The Pulse, Experimental Dance Documentary

Pulse is an experimental short documentary exploring the relationship between a dancer and the city she moves through. The film follows Kate, a dancer living in Greenwich, London, whose connection to the city unfolds across four locations: the Greenwich docks, a DLR station, Base Dance Studio, and a graffiti tunnel. Each space carries its own rhythm and emotion, shaping the way she moves, and in turn, being shaped by her presence. London becomes more than a backdrop, it becomes a collaborator.
The film blends observational footage with freestyle dance and atmospheric city imagery. It uses a non-linear structure, layering different places and moments together to create a sense of shared rhythm. At times, Kate’s movements naturally align with the sounds of the city, passing trains, river currents, footsteps, revealing a subtle dialogue between body and environment.
As both a filmmaker and a professional dancer, this project is deeply personal. I wanted the audience to experience the city from the dancer’s perspective, to feel it rather than simply observe it. The film also touches on the emotional impact of urban life and the physical effort behind dance, showing freestyle not as effortless performance but as discipline, strain, and embodied work.

For this project, I took on multiple key roles across the full production cycle:
Producer – Led and managed all aspects of production independently, from pre-production through completion. This included location scouting and securing permissions, coordinating the dancer and scheduling rehearsals and filming, sourcing and managing props, arranging accommodation and transport, and overseeing the project budget and expenses. I was responsible for production logistics, equipment research and rental, preparing risk assessments and safety documentation, and ensuring the project remained organized and feasible within available resources. I also managed production planning, shot organization, and overall workflow to ensure a smooth and efficient shoot.
Director – Developed the creative concept and visual language of the film, including its experimental structure and thematic direction. I directed the performer on set, guided camera approaches and movement, and made creative decisions to ensure the film accurately expressed the intended emotional and sensory experience.
Sound Designer – Recorded and designed the film’s soundscape using professional sound equipment, capturing breath, footsteps, and environmental textures. I used sound to enhance the immersive quality of the film and to reflect the physical and emotional relationship between the dancer and the city.