Patrick Shepherd Email & Phone Number

Worldwide

Company director / multimedia producerwww.ElephantSong.netI produce multimedia content to meet creative communications and storytelling needs of humanitarian and development sector agencies. I work with communications teams to produce film, photography, and motion-graphics for campaigning, donor engagement, community mobilisation, and advocacy. Products included: audio/visual social media content, documentaries, campaign and advocacy films, photography exhibitions, podcasts, public service announcements, and other communications products. I work extensively across East and Southern Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe on issues such as health, livelihoods, forced migration, child protection, gender, education, food security, nutrition, agriculture, WASH, environment, conflict, and disaster response.I have produced content for: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), RedR Australia, RedR UK, Thomson Reuters, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Agence France-Presse (AFP), University of Delhi, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Overseas Development Institute (ODI).I also provid creative/technical multimedia training to staff from humanitarian agencies for better communications and story gathering from the field. I support humanitarian agencies with news and social media engagement such as producing edited stories, b-roll, interviews, photo stories and press releases. I hire, manage, and train photographers, filmmakers, designers, artists, and production assistants.

I developed, filmed, and edited visual content, primarily video and photography, to grow Wellcome’s brand, reputation, and influence in medical research and science. I travelled regularly to universities and laboratories producing content about the people and research that Wellcome funds. I translated complex information into clear and compelling stories for dissemination across social media and online platforms to extend the reach of Wellcome’s content and deepening engagement. I edited stories into multiple products tailored to specific platforms such as Wellcome’s website, YouTube, X (previously Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram. I also shared interview transcripts, soundbites, and photos across departments for further content to be produced from the material I captured.I travelled to South Africa to document Tuberculosis (TB) programmes that Wellcome supports through the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), and I filmed remote interviews with healthcare professionals across Africa, particularly with women in senior government, policy, and research roles. I mentored and up-skilled colleagues in visual content production to support the growth of visual storytelling across digital channels. I supported the development of a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, collaborating across departments, particularly around disability awareness. I exercised cost control and managed expenditure to work within agreed operating budgets. I designed contributor consent forms, briefing documents, as well as sourcing and maintaining audio/visual equipment. Some of the video/photography stories that I produced include: Understanding brain asymmetry, How does the body clock affect fat cells?, New biomaterials could transform how we treat diseases, Why neuroimaging could hold the key to treating Parkinson's dementia, Women spearheading medicines regulation in Africa, Autism: from menstruation to menopause.

I worked at the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals producing video, photography, and other multimedia communications content end-to-end from concept development to production, editing and dissemination, as well as managing freelancers and creative agencies. The stories I produced mostly focused around specialist treatment of heart and lung disease, and COVID. I filmed many operations and cathlab procedures for medical skills development and awareness including open heart surgery, lobectomy, thoracic surgery, and the fitting of devices and implants such as LVADs, valves, and paediatric patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. These stories are also used for patient information, social media engagement, sharing new research, recruitment, internal information sharing, and raising awareness about the specialist work done at these hospitals. I also worked with the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity on their multimedia requirements for fundraising, advocacy, and communications. I am particularly proud of the video content I produced to support the NHS through the COVID pandemic. This includes an award-winning documentary, ‘how to’ videos for patients to complete home diagnostics and treatments, infection prevention control information, and stories to support high value donor appeals. I worked in this role full time for two years and then freelance in 2022.

Delhi Bureau, India

I applied strong research skills with filming and editing knowledge to produce news stories that shone a light on under reported issues across India, these stories were used globally. Story subjects included health, education, and human rights. I conducted insightful interviews on sensitive issues. I filmed strong observational footage. I recorded voice-overs and fostered relationships with stringers, fixers, and translators. I coordinated filming and location logistics.

London, Uk

I conducted detailed background research into stories on issues such as homelessness, inequality, and abuse. I assisted with undercover filming in Egypt and the UK for investigations into crime and corruption. I identified potential characters and fostered relationships with contributors. I filmed and edited stories and interviews, maintained equipment, conducted photo and video archive research, and developed technical competence in aspects of production through formal training. Productions: Britain's Hidden Homeless, BBC 3 (1x30') | Watchdog, BBC 1 (8 x 60') | Panorama, BBC 1 (1 x 30') | Wonderland, BBC 2 (1x 60') | The Manor Reborn, BBC 1 (4 x 60') | Meet the Ancestors BBC 1(1 x 30')

London, Uk

I developed strategic partnerships and multi-agency communications with stakeholders working on issues around homelessness such as housing, education, mental health, and addiction. I led creative arts workshops, counselling sessions, life skills, and nutrition classes. I provided 24-hour support to homeless people across three London hostels within a challenging work environment. I taught homeless people how to use audio/visual equipment and supported clients in sharing their stories to engage the public and other stakeholders in homelessness issues.

M.A., Development And Emergency Practice

I studied development issues such as human rights, forced migration, and conflict resolution. My dissertation involved designing.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Fine Art

I studied creative communications, film, and design. I developed practical skills in the using of art, film, photography, and sound.