Behind the Scenes: Filming with a US Documentary Team in Edinburgh

Last Friday I had the pleasure of working as the local documentary camera operator (DOP) for a US production filming in Edinburgh. The project, System Disrupted, is a feature documentary exploring how complex conditions like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) are treated, understood and, at times, misunderstood. You can read more about the film here.

This particular shoot focused on Professor Jon Stone, one of the leading global experts in FND. He's based at the University of Edinburgh and sees patients at the Anne Rowling Clinic, next to the Royal Infirmary.

Two-Person Interview Setup

The day began with a two-person sit-down interview between Professor Stone and Nadine, the film’s protagonist. We were working in one of the university buildings, a quiet room with plenty of natural architectural character but in need of a little cinematic help.

I used a straightforward but effective lighting setup: an Amaran 300d fired into an Aputure lantern to create a soft motivated light that lifted both subjects while maintaining the natural feel of the room. For this kind of observational documentary work, subtlety is everything. As a cinematographer for documentary, I’m always aiming to support the story without drawing attention to the camera.

Walking and Talking on a Gimbal

After the interview, we moved into a more dynamic scene. Professor Stone and Nadine walked from the university building to the clinic, a visual bridge between the two spaces that hold so much meaning in his day-to-day work.

I filmed the walk using a gimbal while walking backwards the entire way. There’s a balance between choreographed and candid in moments like this. You want the viewer to feel included in the conversation, moving with the characters, but never distracted by the presence of the camera.

Walking backwards for over 1km filming a casual interview.

Observational Filming in Clinic

The next scene was what I’d call pure ob doc; observational documentary at its core. I filmed Professor Stone during a consultation with a patient at the Anne Rowling Clinic. As a DOP in Edinburgh, I often work in sensitive environments; hospitals, forests, private homes, and it’s always about reading the room and knowing when to hold still.

This kind of filming demands a calm, unobtrusive presence. You’re constantly watching, anticipating small shifts, tuning into emotion and capturing moments that are often deeply human.

Wrapping in Golden Hour

We ended the day in Holyrood Park, filming a conversation between Nadine and Director Faye as they reflected on the project. The golden hour light did what it always does; softened the world and gave everything a quiet glow. It was the kind of scene you don’t overthink. You just roll, listen and let the light do the rest.

Filming some moments beside the water before the final chat section.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s filming interviews, sensitive consultations or evening reflections in the hills above Edinburgh, this shoot was a reminder of why I love working as a documentary camera operator in Edinburgh. There's something special about combining local knowledge with international stories, especially when the subject is as important and misunderstood as FND.

If you're a producer looking for a local DOP in Edinburgh or across Scotland, I'd love to hear from you.