BAFTA AWARD-WINNING FILM STILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Away from weddings, I’m often seen working on a variety of commercial photography projects, one of which was providing the ‘on-set TV and Film Stills photography’ for a feature film called Kelly and Victor – A Film Four Production filmed on location in Liverpool.
WHAT IS A FILM STIIL?
A Film Still (sometimes called a publicity still or a production still) is a photograph taken on or off the set of a movie or television program during production. The main purpose of such publicity stills is to help studios advertise and promote their new films and stars. Studios, therefore, send those photos along with press kits to as many movie-related publications as possible so as to gain free publicity. Taken from Wikipedia
Since filming wrapped, the film has gone on to receive critical acclaim and was among the winners at the star-studded British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) night at the Royal Opera House in London.
My involvement in the film (albeit a small one) as On-Set Photographer providing Film Stills, behind the scenes and publicity, has resulted in a number of interviews for myself in the local press (see below) – The Skelmersdale Champion and Liverpool Echo…
TV AND FILM STILLS PHOTOGRAPHER LIVERPOOL
Outside of weddings I often work in other areas of photography, this includes commercial photography, TV & Film stills, street photography, personal projects and non-profit.
The link between these different area’s of photography is always people. I’ve not done much product photography or spent a great deal of time photograph buildings. I guess I’m simply interested in people, I’ve always been fascinated by human interaction, connection, body language and emotions.
My ability to capture emotion together with a background in the Television and Film industry recently lead me to be being commissioned to provide the photograph for a feature film called Kelly and Victor which was shot on location in Liverpool and went on to win awards at The Baftas.
BAFTA AWARD FOR KELLY AND VICTOR FILM
“Kelly + Victor” a Film Four production tells the story of a young couple embarking on a passionate love affair. The film is an adaptation of Niall Griffiths’ acclaimed novel and was filmed on location in Liverpool for Film Four and stars Antonia Campell Hughes and Julian Morris.
I was approached to work on the film through word-of-mouth recommendation in the role of “Production Stills Photographer” providing publicity, press and behind the scenes photography. It’s such a thrill to be associated with a project that has gone on to receive critical acclaim and high-profile success.
Welsh director Kieran Evans won the Bafta award for Kelly and Victor, which was shot on location in and around Liverpool last summer – The director won the Bafta for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
Kelly and Victor
Produced by BAFTA and BIFA winning Producer Janine Marmot.
Written and Directed by Kieran Evans
Starring Antonia Campell Hughes and Julian Morris
A Film Four production.
TV & FILM UNIT STILLS LIVERPOOL
Production, publicity and behind the scenes photography for feature film Kelly + Victor. Filmed on location in Liverpool. By photographer Wes Simpson and assisted by Jack Radford.
IN THE LOCAL PRESS
My involvement in the film generated interest from local newspapers, Liverpool Echo and Skelmersdale Champion in which I was interviewed for a “local interest story.” Read the full interview below.
The below Frontpage article is taken from The Champion newspaper written by Henry James.
PHOTOGRAPHER WES SIMPSON’S ROLE IN BAFTA WINNING FILM
A local photographer from Skelmersdale with offices in Liverpool is celebrating after a film which he worked on was among the winners at the star-studded British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards night at the Royal Opera House in London this week.
Wes Simpson provided TV Film unit stills photography, press, publicity and behind-the-scenes photography for the motion picture Kelly and Victor, directed by Welsh director Kieran Evans who received the prize for Outstanding Debut by a British writer, director or producer at the prestigious ceremony.
Kelly and Victor is the story of a young couple embarking on a passionate love affair. An adaptation of Niall Griffiths’ acclaimed novel, it was filmed on location in Liverpool for Film Four and stars Janine Marmot.
Wes, who was asked to work on the film through word-of-mouth recommendation, was delighted to be associated with such a high-profile success. And although this was a minor role, Wes believes it is a compliment nevertheless. He said:
“On a personal note, I’m thrilled to be connected to any project that strives for success. To have been asked to be involved with a film that has gone on to win a Bafta is amazing.
My involvement in this film – albeit a small one – is a great compliment to my career. I would love to be involved in providing more TV film stills for future productions filming in Liverpool.
This award and recognition for the local film industry are fantastic and hopefully, it will mean that more money and further projects will be available for local up-and-coming directors, writers, crew and of course photographers. It also highlights Merseyside as a 1st rate filming destination.”
FILM STILLS PHOTOGRAPHER LIVERPOOL
Wes wasn’t at the Royal Opera House for the awards but he has been sent a copy of the DVD in the post with a personal note thanking him for his efforts.
Wes trained with the BBC as a television cameraman and has worked in that role on TV productions including Brookside, Hollyoaks, Shameless and Emmerdale.
He later set up Wes Simpson Photography – A professional photography service specialising weddings and commercial photography. His commercial work as seen him photographing celebrities and featured in the national press and weekly glossies. He has photographed live music events and A-listers including superstars Pink, Paul Weller and Morrissey.
Wes himself has also appeared on Television in the role of the featured photographer on the Channel 5 show, Celebrity Wedding Planner starring Kerry Katona and Jedwood.
Wes Simpson is a professional photographer based in Liverpool and Manchester providing professional images for weddings, commercial photography and TV/Film and publicity stills. For more information Contact Wes.
