Filmmaker for the Arts
Beautifully crafted films for makers, artists and businesses
Documentary &
Commercial Filmmaker
Alex J. Wright unveils the stories behind the work of internationally famous artists, craftsmen and groundbreaking companies.
Alex’s growing reputation is based on his naturalistic and sensitive approach to filmmaking, which allows his subjects the space to focus on their work while giving his audiences the feeling of being right there with him.
His work has been watched millions of times online, featured on national press websites and broadcast internationally.
Sir John Laing | Making of the Centenary Sculpture
Sir John Laing’s life of generous giving began with a solemn vow made in the grounds of Furness Abbey more than a century ago. Facing a crisis, he promised God that if his business were saved, he would dedicate his life to helping others. His company grew and prospered; Sir John kept his word. Through his charitable trusts, he gave away around £500 million in today’s money.
To honour Sir John’s extraordinary legacy, his grandson, David Laing CBE, and his wife, Mary, commissioned a statue to be installed at the Abbey.
This short film gives us a glimpse into the making of the sculpture: first through the work and words of James (‘Jim’) Butler MBE RA (1931 – 2022) who designed it, and then through those of Jane Hamilton, who took over the project after Jim sadly passed away.
It's a tender and thoughtful tribute to Sir John and the kindness he embodied.
The cheekiest potter in England | Katrin Moye
Meet Katrin Moye, a ceramic artist whose distinctive style, humour and personality come to life in her clay creations – and leap at you through the screen.
Using the traditional technique of Italian Maiolica, Katrin’s work is an irreverent blend of century-old and modern-day symbols: Renaissance iconography sit playfully alongside 21st-century emojis, while the most delicately hand-painted Latin inscriptions usually carry a less-than-delicate meaning.
In 2024, the V&A acquired her Cerebrum Nebula (Brain Fog) Pharmacy Jar, a striking piece which Katrin made as part of her series exploring her personal experience of the menopause.
A delightful 13 minutes of wit and whimsy – well worth a watch!
The Making of THE OX9 Chair
Foster & Gane
I was asked by Ed Foster of Foster & Gane to produce a series of films to help them launch their new chair – the OX9. Foster & Gane are antiques dealers based in Oxfordshire and a stone’s throw away from some of the finest chair makers in the country. The brief was to capture and share the making-of one of these chairs, watching as the master craftsmen go about their work – from marking the raw wood to applying the upholstery. The main film is a short advert introducing the chair and Foster & Gane’s philosophy behind it. I also made an 8-minute film showing the chair manufacture from beginning to end with the natural sounds of the workshop, and a series of social media short videos for their campaign.
Richard Batterham
Master Potter
“This fine documentary is a deep dive into one man’s world of making, and the philosophy behind a life in pottery. The sense of accumulation – of time, of clay, of conviction – is palpable in every shot. We also hear from the magnificent David Attenborough and master chef Nigel Slater (who begins every day with his Batterham breakfast bowl). Their voices remind us that often, the most meaningful things in life are rooted in the everyday, indeed, in the dirt beneath our feet.”
– Glenn Adamson. Senior Research Scholar, Yale Centre of British Art
This film was exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum as part of a major show of work by Richard Batterham which ran from 26 November 2021 to 30 October 2022 – Richard Batterham, Studio Potter
Jenny Grevatte
Keeping An Eye Open
At the peak of her powers, mixed media artist Jenny Grevatte invites us to explore her studio as she discusses some of her most important pieces of work from the last five years.
Released to coincide with her sellout Goldmark Gallery exhibition, this film has now been watched more than quarter of a million times on YouTube – helping the artist build her online presence and increase picture sales.
Thomas Denny
Let Your Light Shine
This mesmerising 30-minute documentary follows the making of three new stained glass windows for the Church of St James, Grafton Underwood in Northamptonshire.
Filmed over 18 months, it gives us a detailed and moving insight into the working practices and thought processes of one of Britain’s foremost stained glass artists, Thomas Denny. We see the exciting development of this project’s journey: from the initial sketches to the artist’s studio in Dorset – and all the way to the glass-blowing furnaces of Lamberts Glass in Germany, where the vibrant flashed glass is made.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Seasons In Our World
Inspired by a poem by ballet-fan David Laing, Seasons In Our World explores the relationship between the cycle of the seasons and individual human lives and communities. Set to a new score from award-winning composer Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian.
Alex J. Wright was commissioned to document the creation at Birmingham Royal Ballet as they made Seasons In Our World. A visually beautiful film revealing the intimate moments from behind the scenes as the company lead up to the premiere performance.
Contact Alex J. Wright to arrange a private screening.
King Richard III Making of the Tomb by James Elliott
An extraordinary insight into a once-in a-lifetime project. Follow Alex J. Wright as he captures the making of King Richard III’s tomb over the course of several months: from the shaping of the 6-tonne block of Swaledale Fossil to the intricate pietra dura technique used on the coat of arms.
Footage from this project was shown during Channel 4’s live broadcast RICHARD III: THE BURIAL OF THE KING of the historic events that surrounded the reinterment of King Richard III, seen by millions both here in the UK and worldwide.
Jonathan Clarke
Pure Flowing Instinct
British abstract sculptor Jonathan Clarke guides us through his working practice for small and large sculptures. We see him at his bench carving polystyrene models whilst explaining the thought processes behind the forms he creates. Using the immediacy of the hot wire to produce individual shapes, he assembles them together before burying the work in sand. Molten aluminium is then carefully poured in – a delicate procedure that is beautifully captured on film.