Spectrecom’s Steve Milton harnesses personal passion for National Autistic Society film

Spectrecom Films has been a video production partner for many of the UK’s best-loved charities, including Macmillan, Marie Curie, Shelter, the National Trust and, in recent months, the National Autistic Society.

Amongst several projects we’ve been beavering away on for the National Autistic Society is a short film focusing on celebrated concert pianist Noriko Ogawa.

A cultural ambassador for the National Autistic Society, Noriko works with the charity to stage Jamie’s Concerts, a series of special performances for the parents and primary carers of children with autism.

Jamie’s Concerts were inspired by Noriko’s personal experience of lodging in the home of a London family with an autistic child. The concerts are deliberately friendly and informal in feel, and start at around 11am on weekdays, in order to fit in with the lives of parents and carers.

The man behind the camera on this latest National Autistic Society film was Steve Milton, who is not just one of Spectrecom’s founders but also one of our most experienced and decorated charity filmmakers; his films for Macmillan and Livability have won IVCA and Clarion Gold Awards.

And as Steve explains, this was a project with plenty of resonance for him personally.

“I’ve been volunteering at weekends, working with vulnerable autistic adults at a residential care home local to where I live, so it’s a subject that’s close to my heart.”

“I’ve seen the high level of care required to look after a person with profound autism, so I understand the importance of parents having the opportunity to take some time out for themselves. I’m also a pianist myself so this project really did seem to have my name written all over it!”

“My chief focus was telling the story of how Noriko was inspired to become cultural ambassador for the National Autistic Society and why she felt compelled to organise Jamie’s Concerts.”

“The backdrop to that story had to be Noriko’s beautiful music, which we captured using two cameras during her rehearsal ahead of a scheduled concert. St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square provided a spectacular location for the film, with Noriko giving an incredible virtuoso performance.”

To find out more about Jamie’s Concerts and where Noriko will be performing next, visit www.autism.org.uk/jamiesconcerts

Spectrecom Films is a London video production company that works extensively with UK charities, agencies, universities and finance firms to craft award-winning content.

To see more of our charity work, take a look at our Charities page. And if you’d like to speak to us about a video project, get in touch with our Client Services Director Christiaan Harden on 0203 405 2274 or email christiaan.harden@spectrecom.co.uk