About The Establishing Shot
About The Establishing Shot
The Establishing Shot is an independent blog run by Craig Grobler where Art and Cult complect. Based in London, we focus on film, Filmmaking, books, photography, travel, food, gadgets, architecture and events mainly within London.
Our aim is to immerse audiences in the viewing experience — taking you behind the scenes with the people who make films and the people who show them. We share insight and passion for all things film.
Craig is a retired superhero with a very particular set of skills, an obsessive hobbyist, comics fan, gadget lover and flâneur who knows an unhealthy amount about Ian Fleming's James Bond and spends an even unhealthier amount of time in Call of Duty's Verdansk Caldera (honing those aforementioned skills).
Craig has a specific interest in the immersive film experience, auteurism, diegetic sound, mimesis, diegetics, memetics, semiotics, propaganda, creative genesis, symbolism, tropes and New Hopes.
When not watching or making films he takes pictures, eats, drinks, spelunks, bass jumps, scuba dives and tries to connect to nature whilst mentally storyboarding the greatest film never made. He also sometimes utilises owl-themed gadgets to fight crime, when they pull him back in.
Our aim is to immerse audiences in the viewing experience — taking you behind the scenes with the people who make films and the people who show them. We share insight and passion for all things film.
We love everything FILM. We lean toward smaller or independent films that don’t have the budget to market widely. Our obsession includes reviews, film talks, actors, directors, cinemas, soundtracks, producers, film events, filmmaking, film locations, film marketing, and film promotion.
The blog began as a way to document experiences as a budding filmmaker living in London. Naturally, London’s endless culture seeped into the updates — so you’ll also find occasional posts on Comics, Super Heroes, James Bond, Food, Drink, Travel, Art, Books, Street Art, Music, Gadgets, Technology, Gaming, Photography, Sci‑Fi, Socialising, Night Life, and Architecture.
Stats
Although we did regularly rank among the most influential film blogs in the UK —
reaching positions such as 50, 30, 27, 22,
and even 14th — our focus isn’t mass readership.
We aim for a smaller, loyal, discerning audience who value insight over hype.
If you’re looking for the latest news, trailers, posters, or film pics, there are many sites that specialise in that. We’re here for something deeper.
Make Contact
If you have film news, a film, a film‑related book or
comic to be reviewed, an event you’d like covered,
a film you’re raising capital for, or simply want to connect with a fellow film fan —
contact Craig at:
Email: theestablishingshot(at)gmail.com
Or use the contact form below.
