MERCER MACWILLIAM HUGHES
FILMMAKER / DIRECTOR
Hi, I'm Mercer!
I'm Making Things.
Things about music, thought-problems, places, idiosyncrasies, families and satire... Things that, hopefully, people enjoy watching.
MY WORK
Choirboy
In a rural English village, 10 year old Jason becomes estranged from his sister, Dawn, when she begins to suffer from an unknown ailment. Jason must seek to reconnect with his sister through their shared fascination with choral song.
Director Mercer MacWilliam Hughes
Writer James Fry
Producers Billy Cooke & James Fry
Director Of Photography Alice Tucker
Sound Recordist & Designer Elijah Vincent
Editor Alex Marshall
Production Designers Ugnė Kriščiūnaitė & Lindsay Potter
At Arts University Bournemouth I directed the graduation film, Choirboy.
The narrative was intertwined with music cues, which I transcribed and orchestrated for the film.
I had the privilege to direct two exceptionally talented child actors, and focus on child's-eye storytelling.
The script for Choirboy was a very poignant piece of writing by James Fry.
The budget was £7,000, with a 50-strong cast and crew.
Winner of Cinematography Award - Nahemi National Student Film Awards 2022
You & Me (But
Mostly Me)
Music video of a song from 'The Book of Mormon Musical'. Original arrangement for trombone, drums and voice.
Director Mercer MacWilliam Hughes
Performers Mercer MacWilliam Hughes & Jarlath Burns
Director Of Photography Liam McDonnell
When I heard first heard this song, it became an immediate earworm. The only way to solve this was to perform it.
I transcribed and orchestrated the song for trombone multitrack, followed by vocals and a drum kit.
Video was shot in 1 day at Southbank Playhouse. Pure fun. Enjoy!
Micro-Shorts
A celebration of ruthlessly economical storytelling
WeatherApp
A semi-viral YouTube Short about abysmal user interface design.
(3 mins)
only you could have written this.
Uniqueness is inherent in the creative act.
(1 min)
Checklist Charlie
Charlie plans life with lists and schedules, but when a break-up puts his intricately planned lifestyle to the test, he must learn the ways of spontaneity.
(1 min)
Soon
A uni student eagerly greets the field and swing she grew up with, only to find it now frequented by locals.
(3 mins)
I Am The Doctor
Two friends reconcile with their Whovian housemate.
(1 min)
Uke
A melody reminds a young woman of her busking days and the the power of music to keep us going...
(2 mins 30 secs)
ABOUT ME
UK based filmmaker/director and musician.
Currently seeking funding opportunities and new collaborations.
Especially keen to build relationships with writers, producers and actors.
I am a graduate of BA Film Production at Arts University Bournemouth (First Class Hons).
I have a broad technical skillset across Cinematography, Editing, Sound and Graphics/VFX.
I aspire to closely entwine Camera, Lighting, Sound, Music and Editing to create films which are
kinetic, atmospheric and experiential or embodied.
As a trained trombonist and singer, and seek to make work that combines music with film.
There is nothing like having an idea, and then successfully realising that idea in an audiovisual experience.
This is what keeps me making things.