WWF, RSPB & National Trust | Nature heroes
Series co-producer & director | Episode self-shooter & editor
The challenge
Having delivered the first stage of the Save our Wild Isles campaign video work, I was invited back by the 3-charity partnership of WWF-UK, RSPB and the National Trust in order to research, develop and produce a series of inspiring people-led, authentic films and storytelling packages. The ambition was to amplify individuals and communities taking action to protect and restore nature across the UK. I brought on a co-producer/director to run the project with me in order to manage the size of the brief and to gain the value that collaboration brings.
The brief was multifaceted and included the desire to:
represent previously non-engaged and/or marginalised groups and individuals
be conducted in the spirit of co-production principles
galvanise action across communities in the UK by normalising action for nature and showcasing diverse examples
represent communities across the four UK nations
represent projects which had gained funding via the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund
The result
After research, casting calls, recces and meetings, we agreed to collaborate with four projects, one in each of the UK nations which together gave the opportunity to celebrate people and groups working in urban settings, farming communities, rural isolated areas and community garden spaces. We were able to capture stories featuring young children through to older people from diverse walks of life, all united by their passion for nature and wildlife, and actions to protect and restore it.
We worked closely with the groups to build trust and involve them in the production process. It was important to us that the groups felt a sense of ownership and felt their voice was reflected in the story they wanted to tell, and how they wanted to be represented. The result of this way of working enabled us to gather intimate and authentic content that reflected the personality and style of each of the groups. The feedback from the groups and the charities has been overwhelmingly positive.
Outputs
4 x 4-6 minute short documentary films
1 x 2 minute trailer-style overview film
13 x accompanying social media films / micro stories
Photography and 4 x written case studies
Collaborator feedback
“After seeing the final edits of the project I was lost for words. Which is rare. Over the moon with the results. This sums me up to a T! I so wanted to highlight the fun side of being outdoors and embracing nature. It’s better than I imagined.
I liked the collaborative side to it. I really really enjoyed working with the Crafted Films team - a nice chilled and laid back bunch. Attentive, direct and patient. A nice combo for a film crew. I was genuinely sad to see them go. I would happily work with them again. 👊🏿💙”
“It was a pleasure to work with Catherine and Rachel from Crafted Films. They were not only very professional but also a lot of fun, and they vested a huge amount of time, energy and interest in our project - gratifying in itself. The film is great too!”
“Thank you for taking the time to really understand what the garden is about.”
“The short is brilliant! The whole film is very engaging, and well produced. We loved working with you as well, it gave the Community Service team in probation a real boost and validation of the impact of their work, not only with individuals but in giving back to the community and nature.”
“The kids really enjoyed watching the film.
I have to say I did get emotional watching it.”
“I thought the film was wonderful, it captured the essence of the garden.”
Crew
Series co-producer & director | Catherine Rose
Series co-producer, director & photographer | Rachel Palmer
Trailer-style overview film
Editor | Jack King
Script | Catherine Rose
Planting trees: Good for the soul, Good for the soil
Community group | Stump up for Trees
Key collaborators | Rob Penn, Jenny Parry, Jenny Knight, Kate & Jim Beavan
Shooters | Nina Constable, Catherine Rose
Recce shooters | Andy Oxley, Jack King
Editor | Giulio Gobetti
Alex’s wild nature journey: making gardening fun
Lead collaborator/contributor | Alexander Thompson-Byer
RSPB local contributor and support on the ground | Clare Bird
Shooters | Catherine Rose, Jack King
Editors | Jack King, Catherine Rose, Rachel Palmer
Illustrations & animations | Freddie Horton
Bristol’s young nature heroes: planting a better future
Community group | Heart of BS13
Key collaborators: | Kirsty Hammond and key green influencers - Lexi, Kenzie, Bella, Poppy and Anisha
Shooters | Catherine Rose, Andy Oxley
Editors | Eliana Lafone, Catherine Rose, Jack King
Wildlife and the City: Gardening in small spaces
Community group | Knockbreda community wildlife garden
Key collaborators | Ken Orr, David & Jill Hines, Tom Cochrane, Stephen McCormick, Angela Loudon, Ramona Duffield, Wendy Doherty, Liz Mahoney, Joy Jackson, John & Susan Nixon, John & Mabel Warren, Heather Lloyd, Debbie Arthur, Damien Gallagher, Anne & John Wood, Lisa Maginnis, Clare Osborne, John Finnegan
Shooter | Catherine Rose
Editors | Catherine Rose, Jack King
Client creative team
WWF | Richard Edwards, Anjali Patel, Kat Machin, Youki Crump
RSPB | Mark Fountain, Pariss Cozier, Lynn Chambers
National Trust | Laura Appleby