An overview of Families First, an Indianapolis-based organization that exists to create healthier communities by strengthening families and individuals during life challenges and changes.

We were asked by Families First, an Indianapolis organization helping people through life’s challenges and changes, to produce a short film that would show and tell the big picture of how they are strengthening communities by strengthening families.

Families First already had a perfectly crafted manifesto, which we considered using as a script for a fully animated video. But, as we heard story after story of the people whose lives have been changed by the work of Families First, we knew we had to feature real people.

We still held onto the idea of animation as a way to communicate the picture perfect idea of family. So, Tyson Cocks, our Animator Extraordinaire, hand drew concepts using abstract imagery to communicate the emotion and impact of the script, without narrowing in on one specific family type or situation.

Rocky Walls, Director, interviewed each family and (with difficulty) condensed their incredible stories into a short script so we could keep the overall length manageable.

After creating the first piece with Families First that provided an overview of the organization, we worked with them to produce several short films that dive deep into a specific client’s story.

All of these individuals have a powerful story of personal challenges and triumphs, so it didn’t take much to craft a complete film around each of them.

Since the completion of this film project, Families First merged with Children's Bureau to form Firefly Children & Family Alliance. To learn more, visit their website at fireflyin.org.