Been a weird few months for us …. lots of ups and downs. A big up so to speak has been working with an amazing local poet Jo Lambert. A big supporter of ours and a mental health campaigner.
To put picture to the poems she writes has been an amazing collaboration for us … Using her lived experience to create powerful stories that we hope will help those who really need it. Gotta be honest … never thought we would be filming poetry but it works really well … who knew?
Big thanks to the Rose Theatre here in kingston for giving us time and space to record the vocal parts … and Sontronics of course, we use there STC-2 condenser mic to record the lovley vocals.
Currently working on our christmas film with Jo, who is busy writing a poem about loneliness and how we can all have a less shit chirstmas if we reach out to one another. My words not hers of course
We have had a tough week, as you know we make positive mental health films to help and support young people who struggle; signposting other charities who can offer more help.
So far we have reached over 60,000 people, offering everyday help and advice to those who are struggling.
Our story
Last week we hit a roadblock,
Sadly … 2 of our production cameras, monitors, microphones and cases were stolen from us … We have worked so hard to get where we are, and it feels like it’s all been taken from us … We are heartbroken.
But we won’t give up
We want to get back to where we were before the theft happened. So we can continue to help people who are finding things tough and continue making engaging and supportive films, to reach those people who need our help.
So please help us
Help us to help thousands who struggle every day. Anything you can donate would be amazing. This is our gofundme page …. or donate here
It means so much to us here and we thank you for reading.
All the money raised will go to our charity
Every donation will help us rebuild what has been taken from us and will get us back filming, creating and supporting young people everywhere.
Please follow us on our social media @create4mh every like and follow helps us keep believing.
Good ideas sometimes take way longer than first thought, this is very true for our latest set of films.
We wanted to create non scary films that support people with energy consumption worries. Something that was good advice … but delivered in a kind fun way.
So that’s what we did. Set in a CGI environment created in Blender. Link to Download We love blender btw … if you want free 3d modeling animation software thats free use blender … I mentioned free twice cos i still cant believe its free.
Anyway … our inspiration was of course Ikea … so we set about creating a furniture shop … well sections of a furniture shop anyway. Something we are all familiar with and something that is relatable.
It turned out to be a huge project … and very time consuming.
Behind the scenes … well not really but it’s kinda fun
Using stop motion animation to create the films as our hardware could’nt cope with ex[orting 30 seconds of full animation, Each frame to export to around 15 minutes … with 24 frames in a second you start to get why it took us so long to make 6 x 30 second films.
Having said all that … delighted with the outcome … and we have plans to make these type of films again … with a twist … watch this space
It can be tricky sometime reaching out to a mate. Especially if you haven’t spoken to them in a while … it can get a bit awkward i know. Checking friends and family are ok … and vise versa of course is a big part of sharing how you feel
So … we thought this might help … we had a good look through www.unsplash.com a free online image gallery (they kick ass) and chose a few images that should help start a conversation.
Hence … ‘Saw this and thought of you’ Funny, inspiring, silly and cute images that we hope gives someone a smile … set up as 800×600 so it doesn’t kill your data … or theres come to think of it.
Free to download here … or if you want something different … check out unsplash. Sorry in advance as they have millions of beautiful images so you might be there a while.
I know we all get busy … especially this time of year. Putting everyone else first feels right somehow, but it’s important to remember yourself too. It’s so easy to forget we all need to put a little time aside to look after ourselves. Even if it’s a putting your feet up, sticking on your fave album and relaxing with a cuppa
So here is a list of cheap … I mean really cheap products that encourage a little self care to help promote wellbeing, from herbal tea to comfy socks.
Everything in this list costs around a pound and available from high street stores. Popping out to the shops … with a face mask on of course … it’s also great for wellbeing. Good exercise … releases those endorphins and try something new.
We start with Chamomile tea … its actually nice … doesn’t taste like tea … but then again … nothing does. And. If its not for you … offer to friends and sound sophisticated
Take a short walk, music on feeling better with every step. They are mini jack, but Flying Tiger sell the adapters cheap too. Cant actually find them on the website but they were in store last time we looked.
