Paul's illustrious career as a photographer and filmmaker has its roots in the early 1990s, a pivotal era marked by his initial foray into the world of music promo videos. It was during this formative period that he honed his craft by directing visually striking and captivating promotional clips for a diverse array of bands, including the esteemed indie-pop outfit Saint Etienne, the British rock band Hal, the eclectic quartet Cherry Ghost, and the critically acclaimed indie-rock group The Magic Numbers.
In the year 2002, Saint Etienne extended an invitation to Paul to participate in a collaborative film project, which was designed to accompany the release of their album Finisterre. This cinematic endeavour was a poignant tribute to the city of London, weaving together a rich tapestry of sights and sounds that perfectly captured the essence of the metropolitan landscape. The film, which was co-directed by the talented Kieran Evans, made its world premiere at the esteemed Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, and subsequently went on to be screened at numerous international festivals and events, including the onedotzero showcase.
In the year 2005, Paul and Saint Etienne received an invitation from the esteemed Barbican to collaborate on a unique film and music event, which ultimately led to the creation of a captivating drama-documentary titled What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?. This innovative project was set against the backdrop of the Lower Lea Valley, a region that was at the time proposed to host the 2012 Olympic Games, a monumental event that would bring together the world's top athletes and showcase the best of human athleticism.
Paul, a renowned creative force, was invited by the esteemed Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, to participate in a unique residency program at London's iconic cultural institution. This prestigious appointment, which lasted for a full year, presented Paul with a remarkable opportunity to collaborate with producer Andrew Hinton and the influential band Saint Etienne.
Throughout the residency, Paul worked closely with his colleagues to develop innovative projects that showcased their collective talents. The culmination of this fruitful partnership was the 2007 film "This Is Tomorrow," which premiered at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall, a state-of-the-art performance space within the Southbank Centre.
In the year 2008, Paul, a talented individual, brought his cinematic project to fruition, culminating in the creation of a film that delves into the fascinating narrative of the iconic 1980s girl group, Dolly Mixture, a story aptly titled Take Three Girls.
Lawrence, the enigmatic front man of the bands Felt, Denim, and Go-Kart Mozart, has been the subject of a feature documentary titled Lawrence Of Belgravia. This cinematic masterpiece premiered at the prestigious 2011 London Film Festival, garnering widespread acclaim and attention.
In addition to this documentary, Lawrence has also been involved in the creation of How We Used to Live, a film produced in association with the British Film Institute (BFI). This cinematic endeavor premiered at the 2013 London Film Festival, before making its way to the 2014 Sheffield International Film Festival.
One of the most unique and captivating aspects of How We Used to Live is its soundtrack, which was performed live by the British indie pop band Saint Etienne in the historic Crucible theatre. This unforgettable event brought the film to life, immersing audiences in a world of nostalgia and cinematic storytelling.
Paul's professional endeavors have led to the release of a compilation of his work with Saint Etienne in the year 2014, courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI),which was presented on DVD under the title A London Trilogy.
In addition to his accomplishments in the realm of documentary filmmaking, Paul is currently devoting his creative energies to the development of a feature-length dramatic film, with Heavenly Films serving as his partner in this endeavour.
Notable filmmaker Paul is diligently working on an upcoming cinematic endeavor, aptly titled A Scene in Between, which promises to be a captivating and nostalgic portrayal of the indie music scene that flourished between the years 1980 and 1988. As the project is currently in the preproduction phase, fans of the genre are eagerly awaiting its release, anticipating a visually stunning and aurally rich exploration of the era's vibrant music scene.
