Signal has once again collaborated with the team at We Are Brass Tacks on a new HSE drama-based film for UK waste management giant Biffa.
Biffa recognises the strategic benefit of these effective HSE videos and turned to Signal and We Are Brass Tacks to produce another film designed to resonate with its workforce.
This is the third season of these safety films, with the first season focused on frontline colleagues who drive the trucks and operate recycling plants. The second season was aimed at supervisors, and this latest film is intended for senior managers.
All the films have been shot on location at live Biffa sites in England and feature a cast of over 20 talented professional actors. The scripts are designed to highlight challenges and demonstrate best practices at Biffa.
Robert McKinlay, the campaign director for We Are Brass Tacks, said: “We trust Signal to bring our messages to life on screen. Their knowledge, expertise, and execution help our work reach the next level in terms of employee engagement.
"The entire team understands exactly what we’re trying to achieve and cares as much as we do about the outcome. That’s why Signal is our first-choice crew for delivering live-action projects with maximum impact.”
As with any shoot, this production presented its own challenges. The pre-production phase required careful management, including site recces, casting and auditions with agencies, and logistics.
Filming for Season 3 took place over two days at Biffa’s site in St Helens, with an excellent cast of actors sourced from England, Scotland, and Wales. The site remained ‘live’, meaning day-to-day operations continued throughout filming. The production involved a demanding shooting schedule and required working around the operational site, but thanks to thorough planning, the process ran smoothly.
Signal managing director Jamie Baikie said: “Filming drama is always fun and exciting. There are so many things that can go wrong, especially on a live site, so detailed pre-production is essential. In three years, I am pleased to say the only major issue has been forgetting to wear thermals when shooting in a refrigerated area!
“This is the ninth film produced for Biffa, and the working relationship continues to strengthen. We Are Brass Tacks’ expertise has helped create powerful and effective training tools to improve safety culture, and these repeat commissions reflect the success of this collaborative approach.”