Not All Humans: Episode H

Not All Humans: Episode H is a short film exploring hydrogen through science, sound and story. The work sits within a wider Brunel University initiative around thinking differently with hydrogen; expanding scientific, cultural and speculative perspectives on the element.

I was invited onto the project by creator Elinor Coleman to compose the score during my Hydrogen Research Artist Residency at Brunel University. Rather than treating hydrogen as a theme, I approached it as a voice. I recorded hydrogen combustion on-site at Brunel’s testing facilities, using these recordings as the sonic and conceptual basis for the score. This decision emerged from the belief that hydrogen’s own sound should shape its representation; allowing the element to speak through music.

The film blends speculative narrative with real hydrogen testing processes, developed in collaboration with hydrogen scientists and engineers. Episode H was created with support from the Royal Society of Chemistry and Brunel University, and has been recognised for its approach to science communication through sound and storytelling. It was named an Official Selection of the Big Syn Film Festival.

The film is available to watch online.

Hydrogens Voice

My approach treated hydrogen as a non-human collaborator rather than a subject. By using its combustion sounds as the foundation of the score, the film sonifies an element that normally remains invisible or inaudible in public discourse.

Format: Short Film

Role: Composer

Concept: Hydrogen as non-human voice; field-recorded combustion as score basis

Invited by: Elinor Coleman (Creator)

Residency: Hydrogen Research Artist-in-Residence — Brunel University

Initiative: Thinking Differently with Hydrogen (Brunel University)

Collaborators: Hydrogen scientists & engineers

Supporters: Royal Society of Chemistry, Brunel University

Festival: Official Selection — Big Syn Film Festival

Outputs: Original Score, Field Recordings

Themes: Science Communication, Non-human Perspectives, Ecology, Narrative Audio, Art–Science Collaboration

Year: 2025