Remembering Stephen Hay

Filmmaker and lecturer.

Our colleague and dear friend Stephen Hay joined the Institute of Communication Studies (now the School of Media and Communication) from Leeds College of Technology in 1996 at a time of curricular change. He brought with him a passion for practice as a way of understanding the world, and as a means of challenging and changing it. Through a number of roles, including programme leadership and constantly driving curricular innovation, he significantly contributed to the development of media practice in our school.

Stephen led key initiatives such as launching the BA (Hons) Cinema, Photography and Television course in 2003 with the ethos of learning through creative practice. Under his guidance the course went from strength to strength. By 2008 technology had advanced and non-linear editing was a low-cost reality. The DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera was revolutionising the film industry by providing excellent image quality at an affordable price. Stephen renamed the course to BA(Hons) Cinema and Photography to embrace this revolution. He was passionate about this transition as it empowered students to create without the barrier of cost.

Stephen’s enthusiasm was infectious and his lectures were legendary for the practical demonstrations and examples that he provided. Being a keen filmmaker himself, he would use his own projects as case studies and unpack the ‘do’s and don’ts’ to improve his student’s underpinning knowledge. His advocacy for improving resources and adopting the latest technologies has a lasting legacy and his contribution has ensured that we are recognised as sector-leading.

Stephen was a kind, generous and loyal friend, offering gentle support and direction with an infectious humour and love for fun that characterised his personality. He could be forthright, but in a way that was often imperceptible and he had the knack of gentle persuasion by planting ideas as if they were your own. His passion for cinema (especially French cinema) and the arts was up front and centre, and was often expressed through what we thought was an inexhaustible wardrobe of film related T-shirts, which it turned out he designed himself. He was also a huge fan of music, including Talking Heads and Bruce Springsteen and his first love The Clash. There was always a lyric or reference to suit every occasion.

He left his mark in so many ways, not least in the legacy of the hundreds of students he imbued with his passion for cinema as a way to communicate ideas. He offered unwavering support through the supervision and mentorship of his students, some of whom are now staff members. He supported many significant projects which were increasingly recognised by RTS (Royal Television Society) Student awards. He consistently and patiently guided students into the industry, as one of Stephen’s former students attests:

I was so saddened to hear about Stephen's passing. I have many fond memories of sitting in Stephen's office and chatting for hours about Kubrick, Scorsese and Louis Malle. He was always so supportive and passionate about film and really encouraged me when I was starting out. - Simon Glass, BBC Director / Producer

Stephen retired to Naxos, Greece with his wife Suzie in 2019.  And never stopped working on projects and communicating his enthusiasm for filmmaking. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him and we are grateful for having known, worked and studied with him.

He sadly died on September 4th and is survived by his wife and daughter Lorrie.