My name’s Graeme and I work in CBBC Presentation. I recently produced a promotional film for Cheshire based charity, The Childrens’ Adventure Farm Trust with BBC Outreach. From taking part in the experience I gained so much more than I could ever have imagined. Not least a Santa suit – but more about that later!
Producing the film allowed me to develop the skills I use every day in my job but in a completely new and different environment. Making this film was a unique opportunity to work with a charity partner - something I haven’t had the chance to do before. Working with them opened my eyes to the challenges they face and gave me an insight into the children they support.
The film was made for these children rather than for sponsors or businesses. It is a resource that the charity will use to tell them what a break at the farm looks like and to reassure them of any worries they may have. It was therefore really important that it appealed to this young audience and so we used professional puppeteers and their puppets to present the film. We also needed to communicate all the key information about the charity to the adults (parents and guardians) so a lot of thought was given to the messages in the story. The puppets worked really well at telling the story and we know they won’t date. This hopefully means the film can be used for a long time to come.
The film was premiered at the charity’s annual ball at the Mere Golf and Country Club in-front of local celebrities, including musicians, Paralympians and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Unfortunately, I could not make the evening, however I am told it was very well received. Of course, the most important audience was the children and fortunately they have given it a big thumbs-up.
In the end, everyone who gave their time to work on the film gained from the experience: myself, my junior colleagues, my puppeteers and most importantly the charity.
My relationship with the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust has continued since the project’s completion, having built strong personal relationships with the team culminating with myself being asked to be Santa Claus at one of their open days over the Christmas period! The nerves and apprehension of directing the CBBC studio has nothing compared to being Santa Claus for the day!
*The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust worked with BBC staff volunteers to make a film highlighting the services and holiday breaks they offer to disabled, disadvantaged and poorly children from across the North West.
Two of the coolest cats in town take us on a guided tour of the Children's Adventure Farm
