International Organisations and NGOs

Let me just smuggle these two short vids in, as they are both good examples of fun music and pics telling a brief snap-shot story. The first was for my mate Justin, who was leaving India and needed a short edit to illustrate an article he wrote on getting his last street shave. It's the sort of pampering men get addicted to in South Asia. The second edit was for fashion designer, Lisa Taylor, who up-cycles sarees to give them a new life as an equally elegant garment - a sartorial version of reincarnation, if you like.

Here's a selection of films for international organisations (UN, Council of Europe, World Economic Forum, European Commission), as well as NGOs, such as the Obama Foundation and Big Ideas.

I find the best approach is to let people tell their own stories and focus on how projects are touching and changing lives. The aim is to show rather than tell what is happening on the ground. Some of these pieces are shot with expensive high-end kit, others with lightweight Digital SLR. I have used both (a lot) and, in all honesty, whether you are aiming for glossy and cinematic or quick, dirty and documentary-style, it makes very little difference. Pricey technology is no substitute for good shooting and story-telling.

For me, the most moving story in the collection is the interview by historian Mingma Llamu with Rifleman Kharga Bahadur Limbu. It is shot on a janky mobile, down a line that hangs mid-sentence, but powerfully and vividly transports you into the terrifying heat of a WWII battle.

Youth Ki Awaaz, Obama Foundation

Rachita Taneja, Obama Foundation

Cyber Cops, The Council of Europe

Global Youth Forum, International Labour Organisation

These two pieces for the Obama Foundation focus on individuals and organisations strengthening civic engagement in Indian society. Rachita Taneja is a webcomic artist whose feminist cartoons, "Sanitary Panels" highlight a raft of vital issues affecting women in South Asia. Youth Ki Awaaz is an online newspaper for India's youth - a huge demographic that is frequently silenced. Youth Ki Awaaz translates as "The Voice of Youth". (These edits are not colour-graded.)

Justin's last shave, BBC

Lisa Taylor's up-cycled sarees

This is a longer journalistic piece and was commissioned by the Council of Europe. Filmed in Romania and Sri Lanka, the film looks at the Council's Global Action Against Cybercrime, which outlines the legal framework to investigate and prosecute the worst online crimes. The piece includes the heartbreaking story of a family firm ripped off by cyber criminals.

This piece captures the energy and fun of the ILO's Global Youth Forum. It uses participants at the forum to tell the story of their days working together at ILO headquarters in Geneva.