The final documentary was screened as part of a large ‘Firepower’ weekend taking place at Fort Nelson for the general public where we had an estimated 2,000 guests per day watch the film on a large outdoor screen. We also held a special tea party so that our elderly interviewees, student participants and their families could watch a private screening of the film.
VE Day Documentary
HSDC and the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson
Working with the Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson (Hampshire, UK), students from HSDC Havant were supported and mentored by Millstream where they filmed and interviewed local residents with memories of World War 2 and the events of VE Day for a documentary.
The project culminated in a screening of the documentary at Fort Nelson’s ‘Firepower’ weekend where families were able to watch the emotional film, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Our role
We worked closely with staff at HSDC to conceive the idea for the project and liaised closely with Fort Nelson staff to build the partnership and establish the project aims and objectives.
The project started with the team running weekly pre-production workshops at the college where students researched the subject area and organised oral history interviews. We then planned and delivered workshops in all aspects of film production and facilitated the oral history interviews with elderly participants and the students where we established the documentary narrative.
We took over a section of Fort Nelson and built a 1940’s living room set for the filmed interviews. Students helped us capture footage and learned to work as a production unit to film the necessary material for the film.
Our role was to then edit the footage using techniques that served as an effective narrative tool, allowing the story to flow seamlessly while giving space for the emotional weight of the interviewees’ expressions to settle and resonate with the audience.
Students gained invaluable, real-world experience
During this project, students gained experience in narrative and storytelling, researching, transcribing, scripting, and filming.
We mentored them throughout each stage of the project so that they understood what was required of them in their allocated roles.
Working together developed students’ teamwork and communication skills as well as the opportunity to work with people of different ages who shared their incredible experiences of the war. By taking part in project-based work experience, these young people gained invaluable filmmaking skills and developed an understanding of professional standards and expectations.
The Impact
4k
Over 4,000 in-person visitors
It was a privilege to guide the students through a project that was so much more than just a film. From the moment we started, they immersed themselves in the history and the stories of those who lived in Portsmouth during the Second World War. It was rewarding to watch them not only master new filmmaking skills but also grow as individuals. By interviewing participants, they learned about their heritage directly from the voices of those who shaped it. The final film is a powerful testament to the students' talent and hard work.
Dan Musty
Community Producer
It’s been an amazing project to work with the Millstream team and the students on, we’ve loved being part of it. What a journey from our first conversation to seeing the film on the big screen on our Parade Ground and having the lovely ladies up to the fort to watch themselves. I think the project has created a record of a very important piece of Portsmouth’s history and it’s been wonderful to be involved.
Cathy Brooks
Communications Officer
