Things to consider when arranging an in-the-room or online screening

When showing film with emotive content, it is important to allow enough time for reflection and discussion. It is important that the viewers have time to talk about what they have seen and how it has made them feel. The learning opportunities within the films are drawn out through reflection and discussion. It is also important to use the contextual information about the project to explain how the films were made, the role of the filmmaker and researcher, and the role of technology. Each of the six films is very different in tone, style, length and content. Individual interpretation and creative control was held by the individuals in the films and their families. Facilitators should familiarise themselves with each section of this toolkit.

Setting the scene

At the beginning of the session, before the films are shown, there are some things which will help viewers get the most out of the session. Some of the usual techniques for ensuring focus in the session are useful to mention

• Turn off phones
• Clear space and have a pen and paper available
• Tell people when there will be a break
• Remind people that they are free to take a break or leave the session if they need to, but also that it is ok to feel sad when watching the films
• Reassure all that it is ok also to laugh and to see the humour within the stories in the films being watched

Highlight to the group that these are people’s individual responses to facing terminal illness, death and dying. Each is different, each was made by the participant with the support of the core research team, their fellow participants, friends and family and/or with the filmmaker. The films developed out of the workshops at the hospice in which the group discussed both critical and practical concerns and the creative tasks set each week. The filmmaker’s role was to support participants to make use of technology and filmmaking techniques to tell their own stories. Some participants worked closely with the filmmaker, and some worked largely independently. Each person’s film is their own story told in their own style.