A range of video production and live-streaming services for Brighton based independent charity, National Numeracy. Produced, filmed and edited by Dreaming Fish Productions.
The client and the brief
National Numeracy is a UK charity, based in Brighton, committed to building the nation’s number confidence and skills. “Our mission is to empower children and adults in the UK to feel confident with everyday maths so they can fulfil their potential at work, home and school. Our work improves how people understand and work with numbers in everyday life, sparking better opportunities and brighter futures.”
In March 2024, National Numeracy got in touch with us to tender for a video production project. The project consisted of a range of different video production assets needed for the lead up to National Numeracy Day (Wednesday the 22nd May) a day dedicated to everyday maths. Additionally, there would also be two live-streams (in different locations) to be streamed and shared on the day itself. With years experience in creating videos for the educational sector, we were super excited to pitch for this project. After submitting our tender, discussing our approach, and showcasing our video and animation skills, we were delighted when we won the tender!✨
The project and the delivery
To kick things off we had shoots in a London studio and a primary school in Wigan, both of which included some of the National Numeracy ambassadors. As well as filming, National Numeracy also required us to undertake post-production services like editing and animation, in order to create great content that adhered to their brand guidelines. The individual projects were as follows:
A studio shoot with some of the National Numeracy ambassadors:
Professional Dancer and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Katya Jones, Maths Teacher, Broadcaster and Writer, Bobby Seagull and Aerospace Engineering Graduate and Miss UK 2024, Jessica Gagen oh and also one of the Numberblocks (from the CBeebies TV show). We set this up in a studio in East London featuring both an infinity cove and a brick wall, giving us two different setups in one location.
We provided multiple cameras, audio and lighting equipment along with teleprompters pre-loaded with the approved scripts for the ambassadors to follow. The shoot day involved several pieces to camera, sit down panel discussions, two instructional dance videos (by Katya, of course!) and Bobby even built a rocket. We edited the footage from this shoot into several videos to help promote National Numeracy Day. We also supplied some of our footage to the Numberblocks team, who used it to create instructional videos for their YouTube channel.
Live-action shoot with a primary school based in Wigan, Greater Manchester:
Unlike the first shoot, this shoot featured another one of National Numeracy Ambassador’s, spoken word poet Harry Baker, who involved the whole school in a mighty rap battle (all about numbers, of course!) We filmed the whole event and also provided a photographer who came along to capture various stills, which were later used as promotional materials for the event. After the event, we also filmed a promo with Harry Baker as well as some interviews with staff, parents and children! You can check out the rap battle here.
The live-streams:
The first live-stream took place in the morning at a school in East London, featuring our trusty ambassadors from the first shoot. The day before the shoot, we did a recce at the school to ensure we had adequate internet connectivity (essential for live-streaming!) and enough space to setup. On the day, we had two camera positions, each with two cameras to cover our dancer, Katya, with some of the school children as well as a position for the main presenters (Bobby and Jess) and a sit-down interview. We also brought along two teleprompters to enable the ambassadors to present from both positions. The live-stream, aimed at children and their parents, successfully reached audiences on both Zoom and YouTube.
The afternoon live-stream was slightly different. “Making the Most of your Money: The Big Number Natter Live 2024” involved relocating from the school to a new location. It also involved setting up for an hour-long panel discussion involving; Mr MoneyJar, Abigail Foster (founder of Elent), Claer Barrett (journalist) Katie Watts (from moneysavingexpert.com) and Chief Executive of National Numeracy, Sam Sims. We used three cameras and a sound desk to capture all five speakers, streaming to YouTube and Zoom.
Impact and outcomes
In total, we created 26 pieces of content which generated in excess of 500k views on National Numeracy’s YouTube channel. We had such a blast working on this project with the NN team. A big thank you to everyone involved!
“Thanks again for all your and the team’s hard work on this campaign! You have made the process extremely simple and organised, and we have really enjoyed working with you all!”
– Maya Metcalfe, Creative Design Manager at National Numeracy
