I am a focused and driven filmmaker specialising in camerawork and cinematography. I pride myself as a trans filmmaker and this has been an anchor for the subversive representations at the forefront of my directorial documentary work as well as the stylistic references in my camera work. Separately, I have a huge passion for filmed/digital theatre and aim to pursue a career in filmed theatre and live performance archival film. I wrote my dissertation on the importance of recognising filmed theatre as an independent form and have recently incorporated conventions seen in this style of filmmaking into my own work wherever possible by using the production studio as a theatrical space. My next steps are pursuing digital theatre projects as a camera trainee as well as freelancing in live performance (theatre/music) videography.
Projects mentioned on this page are available in more detail on my website (linked below)
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abbeychapman55@gmail.com https://sites.google.com/view/beeoncamera/ →
As DoP, I worked to the directors vision of an interpretive dance-led film by shooting it in the mode of filmed theatre. We utilised the studio at Bower Ashton to create a 'stage' and shot to imitate a multicam setup.
I directed this film with the intention of exploring young artists relationship with their craft and with their surroundings in Bristol. To accompany, we curated visual narratives for each artist to tell their stories as they overlap thematically.
Haunt Me Again is a sci-fi drama about a woman exploring grief through technology. As Director of Photography on this project, I had so much fun balancing cinematic sci-fi and drama elements - I feel like it worked really well.
Transnormative follows Xanthe Kween, a transgender drag artist, through an evolutionary time in both their drag work and their identity. Directing a project spotlighting Bristol's trans community was a huge privilege, and integral to my pride as a trans filmmaker.
Pleasure, Rhythm, Choice is a high-concept fashion inspired spec ad raising awareness of stigma around condom use for a sexual health charity. As DoP, I put my all into researching and executing the visuals for this project.
Cease to Resound tells the story of Jasper, a singer bound to her past who loses her voice. I am very grateful to have been trusted as Director of Photography on one of our cohorts grad films.
