Industrial Video Production: Introducing 'Wilma' at Harland & Wolff

In the world of industrial photography and video, capturing the intersection of heritage and innovation is a unique challenge. Recently, I was commissioned by the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast to produce a short film introducing their newest—and most advanced—team member: a robotic welder affectionately named "Wilma."

The Rise of Automation in Shipbuilding The introduction of robotic welding technology like Wilma represents a significant leap forward in modern shipbuilding and heavy engineering. For a commercial filmmaker in Northern Ireland, the task was to showcase how this precision automation integrates into the legendary workflow of the Belfast yard.

Short film produced for Harland & Wolff by David Cordner Photography, showcasing robotic welding technology in Belfast.

Filming in Industrial Environments Capturing high-quality video in a working shipyard requires more than just technical skill; it requires an understanding of the industrial environment. When filming "Wilma," the focus was on highlighting the precision of the robotic arm, the intensity of the welding arcs, and the scale of the fabrication shop.

In industrial video production, you have to balance the raw, gritty atmosphere of the workshop with the clean, futuristic movement of the technology. My goal with this project was to create a visual narrative that introduces the future of Harland & Wolff while respecting the decades of craftsmanship that came before it.

Visual Storytelling for Global Brands Short-form video is becoming an essential tool for industrial brands to communicate their technological advancements to stakeholders and the public. Whether it’s through drone cinematography or close-up macro shots of fabrication, high-production video helps tell a complex story in a matter of seconds.

It was a privilege to be back in the yard documenting this new chapter of Belfast’s industrial history.