Damaris film resources: Engaging with film, enriching lives
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Welcome to Damaris Media, a dynamic and creative organisation working with the country’s biggest film companies and most vibrant grassroots community groups. With our unique resources, you’ll never see films in the same way again.
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Engaging Community Groups
For community groups, our free resources provide not only fun activities, but also the chance to talk about the themes and issues raised by films. Community groups of all kinds can use Damaris resources to meet their own vision and aims, and be enriched by what we have to offer.
We think cinemagoing should be a social experience, which is why we encourage people to see films in groups, using our resources before or after the event. As most community groups already meet weekly or monthly, this is a perfect activity for groups to enjoy together. Our resources help groups to build relationships, share ideas, and engage in conversations about the things that matter to them.Excited about what free film resources could bring to your community group? Want the chance to win great prizes, go to special screenings, and even get tickets to red carpet premieres?
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What do you get and how?
Material to use with a cinema trip or DVD watching: free downloadable leader’s guide with discussion, film clips, exclusive interviews with the stars of film. A variety of resources and layouts for different films – some have extensive resources (e.g. Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) with 20 or so pages which include instructions and publicity for putting on a group film event. Always up to date. List of current and archive include: Risen, The Theory of Everything, Exodus:Gods and Kings, Nativity 3, Noah, 12 years a slave, About Time, Flight, Les Misérables. Life of Pi . . .
Making the Most of this Film includes:
- Film, Food and Fun with themed quizzes, refreshment recipes and film trivia;
- Scene Setter/Filmchat with background to the film and questions to ‘respond to the film as a piece of art’;
- Thinking Film download uses clips and interviews to explore different perspectives on issues raised by the film;
- Discussion Questions are based on a couple of themes raised by the film, introdueced by video features, and ‘designed to stimulate discussion amongst people from any background’.
Special Resource for Churches:
This supplementary resource is an addition to the main leader’s guide material and ‘stems from a distinctively Christian point of view, and is suitable for church groups and those interested in exploring a Christian perspective. In this supplementary guide you’ll find a range of material for discussion and reflection on the film’s themes; feel free to pick and choose the elements which suit your group’:
- Discussion based on relevant biblical material
- Reflections – choice of reflections and responses
- Prayer – choice of prayers
Publicity for inviting your group is included too. Other guides (e.g. The Theory of Everything) have a shorter format, with a few pages of discussion starters and information about the film, and attractive film stills. Another format focuses on linking the issues of a film directly with biblical material: Film & Bible Blog/Special Resource for Churches. Variety of levels available depending on participants. Free DVD of some resources also available.
Material is available in advance of the film coming out in the UK, so group film-viewing can be arranged. Printable invitations included.
Where do I get it from?
All from www.damaris.org
Who is it for?
Youth, adults. Enquirers, Beginners, Growing.
Cost?
Free, downloadable, online
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Unique resources, beautifully produced, suitable for outreach, small groups, and free online. All the resources include great film stills; some include access to the film trailer, clips from the film and interviews with directors and stars. The resources are peppered with interesting background facts and ideas for further thought. The publicity material is of high quality including film stills.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
These are innovative group resources aimed at encouraging groups to view and engage with film in an enjoyable and thoughtful way. Clearly laid out and lots of potential.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Depending on the film, different resources are available. Each is very accessible and easy to use. Questions are labelled with icons to denote a range of approaches eg Aesthetic, Emotional, Intellectual, Moral, Spiritual, Background Information and Extra Information. These contain a range of thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion starter questions, from which a leader could pick and choose. The larger resources include sections to make a complete and unique experience, from viewing the film to relevant themed recipes, quizzes and film facts. All very clearly laid out.
Who could lead it?
A film enthusiast would be the obvious choice but the questions are designed to help people move through engaging with the film to considering the issues they raise, so leaders with a vision for both would be ideal.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
A leader may or may not choose to print downloads out for participants, apart from the publicity where provided. The downloads would be nice to have, but not essential – they provide information, film stills and questions, but no spaces for
How good is any digital material?
Featurettes, where they exist, are thought-provoking and include clips from film and interviews. If you choose to order the DVD of resources, they are easy to use and clear.
How much prep will I have to do?
This depends entirely on how you choose to use the material and the size of your event. It may be a case of organising a DVD, highlighting some interesting information to share with your group and picking some questions. Or it may be a planned event with publicity,giving out invitations (provided), organising a cinema trip, preparing refreshments, printing out some quizzes, picking questions.
Is there website support? Links?
www.damaris.org is the source of the resources. Lots of film resources to choose from.
Is it dated?
No – more film resources are being produced all the time. Material available in advance of the films hitting the screens in the UK.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Film-watching together is a contemporary and shared experience; engaging with it and the issues it raises will encourage good interaction. Questions provided have both depth and breadth.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Film-watching as a learning experience can be a novel experience, whether as a well-established group for whom this would provide something a bit different, or a group of people coming together just for this. Interacting with one of the extended resources would provide a good and unusual range of learning and delivery styles, only missing hands on (unless you count the refreshments ...)
How adaptable is it to my situation?
The materials should suit a wide range of people and there are enough questions to pick and choose to suit your group. The Film and Bible Blog options dig into biblical material; the others are more generalised but pick up on biblical themes.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Questions include working out the implications of discussion around the themes.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
20% directly in the Film and Bible Blog/Special Resource for Churches option, the others are more generalised but pick up on biblical themes. Some resources contain a dedicated biblical reflection section.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
The Bible Blogs/Special Resource for Churches link the film issues imaginatively to biblical material to stimulate discussion. Some are of a more reflective nature. The more generalised questions are designed to help people begin to think about biblical perspectives on common topics.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Most films appeal because they pick up on themes integral to everyday life, no matter the subject. The Damaris questions pick this up with a mixture of obvious connections or general biblical principles. Clearly designed to help people think through and apply things for themselves. Some very challenging questions included. Encourages thoughtful and thorough engagement with the themes.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Broad evangelical.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
This varies according to the resource used, with the Bible Blogs and biblical reflections fitting the bill more obviously than others. However, engaging with contemporary culture and linking it to Christian faith should help all to grow towards discipleship, no matter the starting place.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
There would be some new angles for both established and new Christians to consider. The hope is that enquirers would be inspired to think more about the Christian faith.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Great discussion starters would encourage people to engage with big, relevant and interesting questions of life and God. Background facts help to enlarge understanding of the issues at stake. Imaginative.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Film gives people a chance to think about real life issues as they react to story – the questions would take that further.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
In encouraging people to interact with contemporary culture, whether through thinking about relevant issues, or inviting friends to a Damaris film event, this resource could be great.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Inviting friends and neighbours to a film event would be a great opportunity for local involvement.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Very well where this issue is relevant to or raised by a film.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Very well where this issue is relevant to or raised by a film.