For more than 15 years, we’ve specialised in films for charities, the NHS, healthcare and research. Films about real people, made for organisations that need them to achieve something: raise money, recruit staff or volunteers, explain a service, communicate research, change understanding or support a campaign.
About Magneto
MAKE SOMETHING GOOD
Real People. Real Stories.
We’re used to commissions where the filmmaking is only part of the challenge. The subject may be complicated, the people involved may never have been on camera before, the organisation may have a lot it needs to communicate, and the production still has to work within a real budget and timetable.
Our background is in broadcast documentary, making films for the BBC and Channel 4. That training gave us a strong sense of audience: who is watching, why they should care and what will keep them with a story. We bring that thinking to every film we make.
Our clients range from some of the UK’s biggest charities and public-sector organisations to smaller specialist charities, universities, local authorities and research teams.
Knowing what matters
Many of our films aren’t particularly straightforward. They can involve difficult subjects, vulnerable or inexperienced contributors, complex schedules and organisations that need the film to achieve very specific objectives.
Across hundreds of productions, we’ve helped clients turn demanding briefs into successful films and campaigns. Getting quickly to what they actually need from the film. Finding the right people to tell the story and helping them be themselves on camera. Balancing what contributors want to say with what the organisation needs to communicate. And keeping all of that intact when the schedule, budget or circumstances aren’t straightforward.
”The timeframes were very tight, but the team quickly understood what we were trying to achieve. Their excellent storytelling meant feedback on the draft films was minimal.
Neil Cahill The National Lottery Community FundThe National Lottery Community Fund
That knowledge and capability has produced some very clear results for our clients:
£100,000+ raised in one evening by a Haven House Children’s Hospice film.
3 weeks to reach a two-month recruitment target for Citizens Advice.
2,000 volunteer applications in two weeks from a FareShare recruitment film.
£10m → £15m Coffee Morning income for Macmillan with registrations up 127%.
Magneto in Three Films
We’ve made hundreds of films over the years. If we had to choose three that sum up the way we work, it would be these: a charity campaign driven by strong creative, an NHS recruitment film involving staff across a busy hospital, and a film made with the Makaton community to launch a new app.
“Thanks to their expertise in telling heartfelt human stories, they have produced beautiful films for Anthony Nolan which carry a lot of emotion and authenticity.”
ANTHONY NOLAN
“Magneto delivered a video that makes us proud, smile and is a great medium for us to show our new and potential staff.”
NHS MID & SOUTH ESSEX
“The final video exceeded our expectations. It captures the spirit and purpose of the app beautifully and has become a key asset in how we communicate its value.”
MAKATON FOUNDATION
ABOUT MAGNETO
Who we are
Magneto is run by Gaby and Jeremy Jeffs, working with a regular team of editors, directors of photography and animators. Many have worked with us since Magneto began, while others are former staff who continue to work closely with us.
Every project is run by Gaby or Jeremy from the first conversation through to final delivery, with the right team brought in around them for each production.
FILMMAKER & PRODUCER
Gaby Jeffs
Gaby is a documentary filmmaker and producer who worked at both the BBC and Channel 4 before training as a counsellor with the NCT. It was there that she realised she could put the skills she’d learned in broadcast television to work for charities and the people they support, and set up Magneto.
She’s a skilled producer with a deep understanding of the charity sector and the people it supports. Good with people and ideas, Gaby is often the first person clients speak to, working out what they need and how best to make it happen.
Outside Magneto, she’s involved with her local civic society and volunteers at a community coffee morning.
FILMMAKER & DIRECTOR
Jeremy Jeffs
Jeremy trained at the BBC and spent much of his early career making documentary television, including films for Panorama, Dispatches and Unreported World. He has also made more than 20 films with historian Michael Wood.
At Magneto, Jeremy directs and shoots. Much of his approach comes from spending time with people, gaining an insight into their lives and finding ways to translate that into film. He likes creating natural settings and situations where things can happen, rather than trying to manufacture moments for the camera.
Outside Magneto, Jeremy is a documentary photographer and part of the team behind REMEDY, the UK’s only festival dedicated to photography and health.
”Magneto Films were a real joy to work with. They understood exactly what we were trying to achieve and delivered a final outcome which surpassed all expectations. What’s more, they showed genuine care and empathy during the film-making process, which is incredibly important when filming such personal, human-led stories.
Hannah Burns. Gaddum Carers
