THE DIRECTOR - BEN G. BROWN

Ben is an award-winning director and documentary filmmaker from West Yorkshire.

Passionate about long-form documentary and cinematic storytelling, Ben draws inspiration from the everyday human stories around him. With a focus on empathy, authenticity, and humour, his work aims to create impactful films that resonate with universal audiences and amplify voices often unheard.

HE has spent 3 years filming Ultimate Thunder, capturing over 100 hours of footage. His close bond with the band has earned him the title of “honorary member,” a role he proudly embraces.

MEET THE FILMMAKERS

CO-DIRECTORS - ULTIMATE THUNDER

AS WELL AS footage shot by Ben, the band partake in the filmmaking process on a handheld camcorder. the filming is unorthodox, reflecting the group’s DIY punk-rock ethos. This collaboration gives the band more agency to tell their own story, breaking barriers between filmmaker and subject. The band ALSO speaks directly to Ben (the camera)—and by extension, to the audience— showcasing their personalities in an authentic, unfiltered way.

THE PRODUCER - STUART RAMSAY

Stuart is a BAFTA-nominated and Yorkshire RTS Award-Winning documentary producer with more than twenty years’ experience in the TV and film industry; producing and directing documentaries and docuseries for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky Arts and Channel 5.

Stuart’s passion for developing a documentary about Ultimate Thunder was fuelled by his experiences as the parent of an autistic son, Euan; himself a rock fan and guitarist. This has led to him to understand some of the challenges neurodiverse people face in accessing the arts and performing.

THE EDITOR - LIA HAYES

Lia is an experienced documentary editor with a passion for music and telling meaningful stories. She has worked on a variety of films and prime-time series for major platforms, including BBC, Channel 4, Sky, Amazon Prime, and DAZN. Her credits include serving as Lead Editor on Take Us Home: Leeds United (Amazon Prime), narrated by Russell Crowe, and contributing to We Are Newcastle United (Amazon Prime).

With a talent for uncovering emotion and exploring what makes us human, Lia has also edited music documentaries such as When Blondie Came to Britain (BBC2) and Guy Garvey: From The Vaults (Sky Arts), as well as BFI-funded short films. Alongside her editing career, she is a musician who enjoys playing guitar, bass, and drums.

PRODUCTION - How / Do

HOW DO FILMS are a collective of award-winning filmmakers & creatives. THEY WERE FOUNDED IN 2023 by Ben G. Brown. THEY create films with authenticity, connection and meaning, covering all stages of production, from concept to completion.

FILMING STYLE

Director Ben G. Brown has spent three years filming Ultimate Thunder mostly as a one-person crew, capturing over 100 hours of footage. His close bond with the band has earned him the title of “honorary member,” a role he proudly embraces.

Ben’s observational approach lets events unfold naturally, avoiding conventions like voiceovers, explanatory text, or talking head interviews.

With footage shot by both Ben, and the band on a camcorder he gave them, the film is unorthodox, reflecting the group’s DIY punk ethos. This collaboration gives the band agency to tell their own story, breaking barriers between filmmaker and subject. The band speaks directly to Ben—and by extension, to the audience -showcasing their personalities in an authentic, unfiltered way.

The film challenges stigma and redefines perceptions of neurodiverse artists, focusing on their creativity and individuality rather than labels. While it doesn’t shy away from vulnerabilities, it presents the band as musicians and artists navigating life on their own terms.

At its heart, the documentary highlights how music transcends barriers, OFFering powerful creative expression for those who often go unheard. With grit, humour, and passion, it immerses audiences in a moving, unpredictable story fiLled with twists and turns.

It’s raw, heartfelt, and undeniably punk.

RETROSPECTIVE / INTERACTION

To complement the raw, observational footage, we’ll incorporate a unique approach to engaging with the band members. Instead of traditional sit-down interviews, we’ll capture their reactions as they watch back key moments from the past 3 years, looking directly into the lens. This allows them to relive the actual events rather than recallING memories. With this method we hope to elicit genuine, unfiltered emotional responses that add depth and authenticity to the story.

Additionally, we’ll incorporate a creative, interactive element: the band members will draw and doodle directly onto a clear perspex sheet in front of the camera lens. These doodles will carry through into the film. As they sketch, the drawings will blend seamlessly with the actuality footage, ALLOWING the band to be actively involved in shaping the film itself. This technique will add a dynamic, personal layer to the storytelling, immersing the audience in the band’s perspective while reinforcing their identity in a way that feels organic and playful—far beyond a conventional interview format.