallow depth of field to convey emotion and immersion.
Audio & voice:
The poet’s voice recorded reading the poem, layered with field recordings to create atmosphere.
Subtle sound design to connect environment and language.
Editing:
For the docupromo: structured to tell the story of the residency — from inspiration to public engagement.
For the visual poem: focused on rhythm, tone, and feeling, aligning visuals with the poem’s cadence and imagery.
Tone & pacing: Gentle, reflective, and immersive — evoking the quiet inspiration of the woodland setting.
📘 Example:
We filmed over several days, capturing both the poet’s solo writing sessions and community workshops held among the Tyntesfield trees. The visual poem was shaped around one of her written works, using natural light, macro textures, and layered sound design to evoke a sense of place and presence.
Result
(What was achieved, how it was received, and its impact.)
Include:
Final outputs: Two short films — a docupromo and a standalone visual poem.
Where they were shown: National Trust digital platforms, exhibition spaces, live events, or poetry readings.
Audience response: Engagement, feedback from visitors, participants, or the poet herself.
Client feedback: Praise for authenticity, tone, or visual interpretation.
Creative impact: How the films supported the National Trust’s goal of connecting people, art, and nature.
Reflection: What you’re proud of — e.g. capturing the poet’s process, balancing documentary and art film styles, or creating a sensory experience.
📘 Example:
The two films were used by the National Trust to celebrate the residency online and in on-site events. Both were praised for their lyrical tone and sense of place, successfully capturing the connection between creativity and the natural environment.