Never Give UP

Never Give Up is a short artistic film that beautifully portrays, London 2012 Olympian and Professional Triathlete,
Helle Frederiksen’s inspiring outlook on life.
In 2007 after suffering a discus prolapse at the age of 26, London 2012 Olympian Helle Frederiksen, was told to give up. Missing out on selection to the Beijing Olympics and having to complete a large part of her master degree from her sickbed, Helle made a decision not to give up. She stood by her own self-belief; gained comfort from those that believed in her and pursued her own path to success.
“I was told to give up, I was 26 and had a dream that I wanted to fulfill. I was not going to give up. I made a choice, sacrifices and a commitment to myself that I would succeed, not just in sport but in life.” – Helle Frederiksen
Today Helle Frederiksen continues on a path, a direction in life that she loves. Helle’s story is one of inspiration and a fine example of success through determination and self-belief.
“Life is what we make of it; we are wrong if we think success in life comes easily. Whether it is in sport, business or life in general success does not come without sacrifices, hard work and determination.” – Helle Frederiksen
Never Give Up portrays Helle’s outlook on life through a combination of powerful scenes, epic landscapes and perfectly composed music. Helle narrates the film herself, providing a very personal yet powerful message about life and decisions in life that have made her who she is today.
Here’s to an inspirational girl and her commitment to follow her dreams. May we all pursue this path and fulfill our promise in life.

Thief

behind the scenes still from new music video for THIEF

wayfaring stranger

a musical collaboration between filmmaker John Hicks and musician Mark Baynes of Lady Winwoods Maggot

Wayfaring Stranger by John Hicks from John Hicks on Vimeo.

Kate Tempest

“I thought poets were people who stood on stage wearing berets” said poet and rapper Kate Tempest in the live recording of her new spoken word album last week at Battersea Arts Centre
I first met Kate a few years ago when I bought her Cannibal Kids demo CD after watching her perform live onstage at Camp Bestival
The raw, lyrical beauty and brutality of her words haunted me with images that crowded my head

“These cannibal kids want to be kings
But there ain’t no royalty left
Because, round here, the sirens and screams float on the wind
And even the street shudders
Yes even the street shudders
Round here
These cannibal kids want to be kings
They don’t know that kindness is courage
Or that sympathy sings much louder than violence
They are bitter and drained
Eyes of ice stare from figures of flames
They, puff-chested, restless, nameless
They carry their pain to the point of being painless… ”

Since then I’ve been a diehard fan and last Thursday, as she prepared for her live performance, I got time with her on her lunchtime fag break to shoot this portrait for Flamingo Magazine

I’m not sure who created the mural on the wall but its faded beauty and pervading sense of ‘dreams in decay’ provided the perfect backdrop for such a raw, passionate and contemporary poet as the uniquely talented Renegade Kate Tempest