Making ‘Can Anyone Beat Bolt’

It’s an emotional process making a film.

For the past 18 months, or so, I’ve been following the fastest men on the planet making ‘Can Anyone Beat Bolt’ for BBC 3.

Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Christophe Lemaitre must be sick of the sight of me. We also cover Justin Gatlin’s story in the film.

In that time I’ve got to know them all. Met their friends and family, and learned about their lives away from the track and the media spotlight.

What I found is they are all very different characters, but share one common trait. They have all very humble.

So, as a filmmaker, it’s hard not to feel passionately about doing their stories justice and also being fair when controversial or difficult issues arise.

My job is to tell the audience a journalistically accurate story in an interesting, creative and engaging way. It’s an emotional journey doing that. But also a real privilege.

I won’t go into the nuts and bolts of making a film, but working as a team is absolutely the only way to go. I have been fortunate to have some incredible people to work with on this film. Each one a legend.

There have been many highlights along the way.

My interview with Usain Bolt – where he told me he was hoping to run 9.4 seconds in the 100m final at London 2012 – made global headlines.

Checking out the sleepy French village Christophe Lemaitre grew up in, at the foot of the Alps, was fascinating.

And learning more about the intense characters, Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake was also a real treat.

If I had to choose one highlight though, it was being at the Jamaica Olympic trials. Those four days had such highs, lows, everything! An incredible story and amazing opportunity to produce, direct and script it back in the edit.

Making a film for a younger audience was great. I’m 32 now so felt in touch… I’m confident what we made did the trick.

If you saw it I would be interested to see what you made of it.

Give me a shout.