The Story of Digital Voice: Ronnie Johnston
Over the fifteen years we’ve been in existence we’ve collected a rather wonderful group of people who bring their skills and experience to our projects. Our freelance team is one of the aspects that make Digital Voice stand out from the crowd and we’ve been celebrating all of them this year. As it’s not long until our 16th birthday, I’m pleased to share the penultimate article in this series, and shine a spotlight on Ronnie Johnston.
Ronnie is an award-winning film-maker who has been with Digital Voice since the beginning and whilst his main practice is film, he brings with him over twenty-five years of facilitating and co-producing experience to the organisation. Ronnie is also behind one of our most popular programmes, DigitalMe, which this week is up for another award. I asked how it all began.
“I met Julie when we were both empowerment workers in Gateshead. I used digital media in my practice, as did she, so when I went freelance it seemed a natural step to work together.”
Ronnie’s dedication and expertise can be seen across all of our programmes, not only is he producing films (camera work, directing and editing) and facilitating people of all ages to make their own films, he develops the courses we run and is the animator on the DigitalMe animations. His passion for the projects and the people is clear:
“I enjoy the team dynamics; working and sharing ideas with other creative talented practitioners who share my values. For me it’s the ethos underpinning the work, how we’re always aiming to work with marginalised groups and improve the system in a variety of ways, from filmmaking to training professionals and groups from all different backgrounds.”
Of all the projects Ronnie is involved in, DigitalMe stands out. This innovative programme allows vulnerable people to tell their stories whilst retaining their anonymity. The resulting films are used as educational resources to help other people in similar situations. The impact of these films on Ronnie has been profound:
“I couldn’t pick a ‘favourite’ as we’ve done so many, working with such a range of marginalised groups but a recent one with the children of prisoners really sticks in my mind. We were able to empower them to speak so eloquently and powerfully about their situation and hopefully by doing so, making a difference to theirs and other children’s lives.”
The programme has already garnered several awards but it’s the first one that was a real high point for Ronnie:
“Winning the first award for DigitalMe [RTS Award for Innovation] has been a career highlight; it felt so affirming to have the innovation recognised by our peers.”
And the innovating continues, Ronnie is most excited about how AI can continue to keep DigitalMe and our other programmes at the vanguard of digital technology so that our participants can reap the benefits.
“I’m currently working on a range of projects, co-creating with Digital Voice team members; the most exciting for me, is developing a way to use AI creatively with Susan, our fab creative writer.”
You’re making the writer blush but the feeling is mutual!
Thanks for being part of the team Ronnie.
To find out more about the DigitalMe examples that Ronnie mentioned, click here.