Director's Works
Youth Sport Trust, Empty Playgrounds James Arden
James Arden is a London-based writer/director. Inspired by his formative years between the suburbs of London and the industrial cities of the North, he explores modern life through hard-hitting, character-driven stories.
In 2022, his narrative debut, Leopard, starring Elisha Applebaum (Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga), won several awards on the festival circuit including a British Short Film Award, and has been watched over 100,000 times.
James has previously won a 1.4 On The Cusp Award and been shortlisted for a Cannes Lion Young Director Award and Venice TV Award.
Directing this spot for Youth Sport Trust, our creative approach was to make a film about what was missing; both in terms of the charity’s message (lack of movement in childhood) and our visual language - no children, no parents, static frames.
The aim of the empty playgrounds - usually places full of fun and noise - was to produce an almost apocalyptic atmosphere that grabbed the viewer’s attention and kept them engaged until the final impactful message, emphasised by the gritty realist tone achieved by shooting on 16mm.
It was a privilege to make something so strong and simple for an important cause.
