Guildhall Rhythm 2025
Directed and edited by John Tomkins
Dance Choreography by Jane and Derek Narrowmore
Co- Produced with the South West Lindy Hoppers and Glitter Media
Co- Director Lemmi Swayze and rehearsal co- Director Alex White
"John is a very experienced and knowledgeable producer, director and editor of films.
John had previously seen us dancing a short routine as part of the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay which he was also a part of. He was inspired by our dancing and wanted to do a bigger project involving dancers. As part of his project Roaring 20s entertainment in Torquay. He felt a dance routine would fit in well with this. We were also recommended by one of our dancers Yulia Weir who is a cinematographer. We then invited South West Lindy Hoppers community dancers to join us. He gave us and our dancers the confidence to be relaxed in front of the camera.
He clearly explained what he wanted to convey using a story board using our choreography for his ideas and also involved us in the decision-making process.
On one occasion, at the very last moment, we had to change our venue for a rehearsal session. John calmly accepted the situation and we still finished the rehearsal on time.
To complete the project, John spent many late nights editing the film and contacted us to make sure the credits were correct. He also sent us a copy of the film to make sure we were happy with it.
We highly recommend John as a friendly and enthusiastic film producer who is willing to help, to take ideas and change things if necessary."
Jane and Derek Narrowmore
South West Lindy Hoppers - March 2026
Directed and edited by John Tomkins
Dance Choreography by Jane and Derek Narrowmore
Co- Produced with the South West Lindy Hoppers and Glitter Media
Co- Director Lemmi Swayze and rehearsal co- Director Alex White
"John is a very experienced and knowledgeable producer, director and editor of films.
John had previously seen us dancing a short routine as part of the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay which he was also a part of. He was inspired by our dancing and wanted to do a bigger project involving dancers. As part of his project Roaring 20s entertainment in Torquay. He felt a dance routine would fit in well with this. We were also recommended by one of our dancers Yulia Weir who is a cinematographer. We then invited South West Lindy Hoppers community dancers to join us. He gave us and our dancers the confidence to be relaxed in front of the camera.
He clearly explained what he wanted to convey using a story board using our choreography for his ideas and also involved us in the decision-making process.
On one occasion, at the very last moment, we had to change our venue for a rehearsal session. John calmly accepted the situation and we still finished the rehearsal on time.
To complete the project, John spent many late nights editing the film and contacted us to make sure the credits were correct. He also sent us a copy of the film to make sure we were happy with it.
We highly recommend John as a friendly and enthusiastic film producer who is willing to help, to take ideas and change things if necessary."
Jane and Derek Narrowmore
South West Lindy Hoppers - March 2026
Torbay's music legacy - 5 Decades of Sound - Feature Film ( Screening at venues exclusively 2025 to Spring 2026 )
Press Release
"A captivating new feature film explores the vibrant legacy of Torbay’s music scene from 1975 to 2025. Directed by local filmmaker John Tomkins, this cinematic journey traverses the three towns of Torbay, shining a spotlight on some of the artists, bands, venue owners, promoters, and passionate music fans aged 13 to 90 who helped shape its cultural soundtrack.
Through heartfelt interviews with over 100 contributors and stories from more than 50 locations, the film brings to life decades of unforgettable gigs, career-defining moments, legendary radio roadshows, and music scene memories of historic visits from global superstars—including ABBA, Genesis, and many more.
This extraordinary project has been crafted in collaboration with individuals from across Torbay’s music scene and beyond, offering a rich and resonant tribute to the region’s enduring love affair with live music."
Funded as part of Torbay’s Local Heritage Grant Scheme, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage fund."
Linktree below for interview and press coverage on the film from
BBC Radio Devon
Greatest Hits Radio
Radio Exeter
Devon Live
Devon and Cornwall Film
Torbay Weekly
https://linktr.ee/torbaymusiclegacysounds
Press Release
"A captivating new feature film explores the vibrant legacy of Torbay’s music scene from 1975 to 2025. Directed by local filmmaker John Tomkins, this cinematic journey traverses the three towns of Torbay, shining a spotlight on some of the artists, bands, venue owners, promoters, and passionate music fans aged 13 to 90 who helped shape its cultural soundtrack.
Through heartfelt interviews with over 100 contributors and stories from more than 50 locations, the film brings to life decades of unforgettable gigs, career-defining moments, legendary radio roadshows, and music scene memories of historic visits from global superstars—including ABBA, Genesis, and many more.
This extraordinary project has been crafted in collaboration with individuals from across Torbay’s music scene and beyond, offering a rich and resonant tribute to the region’s enduring love affair with live music."
Funded as part of Torbay’s Local Heritage Grant Scheme, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage fund."
