Finally put together this video from my trip to London with
@mattiethompson613 in autumn 2023. I was assisting Mattie on his project—filming a music video for
@badblood_music —which ended up sparking my love for shooting on tape camcorders. That day marked the beginning of my journey into filmmaking, as I got to experience firsthand what it’s like to direct and produce a project.
It was just a one-day shoot, but it left a lasting impact. The next day, back in Newcastle, I got a call from my mum—my nana had passed away, and we were heading to Ukraine for her funeral the following day. I carried a lot of guilt for having had such a good time while she was suffering in hospital. That guilt stopped me from even looking at the footage, let alone editing it.
When I heard the devastating news of Mattie’s passing in March, my heart skipped a beat. My first thought was: What if I had finished this and sent it to him? What if I’d shared his brilliant smile, his creativity, his light? I often find myself stuck in “what ifs” and “if onlys.” But I’ve learned those thoughts don’t help me, Mattie, or anyone else who might be going through something similar.
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from all this is to cherish every connection. Each person who comes into our lives is a gift. Everyone’s fighting battles we can’t always see. So check in on your friends. Tell them you love them. You are not alone.
I hope that through this video, people can see Mattie the way I remember him—joyful, passionate, excited, and full of life. I want that version of him to stay alive in people’s hearts. And above all, I truly hope he’s found peace now.
As a tribute to Mattie—who was passionate about calisthenics and fitness—I’ve decided to run the Manchester 10K on May 18th and fundraise for
@mindcharity . They provide vital mental health support to anyone, anytime, anywhere. I did a fundraiser for them last year and even skydived, facing my fear of heights. This year, with little running experience and even less passion for it, I’m pushing myself to complete this run. I know Mattie would be proud.
Fundraiser link in bio
Let’s do this for Mattie 🩵
