Small Majority Blog

Film promotes new life sciences complex

2012-02-27T06:35:00.001-08:00

Our film celebrates the launch of BioCity Scotland, a new science centre in Newhouse that is set to create 500 jobs in 50 companies over the next five years.

The former MSD research site closed in 2010 with the loss of 250 top-level scientific jobs but new life is being breathed into the facility. It will now be developed as a base for bioscience, pharmaceutical, med tech and healthcare companies after BioCity Scotland acquired the 130,000 sq. ft. of purpose-built laboratories.

The Scottish Executive’s finance secretary John Swinney was at the site’s opening last week and said: “Scotland is globally recognised for innovation, enterprise and technology. The reputation of our research base and life sciences sector has played an important part in Biocity’s decision to establish this centre of excellence in Lanarkshire.”

Filming took place in the one afternoon to produce a short 10 minute piece about the complex's state of the art facilities along with interviews with key stakeholders and new tenants.

Transgender experience film takes centre stage at festival

2012-02-27T06:12:00.001-08:00

Our Film Transvisions, tackling the the experiences of transgender people took centre stage in Edinburgh on Tuesday 18 October 2011 as part of the Lothian Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

Alison Wren from the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing was involved in creating ‘Transvisions’ and hopes it will help to break down stigmas. Alison said: “The film brings to light the issues that can affect transgender people. In particular it focuses on those issues relating to identity, stigma and discrimination. Tranvisions looks at why these issues may contribute towards the disproportionately high rates of mental ill health experienced by transgender people, and gives advice on what communities can do to inform and support those who are transitioning or questioning their gender identity.”

The screening of the film was be followed by a panel discussion on issues of identity, stigma and discrimination.

Linda Irvine, Strategic Programme Manager, Mental Health and Wellbeing, NHS Lothian, said: “This event adds to our work and commitment to promote wellbeing within all communities in Lothian, and to tackle the stigma felt by those affected by mental health issues. We all have to look after our mental health and wellbeing, and the arts provide a perfect platform for everyone to do that.”

Award Film for Howden Compressors Ltd

2012-02-27T03:02:00.001-08:00

Working with Cowbrough Communications we produced a video profiling Glasgow based Howden Compressors Ltd. The video was show at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards at the Dorchester Hotel in London, November 2011, where Howden were commended in the 'most improved company' category.

Colin Brown, the Institutions’ Director of Engineering said: “Howden Compressors is a fantastic business that is helping to ensure manufacturing remains at the heart of Glasgow’s economy. We hope the company can inspire more local manufacturers to take part and benefit from the Manufacturing Excellence programme.”

Manufacturing Excellence, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, is the most successful and long established manufacturing support programme in the UK, and the only one that provides a detailed benchmarking and assessment process to help improve manufacturing businesses.

Raploch on Film at the 'Green Arena'

2011-06-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Small Majority worked with Wave, Raploch Community Partnership and Raploch URC to film and produce a 3 screen synchronisaed film projection featuring historical footage and interviews with local residents, young and old.

Raploch on Film from Small Majority on Vimeo.

The 30 min film included a screening of an animated film “The Guid Man of Ballangeich” made by children from Raploch with animator Jessica Langford in 2002 . Along side this we recorded new interviews with those young animators, such as Caitlin Marshall, Carrie King and Charlene Devine, now in their early 20s.

Interviewees reflected on changes over the past few years and the event attracted more than 300 residents to the Green Arena site at the back of Craighall Crescent in Raploch. This is an area of land that's been made available to the community before it will eventually be built on.

The hope is this will become Scotland's first community cinema, an annual event to give value to local opinion, achievements and celebrate the rich texture lying within an ever-changing community.

For more information see the Stirling Observer Article.

Promoting Young People’s Sexual Health

2010-06-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

Getting your health promotion campaign noticed can be a challenge -
especially when your target audience is young people who often get their
information by watching rather than reading. Instead of printing another
run of those leaflets why not produce an eye-catching advert for about the
same cost?

NHS Forth Valley recently commissioned Small Majority to produce a promo for
their sexual health care services. Central Sexual Health offer testing and
treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a whole range of
advice and support.

The Small Majority team co-scripted a snappy little information film about
this great service. The film illustrates a visit to the local clinic and
encourages young people to recognise the importance of sexual health.
Shot and delivered within a week to a tight budget, the film will be
deployed on DVD, at events and online to maximise awareness throughout the
Forth Valley area.