Linktree below for interview and press coverage on the film from
BBC Radio Devon
Greatest Hits Radio
Radio Exeter
Devon Live
Devon and Cornwall Film
Torbay Weekly
https://linktr.ee/torbaymusiclegacysounds
Anything Goes ( Music - Dance Film) 2023
Director and Editor
The Agatha Christie Festival takes place in the author's home town of Torquay in Devon, UK every September. To help promote both the festival and this beautiful English Riviera town, in the summer of 2023 we created a people's dance project using local people to dance (and swim) along the seafront area. Made with the generous support of The Lindbury Trust and with the help of staff and students at South Devon College, the video features local people, many of them with no previous dance experience. "Anything Goes" by Cole Porter features in the 1982 Agatha Christie film, Evil Under the Sun. Thank you to the BBC and the BBC Dance Orchestra for granting us the license to use the music with this video * Thanks to everyone involved and we hope you will join us at the Agatha Christie Festival in the future.
Director and Editor
The Agatha Christie Festival takes place in the author's home town of Torquay in Devon, UK every September. To help promote both the festival and this beautiful English Riviera town, in the summer of 2023 we created a people's dance project using local people to dance (and swim) along the seafront area. Made with the generous support of The Lindbury Trust and with the help of staff and students at South Devon College, the video features local people, many of them with no previous dance experience. "Anything Goes" by Cole Porter features in the 1982 Agatha Christie film, Evil Under the Sun. Thank you to the BBC and the BBC Dance Orchestra for granting us the license to use the music with this video * Thanks to everyone involved and we hope you will join us at the Agatha Christie Festival in the future.
Music Scene Memories at Torquay Town Hall 2024 58Minutes - Feature Music Documentary
Director and Editor - Co producer
The film tells how Lionel Digby brought Rock n roll to the Torbay and focuses on the golden era of live music at the town hall from the 1950's to the early 1980's.
Featuring many of the musicians and people who supported the big name chart acts of that time, with memories of meeting them and how music scene at the town hall propelled many of them into a full time career in the music industry . We also hear from music fan attendees who talk about memories of gigs at the town hall and the film culminates in a Celebration of the film , time and many musicians reunions at the film's Premiere at the Lyceum Theatre Torquay in April 2024.
In the Press
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-ewww.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-68179975
Torbay Weekly
https://www.torbayweekly.co.uk/gallery/home/1483460/smash-hit-reunion-for-torbay-s-music-fans.html
Radio Exe
https://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-news/star-studded-secrets-of-torbay-councils-humdrum-home/
Devon and Cornwall Film
https://www.devon-cornwall-film.co.uk/2024/03/21/music-scene-memories-at-torquay-town-hall-capturing-the-beat-of-life/
Tom Bailey - What Kind of World - Music Video 2018
Video concept by Tom Bailey, John Tomkins and Michael Hodgson
Edited by Michael Hodgson (C) and (P) 2018 TB Touring Ltd t/a Mikrokosmos Records Taken from the album ‘Science Fiction by Tom Bailey Written by Tom Bailey and Hal Ritson. Published by Tom Bailey - copyright control PRS / MCPS & Henry Ritson, administered by Kobalt Music Group. Produced by Tom Bailey.
The song is from Tom's 2018 album Science Fiction out now http://thompsontwinstombailey.co.uk/
Press
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/thompson-twins-tom-bailey-what-kind-of-world-8463209/
Video concept by Tom Bailey, John Tomkins and Michael Hodgson
Edited by Michael Hodgson (C) and (P) 2018 TB Touring Ltd t/a Mikrokosmos Records Taken from the album ‘Science Fiction by Tom Bailey Written by Tom Bailey and Hal Ritson. Published by Tom Bailey - copyright control PRS / MCPS & Henry Ritson, administered by Kobalt Music Group. Produced by Tom Bailey.
The song is from Tom's 2018 album Science Fiction out now http://thompsontwinstombailey.co.uk/
Press
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/thompson-twins-tom-bailey-what-kind-of-world-8463209/
Howard Jones - I Believe in you - Lyric Video 2022
Taken from the album 'Dialogue' out now
howard-jones-music-ltd.myshopify.com/
Music and lyrics by Howard Jones
℗ & © 2024 Dtox Records
Concept and edited by John Tomkins
Press
https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/howard-jones-talks-dialogue/
Taken from the album 'Dialogue' out now
howard-jones-music-ltd.myshopify.com/
Music and lyrics by Howard Jones
℗ & © 2024 Dtox Records
Concept and edited by John Tomkins
Press
https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/howard-jones-talks-dialogue/
Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only - Nik Kershaw 2022 Solitary Remix Music Video
Performed by Chesney Hawkes
Written and Remixed by Nik Kershaw
Video directed by John Tomkins at Emberlense Film Productions
From 'The Complete Picture' - Out Now - https://chesneyhawkes.lnk.to/TCPTA
Label: Chrysalis (C) 2024
In 2019 I was commissioned by Matt Rogan ( Local DJ) to make a short promo film of Martin Kemp's (Spandau Ballet) Back to the 80's sold out DJ Set in Totnes.
For general inquiries email: [email protected]
© 2026 John Tomkins / Emberlense Productions . All Rights Reserved.
© 2026 John Tomkins / Emberlense Productions . All Rights Reserved.
