Meaningful Films specialises in making videos about subjects that most people avoid. The aim of the company is to help people understand some of the most troubling issues in society today. The projects shine a light on issues from death to disability and homelessness and everything in between. The ultimate aim is to raise awareness and bring about positive change in the world, by giving people information so they can make informed choices. Covering all aspects of video production, Meaningful Films creates beautifully crafted work that helps clients to bring their stories to life.
Joanna and Luke produce thought provoking films with impact using sensitive interviewing techniques and creative filmmaking, giving companies, charities and individuals a platform to share the work they do.
Their most recent projects have included a series about victims of homicide for Victim Support and a number of videos highlighting the work that housing association Curo does for their clients. In 2019, Luke and Joanna created a documentary about homelessness in Bath and North East Somerset, working with charities across the county including Julian House, St Mungo’s, St Johns Foundation and Developing Health and Independence (DHI).
A little about us...
Joanna Crosse
I started my professional life as a trainee reporter on the Doncaster Evening Post where I had the chance to work on a range of stories from the Miners’ Strike to social deprivation and crime. I went on to work in commercial radio in Scotland and Leeds where I covered everything from business affairs to the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.
My work took me to London where I became a network newsreader for IRN and LBC and had the opportunity to work on topical national stories and a range of human interest features. I moved to Breakfast Television – TVam - where I was a correspondent covering daily news stories.
Just when it looked like I had the perfect life – a great job and recently married, I was sent to rehab by my TV boss. Three months later I came out with a completely different outlook and self-awareness which was to form the foundation stone for my work.
I had three children and became a single parent, which alongside my recovery from addiction, gave me some insights and understanding of life which I have brought into my work. Over 23 years ago I moved to Bath and worked as a Crimestoppers reporter for many years as well being a voice and presentation coach for ITV, BBC , C4 and C5.
I originated several documentary series – some of which were award winning – on social issues and it is an area that remains close to my heart.
It was my job as a Crimestoppers reporter that helped me to see how vitally important it is for people to find their voice and speak out about experiences. If not, how else are we to understand what is going on in the world around us and behind closed doors?
Luke Taylor
I've been making films since childhood and used the family’s video camera to document life from the age of nine. My interest developed into a career path when I studied Creative Media Practice at Bath Spa University gaining a First Class Degree and the accolade of Student of the Year at graduation.
My final year project was a short film called Nan which won a Royal Television Society Award and reached millions of people online. It starred my real Nan and ended up featuring on the Family History website Ancestry.co.uk as well as ITV and Sky Arts.
After University, I did a placement at Wall to Wall Media – one of the world’s leading producers of factual and drama content. I worked in Research and Development on various programmes, including Who Do You Think You Are?
I then spent several months researching the history of one of the country’s leading Property Groups and Charitable Trust, Andrews. This culminated in creating an archive about the company and the life story of its founder, charitable pioneer, Cecil Jackson-Cole.
When I left Andrews in 2015 I set up my own Video Production Company, LT Film. I have worked with various clients over the years in the Corporate, Education and Charity sectors. I have scripted and directed documentaries and short films too. One of them, A Grave Matter, about what happens when we die, became the inspiration for a documentary exploring this subject with a view to encouraging people to talk about death.
In 2018 I became a Trustee for BA1 Radio - an organisation that was set up to help people gain employability skills, confidence and life skills. We are now working with Bath Radio to bring more positive change to residents across the city.
Creating A Roof Over My Head, a film about homelessness in Bath and North East Somerset, was a key milestone in my career. Screening it to an audience of 500 and seeing the positive effects the documentary had, made me realise how important it is to continue to create films that shine a light on difficult subjects.
“ Since seeing a film Jo and Luke had produced for another charity I absolutely knew we had to get them on-board to make a set of films for Oasis. There is something they just get about the voluntary/charity sector that other filmmakers don’t – the way the stories are crafted, the way they capture those small but incredibly powerful and meaningful moments, the quality of not just the footage but the whole creative process. We are so thrilled with the films they’ve made for us – they capture us perfectly, they’ve moved our staff, volunteers and wider community members to tears on many occasions and they’ve helped explain who we are and what we do to a wider audience. ”
Jo Dolby, Hub Leader at Oasis Bath