Projects
The Media Studio, Addenbrooke's Hospital,
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Our Way: Living our values and priorities
Jeremy Nayler, Head of Media Studio at Addenbrooke's Hospital
and Producer of 'Our Way' gives the background to the project.
'Following my appointment as Head of the Media Studio at Cambridge University Hospitals, I was immediately faced by the need to develop a proposal for a healthcare communications project and John Davies at Empathy provided invaluable production development advice. So when we were asked to develop video support for a major internal communications programme about our values and way of life, I had no hesitation in contacting him. He responded with characteristic verve and intelligence, immediately grasping the essence of the project.
'The challenge was to encourage participants in a series of workshops to discuss issues of equality and diversity without preaching to them. John's solution was to create a series of dramatised scenarios depicting everyday situations in a healthcare environment. In each scenario different characters behave in ways which may or may not be acceptable. The audience need to 'read' each situation carefully to understand the multi-faceted nature of realtionships at work before jumping to conclusions.
'The resulting sequence of twelve short videos has gone on to win a Gold Award at the USA Health Sciences Communication Association Awards 2010 and John has won the the Holly Harrington-Lux Creative Design Award for the writing & direction of the ‘Our Way’ DVD.
'I've found John to be highly creative but also very focussed on relevance and audience need. He's at pains to make sure that a film has a strong narrative with a pacey rhythm to its mix of shots. He's also marvellous at dealing with people.'
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Clinical Media Centre
Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Our hospital. Our future.
Nick White, Producer and Head of the Clinical Media Centre describes an award-winning project
'As digital video has moved to be centre stage we called on John at Empathy to advise us on video production and specifically on the development of a public information video about the new Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton & Hove.
'A much-loved old hospital was to be replaced with a purpose built new building on the main Royal Sussex Hospital Campus on the other side of the city.
'The challenge: how to persuade people - whether parents, patients, staff, GPs or the general public that the best of the old would be preserved with the new.
'The solution: If it's a children's hospital, let the children make the video, and make something happen to bring the empty new hospital to life.
'With his background in marketing communications but also in working with children and teenagers in community arts projects, John knew instinctively that the young people should have as much input in the making of the video as possible. He developed a highly creative approach, recommending and then securing the pro bono services of Stomp! to perform a choreographed routine around the new hospital to bring the whole building alive.
'The finished film 'Our hospital. Our future.' has been distributed to parents, staff and visitors. It won a Gold Award and the Elmer Friman Best of Show Award at the USA Health Sciences Communication Association Awards 2008, and the Gold Award as Best in Class and the Platinum Award for Best Overall Entry at the UK Institute of Medical Illustrators IMI Awards in 2007.'
Nick White
Head of Clinical Media Centre
Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS trust
