Tollo Films

Hello! I'm Sandy, a filmmaker based in Aberdeenshire. I make short dramas and documentaries inspired by local history, folklore and people. This is my portfolio:

• Yird Swine

Samurai Showdown

This short dramatic sequence was made for a college project based around the Kubrick stare.I originally graded the film in black and white, so it looked similar to samurai cinema classics like Yojimbo and Seven Samurai. However, after watching the incredibly vibrant Ran as part of my research, I created a second version in full colour, and learned a lot about colour-grading along the way.

The Duel

My end of year film for the first year of my college course.This was the first historical short film I made. I wanted to challenge myself to see if it was possible to make a period drama as a no-budget film. Though a few modernities slipped in, for the most part it looks suitably historical, and I'm pleased with the result.

Lonely Larch Leatherwork

This is a short documentary about Fin Scott, a traditional leatherworker from the Cairngorms. It was selected for inclusion in the Northern Lens Film Festival 2024.You can see more of Fin's work on Instagram: @lonely.larch.leatherwork

Skins Scene

A recreation of a scene from the TV show Skins.This was a collaboration between the NESCol TV and acting students. I was the director and editor.

Yird Swine

In 18th century Scotland, a monster hunter must venture into a haunted kirkyard to rid it of a horrific monster.A Gothic short film inspired by Aberdeenshire folklore, combining live-action footage with stop-motion special effects.The original score was provided by the wonderful Kevin McCann. You can listen to more of his work on his website.

CollaborationsI was one of the camera operators on the short documentary Cold Waters, a glimpse into the life of photographer Karen Catto.I worked as a camera operator on the short documentary The Clatter of Hooves as part of BBC The Social initiative. The video is featured on the BBC website.