‘In some respects corporate video, especially for training, is seen as the poor relation of video production and has therefore been neglected when it comes to insight and guidance as to how to get the most out of it. Until ‘Watch & Learn’ that is, which has to be a first a real-world guide to video drama for workplace learning -written by one of the most experienced video makers in the business, and in such a way as to be relevant to all-comers whether commissioning, designing, writing or managing an L&D project with a video in it. This book is also unusual in that, despite being written from the video producer’s perspective about a niche genre, it doesn’t talk down to us in any way. In fact you really couldn’t wish for a more grounded and creative guide than Tom Hickmore whose unrivalled knowhow and wry humour shines through on every page underpinned by a steely resolve to ring every last drop of screen gold out of any and every budget! The standout chapters for me are the ones on character building technique and writing dialogue and description, including interactive scenarios. But there’s also the nitty gritty of formatting, reviewing scripts and later, what to expect on the day of the shoot. All this is balanced nicely with some of the film theory thatunderpins the creativity. When you’ve read the chapter on dialectical storytelling you feel quite an expert! So there really is something for everyone here and it all reads very easily, more of a memoire than a manual, with Tom able to draw on loads of real-life examples and case studies from video dramas produced for all sorts of private and public sector organisations. You sense with this book this is Tom’s way of putting some jam back into the corporate L&D space that’s been his bread and butter for solong now, and to read this book is proof that sometimes the best things are worth waiting for.’