2000 to 2012 Long Form Programs or Corporate Videos
About the start of 2000 or possibly earlier the use of the term “documentary film” appears to have fallen into disuse. The term “long form programs” or “Corporate Video” productions now described a project that was not a Television Commercial or a Television Filler. Depending on the purpose and the use that was to be made of a project they were often of the order of 15 to 30 minutes long but they could be shorter length projects that did not fit into the definitions of a commercial or a filler.
This section reviews the programs made between 2000 and 2012. It is by no means a complete review of the projects produced. The records of what was made are incomplete since many projects especially in the final years were produced electronically that is recorded, edited, distributed and administered on computers. All this information would have been stored on hard drives. None of these hard drives were passed to the National Film Archive for preservation. If anyone has any information about programs made in this period please get in touch using the “Contact Us” email on the Navigation Bar.
2000
Tax Credits: An Employers Guide provided advice to employers now responsible for paying tax credits to eligible employees. It was produced at the request of Inland Revenue and followed the introduction of the new concept of tax credits by the then Chancellor Gordon Brown.Made by Firehouse Productions NFA ID 568294
All Rise – Judicial Appointments was an unusual recruiting video produced, in house by John Ross. This project was at the request of the Lord Chancellors Department. It purpose was to encourage potential applicants from the legal profession to apply to become judges. The problem of recruiting judges was perhaps a reflection of the loss of earnings that might deter successful solicitors and barristers on being offered a judicial appointment. NFA ID N-3775733
Bullying Don’t Suffer in Silence was a video pack that included printed material. It was produced for the Department of Education for use in schools. Intended for use with students to counter the growing problem of bullying its theme was what to do when a student, found himself being bullied. Produced by John Ross NFA ID 703620
2001
National Blood Service a video for the National Blood Transfusion Service during which the CEO provided a staff presentation on the current activities of the Service. This type of corporate video programme for internal use by departments or agencies was to be an a growth area of production over the coming years. NFA ID 678707
Census Video 2001 (click here to view) a video to explain and support the national Census taking place in 2001. NFA ID N-3775621
2002
E-Conveyancing -intended for Land Registry staff as a training video explaining the benefits of the new electronic conveyancing system. NFA ID 678710
Interpreting for Immigration for the Immigration Directorate of the Home Office it was a recruitment and training program for interpreters. NFA ID 678711
Nursing in the NHS-Spanish Nurses a video aimed at encouraging qualified nurses from Spain to join the already 400 nurses working in Britain NFA ID 678516
2003
Open I the first issue of what to become a series . The purpose of Open I was to provide a magazine program for the profoundly deaf and hearing impaired. It used British Sign Language and sub titles to provide advice and information about government and the public services. This first issue, Open I: Issue 1 included items about accessing NHS Direct, Child and Working Tax Credits, fire safety in the kitchen and guidance and support services for 13-19 year old students. NFA ID 689583
2004
Open I comprised three videos in the series for the deaf. The first was a promotion programme about the team behind the series. The second was issue 5 released in April 2004 and included items on the Disability Discrimination Act, FRANK a drugs information service and About My Vote, a reminder to Register. NFA ID 731542
Preparing for Emergencies also targeted the deaf to use a dramatic scenario to explain the purpose of a booklet using the same title NFA ID 731554.
Sport At Heart was sponsored by the London 2012 as a Candidate City for the Olympic Games. It formed part of the bid to present the 2012 Games showcasing London as a city of history and modernity, ethnic diversity, culture, sport, humour and passion. It featured personalities such as Ken Livingstone, David Beckham and Roger Moore. Produced by Caroline Rowland. Made by New Moon Television directed by Daryl Goodrich NFA ID 734604
London 2012 : Imagine also about the Olympic Games consisted of four short pieces of two minutes each that were released to broadcast television, used on websites and for conferences.Made by New Moon Television NFA ID 734607
Out of Crime Into Treatment: Drugs Intervention was sponsored by the Home Office to promote a new initiative aimed at reducing the cost of criminal justice through drug prevention and treatment programmes for offenders. NFA ID 731555
Summary Long Form Videos 2000 to 2004: there was a limited amount of long form production during these four years.The exact reason for this limitation is not clear though it may have been a consequence of reorganisation of COI.
