Broadcasters view Save the Children Footage over Web

Posted: 19/06/2006

FORscene allows online choice of shots

Save the Children and Forbidden Technologies today announced the further adoption of new media in the charities sector, with the use of Forbidden's FORscene web-based post production platform to distribute footage to broadcasters. Save the Children used FORscene to allow broadcasters to view footage of its latest project in Sierra Leone, allowing appropriate shots to be chosen without the need to physically send out tapes. The project was covered by BBC Breakfast, This Morning, Channel 4 News, Channel 5 News and Sky News.

With the first anniversary of Live 8 less than two months away, Save the Children sent leading fundraiser Midge Ure to Sierra Leone to investigate the effect of the promises made at last year's G8 summit. The video diary was edited down to a six minute piece and FORscene was used to log the footage. Access details to FORscene accounts were then emailed out to broadcasters who were then able to review the footage over the web, decide whether they wanted to cover the project and which shots they wanted.

"The use of FORscene on our Sierra Leone project has made a huge difference to us and we haven't tapped the full potential of the web-based system yet,"

said Adam Robertson, Video Producer at Save the Children.

"The ability for broadcasters to view footage over the Internet was not only easy for them, it saved us money as we did not have to send out multiple tapes to numerous broadcasters, without being sure if they would use it."

Previously used by broadcasters such as Granada and GMTV for its web-based capabilities, FORscene was again successfully employed to cut post production costs by Save the Children. The logged and edited footage was published and accessible to broadcasters within five days of the tapes returning from Sierra Leone, and the entire project took less than a month, from the start of filming to the footage embargo date for broadcasters.

"Save the Children's decision to use FORscene to allow broadcasters to view footage demonstrates yet another way that the system can be used to cut post production costs,"

said Stephen Streater, CEO of Forbidden Technologies.

"This method is also highly secure and allows edits to be tailored to specific programmes. The great feedback Save the Children received from the likes of the BBC and Sky is true testament to the benefits of this web-based method of working."

Save the Children's video diary from Sierra Leone aimed to highlight the problems with access to healthcare in the country, with fees charged for medical treatment despite the fact that 90 percent of the population is living in poverty.