The Hunchman Trust
Client
The Hunchman Trust
Services
Photo & Video Production
Year
2023
The Hunchman Trust is being established in memory of Julian Grant Smith, also known as Hunch, by his sons Charlie, Ben, and Chester, with the support of Will. The trust aims to raise funds for charities that provide support to families who have lost a loved one to suicide.
The trust is being launched alongside a fundraising challenge called “The Hunchman 500.” The challenge involves running from the family home in Fetcham, Surrey, to the Quantocks in Somerset, where their father’s ashes were scattered, and then cycling back to Reeds Weybridge, covering a total distance of 500km over 7 days. The goal of the challenge is to gather support and raise funds for the trust, while also honoring their father’s memory and creating awareness about mental health, suicide prevention.
The Brief
01
Context
Floom were approached to document the Hunchman 500. It needed to be emotionally resonant documentary that highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by the participants during the Hunchman Challenge.
02
Connect
We needed the film to connect emotionally with its audience to generate fundraising for Hunchman Trust.
03
Inspire
Ultimately, the film alongside the motivations of Hunchman Trust aim to raise awareness for mental health and promote open conversations about suicide through the lens of sport.
The Approach
01
Careful pre-production planning, including shot lists, storyboard, and interview questions.
02
Use of a mix of cinematic and intimate documentary filmmaking techniques.
03
Strategic use of interviews and vlogging to convey the personal side of the story.
Challenges
01
Sensitively addressing the emotional impact of suicide on the filmmakers and subjects.
02
Capturing high-intensity action during the challenge. We needed to shot on a-roads, forests, beaches all whilst moving at pace.
03
Conveying the personal stories of the participants in a way that resonates with a broad audience.
Achievements
01
Storytelling
We successfully conveyed the emotional depth of the story, touching on themes of resilience, loss, and the power of familial bonds. The documentary generated a significant response on social media, raising awareness for mental health and encouraging open conversations about suicide.
02
Cinematic Quality
The film combines stunning visual sequences of the challenge with intimate, emotionally charged interviews, creating a visually engaging and emotionally resonant narrative.
03
Fundraising
The film significantly contributed to fundraising efforts for the mental health charity associated with the project.
Conclusion
Hunchman 500 has been a deeply personal and rewarding experience. It represents a testament to the power of filmmaking to address sensitive topics, raise awareness, and inspire change. The film demonstrates the potential to create meaningful social impact while showcasing our commitment to quality storytelling and film production.