Clears pours, softens skin and it feels amazing. We recon you can get at least 2 or even 3 sessions from one sachet. Can feel a little bit embarrassing wearing one (talking from experience) maybe something to do when everyone is out.
Doesn’t matter if you haven’t drawn anything since you were a kid, try it … cost a pound … and no one ever has to see your drawing. Do it for yourself.
Aussie 3 minute goodness in a sachet … smells great … instant soft hair and cost a pound. Again … can get at least 2 goes with this … depending on how much hair you have of course.
Such an advocate of comfy socks … instant cosy feel 2 pairs for 2 pounds. Great for tiredness too … Well worth a try. Could only find these up to a size 8 but we probably could have looked harder.
Love these … feeling tired and over worked? Take 5 mins, put the kettle on …. Give your face a bit of a massage with a cleansing wipe, works wonders. Try putting them in the fridge to sooth-tired skin
This is one of those instantly feels like its done some good type of deals. Quick easy and effective, loads of inexpensive options out there too. This one is nice and gentle … if you want something a little tougher you might have to pay a bit more for a branded one.
It’s that thing we all forget … especially when it’s freezing cold. Total no brainer really. Another instant feel more positive kind of thing. Pocket size … looks expensive too, not that it matters of course.
I hope this give you something to at least think about, take care of yourself ok, it’s not easy to put yourself first sometimes, just remember self care is not selfish.
Should point out … we have no affiliation with any of these shops, or the products they sell. We just wanted to find cheap and cheerful products that you can go to the shops and buy.
We are always on the look out for used audio/video kit that can help us in what we do. Computer hardware and software are always welcome. Working with our volunteers is always a challenge so its great if we can enough kit to go around.
Camera lens
We are a bit limited for space so if you think you might have something that could help, please email justin@create4mentalhealth.com Anything you can spare no matter how big or small will be greatly received.
Digital sound desk
Huge thank you for all those people who have donated kit so far, we could not have got this far without you.
Frank Turner visited Kingston (again) back in May 2018 for a Banquet records show, We all were a little worried, at the time his mate Scott Hutchison – Frightened Rabbit’s front man was missing. The band had posted this earlier in the week
“We are worried about Scott, who has been missing for a little while now. He may be in a fragile state and may not be making the best decisions for himself right now.”
I can’t imagine what was going though Frank Turners head at the time, but he soldiered on, determined to give the audience what they had turned up for. We had asked if he would say a few words on camera about mental health but under the circumstances we didn’t push it. But Frank being Frank finished his sound check and strolled over and introduced himself.
Here is his interview .. full of kindness, hope and understanding. A truly great guy, and a wonderful musician, such compassion for music, music fans, and for people who struggle.
He played his heart out during the gig, most unaware of his personal struggle at the time.
Scott’s body was discovered a few days after our interview, he had tragically taken his own life.
Tiny Changes was set up by his friends and family to help support other young people who find it tough sometimes.
Frank Turner – Little Changes
Little Changes … filmed by our amazing volunteers. lets hope we can film more shows very soon.
For us, making films that look great is important, to put strong images together with a strong message to help people who aren’t having a great day. We use a few production techniques to get the most out of what we film. Some of which are free to use, which is amazing .
One of our favourites is Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve 17
Loads to learn, easy to use and there is a free version. Giving everyone the chance to make good video look great. Editing, graphics and colour correction all in one.
We do use other products of course, Avid Media Composer, Pro Tools and Adobe of course. There are free versions of Media composer and Pro tools available.
Correcting colour and adding snow
Keep creating and keep supporting each other. Happy filming
We had an amazing day filming the hugely talented Jamie Cullum for our dear friends at Banquet Records, The show was to celebrate the release of His new album ‘The Pianoman At Christmas’ Jamie returned to Kingston for a couple of social distanced shows at The Rose Theatre. Pick up the album from Banquet Records here
