Plymouth filmmaker behind YouTube sensations and global campaigns

A former Plymouth student is traveling the world and living his film making and social media dreams after graduating from Arts University. Within 12 months of graduating, Tom Bispham, 24, had already shot content for Glastonbury Festival, Tokyo World, Boardmasters, and Insomnia Fest, producing fast-cut, high-impact visuals that captured the scale and energy of major cultural moments.

He's now worked with influencers followed by tens of millions of people, and delivered standout content for brands like JD Sports, Just Eat and Rascal Clothing. He's also worked on global events such as Match for Hope Qatar, MISFITS Boxing, and the British Basketball League at The O2 Arena, with footage captured in Mumbai, Nairobi, Ibiza, Doha, Saudi Arabia and more.

Tom said: "I’ve filmed everywhere from football stadiums in London to jungle villages in India. One day it’s a hotel shoot in Knightsbridge, the next I’m editing footage from a beach in the Maldives. I love how unpredictable it is.”

Tom has created short-form video content with and for major streaming personalities including: IShowSpeed, a global YouTube sensation with over 37 million subscribers, Chunkz, an entertainer, presenter and Sidemen collaborator with over 2.5 million YouTube subscribers and Aitch, a chart-topping rapper and BRIT Award nominee.

Tom said: “They move fast, so the content has to match. The content has got to look cinematic in three seconds, or people scroll past. That’s the challenge and the fun of it.”

Tom grew up in Wembury, just outside Plymouth, and first picked up a camera as a teenager filming local surf and seascapes. Choosing creativity over convention, he studied an Extended Diploma in Filmmaking & Media Production at Arts University Plymouth instead of taking A-Levels, and then progressed to BA (Hons) Digital Media Production (now BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts), graduating in 2022.

Tom said: “The kit at Arts University Plymouth was unreal. I’d borrow new cameras and lenses each week from the Equipment Resource Centre and try out something different every time. I loved being hands-on, and the staff always encouraged me to just keep experimenting.”

Tom now splits his time between London and Plymouth, but travels a lot for his work. While studying, Tom began filming at Plymouth nightclubs like Pryzm and The Depo, which led to gigs with visiting DJs and touring artists.

One of his earliest collaborations was with Tom Zanetti, the Leeds-based DJ and rapper, who invited Tom on the road to document a summer of shows across Ibiza, Tenerife, and beyond.

Tom said: “I started by saying yes to nightclub shoots for fun, so that by the time I graduated, I was being invited to fly out and create work with artists and brands. Arts University Plymouth supported all of that. I had access to pro equipment every week and lecturers who encouraged me to keep building my portfolio.”

Tom is now preparing to shoot a feature with a famous world record holder in Turkey, and continuing his work with The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, creating brand visuals for Michelin-starred chef Tom Brown’s newest restaurant launch. Tom is also stepping beyond camera work into creative direction and content strategy, shaping campaigns from concept to delivery.

While still in early development, he’s also laying the foundations for Bolt Media, a creative agency that will formalise some of his working partnerships and offer production support for viral campaigns, brand launches and social media-first storytelling.

Despite his global work, Tom remains deeply connected to the South West and regularly returns to Wembury.

He said: “I’m making plans to come back to Plymouth and run something hands-on with the students. Show them the kind of kit I use now, get out and film something together. Arts University Plymouth gave me that freedom and energy to build a career I love, and I’d be proud to help someone else take that first step.”