Corporate Videos What Was Made In The Years 2004 to 2012
In 2004 Andrew Lane Fox joined COI as Deputy Head of Television (Corporate). He was tasked with growing the relatively low rate of Corporate Video production by taking advantage of the opportunities arising from the opening up of a plethora of new television channels including digital and online opportunities. Some 300 Corporate Video projects were produced from 2004 until 2012 the following notes record a fraction of those made. If anyone has any further information corporate project during this period please get in tough through the Contact Us email address:
2005
Wake Up Call was sponsored by the Ministry for Justice. The program explains the support services available to victims of crime. NFA ID N- 7040611
Treatment ,The Works sponsored by the Home Office looked at Drug Intervention Programmes and the help provided for users of drugs.
Ladged No Longer sponsored by the Home Office looked at the issue of drug taking among the gypsy and travelling people and the problems it has led to within that community. NFA ID 731552
Together We Can (click here to View) about the importance of the involvement of people in planning new large scale developments. Examples in Plymouth and Liverpool and Camden in London. Produced by Keri Powell directed by Jack Price
Open I- issue 9 of this BSL signed and subtitled program for the deaf. Stories in this issue included information about the Disability Discrimination Act, the Education Maintenance Awards and the National Minimum Wage. NFA ID 749743
2006
EMA – You Decide( click here to view) was sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council to encourage young people to stay on in full time education. It detailed the help provided by the government’s Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). A further program EMA- You Decide: My Ideas explored the same theme.Won awards at the IVCA Produced by Keri Powell, made by Hawkshead Productions NFA ID N-476023
The Lights Are On was sponsored by the Information Commissioner’s Office to explain the new Data Protection Act.
Environment Protection (click here to view) video produced at the request of the then Secretary of State for the Environment Maragaret Beckett who needed a film to accompany her big speech at No. 10 (the only place this film was shown until now) to 20 Ministers.. Produced by Keri Powell who says I still have the Thank you letter today from Margaret Beckett saying it was the first time she had ever heard an around of applause at No 10. Keep watching it has a twist.Directed by Peter Shuttleworth for Pretzl Films.
Open I issue 13 of this signed and subtitled program for the deaf. NFA ID 749452
2007
The Grim Reaper was produced for the Army for use with returning soldiers from operational tours to remind them of the dangers of traffic accidents in the UK. It’s worth looking at this. It was a multi award winning project and showed the sort of risks we could take. Made by Edge Picture Company, directed by Steve Bookbinder NFA ID 759124
Financial Management Matters (click here to view) was a video sponsored by the Treasury as an internal training film to create an awareness of the importance of the responsible handling of public money by civil servants.
SOCA Security the Home Office sponsored a training programme for the Serious Organised Crime Agency about the need to avoid compromising the safety and security of witnesses. Produced by Cassie Sims NFA ID N-34298
Effectiveness Practice in Night Time was also sponsored by the Home Office about the excessive consumption of alcohol in pubs and clubs.Produced by Gaby Szabo NFA ID 40786
Employers Abroad (click here to view) video encouraging employers to discover what armed forces reservists who work for them experience when they in training.
Student Finance sponsored by the Universities and Skills Department.promoted the benefits of higher education and the financial assistance available. Made by Pretzel Films NFA ID N-34272
Pandemic Flu was about dangers of a pandemic of influenza produced for the Department of Health.Produced by Keri Powell NFA ID N-35061
Foresight: Tackling Obesity sponsored by the Department for Trade and Industry accompanied a major report on the factors that influenced obesity in the UK. Made by Cheerful Scout NFA ID N-40679
Dementia Care was a program about community based projects to help those afflicted by the on set of dementia. Produced for the Department of Health.
