SCI Comercials/ Campaign

[Emi2]

Why is there not a SCI group that does campaigns like cystic fibrosis, heart and stroke etc. Like with commercials showing life with SCI, door to door, etc? Seems like it must be effective if these groups keep doing it year after year...

"Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we don't."
--Melody Beattie, writer and counselor

[Leo]

Hi Emi,

Good to hear from you! I'll try to answer this. It's because we're yet, just not organised enough. Not enough leaders yet, money, yada yada yada. Here's an example yesterday I spent at least an hour surfing sites I came up with by entering "spinal cord injuies" into a search engine. I visited maybe 6 of the many many sites. I think only one had a link to this site. Not good when in my bias opinion this is the site and group of people who are going to get the CURE issue put on the fast track. Most of what I read at those other sites was yesterdays history here. I emailed a couple of them encouraging them to ad OUR link and put it in a prominate place. Ok enough rambleing for now I'll be back and I'm sure some others here have some great ideas and are just waiting to jump into this thread. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Leo

[Steven Edwards]

The problem with doing a commercial is a lack of funding. If we could convince a company to produce them pro bono it would be great. I actually wrote a set of commercials that were going to be produced pro bono, but the company I was working with fell upon some hard times financially and had to backout.

-Steven

[cheesecake]

Back in the early 90's and as recent as '98, PVA as well as NSCIA were doing PSA for spinal cord injury. A wheelchair basketball team from the Boston area was featured on a Wheaties Box and in a commercial with the Boston Celtics. Also, Greg Louganis did a PSA prevention commercial.
Possibly the Superbowl commercial from 2 years ago could be considered a Cure comercial also. This featured Chris Reeve getting up and walking to receive an award.

[marmalady]

Stephen, or any of you talented, techie folks out there.

I'm totally in the dark about things like this, but had a little brainstorm (it could happen!) when I was reading this thread. What if you put together a proposal for a commercial, and presented it to places like the Reeve Foundation?

Just a thought -------------

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[rbyrd49100]

Steve was in the television business and produced commercials before his injury. Although he no longer has the digital editing bay, he does have the broadcast quality camera and field equipment necessary to film the raw footage.

I am uncertain how complete Steven's commercials are, but we would be willing to collaborate in some way. (Steve has his camera up for sale, but electronics do not sell quickly so probably no big worry there:)

Russ Byrd

[Scorpion]

My Dad is an 'Ad guy' from way back, doing everything from magazine ads to TV and Radio spots. He did the Spurs commercials & other advertising for years when we lived in San Antonio. (We saw lot's of free NBA games back in the day) So, I know something about making commercials, and I've always been interested in directing. I'd be interested in directing a commercial for SCI research, and with digital cameras and editing, the main cost would be time. That's assuming we can get volunteers, and I'm sure in the NY area, I can find volunteers, either disabled or able bodied. I even know people with equipment.

The one hurdle would be getting it carried as a public service announcement. It's a viable proposition that I was thinking about the other day. But it wasn't until I read this thread that it dawned on me how easy it would be...and fun. I'm even close enough to Rutgers that if we did something in coordination with them, I could film (digitally of course) down there.

Maybe we could make them edgey like some of the anti-drug commercials--scare the bejeezus out of people who are able-bodied. My creative juices are flowin'...

Hmmm...

I'll get back with you all on this.

~Rus

"Life's a bitch, but I love her."

[Steven Edwards]

I have the documents written out in a file on my old computer; I will post it later on today.

The commercials I had just had the storylines written and fleshed out. The PSAs followed a kid through his injury, rehab, and the beginning of his "new" life.

-Steven

[Sue Pendleton]

Comcast Cable carried a year's worth of a PSA for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) about leaving the HP spots for our heros. Shows a guy (Gulf War veteran) in a wheelchair, double amputtee, who can't get into his car because some idiot squeezed into the extra space used by those who need to transfer.

I'd try for a PSA that adds where to send $$$. I mean TV stations and cable companies can write off this time on taxes if the ad is for a 501(C)3 charity.

[marmalady]

What about doing a radio PSA also? Not the visual impact, but a) they're cheaper, and b) huge audience.

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[Steven Edwards]

Here are the PSAs I wrote about two years ago. Comments and critiques are appreciated.


PSA OVERVIEW AND GOALS

The general public is unaware of the wide-ranging scope of impact a spinal cord injury has. Not only does a SCI effect a person's mobility (1) it can also have adverse effects on such things as financial status (2) and personal relationships (3). An overriding theme will address the costs of SCI to the government.

There are often misunderstandings about the nature of paralysis. There is much more to it than just not being able to walk or lift an arm. The general public oftentimes will make unrealistic expectations or judgments about recovery or regaining previous function of a spinal cord injured person.

The public service announcements will show different aspects of a spinal cord injury, from injury onward such as weakened immune systems, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, etc. The goal is to bring about a greater understanding of the many different effects an injury has on the person, his family, and society. OVERVIEW

There are 5 episodes in this first series of public service announcements. SERIES I is about how Heather's life is drastically changed when she becomes a spinal cord injury living statistic. This series will follow Heather through the cause of her injury and rehabilitation, highlighting the major physical and emotional changes. One of the recurrent themes will be the financial burden that spinal cord injuries have on the US government.

Future series (II, III, and IV) will be developed introducing other major characters focusing on other aspects of spinal cord injuries.


