News / Bristol24/7
Bristol24/7 videographer creates CBBC documentary
A filmmaker has documented her niece’s mixed martial arts dream for a CBBC documentary.
Bristol24/7 Content Creator Hannah Tyson produced, directed and filmed My Life: Jazzy’s MMA Dream based on the life of her cousin, Jazzy Tyson.
The film follows Jazzy, a mixed martial arts fighter from Liverpool, training to represent England at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation – the biggest MMA competition in the world.
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Through the film, Jazzy uses her training to navigate her Tourettes and homeschool life.
Jazzy Tyson is a budding MMA fighter from Liverpool – photo: Hannah Tyson
Hannah, who completed a masters in documentary screen production at UWE Bristol in 2024, said: “I’ve been following Jazzy’s journey for so long and it feels amazing that we now get to share it widely.
“It’s been my dream to get it on TV since I started filming her as I could see the potential, so it feels a bit surreal still.
“It’s also been my dream to be a filmmaker since I was about 15 so for my first broadcast film to be about my niece who I adore is even more special to me.”
During the course of her study at UWE, Hannah created Fight Like a Tyson, which was a prequel to Jazzy’s journey towards making a mark in the MMA world.
The film was eventually long listed for a Student BAFTA award in 2024 and pitched to CBBC, who then went on to commission My Life: Jazzy’s MMA Dream and Hannah’s role as a self-filming producer and director.
“I felt connected to the TV industry even though I wasn’t in it yet, as we had teachers, mentors and seminars delivered by people who were industry professionals,” said Hannah, reminiscing her time at UWE.
She added: “To be able to get feedback from executive producers who had worked on huge broadcast programmes was invaluable.
“So, when this became my reality two years later, on a video call to the BBC with over 20 people on it, I felt prepared.”
Main photo: Hannah Tyson
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