Newcastle University's communications department invited Dene to pitch for a meningitis awareness campaign, to educate the university students on the effects and serious nature of the illness.
The University was gearing up for a meningitis awareness campaign - something made particularly topical by both the sad death of a student by this illness in the previous year, and another student having a very close shave, saved only by the quick thinking of a close friend.
The University hoped that Dene could document the story of the latter student - creating a cautionary tale that could be screened around the campus, displayed on the meningitis awareness stalls, and hopefully sold to other universities to spread the message.
Aware of the sensitivity of the subject matter, Dene Films producer director Chris Chapman was eager to get to know the two key interviewees (the student who had contracted meningitis - Tom - and his quick thinking friend Kate) and ensure that they felt entirely relaxed to discuss the harrowing episode on camera. The time Chris spent with the pair also doubled as research for the film's content, ensuring that events were depicted realistically.
The film was shot in Newcastle over two days in December, and benefitted from both good weather and great interviewees. Chris was also delighted at the enthusiasm of the local hospital who allowed the filmmakers access to it's emergency ward.
A superb edit was completed by Dene's Topher McGrillis, with graphics by Dylan Wynne and sound by Peter Groom.
Since completion, the film has been featured in The Guardian, and has been a great success with the University. And (arguably, most importantly) Tom and Kate liked it too.