Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground and Nature Reserve is set in glorious Warwickshire countryside at the edge of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a unique peace and beauty throughout the seasons, and because it is protected as a nature reserve, it will grow more beautiful as the years pass.
This was a very special assignment. We were asked to create a film that would
- communicate the beauty, flexibility and sensitivity of the service provided
- create a basic awareness of the options available for bereaved family members and friends, possibly even answering a few of the broadest frequently-asked questions website visitors might have
- create a desire to learn more about the location and services, and to explore the finer details on the website.
We decided to create a short interview-driven film with beautiful supporting footage showcasing the location. We persuaded site director Emma Restall-Orr, a brilliantly understated public speaker, to be interviewed on camera, and at her request mostly just used the audio and let the beautiful footage of the site speak for itself.
We also suggested filming a handful of staged shots showing people visiting the site. These were filmed with volunteers and deliberately kept respectful and fairly abstract – shots of hands, feet walking, and the like. These were used to better illustrate certain topics mentioned.
These various elements were then woven together through creative editing, and appropriate subtle sound design and music were added.
The final result was a great success and is now used to introduce the site to online visitors, along with supporters and donors.
