Fun with filming

We’ve recently been filming training videos to support the Emergency Response Wheelchair Training package. These videos are designed to reinforce the information taught in the training course, particularly as the course covers a lot of information in a short space of time.

The first filming covered assembly of the wheelchair. We wanted it to feel authentic and decided against the community hall setting Motivation has previously used for training videos as it seemed too clinical for portraying an emergency response. We developed a backstory of a post natural disaster situation, and found a derelict building site in Bristol which we felt was suitable. The location presented some challenges with finding a power source for the lighting, and finding an angle which cut out most of the graffiti, but we’re hoping the final result will be worth it.

The second video covers the main techniques that are needed to fit the wheelchair. We used a tent as the clinical setting, as this is the type of set up that would be found in an emergency context. Cassidy, a Royal Marine who had lost his leg in an explosion in Afghanistan, played the part of someone who had been injured and needed a wheelchair temporarily.

Both filming days were pretty hard work with each clip being filmed three times to cover different angles and close ups. We had chosen to only use graphics for explanation instead of sound, as this is much easier to translate; however this meant we had to show actions very clearly. We also needed a second wheelchair user with a different disability to highlight some of the fitting techniques we weren’t able to cover with Cassidy, our main model.

We are really looking forward to seeing the first cut – we will then be working with the film company to edit the films into something that is clear, concise and appropriate to be used under pressure during an emergency response.

Sarah Sheldon