The Music of Light Event – Being Human Festival
Filming academic research offers a unique opportunity to document how research moves beyond the university and into public spaces.
The Music of Light, part of the national Being Human Festival, was one such project — a live, interdisciplinary event combining neuroscience, music, and storytelling to explore how humans perceive and process light. It was a celebration of academic research brought to life through sound, performance, and conversation at Durham University.
As a filmmaker, I’m often drawn to projects that blur the line between disciplines — where research becomes more than a paper or lecture. The Music of Light invited the public to experience complex ideas not through explanation alone, but through soundscapes, emotion, and collaborative expression. These are the kinds of academic research events that benefit most from being documented on film — immersive, atmospheric, and designed to engage audiences both intellectually and emotionally.
What Was The Music of Light?
Staged as part of the national Being Human Festival of the Humanities, The Music of Light was a public engagement event curated by a team of researchers, musicians, and artists. It explored how our brains respond to light and sound, drawing on current neuroscience research and translating it into a multi-sensory live performance.
The event combined live music performance with short talks, scientific visuals, and moments of reflection. Audiences were encouraged to consider how light influences mood, perception, and health, with each segment of the programme designed to trigger thought and sensory engagement. By integrating research with creative performance, the evening created an open, curious space where science and the arts could meet on equal terms.
Capturing Academic Collaboration Through Film
Filming an event like this required more than just technical coverage — it called for a considered, responsive approach. I began by capturing the preparations: rehearsals, discussions between researchers and performers, and the subtle ways the event was shaped in real time. These behind-the-scenes moments are often where the collaborative energy of academic research is most visible.
During the live performance, I focused on capturing not only the presentations but also the atmosphere: audience reactions, body language, changes in lighting and tone, and the interplay between sound and space. I used a small, mobile setup to remain unobtrusive and allow the event to unfold naturally.
As someone who regularly films academic research — from philosophy and heritage residencies to creative interdisciplinary projects — I’ve learned the value of flexibility. My role is to respond to the pace of the event, understand the intent of the research, and ensure that the final film speaks to both academic and public audiences.
Why Film Supports Academic Visibility and Public Engagement
The Music of Light exemplifies how creative collaboration can bring academic research to life. It also highlights the role that film can play in extending the reach and legacy of such projects. A carefully crafted film allows the event to live beyond the moment — enabling researchers to share their work more widely, support funding bids, and demonstrate public impact.
For institutions and academics, films like this are valuable tools for research communication, REF impact case studies, and digital outreach. They help bridge the gap between academic rigour and public understanding, offering a dynamic way to demonstrate relevance, creativity, and reach. A well-crafted film can be shared at conferences, embedded in funding applications, used in student recruitment, or featured on institutional websites and social media channels. For researchers, it becomes a versatile asset — a record of collaborative practice and a springboard for future engagement. For viewers, these films offer accessible entry points into complex subjects, told through sound, image, and story. They invite curiosity, provoke questions, and leave a lasting impression that traditional academic formats often cannot.
Documenting public engagement through film ensures that these vital conversations don’t disappear once the event is over. They remain as records, invitations, and inspiration for future projects.
🎥 Explore more academic film projects here:
https://alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/academic-films