Close-Up is an ethnographic research and video agency. We capture stories of lived experiences and make sense of what people think, feel, and do. Our films and insights help clients to design, evaluate, and communicate better policies, products, and services.
The examples below show how storytelling and ethnographic insight can make complex public work visible and meaningful. Together they illustrate how place-based and preventative approaches – across health, safety, climate, housing, and community life – are experienced by the people they’re designed to support.
What’s been the impact of a ‘Place-Based Social Action’ programme? / The National Lottery Community Fund
The ‘PBSA’ fund was set up to build the capacity of local partnerships and address issues that matter to communities. We travelled to three areas across England, to meet over a dozen community organisations and find out the impact at a grassroots level.
This film is divided into three sections, navigable via the Chapter button to the right of the play bar: Some of the social action, Impact on individual involved, and Impact on wider community.
What’s been the impact of an ‘Empowering Places’ programme on local communities? / Power To Change
‘Empowering Places’ funded community anchor organisations in six areas of deprivation, to ‘catalyse’ and support new community businesses. This film features three catalyst organisations, over 20 supported businesses, as well as local residents.
The film is divided into three navigable sections: About the businesses, Improving personal skills, confidence & connections, and Promoting community empowerment & wellbeing.
WHAT’S BEEN THE IMPACT OF A ‘FAMILY INNOVATION FUND’? / ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
ECC’s Family Innovation Fund supported local organisations to help families in challenging situations build resilience and reduce reliance on statutory services.
We met with families who took part to understand their experiences and the difference the support made. This film is one of several ethnographic case studies produced alongside Traverse’s evaluation report, which we also designed.
What’s been the impact on young people of the Violence Reduction Unit’s ‘Stronger Futures’ programme? / Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime
Co-designed with participant Chloe, this film is part of our ongoing evaluation work with the Violence Reduction Unit – exploring how their Stronger Futures programme supports young people and communities through prevention.
What’s been the impact of the ‘Future Neighbourhoods 2030’ programme in Somers Town? / Greater London Authority
As part of the evaluation of the GLA’s Future Neighbourhoods 2030 fund, we produced case studies in Somers Town and Notting Dale, exploring how local partnerships are helping communities transition to net zero by 2030.
This film, focusing on Somers Town in Camden, is divided into five navigable sections: Intro to the area, Some of the projects, Community impact, Benefits of a neighbourhood-wide approach, and Top tips.
How can citizens’ assemblies help residents tackle local issues? / Innovation In Democracy Programme
We spent time with three participants each from a different assembly across England. Our goal was to understand their experiences and provide context for the issues being addressed in each assembly – in this case, the redevelopment of their respective town / city centres.
The resulting film appears alongside the citizens’ assembly handbook on The RSA and Involve’s websites, and the evaluation report published by Renaisi.
How do behavioural difficulties affect children and their families? / Impact on Urban Health
In partnership with Renaisi, we conducted ethnographies with 18 families where children had shown persistent violent or defiant behaviour, to produce written portraits, an audio podcast, and an insights report with recommendations for better support. More here.
How did the Young Londoners fund help young people? / Greater London Authority
Short edit for Twitter. Full film here. Through over 200 youth projects, the Young Londoners fund aimed to help children and young people to fulfil their potential, particularly those at risk of becoming involved in crime. This video case study informed and accompanied Traverse’s written report.
WHAT ARE THE EXPERIENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING? / CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ALLIANCE FOR ENGLAND
This film, co-designed with the young people whose experiences are shared, was shown at The House of Commons to highlight the realities of living in temporary housing. We first conducted interviews with the young people, and then, to protect their anonymity, brought their words to life using objects and stop-motion animation. The young people helped out on set, and their hands can be seen in shot.
What are the lived experiences of Hyde residents? / Hyde Foundation
As one of the largest and most diverse housing and community services providers in the country, Hyde wanted to better understand the lives and needs of the people they serve.
We spent time with three different residents, exploring the themes of: Housing Challenges, Daily Routines, Community, Mental & Physical Health, Education & Employment, and Hopes For The Future. You can navigate to specific sections via the chapter button on the right side of the play bar.
What’s been the impact of a ‘Cultural Citizens’ Programme for young people? / Arts Council England
To help evaluate Arts Council England’s Cultural Citizens programme, we joined a group of students on their trip to Blackpool and returned months later to explore how the experience had shaped their lives and perspectives.
The students had been selected after scoring lowest in a school arts-and-culture quiz – a deliberate way to reach those least engaged, rather than reward existing interest.
HOW DO OLDER PEOPLE HELP OUT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES? / CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER
This video is a 1-minute compilation snapshot for social media, based on four ethnographic case studies. We visited people aged over 50 around the country, to map out ‘informal voluntary contributions in the community’.
The project’s aim was to recommend ways in which national/local government, the voluntary sector, and business, can help people in later life find meaningful ways to contribute to their communities. You can find all four individual case studies here.