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In
Denmark there is a strong tradition of adult education and public
information.
Danes enjoy a good debate. They pride themselves in being informed about
the world in which they live - and if they have a particular interest or
opinion, they enjoy expressing it to others.
Both at work and at play, the Danes cultivate communication - and in both
areas of Danish society the use of information films is well established. |
"Four nations - one
people" Information film
Inuit Circumpolar Conference 2002
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| Whilst
broadcast television - as a mass medium - must address the interests of
large population segments, an information film has the advantage that it
may be produced for a very specific target audience - such as parents of
small children, water utility co-operatives, farmers or fly-fishing
enthusiasts. |
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"Native
Experience" documentary series 2001-2003
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An
information film is not really a film genre in itself - it is more a
description of the purpose than the form.
An information film may be entertaining, uplifting, shocking or agitative.
But it should also be informative and though provoking. It should empower
the viewer with knowledge, insight and the opportunity to relate to the
subject. |
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| The
only requirement for a good information film is that "you have
something on your mind, something which others will want to share, and
something which others can use" This in itself is an excellent
definition of "the good story". |
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| Many
information films are an extension of broadcast television's
public-service tradition - therefore many information film projects are
funded by public grants or commissions, or by private foundations - with
no involvement or influence from commercial interests. |
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| However,
commercial organisations and other interest organisations such as
political parties, religious organisations, grass-roots organisations, charities
and NGO's can fund or commission an information film as their way of
expressing their viewpoint and contributing to and influencing a public
debate. |
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| As
with educational films, the good information film draws on the
well-established language of broadcast television and the cinema - the
visual alphabet with which audience can follow the story and understand
the plot. The conventions of the visual medium are intuitive, something we
all learn in childhood - and like a good book - a good film should be
written "from left to right". |
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| Similarly,
an information film draws on a wide palette of experience and expression
from its producer, who must combine the arts and crafts of journalism and
documentarism with those of the simple story-teller. |
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A
close working relationship between the producer and the commissioning
organisation is important for the result. First we must understand the
issues and the message - then we can tell the story and promote the idea.
Therefore research and script development are vital processes in the
production of any information film. |
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| Our
previous work with factual programming for broadcast television, together
with a wide range of productions for private organisations and the
corporate sector has led us to view the production of an information
film as a worthwhile challenge. |
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An
information film may be the result of our own idea and concept development
- or it may be developed together with the organisation that will fund and
use the production.
Whether the project is funded directly by an organisation with a vested
interest in the subject, or through third-party funding will depend on the
nature of the project.
For public authorities and private non-profit organisations an information
film can often be produced together with a public information spot for
broadcast television. |
"How to give
children healthy eating habits"
Information film 2004 |
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| As
with all our productions, an information film many be produced in more
than one language, or for audiences in more than one country. |
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| If
your organisation needs an information film - or if you have a good idea
for an information film project - we would like to hear from you.
Following an initial briefing and discussion, we will prepare a project
proposal and provisional budget - for most projects and clients this work
is usually free of charge. |
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