RIBA: Stephen Lawrence Memorial Day

Self-shooting producer/director

“In my first month at the RIBA, I had a wonderful opportunity to make a film…but I had to turn it around in a week! Catherine made this almost impossible brief a reality. She not only delivered a film of great quality, sensitivity and insight, she educated me in how to brief and project manage film projects. We’re now working with Catherine on a film production strategy for the RIBA.

She is exceptionally hard working and organised, interrogates the brief, gets everything done when she says she will and is so great with people, getting the best out of them, even in challenging circumstances. I have learned so much from her insight and experience.”

Abigail MacDougall, Head of Content, RIBA

I was fascinated to hear that Stephen Lawrence was an aspiring architect, and since his death the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has run a number of projects in collaboration with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.  The Stephen Lawrence Centre itself was designed and built by famous architect and RIBA member David Adjaye.

It was therefore a delight and privilege to be invited by RIBA to create a short film to celebrate the National Memorial Day in Stephen’s name.  The Institute wanted to use this opportunity to do some inspirational storytelling about the work done to encourage and support young people into architecture - a notoriously challenging profession to enter.  

They wanted a positive story, turned around very quickly and a day of filming at the Centre where we could meet some students and the Chair of RIBA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group - Femi Oresanya.