Talking to Children About Sex looked at the role of parents in discussion about this subject. Producer Keri Powell NFA ID N-35074
Anger Management was sponsored by NHS Direct.Looks at the links between anger and stress is everyday life and offers practical help tp control anger. Producer Keri Powell NFA ID N-35078
Nuclear Power Consultation was a compilation of short films relating to the governments consultation on nuclear power. Producer Keri Powell NFA ID N-33880
Royal Marines Reserves recruitment film (click here to view) aimed at potential recruits
RAF Val (click here to view) looped film created to play on green button interactive Television on Sky
Wood - Energy that Grows on Trees was sponsored by the Forestry Commission and was about wood based products that can provide sustainable sources of energy. NFA ID N-38368
The Department of Health sponsored a group of three videos about successful community based social enterprise projects in the UK:
Social Enterprise Dementia Care Partnership describes a carer led charity providing an alternative to residential care. NFA ID N-35065
Social Enterprise Apnee Sehat- Our Health was about a group working in the South East Asian Community to raise awareness of vascular disease NFA ID N-35071
Social Enterprise H.E.L.P. was one of three programs about successful social enterprise projects in the UK . NFA ID N-35068
2008
Airtight -Secure Air Cargo was sponsored by the Department for Transport as a training program, aimed at air cargo handling personnel to make them aware of the need to ensure strict security at all times when handling cargo.Made by Pukka Films NFA ID N-33959
Tick Tock provided guidance to public authorities regarding their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations legislation through an imaginary scenario involving a Council and the residents of Upham Downs NFA ID 763904
Consequences – Making A Video was a video promoting the National Year of Reading sponsored by the Schools and Families Department. It featured well known comedians and celebrity participants describing why reading is important. NFA ID N-33940
RAF Afghanistan Weekly Diaries (click here to view) the Afghanistan video diaries were the first ever video diaries from UK armed forces in an operational theatre. Getting them agreed with MOD was a challenge, as was recruiting of Goody, the gunner who did the diaries. He did daily diaries and a weekly special, which were then flown out of Kandahar by RAF pilots and picked up from Brize Norton.
Rocks In A Hard Place (click here to view) soldiers talk about their experiences in and around Basra, Iraq and the need to bring a sense of greater immediacy to life in the armed services. It was used as an internet web series consisting of 26 episodes over 6 months. It was shot on monthly filming trips to Iraq. Produced by Andrew Lane Fox with Gavin Campbell, who did the filming and the editing.
Change4Life Campaign introduced the first of a series of programs seeking to attack rising levels of obesity, especially among the young. The programs included representatives from government, medical and health professionals and the food retailing industry. NFA ID N-34663
EMA - My Choice individual case studies of five young people who have received an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) that helped to continue in education or training. NFA ID N-110365
EMA - My Choice DVD animation film promoting the Educational Maintenance Allowance NFA ID N-38007
Loose Talk sponsored by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) was a training video about the need to protect personal information at all times about the work of the agency. NFA ID N-37687
Finding Beryl was a video about the making of a series of television fillers to form part of a campaign “Our Future in Our Hands” sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council”. The aim of the campaign was to promote mathematics and numeracy classes for adults. Directed by Bob Boyle NFA ID N-37977
E-Gov: Transformational Government, Preparing for Emergencies
Fast Stream-The Talent Within were among a number of video projects around 2008 sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
London 2012- The Security Experience provided an overview of the threats and hazards that would posed to the security of the London 2012 Olympic Games. NFA ID N-37874
Advertising Funded Programming, from around 2008 MIAC started to explore the possibilities to create several television series for UK broadcasters under the banner of Advertising Funded Programs. The concept was to enable a Department to fund a broadcast television series that would be interesting or entertaining enough to attract a television audience while carrying a message that the Department wished to convey. At the same time the message would be so integrated in the content of the programs that it would acceptable to the broadcasting regulator, namely Ofcom.
While the concept had a long history, particularly in the United States, where the term “soap opera” reflected many such programs often funded by detergent/soap manufacturers, it was still relatively new to the UK and certainly to programs carrying government information messages.
The development of AFP within MIAC took place over some time with some false starts. One such was a project funded by the Home Office for a series called The Beat and broadcast by ITV. In this case Ofcom objected to the project on the grounds that the balance between the “message” and the overall interest and entertainment value for the audience went beyond what was acceptable. In effect the contract between the broadcaster and the department was judged by Ofcom to be weighted on the side of the “message”.
MIAC brought in a Consultant, Richard Spence to develop AFP expertise and work with departments, television production companies and broadcasters to create AFP projects that would be acceptable to Ofcom and the regulations concerning the editorial independence of the broadcaster. At the same time the projects would be acceptable to funding departments in terms of conveying their information message. They would engage a television audience and, not least, would be acceptable to the COI lawyers.
