Newcastle Documentary Filmmaker: Ambition Lab Documentary
In 2013, I created a creative documentary for Newcastle-based charity The Key.
Titled “Ambition Lab”, the film reflects my journey as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker, exploring how young people navigate career paths, passion, and purpose.
It was one of my early projects that helped define my place within the vibrant world of Newcastle film production, where storytelling connects deeply with community and place.
Telling authentic stories is at the heart of my filmmaking practice and Newcastle film production work, and this project was a powerful example of that mission.
Beyond Job Titles: The Real Meaning of Ambition
From the film’s opening moments, young people speak with raw honesty about their dreams:
“I want to become a psychiatrist in the future.”
“I want to be a film director.”
“I don’t know… because I don’t think I’ll ever grow up.”
The film goes beyond job titles to explore why young people choose certain paths, and how they sustain motivation—a theme central to my work as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker and someone passionate about local Newcastle film production that tells real human stories.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
At the documentary’s core lies Self-Determination Theory, which shows that true motivation comes from within. Intrinsic motivation—driven by curiosity and personal satisfaction—is far more sustainable than external rewards or fear.
“When I find something I like, it seems very easy for me just to get on with it.”
Sadly, many people realise late in life that they’ve spent decades living for others’ expectations:
“It can be quite upsetting meeting somebody who’s 55 and they suddenly realise they’ve spent their whole lives trying to please other people.”
Autonomy, Relatedness, Competence
The film highlights three psychological needs vital for youth empowerment:
- Autonomy – feeling in control of life choices
- Relatedness – feeling connected and valued
- Competence – feeling capable and skilled
These ideas resonate deeply with me as a filmmaker, where building trust and connection is crucial in any kind of Newcastle film production project.
“Tim’s reaction made me want to continue doing it because up until then I’d never done anything that anybody actually turned around and said ‘that’s amazing.’”
Career Paths Aren’t Linear
The film challenges the myth of a single, straight career path. Many successful interviewees described their journeys as career meanders rather than linear progressions:
“I’ve zigzagged all over the place. I’m just about to start my fifth career in the House of Lords.”
This flexibility and openness to new paths underpin my approach to creative documentary filmmaking, and it’s a perspective I bring into every Newcastle film production I undertake.
Young People: Not The Problem, But The Solution
A key message from the film is that young people already possess huge reserves of intrinsic motivation. The real challenge is creating environments that allow this motivation to thrive:
“Young people aren’t the problem—they are the solution.”
Encouraging them to lead their own projects builds confidence and ownership:
“We give them more and more responsibility so that eventually they’re just taking the lead of the program.”
That’s a philosophy I try to reflect in my own work as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker—and in broader Newcastle film production—by giving space for real voices and personal stories to shine through.
Redefining Success
Ultimately, Ambition Lab redefines success not in terms of money or status, but personal fulfilment and happiness:
“Success is achieving what you feel is personally fulfilling for you… Possibly the question can be answered by saying, ‘So am I happy?’”
For me as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker, success lies in telling stories that help others see themselves and the world differently. That’s what keeps me passionate about Newcastle film production and sharing local stories with wider audiences.
Reflections
More than a decade on, Ambition Lab remains one of the projects I’m most proud of. It captured young people’s resilience, passion, and honesty. In a world where career uncertainty and mental health challenges are ever-present, the film feels as relevant as ever.
On a personal level, this film marked a turning point for me. Ambition Lab was the first time I shifted from thinking of myself simply as a videographer to also embracing the identity of a filmmaker. It opened my eyes to how storytelling, theory, and lived experience could be woven together in a way that goes beyond documenting events—it could inspire change. This realisation shaped how I approached every future Newcastle film production project, bringing a filmmaker’s mindset to every story I tell.
If there’s one message I’d share from both this film and my career as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker, it’s this:
Let young people lead. Listen to what they love. And trust them to find their way.
Ambition Lab would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of The Key, the Newcastle-based charity behind the project. Their tireless work empowers young people to develop confidence, skills, and self-belief by designing and delivering their own projects. I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them on this film, and I encourage you to learn more about their impactful work on The Key’s website.
You can explore more of my documentary films about young people here.