30 Days on from filming in France…
days on from the end of filming in France and my conviction in this projects success has only grown.
I knew we had a unique opportunity to capture and document important characters, subjects and stories but I had no idea just how much it would personally affect me or include me and just how much I'd be healed by the experience.
It became clear halfway through filming that this project was an opportunity to find closure on a few aspects of my own, brief, military career and do something I can be proud of, to represent the people who I think can be misunderstood and overlooked. I knew from the off that there were many valuable lessons to be learnt from our characters and the first block of filming has without doubt changed my life. It's given me much more confidence, energy to continue and motivation to do what I think is necessary to give veterans more opportunities outside of traditional care.
We were given unrivalled access and insight into the life of a veteran, we were shown how a few wrong turns and isolation can flip a veterans world upside and just how vital a veteran support network really is.
We also saw proud men, veterans, Royal Marines, being truly open and honest about what they struggle & succeed in, and holding a hand up for help in a way that will surely lead the way for many others to follow suit. I always knew that mountains are a part of a healing process but to have characters confirm it on camera solidified our belief around alternative veteran care.
Charles and I had to take a few weeks post filming as normal life has to happen alongside producing once we were warriors too. Charles left the Army after a stellar 15 year career and I have welcomed my first child into the world which has given us a chance to pause and reset before we start wading through the edit and take a select few scenes to a broadcaster.
The next phase of filming phase is also upon us as of March 20th. We are heading to Colorado to film Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST) who have kindly part funded two places for crew to film for ten days. This gives us a chance to show our audience just what is possible for a veteran given the right support or a competitive sporting pathway. It isn't right for every veteran, but its an incredible platform for a former service person to test themselves and build back that indomitable spirit they felt they had whilst serving.
For us this means more fundraising as the project has grown and we were unable to fulfil our fundraising goals back in November. We NEED to raise the remaining £12,000 to cover some of our early post production, crew fees in Colorado, Visas, filming in the UK, travel & marketing if we are ensure we put our best foot forward.
We welcome conversation around funding in what is likely to be the biggest piece of PR around veteran care of 2024 and if you or anyone you know is interested in supporting us further, then please contact me via email:
james@palpafilms.com
Thank you!
