Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Film
Creating engaging, high-quality educational video content on a budget requires careful planning, creative problem-solving and experience. For the second year in a row, I was commissioned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to produce, film, edit and deliver a professionally crafted educational film for schools and online learning.
As a filmmaker and photographer with over 25 years’ of experience working across broadcast, education, corporate and live events, it was a pleasure to once again collaborate with the Trust on a project that combines creativity with meaningful learning.
Pre-production: planning for success
The project began with a detailed pre-production process, including storyboarding the script, creating a technical filming plan, and building a tailored kit list. This ensured all filming could be completed efficiently within the available timeframe and budget.
Working closely with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust team, presenters and a puppeteer was essential, particularly as the production involved children from a local school. Clear planning and communication helped keep the shoot structured, safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. The script was rich and varied, featuring presenter-led sections, activities, quizzes and ending with a music video — all designed to keep young audiences engaged while delivering clear educational outcomes.
Filming on location at Mary Arden’s Farm
Filming took place at the stunning Mary Arden’s Farm, a location that added real character and authenticity to the film. To showcase the site and elevate production value, drone footage was used to capture the landscape and setting from above.
The main filming was shot in 4K, allowing for flexibility in post-production and a polished final result. Additional B-roll was filmed the day before the main shoot, including some scenes featuring the children, helping the shoot day run smoothly.
The primary shoot day was a busy and cold day in February, requiring careful coordination. Creative lighting was used throughout, and dedicated monitors were set up to support the puppeteer, ensuring performances translated perfectly on screen.
Delivering a high-quality educational film
This project is a great example of how a professional educational film can be delivered to a high standard without a large production budget. The final video was delivered in high definition for online streaming, complete with subtitles to support accessibility. With so much incredible footage, I delivered short form videos of the film for social media.
The film was extremely well received by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and I’m proud to have been trusted once again to support their educational outreach through video.
Produced, filmed and edited by
Rishi Issar – Bridgewater Film & Photography
Professional video production and photography based in the North West, UK