It’s Not Just Banter

From the brief, it was clear that the film would centre on emotionally charged pieces to camera. With a single setup carrying the entire narrative, the visual approach needed to be precise and unwavering — any tonal misstep would resonate throughout the film. My objective was to create a look capable of holding the emotional weight of the story without feeling overstated or contrived.

I developed a darker, restrained palette to ground the frame in intimacy and focus. A single, carefully controlled key light became the primary shaping tool, isolating the contributors within the space and drawing attention to nuance in performance. The intention was to create a sense of stillness and presence, allowing the audience to fully engage with what was being said.

To prevent the environment from falling away entirely, I introduced a subtle slash of warm light across the background. This added dimensionality and gently revealed texture within the printed backdrop, creating depth without distracting from the subject.

More than half of women report experiencing sexism or misogyny at football matches. It’s Not Just Banter was produced in partnership with the Football Supporters’ Association and Fans for Diversity to highlight how abusive language often dismissed as “banter” can have a real and lasting impact.

Both organisations are leading voices in promoting equality and inclusion across the football landscape, and the brief for the film was to draw a clear connection between the chants heard in stadiums and the lived experiences of the women affected by them. Authenticity was central to the concept, with real football supporters invited to share their stories directly on camera.

From a production standpoint, the film was built entirely around pieces-to-camera, placing the contributors’ voices firmly at the centre of the narrative. This meant the visual approach had to be carefully considered — striking a tone that felt intimate and respectful while still carrying the emotional weight of the subject matter. By creating a focused, controlled environment for the interviews, the film allowed the honesty and immediacy of the testimonies to drive the story and deliver the campaign’s message with clarity and impact.