The Hands of Genius | Documentary Idea

by site visitor
(West Midlands, England)

Known in the art world as "The Hands of Genius" for his miniature masterpieces. When described as the most talented artist in the world, alive today, he replies with, "Ridiculous! I'm just a thick Brummie."

Leaving school in 1960, without any qualifications and just a spirit level under his arm which he'd stolen from the school woodwork shop, Graham Short knew he had already failed on an epic scale.

His first job was as a mouse-catcher in a Birmingham factory. Six years later he started his own business and had the most enviable client list imaginable, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, The House of Commons, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Chanel, Yves St Laurent and gunmakers James Purdey & Sons.

After several national newspapers highlighted his ability to engrave The Lord's Prayer on the head of a gold pin, with lettering smaller than a red human blood cell, the demand for his work began to soar. His exhibitions now sell out within minutes!

His most astonishing nine-month project, 'Cutting Edge', shows the words "Nothing is Impossible" engraved along the sharp edge of a Wilkinson Sword razor blade.

He works at midnight to avoid vibration from passing traffic. His right arm is strapped to the bench, allowing only his fingertips to move. He takes tablets throughout the night to lower his heart-rate to 20 beats per minute - then using a stethoscope he monitors his heart and begins to engrave with very fine needles - between heartbeats! Every few months he attends a clinic and undertakes a course of botox injections around his eyes to keep the muscles and nerves rigid. At the age of 70 he swims 10,000 metres every day. His thinking is, "The fitter I am, the lower my resting heart rate."

His extreme way of working never ceases to amaze people! He is an obsessive - a one-off.

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Sep 30, 2022
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True Ispiration, and Art Proficiency
by: Allen Gainey

I needed something or someone, in motivating me to create an Art Masterpiece. Thank you for the Article.

Aug 02, 2020
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Emirates Airways
by: Camilla Farmer

I represent Emirates Airways. We would like to make a documentary about you and your work for our inflight movies. We will send a NDA to your handsofgenius.com website for you to sign. Thanks, Camilla.

May 04, 2020
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I'm interested
by: Francis Sheppard

I work with a production company. Can I ask you not to speak with anybody else until we have had a meeting with you. We are the country's most successful documentary makers. We are planning how we can work with you. We are an award winning, fully in-house production company based in London and have the facilities to offer the best outcome. When the lockdown is ended and we are back to normal we will be in a good position. Thanks, Francis

Oct 12, 2016
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Excellent!!
by: Richard Weston

I’ve worked with Channel 4 for several years. This is an excellent subject for a fly-on-the-wall documentary. One tip for those with a documentary idea - It’s got to be different and it needs to generate the wow factor before the film starts. This one has it all.

Sep 24, 2016
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Great project idea
by: Philip Carr

I am an ex BBC Photographer and filmmaker and would like to talk to you about taking this project further. (Great pitch by the way)
Have you a script?

Philip Carr
Bessborough Productions
07789070736
info@bessboroughproductions.co.uk

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