Couple helping families share and preserve special memories
A couple who specialise in smartphone video-making are launching a new service to help families share their special memories during the coronavirus lockdown.
Gary and Paula Young of Magic Lantern Media are encouraging people to take advantage of the extra time at home to get organised and creative with their old photos and videos.
As owners of a small business, they, like many others around the region, have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak but they decided they wanted to use their time to do something positive.
Aside from offering free advice on organising digital files, the couple has launched a service for anyone who would like their treasured memories turned into a video in return for a donation.
Half of the money donated will be split between Cancer Research UK and St Giles Hospice.
“Dealing with the coronavirus crisis as a small business has been much like dealing with grief," said Paula, who lives in Lichfield.
"So much changes overnight and you feel a sense of loss that can be difficult to manage.
“We know our income is going to take a huge hit but it’s important we focus on what we can do as well as helping others through this difficult period."
Paula and Gary also know first-hand just how much charities are affected by the current crisis as they each work part-time for Cancer Research UK and St Giles Hospice.
“It’s heartbreaking to see how coronavirus is impacting the charity sector with fundraising events being cancelled and shops closing," added Paula.
“These charities need our help now more than ever. That’s why we want to use our expertise to help in whatever small way we can."
Magic Lantern Media was set up in 2017 with the original aim of launching a ‘memory box’ video service for people who wanted to create family videos for a special occasion, a family tree project or a relative with dementia.
But the idea was put on hold largely due to time restraints with other work coming in. Instead the couple focused on creating videos and press releases for business and charity clients as well as running courses on how to film and edit with a smartphone.
“Almost everyone has a smartphone these days but it’s amazing how few people really know how to make the most of it,” said Paula. “Lots of digital files get lost because they’re not backed up properly and the ones that are saved are rarely sorted through and organised.
“The sad thing is that sometimes it takes a life-changing event like the coronavirus to make us appreciate the good times we’ve shared with our families and friends. It’s at times like this that some people find they either don’t have very many pictures and videos or they can’t find the ones they do have.
“Our service will show people how to create, store and share videos as well as offer to put treasured photographs and videos together in one special keepsake video set to music."
For more information or advice please email: enquiries@magiclanternmedia.co.uk or call Gary Young on: 07855 926123.
