Award-winning video production experts Deadline Digital were commissioned by Barnsley Recovery Steps and Waythrough to produce a short film warning of the problems ketamine addiction can cause, both on a personal and societal level.
Ketamine use in Barnsley and the rest of the UK has been on the rise in recent years, with 299,000 reported uses in people aged 16-59 in the year ending March 2023. This is the largest number to date.
The video is part of an innovative new ketamine campaign aimed at Barnsley residents. One of the features is an animation called “It’s OK to Ask” which has been submitted to BAFTA for review.
The production team at Deadline Digital worked closely with Barnsley Recovery Steps to develop the script which tells the story of two young female ketamine users, highlighting the potentially devastating consequences and delivering a message of hope for recovery.
Barnsley-born actor Amy Blake, who has had a role in television comedy-drama Brassic, was cast to play the lead role of Anna, a young recovering ketamine user who has lost a friend to a ketamine overdose. Through voiceover, Anna tells her friend about the positive steps she has taken to recovery since her passing.
“It was a real pleasure to be invited to join the production. As an actor from Barnsley, the opportunity to contribute something positive to the hometown I know and love means a great deal to me. I sincerely hope the work we’ve done helps to elicit a change for good within the community.”
Amy Blake – Actor
Barnsley Recovery Steps is a local drug and alcohol support service which guides people of all ages through recovery. The service is free and confidential and provides emotional, physical and mental support to those struggling with substance use.
“It has been a pleasure working with Deadline Digital on such a complex topic. They brought our ideas to life with compassion and empathy, guiding us through every step of the process. We couldn’t be happier with the final result.”
Sarah Wood – Marketing and Communications Officer, Barnsley Recovery Steps
The production team worked quickly and efficiently, capturing all of the footage for the film in one day. The three-person crew directed Amy and Manchester-based actor Sarah Hutchinson throughout the shoot and recorded Amy’s voiceover at their studio in Barnsley. The team also dressed the set and locations, using lighting to create contrasting, dynamic atmospheres for each scene.
Talia Keane, Video Journalist at Deadline Digital was part of the production team for the film.
“It was so exciting to work with Amy and the team at Barnsley Recovery Steps on this film. Knowing that what we have produced will help make a positive difference in people’s lives is so rewarding and I hope to be involved with more impactful work like this in the future.”
Talia Keane – Video Journalist, Deadline Digital
The whole team at Deadline Digital were heavily involved in creating the film, including Tom Johnstone, Head of Content, who worked together with Barnsley Recovery steps to bring the service’s ideas to life.
“As a Barnsley-based video production company we were thrilled – and privileged – to be approached to produce this film. We work all over the country, so it was fantastic to be able to work with a local charity to make a difference here in our own community. The Recovery Steps team was very trusting and took a really creative and collaborative approach which very much aligned with our values of telling high-impact stories. We are really proud of the work produced and look forward to seeing its impact.”
Tom Johnstone – Head of Content, Deadline Digital