Four examples of these projects are:
Family Supercooks: In 2010 the Food Standards Agency as part of their remit to encourage people to eat better, and to be aware of the dangers to their health of junk food, funded a series of 10 sixty minute programmes. The AFP series well illustrated the importance of an entertainment vehicle within which to place the departmental message. In this case Amanda Lamb and chef Paul Merrett were judges as families went head-to-head in a knockout format cooking competition. In each episode, two families created meals, both new and traditional, while the presenters offered advice on how to make the meals healthier. The last family remaining at the end of the competition received the title of, 'Britain’s Best Cooking Family’. The series was transmitted by UKTV. The entertainment element in the form of a cookery progamme enhanced by a competition element made for good viewing figures. The information messages were present but not overt they were part of the editorial content
Celebrity Quitters: The Department of Health funded a series to encourage people to quit smoking. Over the course of 10 thirty minute programs it followed the attempts by ten celebrities to give up smoking. Among those taking part were Derek Acorah, John Burton-Race, Paul Danan, Victoria Derbyshire. The series was produced by Tiger Aspect Productions and was transmitted in 2010 by Channel 5.
The Business Inspector: In March and April 2010 a series of four 60 minute programs funded by HMRC was transmitted by Channel 5. The series was presented on television by a self-made millionaire, Hilary Devey, who gave advice to small businesses, to help improve their fortunes. Each program looked at two companies who were in difficulty and discussed their need to adopt good business practice.
One company that Hilary Devey visited in Warwick, was a business that put on events. It had been run by Gary for the last 19 years. Gary believed that he was on the verge of greatness – he had created a series of elaborate, illuminated table centres that added glamour and style to any big event. He wanted Hilary's help in setting up a franchise to market his products. The Business Inspectorsecretly organised an event to see if Gary's creations actually worked as a business model. At the event Hilary was impressed by Gary's creations. but when she examined his accounts, she discovered that his business organisation was in poor shape. The HMRC message is clear as was the sponsorship.
2010 Je Suis Un Rock Star ep1(click here to view) Advertiser Funded Programme on T4 - part of a multi-channel, multiformat campaign encouraging kids to take up learning languages
2012 Olympics Sport At Heart and Imagine.were examples of AFP created as a broadcast acquisition, that is acquiring an existing program, repackaging it and buying transmission time funded by the sponsor. This was the case for these two separate films about the Olympic Games funded by the Foreign Office
Altogether seven series were produced using the AFP concept during 2010 and 2011. Each series was supported by each of the television channels, so that each episode was repeated several times. All the series had websites with additional content and web films. All programs had sponsorship bumpers from the departments.
The series of seven projects demonstrated that the concept was viable in the context of conveying information messages. Considered as an alternative to conveying information messages through conventional advertising campaigns that were often exceedingly expensive and not always very successful, the concept appeared to have much to offer. Sadly the last of the forays into AFP was produced in 2011 shortly before closure of COI
2009
Holocaust Memorial Awards was a project sponsored by the Department of Communities and Local Government as a compilation of short films in recognition of British citizens whose bravery saved the lives of Jewish men, women and children during the Holocaust. Produced by Libby Stockdale.
