Co-Produced Video Content

The most authentic and effective videos are often made when the service users are involved in the creation. Chocolate Films is your ideal partner for impactful co-produced charity video content. We manage the process from initial commission through to delivery, working with both the client and the co-production group.

Working to create authentic content for specific audiences

The ideal group is a collection of people who have lived experience, access or insight into the topic being addressed in the film. We work with a wide range of organisations to tell their stories, many of which are charities or NGOs. Previous projects have included the following topics, with these groups:

Experienced and skilled: the Chocolate Films team

Our team at Chocolate Films brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. We have a rich history of crafting compelling charity content, understanding the nuances and sensitivities involved in such projects. But more than that, all of our team are facilitators as much as filmmakers. Through our sister company, Chocolate Films Workshops, they run creative workshops with children, young people and adults.

Each team member has undergone rigorous checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, first aid and safeguarding training. These safeguards are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved, especially when working with vulnerable individuals. You can trust that our team is not only skilled in videography but also in creating a safe and respectful environment for service users to share their stories.

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Book your free consultation

The producers at Chocolate Films are available to talk through your project at a time that suits you. They’ll make sure they really understand your organisation and what you’re looking to achieve with video content. Following the discussion, they will send over a detailed proposal for the work you’re looking to commission.

What is co-production?

Co-production (or co-creation) is the process of making video content in collaboration with members of your key audience groups. 

Let’s imagine we were making a film to support people with a medical condition. We would start, as with any film, by responding to a brief from the commissioner. But then we would work hand in hand with a group of people with experience and understanding of the condition. These may be people who have the condition, their carers or their doctors. Often all three groups can be present, as their varied perspectives can be valuable. Over a structured process, we invite input on the content of the script, the tone and style to help the film reach its audience. 

[For clarity, this is very different to the kind of co-production you see in the film industry, which is more about multiple international companies investing in a project and producing it together]

Why co-produced video works

Many charities work with people who share specific experiences. When making video for service users, it’s therefore important that the issues and narratives we include in a video are as authentic and relatable as possible.

We believe that the most powerful narratives come from the people with first hand experiences of the issues. Service users have an intimate understanding of their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. They have valuable advice about what works and what doesn’t work for them. Their insights are invaluable in shaping content that resonates with authenticity, connecting with both the hearts and minds of your audience.

By co-producing video content with service users, our filmmakers gain access to their unique perspectives. They can shed light on what works, ensuring that your message is relatable and effective. Moreover, they can also identify potential pitfalls or aspects that might deter others in similar situations. This firsthand knowledge allows you to create content that is not only compelling but also considerate and respectful of your target audience.

How do we manage the co-production process?

Our co-production process is a collaborative journey that begins with a workshop approach. 

We initiate a dialogue with service users, encouraging them to share their stories, experiences, and ideas. Through brainstorming sessions, we collectively develop concepts that align with your charity’s mission and objectives.

We also work on tone and style. When telling a story through animation, issues such as character design, colour palette and pace are extremely important. Our creative development sessions can touch on each of these elements.

Throughout the production process, we maintain open lines of communication with service users. Their feedback and insights are integrated at every stage, from scripting to filming and editing. We believe in a transparent and inclusive approach, ensuring that the final product reflects the shared vision of your charity and the service users.

Experienced and skilled: the Chocolate Films team

Our team at Chocolate Films brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. We have a rich history of crafting compelling charity content, understanding the nuances and sensitivities involved in such projects. But more than that, all of our team are facilitators as much as filmmakers. Through our sister company, Chocolate Films Workshops, they run creative workshops with children, young people and adults.

Each team member has undergone rigorous checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, first aid and safeguarding training. These safeguards are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved, especially when working with vulnerable individuals. You can trust that our team is not only skilled in videography but also in creating a safe and respectful environment for service users to share their stories.

