Capturing the moment

Danny Cooke: Filmmaker, Director, Editor

"The beauty of being a filmmaker is that each client and job is a different experience and requires a unique approach, all of which test my skills and passions whilst practising a craft that I love."

Danny Cooke is a multi-award winning freelance film-maker. He has worked on film projects all over the world: Norway, Ireland, California and New York to name a few and has also had the honour of filming famous personalities including Tom Daley, Sir David Attenborough and Michael Morpurgo (writer of War Horse). As well as celebrities, he has also created media for big clients including Sunspel Clothing, California Lottery, Jameson Irish Whiskey and many more. His 2014 film 'Postcards from Pripyat, Chernobyl' recorded the haunting landscape around the Chernobyl nuclear explosion site – Danny used a camera mounted in a drone to show the area from the air for the very first time.

Danny currently works as a self-employed filmmaker.

Danny's story

"My passion for film began when I was about 13 but I have always been interested in media of various kinds. The BA (Hons) Media Arts course supports all factors of media, while allowing you to focus on your particular area of interest, which in my case is film making and documentary. BA (Hons) Media Arts has helped me to channel my existing skills as well as developing new ones. It has led to some fantastic opportunities and new contacts which will make a great difference to my career.

"The course encourages you to take your work beyond the University and I engaged in a number of professional film projects during my time at Plymouth.

"My plan was always to start a freelance filmmaking business whilst I was studying at Plymouth; it seemed the best opportunity to go forward, and I was always aware that it could take time to grow. I made sure that whilst on the media arts course that I would make all the necessary contacts that would help my business thrive."

"Since graduation I have been building my freelance filmmaking business. Each year I have not only worked in the UK, but I have travelled the world and visited some amazing and eye-opening places, people, and cultures. The beauty of being a filmmaker is that each client and job is a different experience and requires a unique approach, all of which test my skills and passions whilst practising a craft that I love.

"As a freelance filmmaker the most difficult thing I experience on a day to day basis is a level of uncertainty. There can be weeks without work and it can get a little scary at times. On the other hand, there can be too much work and you have to turn people away.

"To be a freelance film-maker, you need to be dedicated and patient. When you start off, it is unlikely that you would be making a sufficient amount of income. When studying, use your spare time to build up a portfolio, this is one of the most important things to help you get clients."

'Postcards from Pripyat, Chernobyl'

Danny filmed the haunting video while working on a '60 Minutes' segment for CBS News about the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone:

"I was always fascinated by the tragedy, so I said yes without much hesitation – not thinking twice about any harmful radiation exposure I might receive. When I was just one year old, my parents and I lived in Italy and we were directly affected by the nuclear disaster. Locals were told to throw away all their crops and anything that might be exposed to the radiation cloud. Exploring ‘The Zone’ and the abandoned city of Pripyat, Ukraine, has to be one of the greatest and most memorable experiences I’ve ever been on."

The Making of Ludlow & Blunt

Whilst studying, Danny first worked with David A Smith MBE, a British designer, sign artist and glass gilder as a second year student. He documented David, who had been commissioned by the American musician, John Mayer to make his album cover. The beautiful documentary went on to be published on the Sony website to much acclaim.

Ten years later Danny came full circle and filmed with David again, a behind the scenes documentary creating an ornamental, handcrafted advertising glass sign for the world famous vintage barbershop Ludlow Blunt based in Brooklyn, New York.

Danny premiered his documentary film, The Making of Ludlow & Blunt, on 10 September 2022 at the University's Jill Craigie Cinema.

Image credit: Danny Cooke and David A Smith MBE

<p>The Making of Ludlow and Blunt<br></p>

Collaboration

'Ray: A Life Underwater'

"The course encourages you to take your work beyond the University and I engaged in a number of professional film projects during my time at Plymouth. In my second year I was Editor and Director of Photography on the documentary Ray: A Life Underwater. This documentary has had amazing success internationally and has been screened on Channel 4."

Danny worked with documentary maker and media arts associate lecturer Amanda Bluglass on the documentary short film which won the overall festival and audience choice prize at the 2011 Shoot Film Festival, and the Award for Best Documentary at the Super Shorts International Film Festival. BBC News has also featured the film, and it has attracted global interest with internet hits topping 200,000.

'Viva. Punk Rebel, 82'

Danny continued his award-winning partnership with media arts associate lecturer Amanda Bluglass with their short documentary collaboration ‘Viva. Punk Rebel, 82’, a portrait of octogenarian queen of Cornish punk Viva Hamnell.

The film won official selections at:

Lunafest 2014
Bafta-supported Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2014
Best Shorts Awards 2014
San Francisco International Festival of Short Films 2014.

Watch Viva on Vimeo

<p>Still from ‘Viva. Punk Rebel, 82’ short documentary by Media Arts Associate Lecturers Amanda Bluglass and Danny Cooke<br></p>

"I am a very technical and practical person when it comes to filmmaking. Whilst on the media arts course, I lacked a theoretical knowledge to underpin my strengths. The University realised this and helped me to focus on my weaknesses. Now, when I frame the shot, or cut a film in a certain way, I’m able to articulate the reasons behind my choices. It has dramatically improved the way I tell a story."

"One of my favourite memories is using the traditional 35mm photography developing suite on a module. I found the task of using an analogue film camera incredibly different to the digital process we take for granted today. Stills photography is not my passion; however, I believe practising this process is fundamental to improving the way we take digital stills or even video."

'Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film'

The University of Plymouth has one of the few remaining movable-type printing workshops in the UK.

As a student you can explore a range of printmaking workshops - etching, lithography, silkscreen, and letterpress.

Danny made a short film about letterpress, featuring senior technician Paul Collier.

Award-winning

Winner

Adventure Category, San Francisco Ocean Film Festival 2012
Best Documentary, Super Shorts International Film Festival 2011
Grand Prix Best Film, Shoot Film Festival 2011

Official selection

Vimeo Festival & Awards 2012
AFI/Discovery Channel Silverdocs
St Petersburg International Film Festival 2012
Maui Film Festival 2012
Islands.doc Film Festival 2012
Festival MareMostra 2012
Inspiring Shorts 2012

Danny Cooke

<p>Pop up exhibition by students who have just returned from a media arts led trip to Berlin<br></p>

Create your own pathway

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