One frame at a time: Tameside’s Thomas Jackson building a name in film

Born and raised in Denton, Thomas Jackson is a writer, director and producer making waves in the world of independent film.

His work challenges traditional notions of masculinity, explores mental health, and champions working-class voices with grit, empathy, and authenticity. But before he found his calling behind the camera, Thomas spent his early years struggling to fit in.

“I never really realised what being dyslexic meant,” he reflects. “As far as I understood it, I just couldn't read or write well, but it's more than that. It's like you're speaking a different language. I often felt like everyone else had the manual on how to behave and I was left trying to decode it.”

That feeling of being an outsider would later become a driving force behind his storytelling, fuelling a desire to explore complex, flawed, but very real characters that mainstream cinema often overlooks.

It was at Audenshaw High School that Thomas’ love for film first flickered into life, sparked by weekly trips to Ashton Cineworld with friends. Initially pursuing acting through the Tameside Youth Drama Group, he soon realised that his true passion wasn’t in performing - but in telling stories.

“I wasn’t satisfied acting out someone else’s story,” he says. “I wanted to tell my own.”

He went on to study Independent Filmmaking at Futureworks in Manchester, graduating with First-Class Honours in 2020 - just as the world shut down due to COVID-19. While many aspiring creatives stalled, Thomas used the time to write, plan, and lay the groundwork for what would come next.

In 2022, he directed his debut short film, Bespoke Dad, a poignant exploration about a single mum who hires her 'bespoke dad' to emulate the traditional home life she's expected to uphold. The film was a critical success on the local festival circuit, even opening the inaugural Stockport Garrick Film Festival.

“It was a huge honour,” says Thomas. “Screening in Stockport meant more to me than London or LA. I don’t want to leave home - I want to build something here.”

That “something” is already taking shape. Thomas co-founded Prickle Productions alongside Director of Photography Martina Majcen and Producer Ashley Birks. Together, they’ve since produced four more short films and a music video for Stoke-based band Camens, titled Sleep Patterns Repeating, now available on YouTube.

Thomas’ second short film, Snare, is currently on its festival run. A gripping thriller, the film tackles serious topics including sexual assault and the toxic behaviours that often stem from warped ideas of masculinity.

“Snare wasn’t my story, it was written by Alex and Lucy Jay, but when I read their pitch, I knew I had to be involved,” he says. “It’s a powerful ‘Take Back the Night’ narrative, I am fascinated by the themes explored in the film and believe they're important to be discussed."

This exploration of masculinity is a recurring theme in Thomas’ work, and life. He speaks candidly about once falling into the trap of “Manosphere” culture online.

“I was insecure, and I thought I had to live up to these harmful expectations of what it means to be a man,” he admits. “But it only made me unhappy. What really helped was shifting focus toward what gave me meaning and surrounding myself with positive influences. I want my films to share that message - do things for you, not because you feel like you should.”

Now, thanks to a Creative Development Bursary from Tameside Council, funded by the GMCA’s Spirit Fund, Thomas is taking his work on the road, attending festivals across the Northwest and connecting with fellow creatives.

But his heart remains firmly in Tameside. His dream? To open a fully-fledged film studio in Denton.

“There’s so much talent here,” he says. “We just don’t get the platform. Too often, we have to shout to be heard. Even people from privileged backgrounds are starting to 'cosplay' as working class because they know our stories resonate.”

He’s seen the hunger for local storytelling firsthand through the community film nights he’s hosted at Nico Ditch in Ashton, events that have drawn industry talent like Dead Man’s Shoes stars Neil Bell, Stuart Wolfenden, and Emily Aston.

“These people live among us, yet we rarely celebrate it,” he says. “That needs to change.”

Thomas remains committed to building a space where local voices are not just heard but amplified. He’s actively looking to collaborate with other Northern creatives, especially those from working-class backgrounds.

“If you’ve got a story to tell, I want to hear it,” he says. “Let’s make something together.”

You can follow Thomas’ journey and connect with him via Prickle Productions on Instagram: @PrickleProductions.