Macmillan was looking to create a video for cancer sufferers and their partners to highlight the importance of communication. 

They didn't want finished scripts just rough outlines, so below are some of the concepts I came up with that the producer pitched to Macmillan (NB - they are still deciding on which one to go with).  

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT…

A WOMAN follows a MAN around a HOUSE. 

She has a gag over her mouth and he  has two large tufts of cotton wool sticking out of his ears.

Where ever they go in the house and whatever they are doing, they are definitely not talking – in fact it is clear they are avoiding doing so.

Over this, a VOICEOVER explains that when one partner has cancer, there are things that may change in both their lives, but also things that may not change. It’s understandable that one partner may not want to hear the hard things and another may not want to talk about them, but unless they do talk, it’s only going to put more of a strain on their lives at an already difficult time.

The MAN and WOMAN sit on a (Macmillan) green sofa together. 

He removes the cotton wool and she her gag. They are clearly relieved.

The VOICEOVER explains that to help prepare both the person with cancer and their partner for changes both emotional and physical, and to cope with treatment, they need to talk.



SPEAK OF THE DEVIL 

A MAN and a WOMAN go about their daily lives. In the house - cooking, doing dishes, watching TV.

However, every time they try and get on with their tasks, there is an unseen malevolent presence that manifests as a glowing red light that appears behind a cupboard, a sofa, the shower curtain.

Each time, one of the couple does all they can to hide or mask the light - but it can't be hidden.

Out and about – walking the dog, in a bar/cafe, and again the red light trying to intrude but, again, the couple, again, try and ignore it or shoo it away.

A VOICEOVER explains that when one partner is suffering from cancer, the lives of both will be affected. 

In a repeat of the same situations as before, the couple now appear to chat openly without the red light’s presence.

Over this, the VOICEOVER continues, explaining that avoiding talking about it won’t help, but talking about it can lead to a better understanding of how they can cope and how they can adapt their lives to the new circumstances and what will change and what won’t.

HE SAID SHE SAID

A MAN and WOMAN sit side-by-side on a sofa. Both stare blankly and glumly into the camera.

VOICEOVER:

He thinks he’d best keep his distance from her physically, because she’ll need her space.

She thinks he’s keeping his distance because he’s disgusted by her cancer.

He thinks they should stay in because the chemo means she’ll be too tired to go out.

She thinks he won’t go out because he’s embarrassed about her losing her hair.

He thinks he’d better not talk about what happens if the worst happens, because it would upset her too much.

She thinks she’d better not talk about what happens if the worst happens, because it would upset him too much.

VO

Unless they talk about it, that’s what they’ll continue to think. Cancer can bring a relationship to the edge, it can test two people’s love and patience, but talking about how it's affecting both your lives and how it's making you feel, both physically and emotionally, can bring a couple closer together and could make the journey a little easier.

The couple turn to each other. He reaches over and holds her hand and she smiles back warmly.