email me: prosser.amanda@yahoo.com
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Regulatory Scientific Films - FAQ
So, you're considering commissioning a film documenting a regulatory study. Got questions? The answers might be here:
What would a film you make for us look like?
A typical scientific film I make is ten to fifteen minutes of content that looks and sounds like high-end television documentary. I film with industry-standard cameras and drones, and professionally record clear voiceover. I can include your company’s branding or logo in the titles, or in the corner of the screen throughout if you wish.
Typically, I’ll use the kind of structure you might find in a technical report: the background and context of a study in an introduction. Then the methods – where, when, and exactly how a study is conducted. Seeing practical methods in the context of the field situation is often the most valuable section of my films, but I’ll also cover data handling and statistical principles and analyses if they’re novel or particularly important.
A film isn’t the ideal medium for showing results in fine detail - for that, viewers can refer to the printed report – but I’ll usually use easy-to-follow, animated graphics to give an overview of the key results, finishing with the main points in conclusion.
Information is put over in clear English voiceover, combined with appealing video showing what’s going on. I provide captions in English too, but you can have voiceover and captions in other languages if you prefer.
I usually provide a 60-second “elevator pitch” version of each film too, giving the main points of the story in a short ‘reel’ style. Once the material is filmed, it’s straightforward to re-cut it for different audiences or purposes if required.
I can’t show you films I’ve made for other scientific clients; lots of the information in them is proprietary and I have to respect clients’ confidence – I’ll respect yours too. However, you can get an idea of the kind of style I like to use here.
Who will do the filming? Will they get in the way?
I’m a self-employed, single-handed filmmaker, also an experienced field biologist. I do all the filming myself. I don’t sub-contract to local shooters, who may not fully understand what’s needed for this kind of content – and may not get on with a field team.
It’s impossible to do a good job of filming a study as well as being a productive member of the team that’s working on it, so I don’t ask scientists to film things for me; they have enough to do already.
Will you travel to remote study locations in Europe?
Of course. It’s rare for field studies to happen in my corner of Northern England, so I’ll need to travel to wherever they happen; once I’m on the road, it makes little difference where in Europe the study takes place: I can get there in my 4WD van, which also functions as my accommodation on the move and as a mobile production office, so I’m not dependent on field teams to provide transport or a bed.
Will I - or scientists - have to speak on camera?
Only if they really want to! On-camera presenting is a skill we don’t all have, and I don’t expect busy scientists to deliver polished pieces to camera in the midst of a study. Instead, I just film what they’re doing. Thoughtfully-written voiceover and animated graphics provide additional information and explanation.
It's a field study; we can't predict exactly when things will happen.
My method of working means I’m typically “embedded” with a field team for as long as necessary to record the important events, even if that means waiting around for days or weeks. By working single-handed (but multi-skilled) in this way, I can keep costs down but still capture the key events of a study. And I’m happy to get my boots and hands muddy and help with fetching and carrying in the meantime!
What's the cost of a film?
If you’re already commissioning a regulatory study, the cost of a film documenting that study probably won’t contribute much to the overall cost. The exact figure will depend on the nature of the study, where it will be carried out, how long it runs for and a few other factors.
Every project is different, so we’ll need to discuss what you want before we can set a price. If budget is limited, I can see what we can do within the resources available.
My scientific films are usually offered as a fixed-price deal, so the cost is clear from the outset and won’t creep up. I ask for 10% in advance, to secure my time, with three further staged payments, the last when the final film is delivered.
Some clients contract with me through a Contract Research Organisation, others deal with me directly; I’m happy with either arrangement.
Will I have control over what goes into the film?
Yes, of course. Once filming is finished, and I’ve seen a draft report, I provide an initial, draft, rough cut of the film, and its script. You can watch this as many times as you like, and let me know what (if anything) you’d like to change. The next stage is an advanced rough cut, which should be close to the final film. If you’re happy with that, I’ll put the final polish on it, have the final voiceover recorded and hand over the final film.
How will the film be delivered? Will it be secure?
Vimeo provides a secure way for clients to view their videos, both as drafts and the final versions: only you (or those you choose) can see your film. When it’s finished, you can either leave it hosted on Vimeo, where you and your chosen audience can see it in high quality (with no advertisements), or you can easily download it in a choice of formats to suit different circumstances (online streaming, projection on big conference screens, etc).
If that doesn’t work for you, I’m happy to provide the film on portable media or upload it to your server via FTP, or work with you to find a suitable, secure delivery solution.
What can I do with the video once it's finished?
The video is your property to do with as you wish: show it to whomever you like, as often as you want. All the content will be fully licensed for any audience, up to and including worldwide broadcast.
What's the value of a film like this?
Regulatory agency staff – and non-specialists in plant protection companies - appreciate being able to see the kind of details and context of field studies that often aren’t described in technical reports, and which they could otherwise only see by visiting a study in progress for themselves. Sometimes, a film corrects a misconception about how a study was done, or the farming or wildlife context.
Of course, a video doesn’t replace a technical GLP report, but it can be a very effective supplement to it, greatly increasing understanding among those who may not have direct experience of the kind of agricultural or wildlife context a study occurs in.
Given the choice of wading through another technical document or sitting back to watch an engaging scientific film, wouldn’t you rather watch the video…?
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Once the video material is shot, it can readily be re-edited to suit different audiences at minimal cost. You can show people what you've done as well as tell them; it's very effective!