Really proud to announce the completion of our latest project produced in partnership with Cielo Productions and Producer Gary Strieker.
Medical textile company, Vestergaard Frandsen was looking for a special way to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. They didn’t just want to spend a lot of money on a party, a company trip, etc… They decided to put their money and their company efforts in creating an innovative event to promote HIV awareness and testing in Africa, specifically in Kenya.
In order to be properly treated for HIV, you must first be tested. In Kenya, and throughout Africa, there has been a deep seated stigma associated not only with the disease, but even just going for a blood test. If you’re going for the test, then you must be immoral if you suspect you might have HIV. This results in millions of people not aware of their status and thus passing on the disease to yet more people.
At the same time, Malaria and Diarrhea are major diseases in Africa that are responsible for millions of deaths each year. Vestergaard Frandsen has developed insecticidal bed nets to keep mosquitoes from biting at night and water filtration devices to help prevent diarrhea. So they developed the idea to give away these health prevention aids in return for taking an HIV test. Hence, “The Test.”
The results, in a word, were astounding and beyond the wildest dreams of the company and the health ministries in Kenya. It is hoped that this film will show the world what is possible when the private sector and government work together for common good of all mankind.
A video crew from Cielo Productions was led by Gary Strieker throughout the Lurambi District of western Kenya over a 1 year period. Strieker, along with Co-Producer Walter Biscardi, Jr. crafted the story with lead Editor Kim O’Neill. Biscardi completed all the refined cuts and Patrick Belden provided the sound mix. The film debuted at a Global Health Campaign event in Washington DC in September 2010 and is slated for film festival and other screenings worldwide.
Website is now live and you can check there for screenings as they are scheduled.
http://thetestfilm.com/index.html
Also check out the great Trailer cut by one of our newest Editors, Adrienne Latham. Yep, she’s going to get stepping up from Edit Assist to full Editor as we move into the new facility.
Partial Credits:
Producer / Director: Gary Strieker
Producer / Editor / Colorist: Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor: Kim O’Neill
Edit Assist: Adrienne Latham
Photography: Rhett Turner, Ronald Borden, Tyrone Edwards, Gregory Pope, Roger Herr
Sound Design: Patrick Belden
DVD / BluRay Authoring: Walter Biscardi, Jr.