Curing Kids Cancer
This is a 30 minute interview with the founder of the charity, Curing Kids Cancer, that I edited down to 6 minutes. Because of the nature of the subject matter, I used archival images, simple motion graphics and event footage to tell the story.
Overview
This documentary-style interview piece was created as the final project for JOUR 447: Video for Visual Communications. The assignment was originally to produce a 2-3 minute interview supported by B-roll, but the story expanded into a six-minute piece centered on the story of Curing Kids Cancer and their firetruck pull event, which started right here in Columbia, and has since expanded to multiple cities across the country.
The video connects the founder’s motivation for starting the charity with the impact that is felt across the community they support. I used the firetruck pull as the visual anchor, pairing event footage with the interview to show how the charity has turned a heartbreaking story into a reason for families to have hope. My goal was to create a piece that explained the purpose behind the organization, highlighted the importance of the event, and gave viewers a reason to see Curing Kids Cancer as a cause worth supporting.
Method
EBefore conducting the interview, I shot the firetruck pull event. I used two cameras, a Canon R6 & Canon R50, paired with 16-35mm & 70-200mm lenses in order to gather a variety of perspectives into the event. I tried to capture every part of the morning, whether it was the pull itself, the little girl cheering on from the sidelines, and the sense of community that was undoubtedly present in the air.
After filming the event, I used the footage I captured to shape my interview questions for Grainne Owen, the founder of the organization. Rather than opening the piece directly on the firetruck pull, I wanted to first establish the story behind the charity before we got into the event. The interview was filmed at Owen’s home using a one-camera setup, natural lighting, a lavalier microphone, and a tripod.
I structured the final edit around three main arcs: the personal story that inspired the charity, the firetruck pull as an example of the organization’s work in Columbia, and the lasting impact of Curing Kids Cancer on families and pediatric cancer research. To support the interview, I combined event footage, still images, and motion graphics to use as B-roll.
Outcome
This project went beyond just a final in my class. I was able to tell the story of a boy whose life was tragically cut short, and how his legacy has been able to help so many people. Grainne Owen, the founder and narrator, loved the piece and expressed that CKC would be able to use it during future events.
This piece was all encompassing. I had the opportunity to film the event and interview, research questions, build a narrative, and edit it together to create something for a real organization. I loved putting this together, and I really want to continue creating mini documentaries like this in the future.