I had worked with Jimmy O’Dee — James O’Donnell — many times over the years, particularly on the Kenneth Branagh films, where he was working in Stunts and Action.

Jimmy approached me when he was preparing his own short film, Aping Edwin Porter, and asked whether I could help him out with the Special Effects side of the production.

As with a few of these smaller projects, this wasn’t really about the job commercially. It was about helping a friend get something made. We supplied equipment, kept the costs right down and gave Jimmy whatever practical support we could to help him achieve what he wanted on screen.

It was particularly nice seeing someone I had known for years as a stuntman and stunt coordinator step across into writing and directing his own material. Jimmy had spent a career working alongside some very experienced filmmakers, so it was interesting seeing him take all of that knowledge and put it into his own project.

Aping Edwin Porter was a small production, but a very enjoyable one to be involved with, and it went on to have a strong festival life afterwards.

Sometimes these little jobs are some of the most satisfying. There is something nice about being able to use the people, equipment and experience you have around you to help somebody get their own idea off the ground.