» Blog – “Big Hearts, Short Film” by Zack Gardner

Blog – “Big Hearts, Short Film” by Zack Gardner

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What happens when an enthusiast Big Hearts Supporter is also an Advertising Creative?

This month’s Blog will take you on Zack Gardner’s journey to tell the Big Hearts’ story – witnessing firsthand the positive impact of the charity’s activities and working hard to translate it into a 2 minute video. The final result is a powerful piece praised by players and organisations across Scottish football.

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Being neither Lithuanian, or very good at football, when I was growing up it was obvious that I’d never pull on the famous maroon and grace the hallowed Tynecastle turf.

So when I met with Innes and Kirsty who work for Big Hearts, and they asked me to help tell the charity’s story, I jumped at the chance to do something cool for the Club I’ve supported my entire life.

It was one of those rare occasions where ideas seem to write themselves.

Big Hearts do incredible work, way beyond the whitewash. They are a lifeblood.

Every area, every life they touch, they improve.

The ‘Hearts’ deliver the lifeblood. The two entities are separate, but they’re inherently linked.

So that was the video we decided to make.

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GREAT IN THE AIR

We started collecting our establishing shots with the help of Luke.

Luke is a friend who I met when working freelance in Manchester.
He is incredibly good at getting whatever shot you need to tell a story – land, sea or air.

Luke has access to a drone.

A class drone.

A drone that takes video that makes you go “…..nice”.

He was invaluable throughout the whole process, and north he came from North West, purely for the cause.

Twice.

We had a great weekend tearing around Edinburgh getting the big shots we needed and also had the pleasure of attending Hearts vs Dunfermline in the League Cup as Big Hearts’ guests… Really guys, you shouldn’t have!

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HEARTS AND MINDS

Over the next couple of months we captured footage of the Big Hearts events themselves.

First up, Football Memories in the Hearts Museum.

Over the course of 2 hours I watched transfixed, checking occasionally to make sure I was still recording, as different generations bonded over the history of this great Club.

Gradually, folks were coaxed out of their shell and by the end there was an excited hubbub with guests taking to the exhibits or conversing animatedly over the table, recalling past glories and heroic failures.

It was an education in how genuinely connect with a fellow person despite any challenges they may be facing.

A case of point, shoot, listen and learn.

A wonderful afternoon.

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ON THE BENCH

Next was Gorgie Smiles. The only time Hearts are happy to make things a little bit greener!

We spent a hugely productive afternoon at a community centre on Dalry Road, restoring a communal garden to a place worth sitting in.

In the space of just a few hours, the area was transformed from somewhere a bit neglected, dim and tired to a secluded wee haven.

A lesson in how a little bit of time, aimed in the right direction, can make all the difference.

WIN EVERYTHING WITH KIDS

Lastly, it was back to Tynecastle for Kinship Care.

A brilliant initiative, the Kinship Family Day itself featured birds of prey, stadium tours, music tuition in the away dressing room and the chance to meet the first team squad in the Gorgie suite.

It was heartwarming to see such happy, comfortable, confident boys and girls and relaxed carers making the most of their big day out at Tynecastle

As someone who was raised by their Granny, I don’t think Big Hearts could have done a better job in terms of providing what all those involved would need and appreciate most.

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BIG HEARTS, BIG TONSILS.

We had what we needed and the edit process was a dream.

We overshot to the tune of about 4 hours, so there was a bit of a selection headache, but that’s a good problem to have!

And we got lucky.

A client Voice Over recording on another project I was working on in Manchester had finished 15 minutes early, arming Luke and I with the sole use of a top of the range recording booth for me to lend my dulcet tones to our content.

This wasn’t hitchless…

What I thought was just nerve induced ‘teenager throat’ affecting my voice was later diagnosed to be tonsillitis…

I think we got away with it…just!

The final video launched in February with players – past and present, helping spread the word.

You can watch it here and please consider doing what it asks…

Go Big.

Volunteer now.

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Post written by Zack Gardner, Creative Copywriter and Big Hearts Volunteer, April 2018.

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