Charity commission
This visually signed film production was commissioned by the charity Joy of Sound (JoS). JoS initially wanted one short film featuring their inclusive workshops to help promote the charity. At the start of production, I met with the JoS team and trustees, all of whom are volunteers, to share our thoughts. After further discussion, we agreed to create two short films, each meeting different requirements. JoS then provided a broader list of requirements the films needed to address and communicate.
As part of the commission, the two 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 separate sit-down interviews with two members of the JoS team. I knew these two interviews would help me explain JoS’s work and ethos accurately to a wider audience while meeting their briefing requirements. I first filmed the interviews with Lead Inclusive Facilitators Angela Contucci and Anna Franklin. I filmed these interviews in the vicar’s office at St Peter’s. From this session, I knew I had the main 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.
I filmed the other two workshops at the Salvation Army on Portobello Road and at St Mary’s of Eaton in Hackney. For both of these workshop sessions, I filmed with one monopod-mounted camera and fitted radio mics to the Lead Facilitators to record the workshop audio.
Post-production
With four filming sessions complete, I began post-production. I reviewed all the footage and audio and made rough cuts of the clips I thought would help the edit. Over time, the film edits came together, and I arranged a viewing with JoS. At the time, some minor edit adjustments were requested; once the films were 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 we arranged a filming date. 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. The qualified signer who signed both films obtained permission to use Makaton signing for the JoS 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 I 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.
