English Resource Booklet 2 - Animal Aid

Lesson 6: As Seen On TVResource 21Their Future in Your Hands– Director’s notes (continued)There was a clear set of aims for Their Future in Your Hands. Aboveall, I wanted to prove that animals have rich emotional lives and thattheir emotions are similar to our own. Almost equally important wasto show that we exploit and abuse them in many ways, causinggreat suffering. Also, the film had to have a positive message,encouraging the viewer to believe that they could do somethingabout the problem. All these things had to be put over within atime limit of fifteen minutes.What was left out of the film was almost as important as whatwent in. Most similar educational videos rely upon ‘experts’ toexplain the issues. Their Future in Your Hands does not contain anyinterviews. Even the commentary is kept as brief as possible. Rather than detailed argument,the film tries to show simple truths about animals and their treatment. Contrast is the key.Short, sharp images of animals in their natural environment are set against film of the waythey are treated in farms, laboratories, etc. ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ images are placed close together.Music is used sparingly to create different atmospheres.Although the film contains some shocking images, the overall impression is meant to bepositive, rather than depressing. It is partly a celebration of animal life. The narrator’s voiceis calm. Happier sections surround the scenes of cruelty. The film begins and ends on apositive note.This campaigning video was produced as an educational resource for use with secondaryschool students aged 11 to 14. It is marketed to teachers of English, RE, Citizenshipand PSHE. Although primarily a video for younger audiences, it is also shown to adults asan introduction to the issue of animal rights.42