Check out some recent co-produced content

What our clients say

Chocolate Films
5.0
Based on 74 reviews
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Stephen WheatleyStephen Wheatley
16:50 03 Nov 23
Make Listening Safe Campaign UK is an initiative of The World Health Organisation aimed at increasing the awareness of avoidable risks to hearing in those between 10 and 40 years of age, launched at an in person event in London on 1st November 2023.We needed the launch to be filmed and were lucky enough to be introduced to Chocolate Films who provided the crew and the equipment required.Our events team have informed me that the crew were a delight to work with and were very helpful.We were very impressed with the quality of the footage and were very surprised when we received it so quickly after the event, so we could edit it and get it out on to social media in a timely fashion.We have no hesitation in recommending Chocolate Films.Thank you for making the filming such a pain free experience.Stephen Wheatley | Chair – MLSC UK |
Stella HungerStella Hunger
18:15 01 Nov 23
I was lucky enough to work with Nikita and Chocolate Films on a photo shoot. They were extremely professional, accommodating, organized and generally lovely. We definitely plan on working with them in the future! Thank you for everything, Nikita!
Vanessa RushtonVanessa Rushton
12:59 25 Oct 23
Great provider – always happy to help and deliver what’s needed quickly and cost effectively
Laura CliffLaura Cliff
09:49 12 Oct 23
I worked with Chocolate films to produce a voice over for a film translated into Welsh. Nikki and Lucia were professional, friendly and understood the brief. They ensured all deadlines were met and the work was produced to a really high quality.
Rachael CresswellRachael Cresswell
09:03 05 Oct 23
A friendly group of professional, talented film-makers who created some brilliant videos for us. Anna and Han were a pleasure to work with and were available to discuss the project whenever we needed it. The entire process was slick and efficient from start to finish – I would definitely recommend Chocolate Films for any film project.
Nick HarmerNick Harmer
14:26 21 Jun 23
A very professional team with flexibility and great understanding of the craft. The pre-production was straight forward but the dedication from the team on the day to capture lots of high quality footage of the event was admirable.The final outcomes were well edited and the revisions process was painless and fast. I highly recommend Chocolate Films for event and interview videography.
joe plimmerjoe plimmer
11:21 25 Apr 23
A pleasure to collaborate with such a wonderful company that nurtures talent the right way
Anoushka FreemanAnoushka Freeman
17:27 13 Jan 23
We couldn’t recommend Chocolate Films highly enough! The team had a thorough attention to detail, communicated each phase of the production clearly, and were extremely friendly and patient with time delays gathering necessary media items on our side.
A Google User
A Google User
17:27 13 Jan 23
We couldn’t recommend Chocolate Films highly enough! The team had a thorough attention to detail, communicated each phase of the production clearly, and were extremely friendly and patient with time delays gathering necessary media items on our side.
Emma HalesEmma Hales
16:57 11 Jan 23
Worked with this fantastic company On a vaccine hesitancy video. The company were professional from start to finish, very understanding and patient with the young people involved in making the video and truly brought their ideas to life! Highly recommended!
Social MediaSocial Media
13:27 29 Dec 22
It was a pleasure for Museum of London to work on one of our most exciting wrap up films of the year with Chocolate Films. Anna, Phil and the whole team were helpful, accommodating and flexible through a tricky brief and shoot. Definitely recommend! Jaanuja
Jessica DillonJessica Dillon
11:54 22 Nov 22
Buttle UK worked with Chocolate Films to create an animated video to capture a co-produced report about estranged young people. We are absolutely amazed by the video they created for us! The team at Chocolate Films worked tirelessly to involve our young team, including an in-person workshop and an online one. It was lovely to see how they made it a fun learning experience during the workshops, while also working hard on the core purpose and outcome of the project. We really valued the expertise we received from the project manager, animators and voiceover experts. As they are a social enterprise, it’s clear that Chocolate Films have the kind of values we (a charity) really love. It shows in the beautiful film they created, and the way that they made it possible for us to work with them. We are so impressed and wholeheartedly recommend them without hesitation.
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