Everyone has a story,

let’s tell them together.

We are a dynamic organisation that uses a variety of methods throw light on social interest stories and showcase local lives, services, research, and current events.

We have one foot in traditional filmmaking, and one in community based participatory arts – we feel strongly that the two can, and should, be symbiotic in a way that results in powerful, authentic stories, that are told collaboratively and innovatively.

Our projects are often multi-disciplinary, drawing on different art forms both as part of the process and as outputs in exhibition or online.

Creative

We work with partners and communities to illuminate stories, real or imagined. We use documentary, drama, photography and creative writing. Themes in our work are usually issue based or socially engaged, with the intention of amplifying voices and affecting positive change.

Commercial

We work with local services and businesses to tell the stories of how you run, what you offer, and what you achieve. We use storytelling and creativity to build relationships between you and your clients or funders, and capture the humanity at the centre of any organisation.

Participatory

We support community groups and schools create their own scripted dramas, documentaries, and art films.

We also work with artists, photographers, theatre practitioners, writers and a whole world of creative professionals who help us bring stories and self expression to life in whatever art-form fits best. Often we use a combination, resulting in dynamic, deeply explored projects.

Portfolio

I’ve worked in comms and PR for more than 25 years and have never been so pleased working with a filmmaker as I was on our General Practice project with Dani. She is creative, calm, incredibly hardworking and has a real passion for her craft and the projects she works on. This showed in the finished films we got, which have had nothing but positive feedback from everyone who has seen them. I’d work with her again in a heartbeat.

Kate VogelsangNewcastle GP Service

Beam was an absolute dream to work with. Even during a difficult time where much of the project was shifting and changing constantly, I never had any concerns because Danielle was constantly on top of things and lead this collaborative project with immense sensitivity, professionalism and empathy for the communities we were engaging with. I couldn’t think of anyone better to lead this project or to work with.

Charlie WilkinsonNewcastle University

Dani and her team of creatives are brilliant to work with and always develop empowering, inclusive sessions in a warm and engaging environment. We have worked on two projects with Beam Story Lab now, and participants have gained a huge amount on both occasions.

Confidence has been boosted and they have formed close friendships with other students they wouldn't normally work with. Our physical space has been greatly enhanced due to the 'Beauty Between Cracks' photography and cyanotype project - there are beautiful images on our walls now, made by the students, which fosters a sense of ownership of a space for individuals who have often been through the most difficult journeys.

Paula GuyNewcastle College ESOL Department

HOW WE WORK

Partnership Working

Our keystone value is partnership working. We find our best projects triangulate 3 sectors; creative, research, and public/social. Together, our differing skillsets and perspectives connect like components on a circuit board, becoming greater than the sum of their parts, and more brightly illuminating the stories that we all care so deeply about sharing.

Relationships

We need relationships like we need nutrition and air. We work in a relationship-centred way and prioritise building and nurturing them before, during and after our projects. This means creating space for conversation and connection as the foundation of what we do.

Appreciative Inquiry

This model is a strengths-based approach that seeks to showcase things that are working, and explores ways of building on them. We are compassionate, hopeful, and optimistic in our practice, and believe telling stories in a solutions-focussed way is the best route to engaging audiences.

Impact

We set out with clear intentions for the impact we want a project to have. Sometimes this is personal and centres on wellbeing and fulfilment. Other times it is about affecting social change, educating, and striving to make the world a brighter place.

Support

We are acutely aware that exploring stories and emotions can sometimes disturb the earth in people, and so we make sure we have appropriate professional support on hand. This means frequent safeguarding and mental health first aid training for staff, and reexamining our ethics regularly and rigourously.

Drop us a line

hello@beamstorylab.co.uk

Develop your own project

Have a look through this form and let us know sort of things you might be interested in!

Develop your own project