Surrey Border Film & Video Makers
Filming at Frimley Park Hospital Children's Ward
Shooting for the movie we made for the Children’s Ward at Frimley Park Hospital was completed over two very busy Sundays with a crew of seven members of the Club. The director was a younger member Jenny Mitchell, who drew on her new Masters Degree in movie production. David Jackson was Producer and lighting cameraman, with the other camera operated by Gordon Sutton. Marjorie Dickens was sound boom operator, whilst husband Peter was shot logger and assistant Gofer to Neil Cryer. John Widdecombe operated the club’s two 500w halogen lights. The aim of the film is to provide a gentle introduction to ward facilities and the procedures before and after an operation for both parents and patients. The 7-year-old star patient was Paige Coomber, daughter of a theatre nurse, who took to acting like a duck to water, especially after she had seen the first rushes on the camera LCD screen. We were very lucky to have such a natural young lady in front of the camera - belying the old adage about working with children. But she was quite pleased that the final scenes after a longish day required her to lie in bed! Her Mum was played by Lesley Alden, a play group leader and project liaison for the hospital for this movie. Supporting cast included Paige’s mum in her real-life role, plus a very cooperative group of other doctors, nurses, ward staff, patients and parents. We even had a very pleasant and affordable lunch in the hospital. The crew of seven was about the minimum required to manage the two-camera shoot. Everyone was very busy for the whole time and everyone’s contribution was essential. Especially important was to get release forms signed for all the other people who appeared in our shots as well as the main players.
The film was directed by Jenny (pictured right)
The children's ward of the large NHS hospital at Frimley Park has a significant throughput of child patients. Entering hospital can be a very traumatic experience for a child and their parents and the hospital does all it can to put patients at ease. An aid to this is a booklet they hand to parents before a child arrives. This outlines the general arrangements and what to expect. Surrey Border Film & Video Makers were asked to make a short video to supplement the booklet. A team, formed from volunteers from the club, spent two Sundays on an intensive filming exercise supported by the hospital staff. Filming covered everything from the children's ward to the journey to the anaesthetics room and then back from the recovery room and the discharge from hospital.
This hospital has an
electric car which the child patient is about to use to drive to the
operating theatre. The wheelchair in the foreground was used as a dolly for a tracking shot
with the camera resting on a bean bag.
Discussions in the
anaesthetics room re the best angle for the next shot. To keep the film
'light', the anaesthetic process was treated very gently
Who are we in this film/movie/video club? We make films, videos and movies and meet on the first Friday of the month to answer members questions and to discuss ongoing club projects. Well known film makers, judges and film professionals are often our speakers for the evening. We welcome visitors and new members interested in film and video, and there is no need to own digital cameras or camcorders and no need for previous experience, as we happily provide mentors for beginners. Surrey Border meetings start at 7:45pm and end just after 10:00pm with a refreshment break at around 9:00pm. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed to the monthly meetings which are on the first Friday of each month (and the first visit is free). Our meetings are held in our new contemporary hall in St Joan's Centre which is in the grounds of St Joan's church in Tilford Road, near the station in Farnham. The hall has a large car park and is within easy reach of Guildford, Farnborough, Fleet, Bordon etc. In Surrey and Hampshire. Read more about us here.
Our interests We have a good mix of interests amongst members include script writing, acting, directing, technical and artistic and all agree that ideas and skills are more important than equipment as shown by there being fewer cameras and camcorders than members. Some get more enjoyment in viewing and discussing the films produced by others and just being part of the community. There are those who wouldn't wish to ever hold a camera or camcorder while some like to help in filming but don't own their own camcorder. Of course there are always those with the latest high definition wizz bang up to date cameras, camcorders, microphones and gadgets and the lovely thing is that they are always happy to demonstrate both equipment and techniques to others. For anyone thinking of buying a camera or camcorder advice is always on hand. We have almost equal numbers of members with PC and Mac computers. We regularly put on courses, tutorials and training sessions in the light of the current interests and needs of members. Individuals with particular problems typically have one to one help.
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