Impact Budgets Classic Engagement Activity Evaluation Toolbox
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IMPACT EVALUATING IN ACTION DISTRIBUTION Welcome Why vision & strategy matter Equipping for impact What is impact distribution? We love evaluation The power of film Defining your vision The role of film teams How commercial are impact films? What makes great evaluation Analysing the story environment Developing your strategy Meet the impact producer Types of distribution deals Embracing complexity How change happens Map the issue Consider your subjects Review distribution pathways Making your evaluation plan The challenge for filmmakers The 4 impact dynamics Writing impact budgets Classic engagement activity Evaluation toolbox Know thyself Draft your strategic plan Finding impact funders Impact distribution at work New tools for impact documentary Making impact partners Sign on the dotted line Wrapping up INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING PDF • CL LE ICK AB A K BL IC E L P C Use the top D F • and side • F tabs to navigate D P C through! L E I L C B K A A K B C L I E L C P D F • Please don’t print me! IMPACTGUIDE.ORG Get the printable version INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING A set of tools and guides designed to help all of us who are working with film make even greater impact than we do already. Brought to you by: Made possible by: britdoc.org fordfoundation.org | berthafoundation.org | sundance.org | knightfoundation.org INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF 1.0 INTRO- DUCTION INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS he 21st century has become one 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR FILMMAKERS in which the power of film to 1.6 KNOW THYSELF T change the world is impossible to ignore. Through the hard work and commitment of thousands of dedicated individuals, we’ve seen it all: major artistic achievement, radical experimentation and innovation, and serious societal change. INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME This toolkit is intended to harness Our section on PLANNING guides you through developing vision and strategy. IMPACT IN ACTION encourages you 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM some of that energy. to think about who does what and how much it will cost. 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY IMPACT DISTRIBUTION explores who will see your film and ENVIRONMENT might experience the impact. EVALUATING completes the 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS Not to control it or pretend that there’s circle with methods that tie directly to your goals. 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR only one way to do this work – nothing FILMMAKERS The toolkit isn’t definitive, but it’s meant to get your started on your journey. That’s also true culturally – the key 1.6 KNOW THYSELF could be further from the truth. We case studies are largely from American or European teams offer ideas and approaches so you don’t although the subjects range from Palestine to Guatemala, have to solve a problem that someone Burma to the DRC. We are actively looking for more culturally diverse stories of change to incorporate in the else has already cracked, and you can future. focus on the unique challenges of your What we want most is to hear from you. Tell us what you own project. think works for you and what doesn’t. Help us to create a better resource for all. We’ve drawn on all our collaborations, conversations, Most of all, we’re excited to discover what tomorrow’s agreements and disagreements with incredibly smart film filmmakers are going to do with their films. The possibilities teams, funders and partners from all over the world. are endless. In this Introduction we offer theoretical and practical Thank you foundations to get the wheels turning. Spend a few The BRITDOC Team moments reflecting on how art inspires change. Get to know several in-depth case studies featured throughout the guide. We can direct you to a great many more, all in our library. We recommend you read as many as possible – particularly for films or campaigns closest to your own work. INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME THE POWER OF FILM 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT e designed this chapter to It is a given that films have the capacity 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR give you a chance to reflect to influence people and lead them to FILMMAKERS on how you got to the new perspectives. That is the power, 1.6 KNOW THYSELF W point of embarking on a social impact the experience, of cinema. But what is documentary – before we deep dive it about documentary in particular that into planning on your current project. can cause change? We’ll explore the environments that We found three big reasons sprung allow for social change as well as the out of the literature... challenges of marrying art and impact. “ Stories can We’ll take you through an exercise conquer fear to discover more about your own you know. They motivations and needs. But first some can make questions on the particular property the heart larger” of documentary film. Ben Okri, Artist INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM One. 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT Documentary makers rock at storytelling 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR and storytelling inspires change. FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF Unlike shorter forms such as news and social media, long form documentary takes the time to build empathy more deeply, involving audiences directly and immersing them fully in the situation of others, prompting them to engage and act. “ Stories are powerful because Neuroeconomist Paul Zak has demonstrated the effect of storytelling they transport us into other on the brain’s chemistry, increasing levels of cortisol and oxytocin people’s worlds but, in doing respectively making us more likely to take action. that, they change the way our brains work.” Want to dig a little deeper into this one? Paul Zak, Professor of Economics and founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Here a couple of great free resources - there’ll be more to come in the Library as we release more modules, and we’d love to hear your suggestions too. GEEK OUT IDEAS FOR FURTHER READING INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM Two. 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT Documentaries help create culture, 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR and culture leads change. FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF In working with film, we don’t write policy recommendations, we create cultural moments. And that opens the space for change to happen - for more stories to be told and heard, and for people who have the will to seize the moment. US-based organisation The Culture Group’s Making Waves report is a powerful argument for this model of change, drawing evidence from such social issues “ Politics rise out of culture, as marriage equality, civil rights, and the DREAMer movement to show how and you can change some cultural moments – from the first black player in US major league baseball to particular consequences through legislation and Ellen DeGeneres coming out on live television – anticipated and created the opposition but to change the causes is cultural work” opportunity for many of the political and legal changes that followed later. Rebecca Solnit Writer (From an interview in The Believer) GEEK OUT IDEAS FOR FURTHER READING INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM Three. 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT As catalysts from outside, we can bring 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR new energy to an issue. FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF Because filmmakers see the story in an issue in a new way, we can sometimes see what others can’t, provide much needed focal points and bring together coalitions and partnerships that never previously existed. That doesn’t give us the right to bulldoze, because the communities we work with will still have to do the hard work themselves. But offered in the right spirit, “Film is incredibly films can be a great gift. democratic and accessible, it’s probably the best GEEK OUT option if you actually IDEAS FOR FURTHER READING want to change the world, not just re- decorate it” Banksy, Artist INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY ENVIRONMENT 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS 1.5 THE CHALLENGE FOR FILMMAKERS 1.6 KNOW THYSELF INDEX INTRODUCTION PLANNING IMPACT IN ACTION IMPACT DISTRIBUTION EVALUATING 1.1 WELCOME Psychology Tim Kasser, the artist Ellie Harrison, files/downloads/paper-bergdall.pdf playwright Mike Van Graan, campaigner Tom Get the development movement perspective 1.2 THE POWER OF FILM Geek out Crompton, designer (Dan Russell), a director on the right role for outsiders with Terry 1.3 ANALYSING THE STORY of a cultural organisation (Donald Smith), and Bergdall’s paper reflecting on Asset Based ENVIRONMENT Further reading two academics from very different disciplines Community Development – an approach to 1.4 HOW CHANGE HAPPENS (Eleonora Belfiore and Ed Deci).