CASE STUDY: Pasture for life
Short film series (6 x 6 minutes)
CREATIVE APPROACH & PROCESS
Pasture for Life (PfL) commissioned us to make two short films about regenerative farming. The aim was to create educational videos for farmers about how to mob graze cattle and sheep – a technique known to improve soil health and biodiversity. Four more films were subsequently commissioned – covering topics including managing chalk grassland and identifying plants in pasture. Our creative approach was to connect audiences to the topics covered through the characters in the films, and beautiful images of nature and farm animals. The films were made in partnership with South Downs National Park, DEFRA, Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme, and several of the National Landscapes network. We also supplied short cut-downs for social media and publicity images.
1 Month
Development & Pre-Production
Collaborating with Pasture for Life to create storyboard and understand key points to be covered in each film. Planning interview questions, organising logistics, including accommodation, travel and drone permissions.
1 WEEK
Production
Production for each pair of short films took place over approximately 3 days - filming interviews, actuality, and cinematic footage of wildlife and the landscapes around the farms.
1 MONTH
Post-Production: Editing
Post-production by Mairi Eyres including editing, sound mixing, colour grading, subtitling and two rounds of feedback.
DELIVERABLES
Short Film Series (6x6)
A series of engaging educational films for farmers - including how to mob graze cattle, how to manage chalk grassland, and how to identify a range of plants.
Social Media Reels
Short cut-downs of each film for social media, to increase the reach of the topics covered in the main films.
Publicity Images
Stills for press and social media to support outreach and audience engagement.
IMPACT
The films have been used consistently by Pasture for Life for screening events and panel discussions for farmers, with shorter versions and stills images used across the social media accounts of both Pasture for Life and South Downs National Park. A cut down version of clips was also commissioned by Pasture for Life to be used as the opening homepage banner on their website.
TESTIMONIALS
“Working with Mairi was a total joy and the short film she produced exceeded all expectations. Her eye for beauty and her ability to connect with the interviewees, her skill at editing and for capturing sounds led to the creation of a compelling film that has captured farmers and lay people alike, a film that is both informative and poetic.
We were on a very tight schedule and Mairi's professionalism in all areas ensured that we easily met our deadline and completed within budget. She quickly grasped the brief, bringing her critical and constructive thinking to the process, helping us to understand what was required and supporting us in further developing our ideas.
On the farm her warm, intelligent, quiet presence made everyone feel comfortable whether behind the scenes or in front of the camera. The results speak for themselves and I have no hesitation in recommending her and her work, you won't be disappointed.”
– Deborah Barker, Project Manager, Pasture for Life