Security Matters was sponsored by the DIfID to promote awareness among staff working overseas of the need to be vigilant in protecting sensitive and restricted information. Made by New Moon Television, directed by John Ross. NFA ID N-33955
Joint Enterprise (click here to view ) this film was commissioned by New Scotland Yard in 2009 as part of a major crackdown on gang related crime in London. Joint Enterprise is a powerful piece of legislation that can be used to convict anyone who is simply present at the scene of a murder, regardless of whether they are the killer or not. The reconstruction scene was used in a Panorama special explaining the law of Joint Enterprise and was shown to an audience of 15 and 16 year old school children - the question was put to them... who in that scene could be convicted of murder? Answer - all of them... The film was rolled out in schools across the capital and picked up silver at the IVCA Awards 2010 in the Best Documentary category. Produced by COI Producer Allon Wechsler. NFA ID N- 38349
Choose A Different Ending made for the Metropolitan Police it utilised interactive programming delivered on DVD as well as television transmissions. It was a set of interactive films that asked viewers to make decisions in relation to a number of different knife crime scenarios (fictionalised) and then witness the outcome of their decisions. The project used the material in a number of different ways. The DVD edition was used in training situations. The project also formed part of the Metropolitan Police’s anti-knife crime and street violence campaign that also included a web site and a multiple ending television version. The television version has a pre and post television time watershed version of the scene involving a knife stabbing. This project was a good illustration the way in which the same source material found audiences through different outlets. It was also a very good example of the way the outcome of the audience decisions were arrived at by way of a process of discovery. By enabling the audience to “learn” through discovery as opposed to being “told” the information message stood more chance of being understood and remembered. Made by Mad Cow Films NFA ID N-35091
Concerned About Crime was a mixture of animation and live action.The video presented the fact about crime in London showing that in many cases the picture is far more favourable than that presented in the media. The statistics were compiled by the London police authorities, the London Courts Service and the Criminal Justice Service. It was sponsored by the London Criminal Justice Board. COI Producer Amelia Wise Made by Wilder Films NFA ID N-33893
Young Victims -The Cost of Crime was a dramatised film promoting the services of Victim support to young people. Based on real crimes and using the voices of actual victims the film relates the experience of three young people who were violently attacked and the way Victim Support provided the help and support that they needed. NFA ID N- 33896
Social Enterprise described the work of two successful social enterprise organisations in the health and social care areas. NFA ID N-38581
2010
Tosa Mibeko (click to view) the Foreign Office sponsored a television program for transmission in the Democratic Republi.c of the Congo designed to discourage people from travelling to the UK without the relevant papers. Filmed on location in Kinshasa and in the UK the program mixes drama with documentary. (see also Report on this project under Research Materials "Reports and Useful Documents") Produced by Andrew Lane Fox, Directed by Simon Lawson. NFA ID N-35781 Tosa Mibeko, the Making of (click here to view) Producer Andrew Lane Fox introduces this look behind the scenes at the recruiting of and collaboration with a local theatre group, who then went on to do shows to school children. It also involved the commissioning of a rap song for the program, for which a pop promo was made. Marshall Dixon, the local star involved, then took the messages to his concert audiences. Some 25000 DVDs were printed in the knowledge they’d be stolen and sold on arrival in the Congo. A unique form of program distribution.
Tosa Mibeko: Pop Promotion (click here to view) complementing the longer drama program was this musical commercial
Stolen Childhoods – An Apology On Behalf of the Nation was sponsored by the Department of Health as a government statement in which Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State Andy Burnham made a formal apology on behalf of the UK Government to some 8,000 to 11,000 child migrants who were sent from the UK to Australia, Canada, Zimbabwe and New Zealand between 1947 and 1967. NFA ID N- 95898
RAF Case Study (click here to view) a short video produced as part of a presentation reviewing ways in which RAF recruiting films had changed during the first decade of the 21st century .
An Introduction to Islam the Home Office sponsored this video in which British Muslims spoke about their religion and answered questions. NFA ID N-37912
Central Surrey Health (click here to view) was sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office. Aimed at internal audiences the program promotes the “Big Society” initiative through the New Epsom and Ewell Cottage Hospital in Surrey that was run as a social enterprise. NFA ID N-38409
Top 200 (click here to view) the Cabinet Office sponsored a video with contributions from a number of Cabinet Ministers together with former and serving senior Civil Servants discussing the role of the top levels of the Civil Service.
2011
Let’s Choose Growth (click here to view) this project was part of a campaign sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office to encourage the completion of the European Single Market by creating the Single Digital Market that might add 800 billion euros to the European economy and help to reduce the costs of doing business. It was produced in the dying days of COI in 2011. It was done on the cheap. There is even uncertainty as to whether COI was paid, though the animators were. Produced by Andrew Lane Fox it was made by Brandt Animation, who did the animation. It was essentially an animated version of a booklet the new coalition government had produced.
Summary of Long form and Corporate projects 2000 to 2012. There is evidence that some 3000 projects including Television Fillers and Television commercials together with social media applications were produced during this period. In this section and the separate sections for Television fillers and Television commercials existing knowledge of what was made produces only a fraction of the 3000. The reason is that much, if not all, production was produced, administered and stored on hard drives that were not handed to either the National Film Archive or the National Archives for preservation. If anyone has any further information about projects produced during this time please make contact using the Contact Us facility on the Navigation Bar.