Filmmakers in Focus: Meet Joe
Amdani Research Assistant and Assistant Producer, Joe Hadley.
This is the first post in our 'Filmmakers in Focus' series, an opportunity for you to meet the creative minds behind our film projects. You’ll learn more about the team’s passions, their insights on sustainability across the screen sector, and what motivates them.
In this post, Joe Hadley reflects on where his love of filmmaking began, and why it continues to drive him.
VHS to vision
I got into filmmaking when I was young. At my dad’s house, I found a box of old VHS tapes of classic John Carpenter movies. I was hooked by the style right away and watched all the bonus features.
Growing up with limited resources, filmmaking became an exciting escape and a dream for the future. My friends and I started making movies for fun with a handycam, and that turned into a passion that led me to study filmmaking in college and university. My desire to create made networking natural: I was always drawn to people who shared the same drive to make great content.
After graduating, I made short films to explore different ideas on a small budget. These projects helped me realise how much I enjoy working creatively with others. I learned the value of pitching in and seeing what can happen when people combine their creativity.
Prepping for greatness
I currently work as a Research Assistant at Amdani, and I am also the Assistant Producer on our next major project. I'm always inspired by the team's passion for pushing the industry forward in new and creative ways. Amdani brings together a great mix of skills, backgrounds, and personalities.
My favorite part of filmmaking is the shooting phase. This month, I've been working on producing a teaser for a TV drama called The Levels as part of our research into a sustainable screen sector. I love the moment when I see that the careful planning has helped us create something special. Because of that, I always feel really energised leading up to the shoot and put that energy into our preparation work.
Lights, camera and actions
It’s simple: the screen sector must adapt to better serve and preserve the planet. And there’s a lot of work to be done. In an environmental crisis, the industry would struggle to function, making it imperative — both for its own survival and for the world at large — that we come together to drive positive change.
Despite all the serious talk, exploring sustainability in the screen industry has given me some amazing opportunities to dive into what interests me, especially when it comes to equipment. For example, I'm really excited about the idea of using refurbished kit. Too often, equipment is considered outdated and either thrown away or ignored in favor of newer models. Alarmingly, our research has shown that some cameras are only used for one shoot before being left in a warehouse for months on end.
My catalyst for lasting change
I have always wanted to use the content I create to amplify diverse voices, and I'm particularly passionate about highlighting neurodiversity in our work. Growing up in a low-income household and attending a special educational needs (SEN) school, I’ve met so many talented people who never received the opportunities they deserved because of systemic inequalities and discrimination. I truly believe that the best way to challenge this is to change how content is produced, redistribute resources, and support a circular economy.
My advice to anyone considering a career in the screen industry is simple: get out there and create! Collaborate with inspiring people and come together to make anything you can.