Individual Project Ideas

It has come to the time of year to put pen to paper on ideas for the individual project and I am quite comfortable in saying I am not the best at coming up with ideas! Give me an existing idea and I can do something with it but recently I have been struggling to come up with any ideas (that have potential!) of my own!

However...this is what I have come up with so far...

My first thoughts were to do some sort of promotional video for two businesses I know who would be quite up for having something to put on their websites. These are an estate agents and an extreme sports retail shop...and I straight away I thought probably the same thing you are, despite things I could do in Motion and the service I would be providing, lets face it, its not a very interesting subject matter and is something better saved for my own spare time.

My 2nd (and so far only other) idea is a documentary on the RNLI, a friend who I used to go kayaking also is a volunteers for the Weston-Super-Mare branch (he acts as Helmsman). I think a lot of people over look how much of a vital role the RNLI play in society and it would be a good chance to raise awareness.
In terms of content I would aim it as if the audience don't really know anything, so cover a brief history, what they do, who they are etc. I would also look at the more technical side such as the boats and lifesaving equipment. Also there would be room for interviews with their volunteers and I would also appeal to anyone who has been saved/had experiences with them to share their stories. In an ideal world I would also spend some time with them and potentially see them have to answer a call (from dry land of course!)

So far, I have simply done research on who they are via their website, one thing that could hinder my chance to do this is they already have a YouTube channel set up with films, however I hope to offer them something they dont already have. My next step will be in contacting the guy I know and take his advice on the idea, I would then contact their Press Office.

I understand health and safety will be a big issue with this project, but I would probably rely heavily on "dry land" footage and some of their own archive, however I do know people who have filmed kayaking on rivers and have access to waterproof/splashproof equipment that could help me out!