Charity commission
This visually signed film production was commissioned by the charity Joy of Sound (JoS). JoS were initially looking for one short film featuring their inclusive workshops to help promote their charity. At the very beginning of the production process, I met with the JoS team and trustees, all of whom are volunteers, to share our thoughts. After further discussions, it was agreed to create two short films, each meeting different requirements. JoS then provided me with a wider-ranging list of requirements that the films needed to address and communicate.
As part of the commission, the films were to feature Makaton signing. The films also needed to include clear on-screen subtitles, as JoS wanted to make them as accessible as possible.
Production
In addition to the proposed workshop filming dates, I requested to film separate sit-down interviews with two of the JoS team. I knew these two interviews would help me explain JoS’s work and ethos correctly to a wider audience whilst addressing their briefing requirements. I first filmed the interviews with Lead Inclusive Facilitators Angela Contucci and Anna Franklin. These interviews were filmed in the vicar’s office at St Peter’s. From this filming session, I knew I had the main body of explanatory audio for the films.
The next filming sessions were three different JoS music workshops. For the first workshop filming at St Peter’s, I set up three tripod-mounted cameras to capture the participants’ engagement and joy. To record the sound, I fitted Angela, the Lead Workshop Facilitator, with a radio microphone. I also recorded a separate audio feed on each camera.
The other two workshops were filmed at the Salvation Army on Portobello Road and the other at St Mary’s of Eaton in Hackney. For both of these workshop sessions, I filmed with one mono-pod-mounted camera and fitted radio mics to the Lead Facilitators to record the workshop audio.
Post-production
With four filming sessions complete, I started the film’s post-production. All the footage was viewed and listened to, and rough cuts made of the clips I thought would help the edit. Over time, the film edits came together, and a viewing with JoS was arranged. Some minor edit adjustments were requested at the time; once the films had been signed off, they were ready for the Makaton signing to be added. To help with this, I created a transcript of the film’s audio.
Makaton signing
Victoria Woodgate kindly agreed to provide suitable Makaton signing, and a filming date was arranged. Ahead of filming, the JoS team reviewed the script with Victoria to identify which words and phrases could be signed. As each film’s audio was played, I recorded Victoria signing against a white backdrop with appropriate lighting.
Makaton is designed to support spoken English rather than replace it. It is primarily designed to aid those with learning or communication difficulties, such as autism, Down’s syndrome, or speech delays. Makaton is protected by copyright, and all images belong to the Makaton Charity. Permission to use Makaton signing for the JoS films was obtained by the qualified signer who signed both films.
Final delivery
Once the signing had been completed it was edited into both films. The final signed versions were then shared with the JoS team and Victoria via a password-protected Vimeo link.
Once I had received sign-off a exported suitable versions and delivered them to JoS for uploading onto their Vimeo channel. In addition to the two short films I also edited both a 16:9 and 9: 16 trailer for the JoS social media channels.
If you would like any help with your visually signed film production please get in touch via my contact form.
