Capture The Romance, Glenesk Road, Ellesmere Port (2026)

26/12/2025

Courtney Love and Hole Television Documentary entitled ‘Antiheroine’

On 8th November 1991 Nirvana made their first ever TV appearance on UK television’s The Word playing ’Smell Of Teen Spirit.’ By way of introduction said “I just want all of you people in this room to know Courtney Lover, the lead singer of the sensational pop band Hole is the best f**k in the world”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2V7dYKANGA&list=RDq2V7dYKANGA&start_radio=1

Prior to, during and after completing my film degree I wrote fanzines, was in several Garage, Glam and Punk bands, promoted, filmed, photographed, shot music videos for and had sleep in various dwellings I lived in.

On 11th December 1991, a month after Nirvana’s appearance on The Word I was transported by a friend in his Austin Mini Cooper in an Austin Mini Cooper, where the seats weren’t bolted down, cos he was always tinkering with it but we had seats belts and took the less busy back roads, so we’d be alright.

After filming the bands, Therapy?, Daisy Chainsaw and Hole I interviewed Therapy? (photo attached,) then got talking with Courtney Love, who also agreed to an interview. A couple of VHS copies were made at the time and given to relevant parties and over the years these copies copied, those copies copied until some versions that appear of bits of the Hole show on You Tube are in black and white and the picture breaks up or rolls.

Back in July 2024 the Archive Producer of ‘Antiheroine’ a new Documentary being shown at The Sundance Films Festival in January 2026, prior to having a theatrical release contacted me about if I knew who’d filmed the show all those years ago.

I asked her if she’d listened to the interview, she said yes. I said does the person interviewing Courtney Love sound anything like me? Editing recently finished on the 90 minute film and I received a nice licensing fee in time for Christmas. Something that I shot whilst being a film student 34 years ago pays off. I think I deserve that, I mean Santa Claus’s seat is no doubt bolted down ours weren’t.

Merry Christmas everybody!

16/12/2025

TRAIL OF TRASH

25 years ago, in late 2000 John Peel played one of his favourite tracks on his Radio Show, a version of ‘Nothing Takes The Place Of You’ by Mike Spenser and The Cannibals and asked what had become of him.

I’d recently had a series about 1960s Garage Punk music turned down by Channel 4 and mentioned in conversation to the commissioner that I knew what Mike Spenser was currently doing, reforming the band for a show. Her boyfriend saw my written pitch and told her that he’d once auditioned for The Cannibals and the story would be crazy.

She called me and said that if I could get John Peel to do a few links she’d commission the film. After speaking with his agent John Peel called me whilst I was browsing record shops in Soho and agreed. 25 years ago On 8th December 2000 ‘Trail Of Trash’ my first music documentary for Channel 4 was first aired, having received the following review in the Guardian newspaper’s magazine The Guide:

Brooklyn-born trainee optometrist Mike Spenser stuck a pin in a map during the mid-70s and fetched up in London straight off the plane.

Spenser wilfully dived headfirst into drugs and after he was spotted playing harmonica along to a Stones tune in a Soho record shop, the capital’s rock’n’roll scene.

Trail Of Trash sees Spenser, John Peel and some of the numerous ex-members of his longtime garage band, The Cannibals, recount the tales tall-and-true which surround a man who “can be guaranteed to f**k things up, basically”. JH

Trail Of Trash:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11R04qV9t7w&t=181s

Nothing Takes The Place Of You:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu4WibxSTLE

16/11/2025

Thirty years ago to the day the first short documentary film I directed for ITV was broadcast. ‘Pins and Needles’ was about the increasingly becoming popularised art of body piercing. ITV told me to push the boat out when making it.

16th November 1995 ITV received literally hundred of phone calls about the film, no complaints but when could viewers see it again. It won several international film festivals and the clip below shows Huffty from Channel 4’s The Word introducing me, introducing it for it’s first repeat in 1996

ITV then engaged me to research a 4 part series called ‘Bodyworkers.’ Pre internet I somehow discovered some real characters and Channel 4 were about to green light the project when a new commissioner took over and sent a FAX saying he believed the series would be too extreme for Channel 4, so that was the end of that.

All these years ‘Bodyshockers’ presented by Katie Piper is along the same lines. Hey ho, there you sometimes go but I came up with the concept 19 years earlier. ‘Pins and Needles’ itself is only ten minutes long shot on super 16mm film and broadcast on Beta SP. This is from the first broadcast repeat in 1996.

Of all the complimentary press reviews the film received this was typical Daily Sport just prior to it screening the first time. I constructed it so that contributors could explain why and where they were piercing their bodies and allow viewers to make up their own mind. I’d be interested to know if people think it stands up 30 years later.

This me with MTV Producer Yvette Cheeseman as she signing her consent to filming form, the Daily Sport article and ‘Pins and Needles’ of course. Thanks to everyone who worked on it:

https://vimeo.com/235743016

25/10/2025

Daniel Ilabaca: Dreams Can Come True! (An Inspirational Story)

With childhood dreams of maybe one day becoming a stuntman but always being told off for jumping across buildings Parkour style, to appearing on BBC’s Top Gear, winning MTV’s ultimate Parkour Challenge, being Han Solo’s stunt double in a Star Wars films Daniel Ilabaca has made his dream come true as he is now director of Stunt Camera Crew.

