From humble origins making DIY music videos for Liverpool bands, Slater has gone on to work with artists including Kaiser Chiefs, Sam Fender, Mark Owen and Yard Act, and more. His breakthrough came making videos for The Coral, including their hit single Pass It On — a relationship he later built on for his recent feature documentary Dreaming of You, which premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest last year.
An exploration of memory, creative longevity and the relationship between band, hometown and myth, the film offers a compelling case study for how music-video thinking — rhythm, mood, visual restraint — can evolve into long-form cinematic storytelling.
Across his career, Slater has developed a recognisable sensibility: observational and emotionally grounded, attentive to atmosphere and texture, and deeply responsive to the artists and worlds he documents.
Illustrated with screenings of his music videos and clips, James will explore how performance, place and narrative are shaped within the tight creative and commercial constraints of the music-video form — and how to make a small budget go a long way when you’re planning a production.
Of interest to anyone who loves music, storytelling and visual culture, this event is essential for emerging filmmakers — especially those considering an application to Screen South’s Music Videos In May lab.
