Hannah Peachey- BA (Hons) Filmmaking
My Motherland
I am a filmmaker specialising in artist moving image work, with a particular interest in combining multidisciplinary arts to create films. Focusing on music production in the specialist role of sound designer, I utilise scores as a tool for creating emotion and atmosphere within films that do not have strict narratives. I characterise sound as having its own meaning, representing themes and unseen elements within my work.
My Motherland is a collaborative final-year project, produced as part of the Manchester Metropolitan Art School Commissions. It was created by myself as sound designer, alongside director Niamh Pettitt, cinematographer Joseph Bubb, and editor May Huaraka.
The film is a reflection on director Niamh Pettitt’s childhood in her hometown of South Shields and her relationship with her mother during her battle with addiction, exploring how this experience has shaped her adulthood. The journey allows us to observe the power struggles involved in letting go of the past and growing as a person. It represents the challenges that underprivileged young people face while overcoming adversity, and how performance can become a form of physical therapy.
I produced the score digitally, utilising software such as Logic Pro, VCV Rack, and Adobe Audition. Alongside this, I gathered field recordings on location to weave throughout the film in order to emulate the atmosphere of the South Shields coastline. The entire film draws inspiration from British folklore, which influenced my approach to the score's production. My intention was for the score to become an entity in itself, representing the powerful North Sea as a transformative force, while also reflecting the strong internal struggles experienced by those battling addiction.
The project is intended as a three-screen installation with an immersive audio experience delivered through a multi-speaker setup.