Way back in 2002 Daniel’s mother Maxine contacted me explaining about her son’s talents, dreams and wishes, that he was always getting into trouble but was a good lad getting more and more frustrated. I filmed him at a public event in Liverpool, he complained about the poor Ninja costume he'd been given to wear, I told him nobody would remember the costume, they’d just remember how amazing he was.

Day two of filming was in Moreton where the Ilabaca family lived. People were painting anti-climb paint on walls, the Police were quickly on the scene when an old lady called them etc, etc and there were several other shoots in the making of 'Monkey Business.'

I made several films about him back in the day, basically showcasing his skills and story, metaphorically throwing him a ball, which he then ran, leapt and jumped with, buying his own camera and making his own films.

I’ve watched his story unfold as the years have passed with Maxine (who always had faith in her son) getting in touch from time to time and am incredibly proud to have been there at the outset and I’m absolutely made up for him that he’s achieved what he always wanted.

Here are links to that first film I made about Daniel ‘Monkey Business,’ his 2018 showreel (I don't suppose he's needed to make one since) and the Stunt Camera Crew website, where they combine Rollerblading, Parkour and Iceskating skills when shooting films to make stunts look even more astounding.

Well done Daniel, you’ve proven that dreams can come true. I’m made up for you!

https://youtu.be/X0Ad5Wa89dc

https://youtu.be/z5JqzBiOMus

https://www.stuntcameracrew.com

12/08/2025

On Thursday 8th May 2025 I had the pleasure of filming the Wedding of Emily Charlotte Lewis and Kieran Jack Buser-Evans at Brook Hall Hotel, Ellesmere Point, Cheshire on a lovely warm sunny day.

Emily and Kieran both got ready in different areas of the hotel on their special day and Kieran made sure a copy of Elton John's 'Diamonds' LP was on display for guests to sign during the reception. The wedding was held outside on the lawn, followed by group photographs and videography of the newlywed couple on the island in the hotel grounds.

Following their entrance for the wedding breakfast and speeches they then had their first romantic dance together before the party got into full swing.

It was great working alongside photographer Heather Rose Duffy and Kerry from Kerie Beauty who applied the makeup for the bridal party.

Congratulations, Emily and Kieran! The couple received both full feature length and short highlights films of their special day. Here's a link to their short highlights film:

https://vimeo.com/1108063550

https://www.facebook.com/heatherroseduffyphotography

https://www.instagram.com/kerie.beauty/

29/07/2025

On Friday 16th May 2025 I had the pleasure of filming the 'Wedding Blessing' of Cody Archer and Margaret Philomena McCann at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.

Philomena and family had their bridal preparations at Village Hotel Chester St David's on a lovely sunny day before travelling to the Adelphi Hotel for the blessing and wedding breakfast, followed by the 1st dance and traditional dances with family members.

Congratulations, Cody and Philomena! The couple received both full feature length and short highlights films of their special day. Here's a link to their short highlights film:

https://vimeo.com/1105392043

17/05/2025

What a beautiful day for a wedding yesterday at . What an amazing couple and family. Thank you so much for having me as your photographer ❤️📸

Videographer Capture The Romance
Hotel

14/02/2025

On 29th April it'll be two years since I had the pleasure of filming the wedding of Katy Fortune Probert and Ryan Thomas Jones at Soughton Hall in Mold in Flintshire.

The Carlton Ensemble performed as Katy walked down the aisle for the wedding ceremony and for the signing of the register and despite periods of rain it was possible to successfully film outside prior to the ceremony and afterwards.

Following the speeches and cutting their wedding cake the couple then had their first dance together as husband and wife.

Congratulations, Katy and Ryan! Here's the short highlights film of their special day and thanks for the lovely review:

https://vimeo.com/840088670

03/01/2025

On Thursday 3rd October 2024 I had the pleasure of filming the wedding of Edward Morgan and Shakira McDonagh at St Peter's Catholic Church in Leicester.

Family and friends then journeyed to Occasions Events Venue in Derby where the reception was held. After being announced as husband and wife for the first time the couple had their wedding breakfast, followed by their first dance and family dances.

Congratulations, Edward and Shakira! The couple received both full feature length and short highlights films of their special day. Here's a link to their short highlights film:

https://vimeo.com/1043738988

09/11/2024

On Tuesday 24th September I had the pleasure of filming the wedding of Michael Gerrard Anthony Cash and Mary Berry at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Birkenhead.

Family and friends then journeyed to Nunsmere Hall in Tarporley in Cheshire where the reception was held in the outdoor marquee. After making their entrance the couple had an entrance dance, followed by the buffet, their first dance and traditional traveller family dances before partying the night away.

The couple married and had their speeches outside with outside caterers, an ice cream trailer and later freshly made pizza's before having their first dance and partying the night away with family and friends.

Congratulations, Mick and Mary! Here's the short highlights film of their special day:
https://vimeo.com/1027933969

Capture The Romance

26/12/2025

16/12/2025

16/11/2025

25/10/2025

12/08/2025

29/07/2025

17/05/2025

14/02/2025

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