Summary:
Action For Children is a UK children’s charity committed to helping vulnerable children and young people, and their families throughout the UK.
At the beginning of the year they began working on the launch of their new campaign ‘Choose Childhood’.
“CHILDREN DON’T CHOOSE THEIR LIVES, BUT WE CAN CHOOSE TO ACT”
The goal of the campaign is to urge the government to Choose Childhood with a national plan for children.
To kickstart the launch of the campaign, Action For Children needed a powerful and emotive film to spread their message in an impactful way.
Approach
Having previously worked with Action for Children, we already had a strong understanding of the importance and sensitivity of the charity’s work. Collaborating closely with Beetle TV, we established the core values and objectives of the film before bringing Director Sam Huntley onto the project. Sam’s vision was to take audiences on an emotional journey — moving from the fear and instability of a home affected by domestic abuse to a place of safety and security, where children are given the chance not just to survive, but to heal.
Authenticity was central to our approach. To achieve this, we held an extensive casting process to find our hero child, ultimately casting Sam Dowdy, whose powerful and emotionally resonant audition set the tone for the entire film. From there, we carefully selected the remaining cast to ensure a strong, believable ensemble capable of carrying the story with sensitivity and depth.
All crew members involved were highly experienced in working with children, understanding the importance of creating a filming environment that was safe, supportive, and enjoyable. By working with a small, nimble crew and relying heavily on natural light, we were able to film with minimal disruption, allowing the children to remain focused, comfortable, and engaged throughout the process.
Location choice was equally considered. We needed environments that felt generic and nondescript, offering visual variety without being immediately recognisable. London was ruled out due to its distinct visual identity, while the Midlands presented logistical challenges in terms of travel for the young cast. These requirements led us to Kingston, Surrey — close enough to London for practicality, yet offering the textures and variety needed to convincingly stand in for the Midlands on screen.
Outcome
With a combination of strategic thinking, a passionate and dedicated crew and a talented enthusiastic cast, we were able to give this film the justice it deserved and kickstart the launch of the ‘Choose Childhood’ campaign.
CREW
Director: Sam Huntley
Producer: Rupert Bryan
Executive Producer: Sally Alekna
Director of Photography: Adrian Peckitt
Production Assistant: India Sheridan
Casting Director: Louise Collins
First AD: Ben Loyd Holmes
Camera Assistant: Robyn Skead
Grip: Samuel Ogunlana
Focus Puller: Matt Ferrant
Steadicam Operator: Matt Allsop
Stunt Coordinator: Peter Pedrero
Sound Recordist: Majer Christian / Joe Worthy
Photographer: Simon Rawles
Photographer’s Assistant: Angela Brasier
Hair & Makeup Artist: Ruby Lonsdale
DIT: Thomas Hellier
Runner / Child Supervisor: Roxy Haylock
Runners: Ollie Wade / Samuel Mines / Sara Kloc
Production Company: MPH Film / Beetle
CAST
Hero Child: Sam Dowdy
Supporting Child One: Joseph Lagu-Shaplland
Supporting Child Two: Sasha Anderson
Girl on Wall: Nicole Karpovics
Child Playing Football One: Tilly Setterfield
Child Playing Football Two: Kieren Logendra
Child Playing Football Three: Raphael Blackwood
Child Playing Football Four: Jai Hyatt
Child Playing Football Five: Zac Woolfson
Arguing Man One: Justin Samuels
Arguing Man Two: Paul Marlon
Stunt Coordinator: Peter Pedrero
AGENCY
Account Director: Harriet Bemner
Creative Director: Lyndsay McMorrow
Creative Director: Andy Kelleher
Account Executive: Taylor Godwin
Agency: Arthur London
POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Toby Conway-Hughes
Edit Producer: Beanie Goldsmith
Editing Company: Marshall Street Editors
Editor: Ben Clayton / MPH Film
Edit Assistant: Thomas Hellier / MPH Film
Colourist: George Neave
Colour Producer: Alannah Currie
Creative VFX Company: Coffee & TV
Sound Design & Mix: Jack Hallett / Phil Bolland
Audio Producer: Lou Allen
Sound Studio: Factory Studios
Music Composer: John Clarke
Music Supervisor: Sian Rogers
Music Production Company: SIREN Music
Voiceover Artist: Harvey Farrell
Voiceover Casting Director: Ology Kids Casting