‘Dragonfly Film and TV’ are making a documentary series for the BBC exploring the exceptional challenges Britain’s SME business owners are facing in the current economic climate.
Small businesses are crucial to the country’s prosperity and are an embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit, but government figures show a 40% increase in registered company insolvencies in May 2023, compared to a year earlier, while the FSB Small Business Index saw a dip in confidence for Q2 this year. With a sensitive approach, we want to raise awareness and understanding, both within the business community and the broader public, of the struggles and obstacles facing Britain’s SMEs and what it means to the individuals involved.
WHY MIGHT I TAKE PART?
We would like to give a voice to businesses owners suffering severe hardship and provide an opportunity for them to share their story – tell how it is affecting them, their family and perhaps community. In doing so it’s hoped we can provide a genuine public service to other businesses up against similar difficulties; promote broader conversations around the issues, challenge the taboos often around talking financial distress and provide reassurance, inspiration and hope to others no matter what the outcome.
NEXT STEPS
If you would you be open to having a chat or would like a bit more information on the project, with absolutely no obligation for you to take part please contact Ben and Chike at SBB@dragonfly.tv
APPROACH
As one of the world’s leading specialists in observational documentary-making, we are accustomed to operating on the ground with streamlined, fleet-of-foot small teams that allow us to minimise disruption for the organisation we are working with too.
WHO ARE DRAGONFLY?
Dragonfly is one of the world’s leading specialists in documentary making. We make multiple award-winning, premium, intelligent documentaries and factual programmes for all major UK and international broadcasters, from the BBC to Netflix. We’re also part of the Banijay Group, the world’s largest content creation group for television and multimedia platforms, which includes 120+ production companies and spans over 20 countries worldwide.
We pride ourselves on our excellent relationships with the people with whom we film. Recent Dragonfly productions include the tenth series of BBC One’s BAFTA award-winning Ambulance, the most watched documentary series on British television; the sixth series of BBC2’s Surgeons: At The Edge of Life, which tells stories of remarkable surgical
interventions and BBC Two’s Cops Like Us, which captured the work of one of Britain’s most overstretched police force.
LINKS
If you would like to watch some of our documentaries to understand the general tone and sensitivity which we would bring to this project, please see:
Ambulance:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09393rd/ambulance
Surgeons: At the Edge of Life:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001jgmg/surgeons-at-the-edge-of-life-series-5-6-one-step-at-a-8me
REFERENCES
“The team from Dragonfly quickly became embedded in the organisation, building strong trusting relationships with the policing team which gave them a unique perspective into the day-to-day challenges and demands on policing. This translated into a powerful series which shone a light on the complex and demanding reality of modern day policing and the impact it has on the people behind the badge. This was in stark difference to the usual procession of ‘cop shows’ and showed officers in a very human light – doing a difficult job with compassion, empathy and good humour. The
series continues to generate conversations and has driven a sense of pride across the force and helped to improve public understanding about how policing is responding to the challenges it is facing, as well as spiking an interest in a career in policing to Be in with a major recruitment drive.”
Gareth Morgan – Chief Constable, Staffordshire Police (retired June 2021)
“Dragonfly worked with us at North East Ambulance Service from September 2021 until April 2022. The whole team was kind, courteous, completely flexible and respectful of others working in the same environment. Nothing was too much trouble and they were keen to ensure their presence did not impact on others. The whole team works hard to reduce the impact of their productions on business departments and worked incredibly well in partnership with our teams.” Sam Reed – Communications Manager, North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS)
“Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has worked in partnership with Dragonfly TV for 3 years, making the specialist factual documentary ‘Surgeons: Edge of Life’ series for BBC2. This has involved months of research, logistics and challenging filming while embedded in a large organisation under significant pressure. This level of access can only be achieved through a strong working relationship between the Trust and Dragonfly. Key has been the high level of respect and sensitivity Dragonfly has shown to NHS staff, patients and their families, building trust and
responding to their concerns and needs during complex, life-changing surgery. Good communication by Dragonfly with the Comms department, key clinicians and Trust execs has also been very important, enabling the production to run smoothly and with minimal disruption to the Trust. As a result, Dragonfly have gained the trust of many here at CUH, alongside creating some truly inspirational TV, shining a light on our remarkable NHS staff and patients.” Georgie Bevan – Head of News, Addenbrookes Hospital