Shooting Director

I spent the day following comedian James Acaster as he returned to his hometown of Kettering.

He was there to finally meet five young people he’d spent the past month mentoring through one-to-one virtual stand-up workshops. It was the first time they’d all physically been in the same room, and I captured the day as they refined their material, found their confidence and got ready to perform in front of a panel of celebrity comedians later that day… no pressure.

I worked closely with Speakers for Schools to shape the story from start to finish, from James’ introduction, through to the performances and his reflections afterwards, making sure it all felt honest and true to the experience.

The day wasn’t just about comedy. James spoke openly about the role charities like Speakers for Schools play in opening doors for young people. The workshops weren’t just about getting laughs, but about building confidence, resilience and public speaking skills that will stay with these youngsters long after the final punchline lands.