Director's Note: It was Friday 13th March 2020. COVID-19 was something that the UK was only just beginning to take seriously (although it was something I had been taking very seriously for a couple of months now). Myself and my colleague Sam packed our shooting equipment, put on our blue surgical gloves, and secured our industrial grade 3M masks over our faces, ready to take the tube. Having received various confused and worried looks throughout the train journey from unmasked fellow passengers (somehow we were the crazy ones), we got off at Islington Station. We walked to Islington Assembly Hall, where we were to document Sam Wise performing to a sold-out crowd. We tried to take precautions whilst at the venue, but it was no use. Sam Wise and co. put on a great show, and the shoot went very well - and then 10 days later the whole world came to a stand still.
Fast-forward a few months later; we had completed a second day of shooting, finally received our Super 8 footage back, and I had taken a break from trading the global financial markets. It was time to edit this film. This edit was unique in that the film represented more than just a couple of days in the life of Sam Wise; it was an opportunity for me to reflect on the journey Sam has taken to get where he is today. Having worked with Sam for over 5 years, I've known him at every point of his journey. Whilst his success and notoriety has been on a steep rise, his demeanour, humility and down-to-earth spirit has always remained steady. He's the same Sam I met in 2015, and I think this is something to be admired. If this film achieves anything, I hope it demonstrates that no matter how big the crowds get, and how impressive the stage looks, it's the same Sam who walks out every time.
