Dad mode alert! But if you need something very different to do, I really love this place. Bertie introduced me to Boscombe Down Aviation Centre last year and we pop in every 2-4 months. It’s a hands on collection of planes near Salisbury in the UK, that you can actually get in and it’s run by the guys that built and maintained them. So I can nerd out on engineering at the same time as Bert getting to climb in them and ask lots (and lots) of questions… oh and there is a micro brewery next door. Wrap up warm, it’s cold in there!!!
So, that was 2025! We do have a 25 of 25 film planned, but finding the time to shoot it has been tricky. The year started slowly for everyone and gradually regained some sort of normality. It’s been a fun and focused year and we’ve worked on some incredible productions and collaborated with some inspirational individuals.
Sandstorm sponsored the Team Deakins podcast, worked with Nine Trees Studios in Bristol (more on that in 2026), with Quite Brilliant at Twickenham Studios, opened the new studios at Ealing, and TechnoDolly has been busy busy.
Ethan is still reading the manual for how to operate the TechnoDolly ( should have gone to our new instagram channel @sandstormtechnodolly ), we shot our first feature length narrative which is still in post, worked all over the country on productions of all shapes and sizes and rapidly prepared the stages at Ealing for their first big shoot of the year.
It’s 25 years since we started Sandstorm, a lot has changed in that time and we have even more to announce in the coming months.
Happy New Year to you all; all our collaborators, colleagues and friends. Here’s to a prosperous 2026 for all of us.
Today, we’re launching a channel devoted to the Sandstorm TechnoDolly.
Whether you’re a director, cinematographer, VFX supervisor, 1st AD, gaffer, or grip.
The reels on this page give you a transparent insight into one of the most incredible filmmaking tools in the world.
Everything you need to know is here, and if it isn’t just message us and we’ll endeavour to make a reel about it.
This channel doesn’t replace Sandstorm Film’s existing instagram page, far from it, all our updates and highlights remain there with the new @sandstormtechnodolly page dedicated to helping you understand the most incredible film making tool in the world, the Sandstorm TechnoDolly. So that when we’re next on set together, you’ll be one step ahead of the everyone else on set.
Follow us now!
This weekend my eldest son, Arthur, met my mentor for the first time.
An impromptu meet up and genuinely a moment I’ll treasure forever.
On the left is David Andrew Deans, my original film mentor (from when I was just 8years old and avidly drawing my first stop frame). He was a huge inspiration - his attitude was always ‘why can’t we?’, he believes quite simply that if you want to achieve something you should just go and do it!
We worked together a lot through my childhood years, he actually shot my Chase&Status ‘Against all Odds’ music video with me.
Arthur definitely found his energy and company very inspirational.
In short, the world needs more people like Dave!
@Sandstorm Films
#Mentorship #Inspiration #Filmmaking #Leadership #CreativeIndustry #UKFilm #BritishFilm #NextGeneration #SandstormFilms #BFI #Storytelling
After a very tough week of decisions personally and professionally it’s nice to be sat in the autumn sun making plans for the next chapter. Running a company for almost a quarter of a century I should have probably retired or sold it, but actually I enjoy my work more than ever now. It’s tougher than ever too. Working in three industries (film, advertising, hospitality) which have all basically been close to shut down for a year now has been a constant game of business chess, so I’ve decided to make some really really really big changes. More soon.
@supertechnocom have just built a Technodolly 10, a fully repeatable mini crane - it’s bloody great, it runs on batteries, the desk is built in, you can carry it upstairs. If you know a Technodolly, you know this is all very cool. If you’re the other school of thought ‘why isn’t it bigger?’ well, enjoy our Technodolly 25, already at Sandstorm.
Technodolly 10 - Coming to @sandstorm_films soon.
🚀✨ Excited to share the release of Sandstorm's Lockdown 3.0 Space Short, where I had the amazing opportunity to work as a QTake video operator with the talented team at @sandstorm_films ! 🎬🌌 The final product showcases a creative and unique take on the theme that transports viewers to another world.
Capturing the imagination and visuals in this project was a thrilling experience, and I’m proud of what we accomplished together. Be sure to check it out and join us on this cosmic journey! 🌠👩🚀
#Lockdown3 #SpaceShort #QTake #VideoOperator #SandstormFilms #BehindTheScenes #FilmProduction #CreativeTeam #SciFi #FinalProduct #JourneyToTheStars #Inspiration #ArtInMotion
@ibcshow here we come. Back to Amsterdam to say hello to a few fantastic colleagues from around Europe with @alexwatts95 - last time I visited, the airport closed and I was stuck there overnight to celebrate my 40th Birthday. If you’re at the show, give me a shout.
Today OpenAI launched Sora, it’s a game changer for the film world, personally I see it as exciting (and unbelievably dangerous), but like this tank (which I visited in a museum yesterday with the kids) changed warfare and the 5Dii dslr camera brought ‘cinema’ film making into the hands of, basically, anyone. These tools are here to move us forward. Change is inevitable and exciting. As my colleague said earlier ‘in business you adapt or you die’
Last year the postal strikes stranded our real Christmas Card, this year we’ve decided to get into the 21st century and go on strike from the Royal Mail. So, Merry Christmas from all of us, we hope you have a wonderful time and a Happy New Year. Can’t wait to see what 2024 brings to everyone. Lots of love Tom, Alex, Arthur & Bertie.
If you’ve received my prehistoric tree-based card in the past, you’ll know I always do a quick montage of the year… why break from that tradition?
Front cover pic was drawn by Bertie.
We started the year with an unplanned road trip around Germany and Brussels, meeting our good friend Jan on the way. Spent lots of time with the family. Arthur is obsessed with chilli sauce and has found he and his grandpa have very similar interests! We’ve tidied the village, visited galleries, met up with my brother and his lovely wife Britt in Florida, watched motorbike racing, been on lots of bike and horse rides, played nerf, had a fab 10th birthday for Bert (cheffed by Arthur), been on lots of weekend road trips, went to a car festival, had a great weekend with the wider family in August, went to my cousin’s wedding in Barbados (for 3 days), bowled, swam, been to the beach, been back into Europe, went to a few gigs, enjoyed some snow, had an ArtNight at work (which Arthur loved). All in all, a year in which Arthur grew a foot in height, both boys grew in confidence and Bertie got into more sports and instruments than I thought existed. It’s been a busy, busy year of watching the boys grow and making great memories, which we’re looking forward to more of next year!
Retaining a tradition of extremely boring posts - this little setup is something new to me and common to all influencers. A tiny tripod, Bluetooth mic and a light… all for a price under a tenth of what I normally have to spend just to buy one lens at Sandstorm. I always say the kit we use to make ‘proper’ films is the 10% difference between a phone and a film camera. But it’s actually cool to get to play with the ‘toys’ I never get to use on a (real) film set, reminds me of how Sandstorm started… and maybe where we might end up if the tech keeps evolving. Tech isn’t what makes films luckily, ideas are.
