Wednesday, October 19, 2011

IN PRODUCTION IN NYC!


This Weekend we had the opportunity to sit down and interview Nathan Schaefer, Director of Public Policy at GMHC in New York City. Along with his outstanding knowledge on the MSM Blood Ban and AIDS Research, we also were at the GMHC's Open Community Forum on the MSM Blood Ban entitled "OUT FOR BLOOD". The Panel helped to answer questions on how the blood ban was put into effect, focus on the difference between the right/acceptance of eligible Gay Donors to partake in the donation process, as well as the rights of trauma victims, Hemophiliacs, and those who are receiving blood transfusions and their right to be protected from possible accidental HIV infection from a faulty blood transfusion.

The panel was led by filmmaker, Marilyn Ness. A documentary filmmaker responsible for the outstanding film "BAD BLOOD: A Cautionary Tale" I've added the film's short synopsis from it's website below:

"What if your life-saving medicine contained deadly viruses – and the drug manufacturers, the government, and your own doctors knew but failed to warn you?

Through the eyes of survivors and family members, BAD BLOOD chronicles how a “miracle” treatment for hemophilia became an agent of death for 10,000 Americans. Faced with evidence that pharmaceutical companies and government regulators knew the product was contaminated with deadly viruses from the 1960s through the early 1990s, the hemophilia community launched a powerful and inspiring fight to right the system that failed them and to make it safer for all."

We're excited to have obtained a lot of footage and informative conversation about the ban and get it to our editor, Jessica Grossman, who has been breaking ground on the doc as we speak.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Busy at work.

Working on Putting together some interviews for a few weeks in October. We're also expected to get some very good footage of events that have taken place to help move the MSM Blood Ban into reform with the Department of Health and Human Services. Lots in the mix, we hope to update you as soon as we hear anything!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Oh Oh, ON THE RADIO!




Had Lunch last weekend with my friend ANN WALKER, where we talked about a few new ideas for projects as well as SAVE A LIFE. She asked me to appear on her Los Angeles Radio show and tell you more about Save A Life. We also had Nathan Schaefer, Director of Public Policy at Gay Men's Health Crisis to speak about what's going on with the Review of the Ban, and more! Check out the Ann Walker Show at GVB Radio. Visit the link and listen to the podcast!

THE ANN WALKER SHOW

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS & COURAGE CAMPAIGN ENDORSE SAVE A LIFE!



Hey everyone! Glad to announce that we've been busy at Birdtank Productions and have been working on getting the word out about the documentary. We have been making some great steps toward getting this all laid out and ready to complete production. Recently we've had meetings with Adam Bink of Courage Campaign as well as Nathan Schaefer from Gay Men's Health Crisis and they are both very amazing men taking leaps to help make the world a better place and advocate for GLBT Equality.

The great news I have to report, is that BOTH "Gay Men's Health Crisis" and "Courage Campaign" have put themselves in league with us and have decided to sponsor and endorse us. We are so happy to have these organizations believe in our cause and what we are trying to do with getting our information out to the public and informing them on the issues. The MSM Blood Ban is in review with the HHS and it is largely because of the work of GMHC.

Please help us reach our goal so we can get to Washington DC and take a big step toward finishing production! We appreciate your love and support!

Friday, August 19, 2011

CHARLIE DAVID SIGNS ON AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER!

Charlie David has been a host for E! Television, NBC, OutTV, LOGO, here! TV, Pink TV, EGO, Fine Living and Slice Networks on such shows as FYE!, SpyTV, Crash Test Mommy and his travel series Bump! which now airs in over 60 million homes and in 10 countries worldwide. He has appeared as musical guest on VH1, BBC, CBS’s The Early Show, and dozens of radio shows.Charlie’s writing has been published by Instinct, V Rag, National Youth Ambassador, Adventure Women, and Outlooks magazines and for several online travel and entertainment sites. His writing led to a guest appearance on NBC’s The Other Half with Dick Clark, Danny Bonaduce, and Mario Lopez. He is the author of three novels, Mulligans, Boy Midflight, and his new paranormal anthology, Shadowlands.In 2005 Out Magazine recognized Charlie in the ‘Out 100’ at their gala in New York. In 2007 the Philadelphia Film Society awarded Charlie with their Rising Star Award. In 2008 the Festival del Sol in Gran Canaria awarded their Best Male Actor Award to Charlie and the male cast of A Four Letter Word. Formerly in a rock band… okay, actually it was a boy band, Charlie opened for Destiny’s Child, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Rick Springfield and Black Eyed Peas.A love of storytelling led Charlie to start Border2Border Entertainment Inc., a production company whose feature film credits include Mulligans, Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride and Judas Kiss. He is also an associate producer on his travel series Bump!, which has shot 120 episodes around the world, garnered a Hugo Television award and two more nominations this year. Charlie heads up the international sales and distribution at Border2Border Entertainment Inc. He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and his current passions include learning French, motorcycle cruises, high adrenaline encounters with wildlife, human and environmental rights initiatives and sports. He resides in MontrĂ©al, Canada when he’s not living out of a suitcase.

We're very excited to have Charlie on board to help us with getting the film on its feet. Much to happen on the horizon!

WE'RE BACK IN THE GAME!

We're BACK! We apologize for having taken such a long hiatus from our Blog. If you've befriended us on facebook, you'll know we've been keeping things moving along still.

Here's a little history for you if you're not caught up.

Save A Life is working on getting funded in order to complete production and move towards post in hopes of getting picked up by a network for broadcast television. Our goal with this film is to create awareness for the general public about the MSM Blood Ban and its intolerance. We are working to help remove this law to encompass all capable blood donors to do their part and be treated as equals. This is not about allowing anyone to donate blood, this is about ensuring that the Gay Male community is not casted away as "damaged goods" or "high potential for being AIDS/STD carriers." Blood is blood and if you are have been tested and are in good standings to donate, it is your civic responsibility to do so.

We believe in changing the laws in the same way that Russia has lifted the ban and many other countries are working towards doing. We urge you to stay informed and inform your local and state representatives that this is an issue you care deeply about.

We have heard stories of families that have lost loved ones because the MSM Blood Ban prohibited other family members from donating blood or other vital organs needed for an operation. Let us work to make a difference, and please stay tuned. We will be updating you with all of the information that has been going on in the past few months!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

STYLE TRIBEZ FASHION PARTY/SILENT AUCTION TO BENEFIT SAVE A LIFE/DENIED MINISERIES







Hi Everyone! The film has been moving forward and we have been getting a lot done with it as of lately. We would like to take this time to revamp our blog and start bringing you more information on the production and the campaign. ON OCTOBER 8TH, 2010, SAVE A LIFE/DENIED MINISERIES will have a fundraiser event in Rhode Island. This event will help to promote the production and the cause that we are fighting for. We have a Silent Auction with several great items as well as a fashion show with that is being put on by Style Tribez. We are honored they are putting this event on for us at Rosinha's Restaurant in Pawtucket. We hope that you can attend. Tickets are $20s to help benefit the film and photo campaign. Looking Forward to seeing you there.