Brief
Horticultural charity Perennial wanted a video to showcase the work it does to patrons and fundraisers at its annual gala dinner. The organisation is set up to support anyone in horticulture who needs help, whether that’s emotional, practical or financial. It asked us to come up with ideas for a video or videos that would have the most impact on its gathered audience and have a long term use online.
Concept
We spent time listening to Perennial describe the work they do and talking to some of their clients and beneficiaries. We considered who would best explain what the charity does – staff, clients or sponsors and quickly realised the most impact would come from focusing purely on the moving stories of the people it helped. We sought out case studies who had benefited in different ways from the charity and had stories that would move the audience and encourage them to act. To add impact, we also wrote a script for the charity’s president, presenter and horticulturist Alan Titchmarsh, to introduce each film.
Create
With the event fast approaching we had to work quickly to film the case studies who were spread all over the UK. It was Christmas time and this already busy time was further complicated by some of the battles they face on a daily basis such as illness and, of course, work commitments, so we had to shift our own timetable around to accommodate them and the busy schedule of Mr Titchmarsh. The clients all had difficult stories to tell so we had to approach each interview with sensitivity and empathy. We shot the accompanying pictures in super slo-mo, to provide dramatic and moving imagery. The results are 3 extremely moving films, one of which you can view on this page.
Connect
Perennial was delighted with all the films. On the night we were told the films had the desired effect with members of the audience brought to tears. Perennial is now using all the films to encourage new supporters for the charity and hopes to create more in the future.