City Sessions brings you unique live music performances. A series of films designed to bridge the gap between musicians and the public.
Formed in 2010 by Director Matthew Lawes and Sound Engineer Joe Bulmer, the duo wanted to bridge the gap between film and music in a highly creative atmosphere. Friends since they were 5, brought up in houses opposite each other, the creative ideas have always driven them and now the dreams exist in reality as City Sessions.
2011 (films 1-24) saw City Sessions use animation incorporated into each session, forming a continuous take within each film. 2012 sees a set of new filmmakers on the roster as Matthew takes the role of producer for the sessions - we want to showcase the wealth of talent in the live music scene creating short films custom made for the individual, carefully crafted to showcase collaborative and creative talent.
Working with some of the most exciting established Artists and raw emerging talent from the UK and beyond, City Sessions capture exclusive performances in unique surroundings. Watch this space for more exciting films to come! Please join the facebook and twitter pages via the links section for regular updates, or get in touch via the contact section.
Matthew Lawes graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2009 with a 1st Class degree in Architecture. Shortly after completing his degree he began making music videos with a desire to use animation integrated with live action. This led to setting up www.citysessions.co.uk with sound engineer Joe Bulmer and Producer Bea Kerlin at the beginning of 2011.
Late 2011 saw Matthew awarded his first film grant, funded by the Ex-Amino Online Film Fund Scheme as part of the Roundhouse's Creative Programme for 11-25s. You can view 'Emma' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC4Yyyx5N1U
Matthew is currently working continually with www.citysessions.co.uk as Producer and Director, actively seeking film grants for a variety of animated stories and directing a number of online adverts. He also teaches Animation and Film within the School of Architecture at Newcastle University.
He likes power naps.
Joe Bulmer at age 25, is an accomplished music producer and sound engineer. Joe graduated in Sound Engineering and was producing albums before leaving university. He has worked with a number of high profile musicians both in a live setting and in the studio, including Teen Sheikhs, Kevin Tuffy, Ben Kitchen, Rob the Rich, The Turbans and other various Artists.
Currently Joe is working continually on City Sessions as well as a variety of live recordings, studio albums and film scores.
2012 saw Joe set up his own recording studio, City Sessions Studio, which has already seen a number of musicians through it's doors including To Kill A King, The Tides, Kevin Tuffy, Reuben Hollebon. For bookings or just to take a look at the studio please visit the link below.
Jack Maddison Jack Maddison is a director of photography living in West London. He got involved in shooting, directing and editing City Sessions in late 2012. Since leaving the fine city of Bristol after graduating in Photography, he has set up his own production company working in close collaboration with fellow city-sessioner, Gregory Nice.
Jack is a natural storyteller and has a passion for photography, film, editing and basically making things look and feel great! In addition to working in music production - on, off and back stage - Jack also works on commercial projects for large and small brands all over the world.
Gregory Nice Having always dreamed of being a filmmaker but never thinking it was something you could actually achieve if you didn't live in Hollywood, he got the opportunity to start running for a production company based in Camden. After having spent the best part of a year making teas and coffees on large scale productions for the likes of HTC, Sky, and Capital Radio he started Nice Productions, with the dream of making innovative promos for start-ups that would help fund his short films.
Nice Productions has now been fortunate enough to have worked for a variety of brands in its first year ranging from Bentley the globally recognised luxury car manufacturer to Amantani a charity based in Peru.
He is really excited to be involved with City Sessions as it combines his love of film making and live music.
Joe Giffard Tutt is a musician and director, currently working predominantly on music videos, and playing and recording with his band The White Russian.
He studied Film Production at The Arts University College Bournemouth where he focused screenwriting and directing and producing; learning that it takes a lot more than a snake and a can of paint to make a good film.
He’s now working his way towards bigger music videos, short films and eventually feature films. Please pay him your attention and he will reward your eyes and ears with feasts and treats.
