Gordon Ellis has been filming since 1974 when he joined the Dunfermline Cine Club. Starting with Silent Super 8 film in a Bolex camera. As projects got more ambitious, sound films were possible with the purchase of an Elmo sound camera.

Most films at that time were holiday and family events, Gordon shot these subjects but also filmed his interests including railways, the changes taking place within Dunfermline and Scottish theatres and cinemas. In 1982 Gordon along with his wife Marianne and friend Bill Gourlay founded Talisman Films and went on to success in various club competitions.