Ducking Weeds: Collaboration, Mentoring, and a One-Shot Challenge

A few months ago I was asked to get involved in a music video for Ducking Weeds by SEUN, produced by a graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School I had worked with before. The story, told through dance, uses the metaphor of flowers pushing through weeds to reflect how marginalised groups are expected to flourish in harsh conditions.

On screen, council estate housing becomes a place of community and resilience. Off screen, the shoot became something more than just a production — it turned into a one-day workshop for 15 young people with little or no experience on set.

The atmosphere was collaborative, curious, and generous. Everyone played their part, and the learning was two-way. I directed and shot the film, but it was very much a collective effort.

Technically, it was a challenge. We decided to film it as a oner, shot in two halves, with me mostly walking backwards through dance and interactions. I had a great spotter (a ballerina, which definitely helped) and a sharp focus puller. The first half took 27 takes before we found the one we wanted, the second half was quicker. The pizzas at the end were well deserved.

I stayed involved through post too, editing and grading the final film. The video is out now, and what remains with me most is not the technical challenge, but the sense of trust and collaboration that defined the day. A reminder that filmmaking at its best is about more than images — it is about people coming together to make something meaningful.

BTS Photographer - Jonas Cadwell
BTS Photographer - Chris Daniels