See Me Films

If a picture paints a thousand words, then a film says so much more...

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An example of a See Me Film
Introduction
Your options
How it works
About Glocal Films' work
Contact us

An example of a See Me Film

Introduction

Films and video clips are increasingly being used to help find permanent families for children in care and this highlights the potential of multimedia when family-finding. Seeing the child in a range of settings and activities, and interacting with carers can really communicate the essence of the child and bring them to life on screen, which can encourage enquiries from potential families.

Films can be particularly useful for children who are difficult to place, or have complex health conditions and can be used for a multitude of purposes, including on Be My Parent online, in profiling meetings, introductions, adoption exchange days, and life story work.

BAAF are proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with film company Glocal Films. This new service, See Me Films, offers a lively, child-friendly and heartwarming introduction to a child with sensitive films that are fun to watch. The film-makers are two women with a track record in making films about children; one of whom is a qualified social worker with family placement experience. They are child-centred in their approach, respect the child’s identity and level of development, and involve them with the making of the film.

Find out more about See Me Films:

See Me Films brochure (705 KB)
See Me Films pricing schedule (72 KB)

Your options

See Me Films will offer a portrait of the child, including information about their attachment to adults and siblings, health needs, learning and development, as well as the games and toys they enjoy.

There are a range of options:

A short film of 3–5 minutes, which can be used at adoption exchange days or as video clips on family-finding web-based services, such as Be My Parent online.
An editing service of film footage recorded by the client local authority (this should be provided on mini DV tape, as illustrated). The quality of the resulting film will be dependent on the original footage supplied.
A service to transfer formats to mini DV tape.
Also available from Glocal Films: a 10-20 minute feature film with optional shorter video clip. Please email Glocal Films or call them on 020 7193 5343.
Glocal Films can also offer bespoke services such as subtitling, transcription or conversion from other formats. Please enquire.

How it works

Once commissioned, Glocal Films will arrange to visit the child’s foster carer and social worker, usually at the foster carer’s home. They will talk about the child’s personality and characteristics, and brief the foster carer on the filming process.

The film-makers will shoot the footage themselves, engaging the child to play with them and the camera. They will also film drawings or other creative things the child has done. The foster carer will also be interviewed about the child's likes, dislikes, development, attachments and medical needs.

Glocal Films will then edit the film footage and add an appropriate soundtrack, including music and speech. The child will be presented positively and any impairments or challenges they have will be set in the context of their strengths and overall appeal. The local authority will receive five DVD copies of the completed film.

About Glocal Films' work

'All too often prospective adopters have preconceived ideas about children of certain ages, abilities or background. This is a way for them to get to know the real child, so that all concerned know they are suited to one another.' Namita Singh, Tower Hamlets Adoption Team Manager

'Watching the film and seeing A interacting with other people made him alive. The film made me feel for him from my heart.' Clare, adopter

'The service was extraordinarily well received. It helped us place some difficult children who adopters might otherwise have been put off by the Form E. It also gave foster carers a role in moving children on. I would recommend this service to any authority.' Jake Morgan, Head of Children’s Services, Carmarthenshire County Council (formerly Service Manager, LB Tower Hamlets)