“This is where we demonstrate our successes and explain more about the types of project that we work on.” This page is currently being added to on a gradual basis, so please bear with us if the information you need is not readily available. We are of course, happy to supply further information (subject to client confidentiality) on request.

Community Films/DVDs: Healthy Ageing (2007-08) This project was an exciting combination of all our skills: creative writing, information processing, video editing and DVD production. What’s more, Cécile was lucky enough to see the culmination of our labours, when her films were premiered at the Odeon Cinema, Warrington in October 2008. What We Did We worked directly on 6 of the 10 short films: Wrote and directed 3 films; Edited 4 films; Acted as assistant director on 3 films; We assisted the editing on the remaining films. We produced an Accessible DVD for the Emotional Wellbeing project, with subtitles and full artwork. We produced a compilation DVD for the whole Healthy Ageing project, with full artwork. We project managed the compilation of the films and the procurement of the replication for both DVDs. Produced a poster to promote the DVD in libraries. Brief/Project Background In 2007, Warrington Borough Council and the local NHS teamed up on the “Ageing Well and Feeling Good” project with the aim of creating information videos for Warrington’s older population. As Cécile works regularly with the Council’s “Big Idea” team in a voluntary capacity, she learned that the project was looking for scriptwriters. So in June 2007 she went along to the kick-off meeting to find out more. The films project team, which included the Council’s Older Person’s Engagement Officer, local scriptwriters and representatives from Social Services and the NHS, initially identified seven areas of value. (These were Falls, Emotional Wellbeing, Keeping Warm, Staying Safe, Keeping Well, Fire Safety and dealing with Conmen.) Cécile also suggested that a key topic was Finances, for both the older person and their relatives. Although this was deemed to be lower priority than some of the other health-related films, it was added to the list for Cecile to tackle later. Microfold’s Contribution Since there was only a small budget available from the NHS, Cécile pitched for Microfold to get the commission for creating the DVD, on the basis that Microfold would act as in-kind sponsor by providing a lot of time and company resources, in return for a nominal fee. The ultimate aim was for the full set of films to be completed in time for a special conference, scheduled for October 2008. This appeared to give plenty of time, however, the full scale of the project did not really become apparent until several months down the line, when Cécile’s (and Microfold’s) input turned out to be invaluable. Timescales were so tight at the end, and many of the key personnel had such little experience of this kind of work, that Microfold’s involvement became critical to the success of the production of the compilation DVD and to help the films part of the project to come to fruition. Project Number 1 The first film that was deemed to be the most urgent, was on the subject of “emotional wellbeing” in older people to promote awareness of depression and to help reduce the numbers of suicides. The NHS had a plan for a pilot programme in Spring 2008 and requested that a separate, standalone DVD be made, since the remaining films were not due to be finished until some months later. Cécile volunteered to take this topic and work with another writer. They both spent a few weeks researching the subject and were then able to write the script in a matter of hours. That’s when the hard work really began! Actors were found and Cécile directed the filming, which took place over 3 days, giving her valuable insight into the production process. Once the ten-minute drama was finished, Cécile worked closely with the Warrington NHS Mental Health Promotion team, to create the key information that was to be included at the end of the film. Both Kevin and Cécile worked long hours to edit the drama and also to create the text screens, adding in some lovely music, which was kindly loaned by Nova Era. The NHS Mental Health Promotion officer commissioned Microfold to produce a special DVD, which would be accessible for people with visual impairment and also for those with hearing difficulties. As usual, we went the extra mile. Having witnessed first-hand the problems that blind people encounter, when the film was previewed in a day centre, Cécile decided that in addition to recording a reading of the factual information, she should write a special audio description script to accompany the drama part of the film. This then made a version of the film that is fully accessible to people with visual impairment. (To watch the film, please click on the image below.) The second part of this commission was a full subtitle track, which we created and included as an option on the DVD. Outcome Microfold, created cover artwork for this DVD and then sourced and project managed the production of 250 copies. The special DVD was used to great success by both the Warrington NHS Mental Health Promotion team and Social Services, in the pilot that ran from April to August 2008 to assess awareness of mental health issues. They now plan to include it in their training programmes. The film was also screened as part of the “One in Four” film festival in October 2008 at UCLAN. Project Number 2 Cécile’s initial plan for the Finances topic was for a documentary. However, following the successful reception of “A Trouble Shared,” the Older Person’s Engagement Officer, decided that all the information films should feature Albert and Vera. This was of course a major pat on the back for Cécile and Myles’ characterisations. The Money Matters films were originally intended to be one film, however, as Summer 2008 progressed and the September deadline for finishing all the films loomed ever nearer, we took the decision to film the two parts separately, so that if time ran out we could leave one of them for a later date. As other films on the project overran too, we just managed to squeeze both Money Matters filming in and decided to use a common piece of music to link the two. (Which of course gives us the option to make further Money Matters films at some point.) Money 1: TOP Interestingly, the inspiration for this topic came from one of Microfold’s other clients. Peter Bean, is a tax advisor and partner in John Jepps LLP for whom we run a website. As part of his biography we had come across the fact that he regularly volunteers for TOP via Age Concern. Once Cécile had read up on the charity, she realised its value as an organisation but that it is also not well known. So how better to promote it, than by making it the subject of one the films? As part of her research, Cécile went along with Peter to one of his tax surgeries at Age Concern. It was apparent that the main issues are problems with tax forms, so there really was nothing else for it, but to have poor old Albert get a demand for a lot of money from Revenue and Customs. Thanks to Peter his tax form has now been sorted out and he may even get a refund! Money 1: Benefits For the other Money Matters film, Cécile’s research with Age Concern and Citizens Advice, highlighted the importance and impact of the non-take-up of benefits. Working to the old adage of “write what you know,” Cécile used the Age Concern website as the central theme, since they have an electronic Benefits Checker on the site itself. And thus a scene was born around a group of older people using computers to explore their benefit entitlements. You can view both Money Matters films, by clicking here. Keep Cool A key part of the Healthy Ageing project was about developing people’s skills, as well as producing useful information films, So Cécile decided to do the editing on the Keep Cool film, for which she was also Assistant Director. Whilst preferring to focus on her writing talents, by doing this she nonetheless gained useful insight into the overall video production process. Outcome Working with the Council’s Media officer, Microfold pulled all the films together and created a compilation DVD, with full cover artwork. We then sourced and project managed the production of 1000 copies of the compilation DVD. The DVD was launched at the Ageing Well and Feeling Good conference on 8th October at the Odeon in Warrington. The NHS is continuing the rollout by distributing copies to the local community and has also made them available via local libraries.