Whiteman’s journey from football to film wasn’t sudden — it was years in the making. Even as a teenager, he sought out experiences beyond football’s narrow focus, assisting directors and photographers on set during his days off. “Football is a short career regardless,” he explained. “I knew I didn’t want to stay in it forever. It was about trying to gain experience and be proactive in learning about things I was passionate about — and mainly because I was enjoying it.”
After leaving Spurs, Whiteman trialled with two English clubs, including one in the Championship that offered him a short-term deal. However, he declined the contract, admitting, “I saw happiness in these other avenues. It got to the point where I’d rather end this on my terms than go to a club that I didn’t want to go to.” Instead, he threw himself fully into his new career — and within days was assisting Harley Weir and rapper Central Cee on a Nike shoot, before joining Shahrokhshahi to film a documentary across Norway and Ukraine.
His first personal project, a short film about the World Toe Wrestling Championships, became a turning point. “There was no budget or brief, nothing,” Whiteman said. “I turned up with my camera and ran around shooting it, then sat with an editor to finish it — and it got posted.” The short received glowing reviews from David Reviews, earning him a contract with Somesuch. “Somesuch have their film and commercials departments, and I do photography,” he added. “I’ve got project ideas for short films, and hopefully one day, a feature-length.”