Behind the Scenes Videography: Documenting “Object to See Further”
In 2014, I had the privilege of working on a project that combined my passion for behind the scenes videography with the rich industrial and cultural heritage of Tyneside.
Commissioned by Great North Run Culture, my short film Object to See Further – Behind The Scenes captured the creative process behind artist and filmmaker Matt Stokes’ ambitious film Objects to See Further.
As a heritage filmmaker based in Newcastle, I’m drawn to projects that uncover hidden stories and connect communities with their past. This was an ideal opportunity to blend my filmmaking practice with compelling local history.
Telling Tyneside’s Story
Objects to See Further was created as part of Great North Run Culture’s Great North Greats programme—a year-long celebration of remarkable individuals who shaped the North East. Over twelve months, Matt Stokes immersed himself in Tyneside’s history, exploring archives, museum collections, and local stories to construct a layered narrative.
The film takes viewers back to 1871, a significant year for the region, and follows four extraordinary figures:
- Robert Stirling Newall, an engineer with a fascination for astronomy.
- William Armstrong, an influential industrialist.
- James Renforth, a celebrated rower whose victories electrified local crowds.
- Joe Wilson, a Tyneside songwriter who captured the spirit of his community through Geordie dialect songs.
These men were pioneers in their fields, leaving lasting marks on Tyneside’s identity.
Behind the Camera
Spending two days filming the behind-the-scenes process offered me insight into Matt’s meticulous approach. One of the most fascinating aspects was his collaboration with Tyne and Wear Museums, gaining exceptional access to objects that shaped the film’s narrative. As Matt put it:
“Working so closely with Tyne and Wear Museums and being able to access objects and artefacts in the way that was possible was something that was quite new to me. I’ve used archives and collections before, but I’ve not had such open access.”
Among the artefacts that inspired Matt was the large refractor telescope built in Gateshead, which once attracted astronomers from across the country. As his research continued, the year 1871 kept resurfacing—from the completion of this telescope to the Nine Hours Strike at Armstrong Works, which aimed to reduce working hours and encouraged leisure pursuits like rowing.
“I was becoming aware of other characters or people related to objects, and suddenly the year that the telescope was completed, 1871, kept cropping up.”
Music and Authenticity
Music played a key role in bringing the story to life. Musician Richard Dawson, who portrayed Joe Wilson in the film, spoke about the connection he felt to Wilson’s work:
“The role I play in the film is Joe Wilson, who was this Tyneside songwriter… his idea was to speak directly to people of his community as directly as possible.”
The attention to period detail—from authentic costumes to carefully staged crowd scenes—helped transport viewers back to Victorian Tyneside. As a Newcastle videographer, capturing these historical reconstructions was both a creative challenge and a deeply satisfying experience.
Weaving Invisible Threads
Matt’s vision was to reveal how these figures’ lives interwove, highlighting unexpected connections between science, industry, sport, and culture. He explained:
“The final film really was looking at… a tiny slice of each of those people’s lives, and how they did all interweave together.”
For me, behind the scenes videography is all about discovering and sharing those hidden threads. Projects like Object to See Further – Behind The Scenes remind me why I love filmmaking—it helps us see further into the past, and into the stories that bind communities together.
If you’re interested in exploring more of my arts and heritage documentaries, visit: Alan Fentiman Artist Films