‘Ever hear a Postman Whistle’ was created for the BBC’s Open University Creative Climate Short Film competition. Two old armchairs discuss changing lifestyles and expectations, asking ‘is any of it really making us any happier?’ Their conversation covers shopping, waste, windmills, postmen and what really matters in life. The animation acknowledges the wisdom and experience of people whose early lives were simpler. Throw away lines and observations in daily scenarios from ordinary people are a real portrayal of our time and place. When older people express concerns about how the world is changing, we tend to patronize their remarks with a nod and a smile. If we actually listen, we find they have a depth of humour, wisdom and experience which could be an ideal way to explore consumerism. The film gently introduces the idea that we were less wasteful in the past. All audio for this film is a recorded natural conversation, the microphone wasn’t hidden but it was unobtrusive. Location was a kind neighbour’s empty house: its old charm made for an iconic backdrop for a portrait of domesticity. As Dr. Joe Smith and colleagues researching into environmental issues would confirm, everyday decision-making in households is just as valuable as business and government solutions. My aim in giving a platform to these two older people is to make us to feel the relevance of their experiences to these challenges that face us today. A message about reducing waste or energy use can generally have little far reaching effect. By creating characters from everyday objects, I hope to make people think more about consumption. Dr. Joe Smith, Senior Lecturer in Environment at the Open University and Jon Plowman, who commissioned and produced BBC hits such as The Office, were my mentors during the project. Dr. Joe Smith knows so much about the environment and the issues that we are faced with in this area and this inspired me to use the film to reach my audience with a message.