A short video produced for The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington to explain to customers its covid safety measures has already reached nearly 14,000 people on Facebook alone, after just over a week online.
The video, produced by local film maker Martin Pailthorpe, offers a light-hearted tour through the Arts Centre’s building, highlighting in turn each of the measures designed to keep customers safe as they enjoy a great evening out at The Plough. The video features Plough Director Richard Wolfenden-Brown, Outreach Director Sophie Hatch and Box Office Team Member Belinda Urwin.
The film was launched on The Plough’s website and Facebook page on 9 December, just before the venue’s first live event in nine months – a music performance by Devon folk legends Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman.
“It’s obviously important to provide reassurance to customers that we take covid safety seriously, and a video seemed like a fun and accessible way to make that point,” explained Wolfenden-Brown. “It’s almost got the feel of an airline pre-flight safety video, but with a Santa hat.”
“It’s great that it’s reached so many people,” Wolfenden-Brown added. “It seems to have reached beyond our core customer base. Hopefully that means that there are people all over the country looking forward to supporting their local venues and getting out of the house to be entertained. Our first live event has gone very smoothly and been a big success. It feels like the place is properly beginning to come back to life again.”
“With the covid rules changing all the time, we wanted to make sure the video was bang up to date, so the whole thing was shot and edited in one day, and launched online the next day,” said Pailthorpe. “It was a great challenge, and worth the effort if it helps people feel more comfortable about coming out to The Plough.”