George Godding

I’m a 22-year-old filmmaker and editor with a strong interest in post-production, visual storytelling, and genre filmmaking, particularly comedy, horror & thrillers. I’m passionate about crafting atmosphere, tension, and narrative depth through editing, using pacing and visual rhythm as key storytelling tools. I’ve gained experience across multiple stages of production, which has helped me develop both a creative and technical understanding of filmmaking.

In addition to editing, I’ve worked as a Digital Imaging Technician (DIT), contributed to sound design, and supported promotional efforts through trailer editing and social media content. This range of roles allows me to approach projects with a well-rounded perspective and adapt to different creative challenges.

My style draws inspiration from psychological and crime thrillers, while aiming to bring a distinctive creative approach of my own. I’m particularly interested in developing immersive, story-driven work that leaves a lasting impression on audiences. Through collaboration and hands-on experience, I continue to refine my craft and grow as a filmmaker, with the goal of building a career in post-production where I can shape compelling narratives and contribute to visually engaging, atmospheric films.

Civil Smoking

Civil Smoking is a short British comedy that explores loneliness, social habits, and the unexpected ways people connect. The film follows Jeff Whitley, a man who relocates to the North of England in search of a fresh start, only to find himself struggling to form meaningful relationships. While he initially feels isolated in his new environment, he gradually discovers a sense of belonging in an unlikely place: pub smoking areas. Within these small, often overlooked spaces, casual conversations and shared routines create fleeting but genuine human connections.

However, when a nationwide smoking ban is introduced, these social pockets quickly disappear, leaving Jeff once again cut off from the interactions he had come to rely on. As he attempts to navigate this shift, the film highlights the subtle but significant role that the environment plays in shaping social behaviour and community.

Blending dry humour with observational storytelling, Civil Smoking offers a light yet thoughtful reflection on modern loneliness and the changing nature of public spaces. It captures how even the most mundane settings can become meaningful, and how easily those connections can be lost when social structures evolve.


False Happiness

False Happiness (2025) is a short documentary that explores the complexities of men’s mental health, focusing on the ways emotional struggles are often concealed beneath outward appearances of stability and success. The film examines the pressure many men feel to present themselves as “fine,” highlighting how social expectations and stigma can discourage open conversations about vulnerability, anxiety, and depression.

Through a combination of personal testimonies, reflective interviews, and observational footage, the documentary reveals how this “false happiness” can become a coping mechanism — one that masks deeper issues rather than addressing them. Participants share their experiences with isolation, identity, and the difficulty of expressing emotion, offering an honest and often raw insight into the realities of living behind a carefully maintained façade.

Visually, the film contrasts composed, everyday moments with more intimate and introspective sequences, reinforcing the divide between external perception and internal reality. This approach creates a subtle but powerful atmosphere that mirrors the themes at the heart of the documentary. False Happiness aims to challenge stigma and encourage more open dialogue around men’s mental health, emphasising the importance of honesty, connection, and support in breaking down barriers and fostering genuine emotional wellbeing.


The Dagger Soliloquy

The Dagger Soliloquy (2025) is a short, performance-driven film that reimagines a classic moment from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth within a cinematic and historical context. Directed by George Herdman and shot and edited by George Godding, the film presents a World War II–inspired interpretation of the iconic “Is this a dagger which I see before me?” speech. Set within a natural woodland environment, the film follows Macbeth as he moves through the landscape, delivering the soliloquy in a way that merges internal conflict with physical space.

The use of location and cinematography helps externalise the character’s psychological state, reflecting themes of paranoia, ambition, and moral uncertainty. Rather than functioning as a traditional narrative, the project focuses on mood, tone, and performance, using film language to reinterpret a piece originally written for the stage. The minimalist structure allows the actor’s delivery and the visual atmosphere to take centre stage, creating an immersive and intimate viewing experience. By combining classical text with a wartime aesthetic, The Dagger Soliloquy explores how Shakespeare’s work can be adapted into a modern cinematic form, highlighting the enduring relevance of its themes while showcasing the creative potential of short-form filmmaking.