View the film at http://www.smallmajority.co.uk/clients/clinic.html

Film celebrates the return of Margaret Morris to Perth

2010-06-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Our latest short documentation project celebrates the modern dance pioneer and artist Margaret Morris with a weekend of events in Perth at the Fergusson Gallery.

Margaret Morris was born in London in 1891. She was a woman of extraordinary energy and talent. As well as her pioneering work in dance she was an accomplished artist, choreographer, author and movement therapist. She first performed on the stage when she was three years old, giving recitals in English and French. In 1910, aged just 19, she opened her first School of Dance in London, training pupils in her own dance technique which she called Margaret Morris Movement (MMM).

Today, MMM continues to flourish across the globe and in 2010 celebrates its Centenary. In 2010 a collection of artwork, dance costumes and archival material relating to Margaret’s incredible life was gifted to Perth & Kinross Council by the International Association of Margaret Morris Movement. This most generous donation brings her collection under the same roof as the work of the artist JD Fergusson, her partner of 47 years. The first exhibitions of material from the collection are on show at The Fergusson Gallery until February 2010.

View the film at http://www.smallmajority.co.uk/clients/ard.html

New Cultural Strategy DVD for Stirling

2010-06-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

Just finished a new DVD for Stirling Council to help launch their new cultural strategy. The Council through its citizens and partner organisations wants to take forward its vision to make Stirling the cultural heart of Scotland where artists and creative and cultural activities are encouraged, valued and accessible to everyone.

Stirling Council Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Communities Councillor Steven Paterson said: Everyone living, working or studying in Stirling is a part of the cultural life of our area. Culture is about our people, how we express ourselves and celebrate through music, painting, dance, theatre and much more. We want to encourage everyone to get involved, try new things, share ideas and Enjoy Life in Stirling.”

Stirling’s Cultural Strategy is set around five key priorities:

* Build stronger cultural communities
* Capture ideas and encourage participation
* Improve cultural programmes
* Help people to keep learning and trying new things
* Build a thriving cultural economy

To view the film online visit http://www.smallmajority.co.uk/clients/cultural_strategy.html

Exclusive Interview with Mark Millar, 'Kick-Ass' Creator.

2010-04-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the cinema release of Kick-Ass we've got a special interview with the creator and comic book legend Mark Millar. Coatbridge's finest talks about his incredible career, hero Stan Lee, Glen Michael's Cavalcade and why we should all take comics more seriously.

Check out: http://www.smallmajority.co.uk/clients/markmillar.html

Small Majority to Celebrate 10 Years

2009-12-08T07:53:00.001-08:00

It only seems like yesterday when we were carefully unwrapping our Canon XL1 and G4 Powermac to start out on a business venture right here in Stirling. The digital video juggernaut was just in its infancy and i had just been given a 'hand-me-down mobile phone' (my first), one with a snazzy lcd display and an antenna you had to pull up to improve reception. Technology was moving quickly. And reflecting on the last 10 years from the time we left University, it was these advancements that helped facilitate the birth of Small Majority as a new digital film company.

We were in a position where we could create broadcast quality video on a startup budget of £10,000; something that hitherto was unthinkable. Video services could now be accessible to a new range of clients; everyone could now punch well above their weight. By the time YouTube was acquired by Google for $1.65 billion in September 2006, everyone who used the Internet regularly had seen one of their videos. Once it became common practice for people to watch video online and an essential part of the experience.

While the Xl1 and old Powermac are no longer with us, giving way to the new exciting possibilities afforded by High Definition, our ethos remains the same. Even more so.

10 years on and we have produced over 300 projects for clients, shot thousands of hours and worked across the world. And whether is be filming a travel video in Iceland or a community arts project in Perth we show the same commitment and passion for every project we work on. While other companies have come and gone , it our approach to working with every client

as partners has ensured Small Majority's continuing success. Our passion for production is stronger than ever and we look forward to the next 10 years.

Keep an eye out for details of our 10 year anniversary party this year and sign up to this feed for an invite!

GTC Scotland Video Goes Online

2009-12-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

The General Teaching Council for Scotland is the professional body for teachers in Scotland. Small Majority was commissioned to produce a series of films showing how the organisation improves education for children by supporting and developing the teaching profession. Available in online and DVD formats, the films explore the work of GTC Scotland and features interviews with the Professional Practice Team, Probationary and Chartered Teachers and a profile of the Chief Executive. Check out http://www.gtcs.org.uk to find out more.