PAUL STRINGER - FILMMAKER & PHOTOGRAPHER
PAUL STRINGER: ‘MR POETRY!’
In the latest Creative Nowhere Land Podcast episode, I’m thrilled to feature, my good friend, Paul Stringer. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, photographer, and now studio owner who has carved a unique niche in his love for poetry and social impact storytelling. Paul's journey from an eager media student to a socially conscious storyteller exemplifies the transformative power of seizing opportunities and pursuing your passion.
DOG SHOWS TO DOCUMENTARY JOURNALISM.
Wanting to experience something different to his previous ‘standard’ studies, Paul started his creative path by enrolling in a media course that focused on a practical approach. Paul benefited from hands-on projects and industry-connected lecturers who provided him with essential skills and knowledge. This education laid the groundwork for his future endeavours in filmmaking and photography, emphasising the importance of real-world experience in a creative career.
After graduating, Paul faced the challenge of breaking into the filmmaking and photography industry. His initial steps involved various creative hustles, in order to make his skills pay! Armed with a Canon 650D camera, Paul got to work in any way he could to earn money, including setting up makeshift photo booths at dog shows. — Paul's career has come a long way since then but, his entrepreneurial spirit shone through early, underscoring the importance of perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to seize every opportunity to learn and grow professionally.
Paul's career took an unexpected yet pivotal turn, sparked by a random ad on Gumtree from a company called Beatfreaks, this serendipitous moment led him to experiences that ignited his passion for storytelling through visual media. Notably, trips to Bosnia and to the Migrant Camps of Calais were defining moments that set the course for his career. These experiences opened Paul's eyes to the profound impact that storytelling can have on people's perceptions of the world and the social issues that shape it.
Understanding this power that storytelling has Paul began to explore this further and was documenting political marches and protests. Whether capturing far-right rallies or anti-austerity and anti-Trump marches, maintaining impartiality in hostile environments posed significant challenges. In the podcast Paul highlights the importance of presenting multiple perspectives from different photographers and filmmakers to create a balanced narrative, only reinforcing his belief in the power of diverse viewpoints.
POETRY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!
Paul's continued work with Beat Freaks, a creative collective, exposed Paul to diverse artists and social issues and fueled his passion for not only telling stories with his camera but also poetry. It was through a poetry jam, arranged by Beat freaks that Paul was first introduced to the medium that would come to define much of his career, despite not being a poet himself!
Poetry has played a transformative role in Paul's work, finding a powerful medium for connection and expression that has inspired Paul to take it upon himself to showcase and document work talents of the great poets that he’s surrounded by. Coining him the nickname (only by me really) of ‘Mr Poetry’.
His ongoing project "The City That Spoke to Me," an Arts Council-funded exhibition, aims to celebrate and promote poets from Birmingham. The project resonates deeply with Paul's personal experiences and showcases the impact that poetry can have on individuals and communities. Initially exhibited at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the exhibition later moved to the Library of Birmingham, where it attracted a diverse audience and was seen by thousands. The project has just been exhibited in all of the major train stations in Birmingham as a part of the 2024 Birmingham Weekender, again highlighting the poets themselves and not Paul as the creator of the project!
NEW ERA IN POETRY - CRATE POETRY
Paul's latest venture, a brand new YouTube Channel Crate Poetry, is a digital platform dedicated to showcasing high-quality poetry performances. It provides a polished space for poets to perform multiple pieces, capturing the dynamic essence of performance poetry in contrast to the static nature of written works. Shot at Paul’s studio, PS Studios in Birmingham, Crate Poetry aims to create a living archive of exceptional poetry that can be shared worldwide.
Crate Poetry's philosophy highlights the significance of delivery, writing, and performance, encouraging poets to take pride in their craft. Committed to documenting diverse poetry forms, with future sets including poetry to music or beatboxing and non-English performances, the platform embraces the challenges and rewards of inclusivity. Paul's vision is to build a sustainable, experimental, and inclusive platform that celebrates the richness and diversity of contemporary poetry.
PAUL STRINGER - CNL PODCAST
Be sure to check out this episode of the Creative Nowhere Land podcast to find out more about Paul Stringer. This episode offers a deeper look into Paul’s journey as a creative, and his unwavering mission to champion poets and elevate the art of poetry on a global scale through Crate Poetry. His journey is not just about his personal growth but about creating spaces where poetry can thrive and inspire change for the people who hear and feel it. Tune in to hear more from ‘Mr Poetry’.
LISTEN NOW
Be sure to check out Paul’s website and also the Crate Poetry Channel and Instagram, where you can see the full poetry performances and help support the journey.
PAUL STRINGER WEBSITE: https://www.paulstringer.co.uk/
PAUL STRINGER INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ThePaulStringer/
CRATE POETRY YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@CratePoetry
CRATE POETRY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cratepoetry/
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