Home Support for Families

A message from senior creative producer, Scott Hennelly

Walking into these film shoots for the Colorado Home Visiting Coalition, I kept my gear to a minimum – just myself, a camera, and an aim for authenticity. I started by asking the parents “where do you usually play together?” and both times the answer was simple: “just on the floor.” So that’s where we filmed! I made sure to get low during the filming to capture the genuine facial expression of the kids and families. Luckily, the days were sunny so I used a lot of natural light streaming through the windows to make the scenes warm and bright. And we took plenty of breaks to calm down, get snacks… whatever the kids needed. I’ve learned that when working with children, you only have a small window of opportunity, so every moment counts!

Beyond the technical aspect of filming, what struck me was the close relationships between these home visitors and the families. The home visitors knew exactly how each child liked to play, when they needed a break, and it was obvious they had the full trust of the families. It reminds me of the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child,” because here was living proof of that village in action! These home visitors fill a missing piece in our society, offering non-judgmental support that felt less like a service and more like a friend stopping by. My hope is that viewers will feel that same warmth and connection when they watch these videos.