Nestled in the heart of Todmorden, the Unitarian Church is known for hosting deeply spiritual and community-focused events. One of the most unique festivals to grace its grounds is “Pushing Up Daisies” a festival that explores death and remembrance.

This year, the evening event revolved around the heartfelt act of writing letters to the dead and burning them outside, creating a poignant, visually compelling occasion for both attendees and performers.

Capturing the Atmosphere: A Videographer’s Perspective

As a freelance videographer in the UK, I had the privilege of documenting this emotionally charged evening. The event was unlike any other I’ve filmed.

The combination of intimate letter writing, powerful performances, and an atmosphere thick with remembrance provided a deeply meaningful experience to capture on camera.

The Church as a Filming Venue

The Unitarian Church in Todmorden is not just an architectural beauty but also a location that lends itself perfectly to creative event filming. Its gothic features, towering windows, and ambient lighting created natural focal points for both the audience and my lens. The interior offered cozy, quiet corners where participants poured out their hearts onto paper, crafting letters to loved ones who have passed away. The sense of peace and reflection was palpable, and as a videographer, I found these intimate moments perfect for close-up, handheld shots.

The Ceremony: Writing Letters and Burning Them

The evening began with attendees seated in the pews, where they wrote deeply personal letters to the dead, some brought letter already written. The church’s quiet stillness, interrupted only by the scratching of pens, was a powerful contrast to the emotional weight each participant carried. Filming this required sensitivity—capturing their raw emotion without intrusion.

I relied heavily on discreet, wide-angle shots to show the collective experience without disrupting their personal moments. When the letters were completed, everyone gathered outside for the ceremonial burning. The sight of flames consuming the letters under the open sky was nothing short of mesmerizing. The flickering fire provided stunning visual elements that filmed beautifully against the backdrop of the church’s silhouette. It was a symbol of release, closure, and communal mourning that was both somber and uplifting.

Performances That Lit Up the Night

Adding to the evening’s emotional resonance were various performances. A group of singers took to the stage inside the church, their soulful voices echoing through the high ceilings. The acoustics of the Unitarian Church amplified every note, making it an immersive auditory experience.

Capturing this on film required careful attention to sound quality and focus on the performers' expressions.

Outside, things took a more dynamic turn with fire dancers Hell Fyre and puppeteers Thingumajig Theatre, transforming the church grounds into a glowing, artistic celebration of life and death. The fire dancers and puppets, were a visual feast.

Their flaming torches twirled against the night sky, creating trails of light that were captivating to capture on video. The unpredictable movement of both fire and performers required agile camera work, often with quick pans and tracking shots to follow the dancers’ fluid motions.

Puppeteers, with their large, symbolic creations, brought a sense of whimsy and wonder to the event. Filming these figures alongside the fire dancers created a striking juxtaposition—the slow, deliberate movements of the puppets contrasted with the quick, flickering light of the flames.

The Challenge of Night Filming

While the event was visually rich, filming at night presented certain challenges. Low light requires careful consideration of camera settings, and I had to balance capturing detail with keeping the mood intact. The fire provided natural lighting for many scenes adding to the richness of the event.

The result was a cinematic, intimate recording of a profoundly moving evening.

Conclusion

Filming the “Pushing Up Daisies” event at Todmorden’s Unitarian Church was a unique and deeply moving experience. The combination of personal reflection, artistic performances, and communal ceremonies made for a rich tapestry of visual storytelling. For anyone looking to document events that explore human emotion, cultural rituals, and community connections, this festival—and particularly this evening dedicated to writing letters to the dead—is an inspiring example.

The Unitarian Church’s serene yet dramatic setting, paired with the emotional depth of the evening, made for stunning visual and emotional content. Whether you are a filmmaker, photographer, or someone simply interested in the beauty of human connection, events like these offer a truly profound experience.