Good stories. Stories for good.
Everyone has a story to tell, and we’re no different
We are Neck of the Woods Films, an award winning team of filmmakers, storytellers, animators and illustrators passionate about the work we do. Founded in 2013, we wanted to create films that we, and our clients, could be proud of – with all the craft and creativity that they deserve. Our work has helped raise millions for hospital wards, tell stories of human achievement, and publicise world changing research across the globe. And we don’t plan on stopping there.
Our culture and values
We started Neck of the Woods Films with some core values that we wanted to shape the work that we do. These aren’t just guidelines; they’re the ideas that define us as a video production company and as people. They come as a result of everything that we’ve learned, all that we want to achieve and the principles that we hold personally.
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Storytelling
Storytelling isn’t just a buzzword for us – it’s the foundation of everything we do. A well-told story can shift perspectives, build empathy and drive real change. That’s why we focus on stories that matter, making creative choices that support the people and messages at the heart of each film. We want every video we make to move people – emotionally and to action.
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Collaboration
The best stories are made together. We work with our clients, contributors and communities from the very beginning, valuing lived experience as a vital part of the creative process. Collaboration means listening, co-creating with care, and making sure the people at the heart of the story help shape how it’s told. That’s how we build trust. And that’s how we create films that move people.
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Impact
We make films to make a difference. It’s not about chasing trends, it’s about creating work that moves people and leads to real-world change. We partner with clients who care about impact as much as us, using creativity to inspire action and support meaningful progress. Whether it’s shifting perceptions or sparking conversation, we aim for lasting impact beyond the final frame.
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People-centric
We believe the most powerful stories come from people — their voices and experiences. That’s why we put people at the centre of our work. We’re committed to inclusive storytelling that reflects the world as it is, working closely with clients and communities to elevate voices that need to be heard and make space for stories that might otherwise go untold.
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Understanding
We often work on complex topics and in challenging environments. That comes with responsibility; to approach every story with care, curiosity and respect. We take the time to fully understand the people and experiences at the heart of each film, building trust and listening carefully. We work thoughtfully to protect their wellbeing and dignity throughout the entire process.
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Creativity
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every idea we bring to the table is crafted with care, purpose and imagination. When we pitch a concept, it’s because we truly believe it will resonate with your audience and drive meaningful action. Creativity is how we connect, explore new perspectives and bring bold ideas to life and it’s why we love what we do.
More than a video production company
We’re not only a video production company; we are also a social enterprise. This means when you work with us, you’re helping us to make our community better. We care about that impact, and we’re always trying to find new ways to make that impact even more significant. As we grow, so too will our impact efforts to help young people, foster new filmmakers, and support those who are looking to make change locally. Because we never want to forget our roots.
Innovators.
Change makers.
Educators.
Who we are
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Neck of the Woods Films
Meet the team
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Craig McDougall
Creative Director
I’m one of the founders of the company and I pretty much have a hand in most parts of creating a film. That being said, my absolute favourite things to do are developing stories and being behind the camera. I’m a real lighting nerd, so don’t get me started…
Favourite Saints goal: Ward-Prowse’s free kick against Spurs 2019. Limbs.
Favourite place to visit: Todai-ji in Nara.
Favourite band I’ve seen live: That’s a toughy, The Hives, The Black Dahlia Murder, there are so many! -
Emma Lieghio
Company Director / Producer
I’m the other founder of the company! As well as overseeing the day to day operations at Neck of the Woods Films, I like to get hands on with producing our clients films. This usually means making sure the filming days run smoothly, ensuring we’re capturing all the shots we need and making creative decisions on set.
Favourite animated series: Bob’s Burgers.
Favourite street food: Halloumi fries with pomegranate.
Favourite TV character: Dwight Schrute, Leslie Knope, Bernard Black… -
Tom Hinkley
Head of Client Services
I’m basically here to keep everyone happy. Whether that be ensuring projects run on time, making sure clients get the most out of their films, or even helping them come up with new ideas for their marketing strategies. It’s incredibly rewarding work and our clients are bloody awesome.
Favourite film: The Thing, Hereditary, The Exorcist… light hearted stuff like that.
Favourite pastime: Eating. And I like my food like I like my movies: spicy.
Favourite video game: The Monkey Island games! -
Dan Shannon
Head of Animaton
I head up any projects that might involve any animation, design, or motion graphics and make sure they meet or go beyond our client’s expectations. You will find me in front of a computer or just standing in this exact pose.
Favourite pastime: Making – I like to make stuff in my spare time.
Favourite food: Just eating in general.
Favourite video game: Currently playing Cyberpunk 2077 for some reason. -
Joe Potts
Senior Camera Operator / Editor
I shoot, light, and edit content for Neck of the Woods Films, and generally have the pleasure of playing a part in bringing the team and clients creative visions to life. You’ll normally find me behind the camera with my thinking face on, or playing with a light or two to get you looking your absolute best!
Top 5 favourite films: Lord Of The Rings The Two Towers, Nightmare On Elm Street (the original), Fight Club, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, (the terrible 90’s original), Bladerunner.
Favourite pastime: Playing video games, and if there was a way to combine this with my second love cooking – I think we’d be onto something…..
Top 5 favourite video games: Alan Wake, Bioshock, Dead Rising, Metal Gear Solid 3, Devil May Cry 5 -
Charlie Emsley
Junior Illustrator / Animator
I work with the Head Animator Dan to make graphics, illustrations and more, making sure our projects are visually stunning. It’s hard to find me not drawing or thinking up new ideas whenever I can.
Favourite film: Coraline.
Favourite food: Sushi and/or Sashimi.
Favourite animal: Spiders, but cats are a close second! -
Lukas Smith
Freelance Camera Operator
Planting seeds for the future
Young people are the future of every community on earth. If we want them to make the difference the world needs, then they’re going to need some help. That’s why we created the Neck of the Woods film fund. This fund helps filmmakers aged 17-25 to make films about social change.
Consider it a little seed capital
It’s all in the name
Our name is our philosophy. We work on making our neck of the woods that little bit better, and we tell stories about people who do the same.
Our roots
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Past
Craig and Emma met studying film and bonded over good storytelling (and occasionally bad movies). Making films was what they wanted to do in life, so that’s exactly what they did. They spent years producing videos, learned a lot about their craft and found their place in the world.
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Present
All of our experience has led us to where we are today. We’ve carved a place for ourselves and found our own unique style; now, we’re helping our clients to tell stories that matter and meeting plenty of creative collaborators along the way.
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Future
Who knows what the future holds? All we can say is that we’re enjoying the journey we’re on and looking forward to what’s ahead. We expect; new opportunities to be creative, a growing team of passionate video makers and plenty more important stories to tell.