Film: 'Why Volunteering'
Our goal was clear: demonstrate the simplicity and value of volunteering to medium and large firms.
Micro documentary on volunteering initiative for Mayor's Office
We devised and filmed this promotional feature for the Mayor of London website to encourage medium and larger firms to support volunteering initiatives. Titled 'Why volunteering', it explains the benefits and enterprise value of the programme to HR and CSR managers. This was a three-day shoot, a two-day edit and about two days' pre-production. Such a buzz working with the generous and motivated people of this project in so many firms.
THE CHALLENGE
Our challenge was to bring about visible results within a clear timeframe:
The Mayor of London wanted to advance his corporate volunteering initiative via Team London and a group of coprorate partners. The aim was to encourage more firms to engage in volunteering schemes. The challenge was to explain the benefits of volunteering to corporates, and thereby attract more employers.
Our goal was clear: demonstrate the simplicity and value of volunteering to medium and large firms.
HOW WE HELPED
We filmed the programme partners and volunteers at their workplaces and interviewed many contributors. We gleaned a great deal from the story of one volunteer as she walked us through her journey into employment. Wonderful to see business and youngsters chiming so well.
OUTCOME
Micro documentary on volunteering initiative for Mayor's Office.
LEARNINGS
New corporate participants are now contacting the Mayor's office. And there's now a more useful explainer online. Here are a few of our own learnings from the making of this Volunteering video. Hopefully they can help you prepare for your next next production.
- Carefully research who the best people to talk to are.
- Try to tell a realistic story of events.
- Budget for multiple locations properly - there was a ton of travel in this piece.
- Avoid wall-to wall-talking heads - it's too dull.