Filming content on another continent

written by Max Hamilton, Creative Midweight

Making videos is my favourite part of creative work and I was recently given a unique chance to plan, direct and string together the most exciting filming project I’ve been given so far, for our client Specsavers Ireland.

We filmed in 12 locations over 6 days across the suburbs, streets and rural villages of Kolkata, which was incredible. And oh my, you should see the footage. It’s gorgeous.

A bit of background: Specsavers Ireland sponsor a charity called The Hope Foundation, which provides education and healthcare to communities in West Bengal, where it isn’t readily available. Specsavers Ireland supports them, donates up-to-date optometry equipment and sends a group of optometrists to help provide primary eyecare and train locals every year.

Our brief was simple: capture the wonderful work that Hope do in Kolkata, and show how passionate Specsavers Ireland is about providing eyecare not only to their communities back home in Ireland, but in places where the need is so prevalent too.

Managed to get a visa, booked flights and got going. I arrived late morning on the first day of filming, had a couple of hours sleep and breakfast (?) before heading out. 

It started with a night clinic in a community built around a railroad…

in a dimly-lit and overcrowded hut. Absolute chaos. It was great. In this tiny little space, a group of medical professionals (local and Irish) managed to test eyes, establish prescriptions and dispense glasses. Someone who came in with a -10 prescription (clinically blind) could leave with a pair of glasses and their sight back. It was remarkable, and the impact so immediate. Meanwhile me and cameraman Dave worried about the lighting and audio situation; bit of a reality check there.

The next 5 days flew by, filming in villages, by the side of roads, under bridges, in schools; anywhere they went, we followed and we filmed.

Interviews were essential to the project, providing a narrative to the trip and some much-needed context. We spoke to all sorts of people, using their unique angle on what was happening to paint a broader picture of the impact of the project and ongoing sponsorship. It was essential that we included and championed local voices and perspectives, instead of just relying on our Irish travel companions. By the end of the week, I had interviewed nearly 40 people, who kind enough to give us their time.

Luckily, there was no shortage of incredible backdrops to capture these in front of, as me and Dave drooled over the wonderful colour palettes, light and scenery provided by every location. The B-roll is, as you’d imagine, incredible.

Having reviewed some of the rushes, we were thrilled with what we’d captured and were so excited to get back and start piecing it all together. I use the term “excited to get back” loosely of course.

What now? We’re creating an episodic series of videos, each focusing on a different angle, group or perspective. It was certainly one of the most exciting video briefs we’ve ever been presented with, and what a privilege to get to work somewhere so beautiful, watching and filming some remarkable people making such an impact.