For Madison Hawley, launching MH Film & Media was more than a business decision – it was a declaration of artistic freedom. After graduating with a degree in dance, Hawley refused to be confined to a single lane, choosing instead to merge her intrinsic understanding of movement and choreography with visual storytelling.
Now celebrating its milestone first year, MH Film & Media has transformed from a passionate venture into a thriving full-time operation, expanding its footprint across the West Midlands and nationwide.
We sat down with Hawley to discuss the business’s foundational year, overcoming the comparisons of the freelance landscape, and how she plans to expand MH Film & Media into an active platform that uplifts and connects the next generation of creative artists.
You recently celebrated a year of MH Film and Media. What’s been the biggest “I can’t believe I’ve actually done this” moment so far?
I think one of my biggest “I can’t believe I’ve actually done this” moments has been the opportunities I’ve had to network within the industry – not just across the West Midlands, but all over the country. One thing I’m so grateful for in this line of work is the people it allows me to meet, speak to, and collaborate with. Being surrounded by other creatives, sharing ideas, experiences, and different ways of working is something I never take for granted.
I’m also incredibly grateful that I’ve been able to turn something I’m so passionate about into my full-time job. Having the opportunity to dedicate all of my time, energy, and creativity into building MH Film and Media and watching it grow is such a rewarding feeling. There’s still so much I want to achieve, but being able to say I’ve built something of my own and get to do what I love every day is probably the biggest achievement of all.
And what has the first year taught you about running your own creative business?
The biggest thing the first year has taught me is that everyone has their own journey when it comes to success, and it’s so important not to compare yours to somebody else’s. It’s easy to look at other creatives and see how busy they are, the opportunities they’re getting, or how successful they appear to be, but I’ve learnt that everyone’s journey is different. There is enough work out there for all of us, and the right clients will come to you at the right time. It’s about trusting what you’re building, staying consistent, and not losing sight of your own goals.
Another thing I’m really proud of is being able to build a reputation that I can now use to give something back to the younger generation. I want MH Film and Media to be more than just a business; I want it to be a platform where I can offer younger creatives guidance, opportunities, and support as they find their feet in the freelance world and the creative arts industry. Having the chance to share what I’ve learnt, help others grow, and hopefully open doors for the next generation is something that means a lot to me.
Looking ahead, what would you love the next year of MH Film and Media to bring? Is there a particular project, opportunity, or milestone you’re hoping to make happen?
Looking ahead, one thing I’d really love to introduce through MH Film and Media is community networking sessions for creatives. I want to create a safe, welcoming, and open space where people from different areas of the creative industry can come together, meet one another, network, and hopefully build connections that turn into collaborations.
I think the freelance world can be quite tough at times, and it can sometimes feel like you’re navigating everything on your own. I’d love to create a community where we can share opportunities, pass on jobs, exchange ideas, support one another, and help each other grow. There’s so much talent out there, and I think sometimes all people need is the right environment and the right connections to take that next step.
Ultimately, I’d love the next year to be about growing MH Film and Media not just as a business, but as a platform that brings people together, creates opportunities, and gives back to the creative community.
You’ve spoken about being open to learning and growing creatively, emotionally, and intellectually. What’s something you’ve changed your mind about since starting out as an artist?
I think something I’ve changed my mind about is the idea that you have to choose one creative path and stick to it. When I was studying at university, I always had a love for film, but having a degree in dance, I felt quite torn between the two and almost felt like I had to decide which direction I wanted to take my career in.
As I’ve grown creatively, I’ve realised that the arts don’t have to work within set boundaries. You can take different passions and disciplines and bring them together to create something completely unique. I’ve been able to incorporate my love for dance and movement into my work behind the camera, and I think that’s what makes being a creative so exciting.
I’ve learnt that you don’t have to put yourself in a box or limit what you can achieve because of the path you originally trained in. There are no real boundaries to what you can create, and I think the more open you are to exploring different art forms, the more opportunities you give yourself to grow.
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