If you are an artist working in the community or in creative health here are some things we learnt from this project to support you to work with groups of new filmmakers. We know you’re already brilliant at holding groups and being creative, so these hints and tips focus specifically on things you might want to think about when introducing video production projects into your groups. For a downloadable version click the button below:
➼ You don’t need to be an experienced filmmaker yourself to start making films with groups – just be one step ahead and be clear about what is and isn’t possible.
➼ Start by questioning whether this is about experiencing the process of filmmaking: exploring and having fun; or is it about making a finished product people are proud of and can share with their chosen audience. If it’s the latter, consider how you are going to make sure you complete some films – this can be a tricky medium, particularly if you haven’t done it before.
➼ When it comes to designing a project for your group keep it simple. Make sure you set the boundaries of the brief so that participants’ ambitions match the skills and resources available to you. We found it was good to set a positive theme as films are made to be seen - when they are shared this content added to the feelgood factor. Positive stories are often about overcoming – being positive doesn’t mean films need to be saccharine.
➼ Focus on the story of each film. Encourage people to keep films simple and short in duration – great storytelling is what it’s about, not how many minutes you can fill or how many shots you can fit in. Using a ‘2-column script’ (see resources) can really help people narrow down their ideas and structure a simple story, telling their story visually as well as with words.
➼ Don’t worry too much about technical quality – we are now all used to seeing all sorts of content online and rough and ready has a sense of authenticity.
➼ Use equipment that is available to you and that people already know – their own phones are ideal. Know your technical workflow in advance – check that you can get footage off phones, that sound is audible, and that you can play out edited films.
➼ Know if and how you are going to edit before you start. There are lots of apps and free software, but be careful not to shoot something that is beyond your editing skills. Look in the resources section for some tips on starting. Practitioners and participants alike find the editing the most challenging part of the process. If you can, then we recommend bringing in someone experienced to edit the films for you and then you can focus on supporting people to come up with ideas and shoot.
➼ Blend groupwork and individual work. Some people are daunted by video and prefer working on others’ ideas, but others who are confident may want to do their own project. Consider individual moments that can be put together to make one longer group film.
➼ Negotiate a way to get involved in production without taking away from participants' editorial control – many will need hands on help to get something finished. We tend to play it by ear – some people make their own films, others want us to edit, some just want to come up with an idea. Make sure you have enough facilitators or have worked out a method that people aren’t waiting around to be helped with their phones.
➼ Needless to say, if you are making films for a public audience, whether online or in person, your ethical and safeguarding position may need to be reviewed. We have individual conversations with participants about whether and how they appear in their films.
➼ Screenings are a great celebration and always spark conversations and connections. In our experience filmmakers feel nervous beforehand and are then hugely proud of their achievements. We like to do test screenings first, so that they have the experience with an audience of familiar people before showing the films to a wider public.