We all have times when we get stuck. We rehearse the same loops over and over, but thinking is no longer taking us forward.
What happens when, instead of trying to work things out in your head, you let the hand lead instead?
About this project
This is a short documentary film (5–15 minutes) exploring the experience of NeuroGraphica — through the eyes, hands, and reflections of people encountering it for the first time.
Rather than explaining the method, the film invites you to witness what happens when people begin to draw their inner world into coherence.
The main footage will be captured during a live workshop for complete beginners, held in a Brighton café (venue to be confirmed) currently exhibiting Margarita’s NeuroGraphica artwork.
A glimpse of the process
The live in-person workshop will introduce those taking part to the core process of NeuroGraphica.
Alongside the workshop, the film will include:
- short reflections from participants
- glimpses into Margarita’s drawing practice
- moments that reveal the subtle, often unexpected nature of the work
Time-lapse video of a NeuroGraphica drawing by Margarita Steinberg
Why this film?
NeuroGraphica is not just something to understand — it is something to experience.
This film is an invitation:
to pause, to notice, and perhaps to recognise something of yourself in the process.
Take part in the workshop
As part of this project, we’ll be hosting a small, in-person NeuroGraphica workshop for complete beginners in Brighton.
This session will form the main footage for the film.
If you’re curious to experience NeuroGraphica for yourself — and are open to being filmed as part of the process — you’re warmly invited to express your interest.
No drawing experience is needed.
The emphasis will be on creating a relaxed, real environment where you can explore the process at your own pace.
Follow the journey
This project is currently in development.
If you’d like to take part in the workshop, or get involved in the project in another way, you’re very welcome to get in touch with Margarita.
If you’d like to follow along as the project unfolds — or be among the first to see the finished film — you’re warmly invited to stay connected.
Project updates
Future updates will be shared here as the project evolves.
2nd filmed workshop
Boudica café in Brighton, 7th June 2026
Our second filmed workshop welcomed a cohort of new and returning participants, which added depth to the conversation in the room.
Most of the participants agreed to record a short one-to-one interview about their experience with NeuroGraphica.
The project now has sufficient workshop footage. The next stage will concentrate on filming one-to-one interviews: with Margarita about her NeuroGraphica practice, and a few others with previous experience of NeuroGraphica.
Plus, of course, the crew will be reviewing the film and audio material already captured, and preparing to start the editing and post-production process.
Images will be added when available.
1st filmed workshop
Boudica café in Brighton, 2nd June 2026
Our first filmed workshop at the Boudica café went really well!
We were able to capture film footage of the workshop, and of the lively discussion at the table after the workshop finished.
Several of the workshop participants have asked to come back for the second workshop, and have encouraged their friends to apply to take part, as well.
Our first filmed workshop (Boudica café, 2nd June 2026). Photos by Alistair Lock & Jonathan Fiske
Fourth production meeting
Online on 31st May 2026
Last production meeting before filming our first NG workshop on 2nd June.
Jonathan has joined the crew as onset photographer, and Kirtana as AD / production assistant.
More people have signed up to take part in the workshops to be filmed, but there are still a few open spaces.
Margarita has created a poster which can be shared in groups or online/on social media. The poster includes a QR code, which links to a Google Form where people can apply to take part in the workshop/s (on either or both of the dates).
Some of the remaining tasks include: participant filming consequent forms and a filming notice to be displayed at the entrance to the venue.
The crew will continue to liaise to finalise the equipment needed etc.
Margarita and her husband Ben updating the exhibition of Margarita's drawings, at the Boudica café, 29th May 2026
Filming for a crowdfunding page
Film set @ University of Sussex, 21st May 2026
Noah Boyce arranged for our project to have access to a film set at the School of Media, Arts and Humanities.
We got some footage filmed for a crowdfunding page for the project, with Noah in charge of Direction, Camera and Lighting, and Tsveta Dimova as Art Director, Acting Coach and Sound Operator.
Tsveta's son Skye Little Wing Dimova-Saw stepped in, at one point, to assist as an off-camera scene partner for Margarita.
This was Margarita's first experience on a film set as the "protagonist" in front of the camera. Noah's and Tsveta's support and guidance were invaluable to make this a wonderful first-time introduction!
Third production meeting
Online on 26th April 2026
Two provisional filming dates agreed with the production crew (to be confirmed with the venue – Boudica café in Brighton):
Tuesday 2nd June
and Sunday 7th June.
Zoom call with Alistair Lock, Arun Varghese, Noah Boyce and Tsveta Dimova.
Production meeting #3 on Zoom (Tsveta off camera) || The crew at Sussex Filmmaking Society Showcase (University of Sussex, 24 Apr 2026)
Next stage:
- Confirm dates with the venue.
- Script opening segment (VO).
- Confirm workshop participants for the two filming dates.
Next meeting: a few days before filming, if needed.
Second production meeting
Boudica café in Brighton, 14th April 2026
Margarita and Arun discussed location options (Boudica café vs spaces on University of Sussex campus), plus ideas for blocking and layout, if workshop were to be filmed at the Boudica.
Using a 3-Act structure, and scripting Act I & III would make for a more streamlined filming & editing process.
Arun Varghese: floorplan sketch of Boudica café, to help with planning potential layout for filming
Next stage: Plan & agree: location, dates, blocking, lighting, equipment, and part-script.
Next meeting: online in late-April 2026
First production meeting
Boudica café in Brighton, 2nd April 2026
Exploring the story that the film would tell and options for shaping the visual approach, with Alistair Lock, Arun Varghese, Tsveta Dimova and Noah Boyce.
1st production meeting, at the Boudica café (Photos by Tsveta Dimova)
Next stage: arrange date and location for the NeuroGraphica workshop, and begin to invite participants.
Next meeting: mid-April 2026
March 2026
Initial concept and development phase. Conversations with filmmakers underway.