EPISODE 1
THE ACCIDENT

This episode will show that spinal injuries can happen anywhere and anytime. In this instance, to Heather who decides not to wear her seatbelt. The beginning introduces the main characters while the end shows the sudden change that can happen.

Car Arrangement
Nick - Heather
Rachel - Michael

RELATIONSHIP OF PEOPLE

Nick has been dating Heather for two years. They make plans to attend a concert on the day of their anniversary. Rachel is Heather's kid sister while Michael is Nick's little brother. They get along fairly well and pick on their older siblings about how "in love" they are.

-[camera shows Nick pulling up to Heather's house. Nick checks himself in the mirror, gets out and sprints to the door, then rings the doorbell.]
-[camera switches to the door opening and Heather is standing there, anxious. She shouts to her mom, who is in the back that she is leaving. Her mom runs to the door, greets Nick and asks if he can drop the kids off at his house on the way to the concert. He starts to object but she says that she has already spoken to his mother and she approved it. Before he can say anything she says "thanks, don't forget to wear your seatbelts!"]
-[Heather rolls her eyes as the kids run past her and get in Nick's car. Nick shrugs the "huh?" shrug as they get in the car.]

-[camera mounted on back window facing forward. Nick looks back and tells the kids to wear their seatbelts. He then starts talking about how the concert fell on the perfect day and says, "Maybe they will play -our- song."]
-just perfect."]
-[while Nick's head is turned, the camera shows the car approach an intersection with another car barreling out. Heather screams "Look out!" Nick swerves to avoid the car and nails a phone pole.]

-[the car is crushed, fade in to a view from the back passenger seat]
-[fade to black with the sound of the roof of the car being peeled off]
-[fade in as the roof is peeled back and the paramedics/firemen are
shown - Heather, "I... I can't feel anything... I can't move"]
-[start paramedic voiceover while fading to black]
-[show stats on how SCIs occur as the voiceover concludes]


EPISODE 2
SPINAL CORD INJURY -- THE REALITY

This episode will show Heather learning that she has a spinal injury and that she will not be able to walk again. The purpose of this is best summarized with the three lines beginning with "Ironic" and ending in "someone else."

-[doctor walks into the room with the patient's chart]
-[camera pans the room, showing Nick and finally stopping on the doctor's face]
-[doctor begins to talk]
-"Hi, my name is Dr. Warmoth."
-[focus on patient's face... it's Heather]
-[doctor briefly discusses and explains the injury (c4-5 complete)]
-[Heather speaks]
-"How... how is my sister?"
-"She made it through fairly well" says the doctor.
-[few seconds of silence as Heather contemplates the situation]
-"Ironic isn't it?" she chuckles as a quizzical look overtakes the doctor's face.
-"Huh?"
-"You always think this stuff happens to other people. Not me, but
someone else."
-[doctor nods and stays quiet for a few seconds as he takes the statement in]
-"It would be best to get some rest... your therapies will begin tomorrow"


EPISODE 3
REHABILITATION THERAPY

Actual therapies will be discussed in this episode and some will be shown. The main message is that people with spinal injuries actually do work hard towards regaining function. Recovery of any function is very different for each person --dispelling the myth that "just try harder and you will walk again."

-[camera pans the room, which is decorated with "get well" stuff. shows a therapist comes in the room]
-[Heather does a little Q&A with her, asking why things don't work]
-[it's a physical therapist, she talks with Heather about what therapies they will try and what they can expect, or not expect, as far as return. while the therapies are discussed, the camera will show people doing the therapies]
-[therapist tells her that there will be classes next week featuring others living with spinal cord injuries and that she may want to drop in to see what all she can expect from her new life]


EPISODE 4
PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL PAIN

The format will be much like an AA meeting; people get together and talk about the problems they face in society and the different solutions they have tried and how well they worked.

-[camera comes on showing a hoyer lift transport Heather into the chair]
-[fade out/fade in]
-[shows Heather coming into the room while people are talking]
-[they are talking about the joys of quadhood - the chronic pain,
inaccessibility, and the stares people give]
-"People stare at us like we're not even human"
-[the recreation therapist closes the meeting by reminding everyone
about the outing on Friday and asking Heather if she wants to go, which
she accepts]


EPISODE 5
PUBLIC ACCESS

The crossroads episode. Other series will be spawned from the characters in this episode. The characters will be in public places showing Heather how to deal with things like finding ramps, parking issues, opening doors, bathrooms, and people who stare. This may need to be two separate episodes.

-Steven

[lil' sis]

What about billboard's?
Do you guys have any idea how much $?

[TD]

Steve: contact this lady at 480-941-1007 for PSA recorded programming in Phoenix AZ. I have a friend who works there and he will tell her to expect your call.

How's this for instant help!!

"And so it begins."

[Steven Edwards]

Does she work on radio PSAs, tv PSAs, or both? I will give her a call tomorrow (Monday).

-Steven

[TD]

She works in radio. I have a friend who works in the industry and says he will help us contact a number of the PSA directors here in the Phoenix area. I will keep you posted on what he brings me.

"And so it begins."

[Steven Edwards]

I called her about an hour and a half ago and she told me to just fax her what I want her to read at the end of her show -- between 30 and 60 seconds in length. I will write a radio version over the next day or two.

Thanks again!

-Steven