SAVE A LIFE: A Feature Documentary

IN PRODUCTION IN NYC!

2011-10-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Busy at work.

2011-09-20T17:08:00.001-07:00

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!

Oh Oh, ON THE RADIO!

2011-09-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

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

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

2011-08-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

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!

CHARLIE DAVID SIGNS ON AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER!

2011-08-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

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 Montréal, 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!

2011-08-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

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!

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

2010-09-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

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.

WEBSITE HAS BEEN DOING GREAT IN THE STATS!

2010-04-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

AFTER LAUNCHING OUR WEBSITE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO, WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON HOW THE NEWS IS SPREADING ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY. WE'RE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AS OF TODAY, APRIL 9TH, 2010. WE HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN NOTICED IN 32 STATES AND HAVE ALSO BEEN NOTICED IN 4 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD! WE'RE HOPING TO GET MORE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE SITE VERY SOON AS WE WILL BE LAUNCHING THE PHOTO CAMPAIGN PAGE THIS COMING WEEK! STAY TUNED FOR THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

ALSO, WE HAVE OFFICIALLY SIGNED UP AS A VENDOR AT "SUNDAY OUT" EQUALITY FORUM IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA THIS YEAR ON SUNDAY, MAY 2ND, 2010. WE'LL USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY TO MANY PEOPLE IN THE GLBT COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNVEIL OUR NEW T-SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR, & WRISTBANDS!!! IF YOU'RE IN THE PHILLY AREA, STOP BY...ADMISSION IS ONLY $5.00 A PERSON FOR THE DAY AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN HAPPENINGS. COME AND FIND OUT BOOTH!

MORE NEWS TO COME SOOOOONNNNN! STAY TUNED.

3rdWARD PHOTO SHOOT 3/13/2010

2010-03-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Photo Shoot as you may know, was amazing and everything went really well. We were able to capture 30 models through the duration of the day and despite the horrifying weather people seemed to have a blast. Here's a little clip to show you how it all went.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR SPONSORS!

2010-03-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

The other night we rashly posted images of the delivered items from our sponsors and we wanted to really thank them the proper way. So we wanted to say thanks by showing off the products they donated to us the proper way.

AMAZING SPONSORS!

2010-03-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

I Just wanted to take the time to show you all how wonderful our sponsors have been to us. We had left for our photo shoot on Friday evening and were getting prepared for the photo shoot when we realized that we had not received our donation from CHI. We had began to worry a little bit due to the fact that we would have to add purchasing products to our immense list of things to do the day of the shoot, when I received a phone call. THE SHIPMENT HAD COME IN...However....We had already left for the shoot and had no way of getting to them.

With Celebrities coming to be photographed and over 30 people showing up to the shoot, we didn't know what to do. Thankfully, I checked my email to find a message from P & G Salon Professionals. My contact there had told me that he wanted to ship product to our shoot and it would arrive at the studio, and it did, a half hour before our scheduled time. The shoot went on and was in fact a success thanks to the products, but the story doesn't stop there.

We are already in the midst of planning a second shoot upon wrapping up the first, and upon arriving back to the office, we find a few boxes with Birdtank Productions written on them.

The boxes contain amazing amounts of hair products, nail kits, brushes, hair dryers, curlers and straighteners for all of our needs with our upcoming shoots in New York City and Los Angeles. All totaling in a value of approximately $3100.00 We are honored by their donation and belief in our project and we are so thankful for their more than generous donation to our cause.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO P&G FOR SAVING US AND YOUR DONATION. AND THANK YOU CHI FOR MAKING SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD SHOOTS OVER THE COMING MONTHS. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BOTH ON BOARD.

NEW PETITION UP! PLEASE SIGN IT!

2010-03-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

So we now have our petition online at the link below and are in the process of updating the website. But until then, I wanted to give the link to start getting signatures. Thank you, and please sign for our cause. This petition is submitted to political officials that we are urging to advocate for our cause.

SAVE A LIFE PETITION

THANKS!

(ps. the photo shoot this weekend was amazing. Expect updates throughout the week)

VIDEO BLOG ENTRY #1 : WELCOME & PHOTOSHOOT!

2010-03-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Film! We wanted to give you a brief breakdown of what we've been slaving over for the past week, and will hopefully have a lot to tell you as the weeks go by. We are more than ecstatic to have an upcoming photo shoot with the great Alan Cumming making an appearance. We are so honored he can take the time out of his schedule to be apart of our cause. We also will have a lot more to report in the near future so stay tuned!

LOOKING FOR SPONSORS!

2010-03-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. Just a quick update to everyone who's been supporting us. We've been working hard to get things out to possible interview subjects and are trying to get as much ground covered as possible. The committee for the Silent Auction Benefit is going to be meeting this week to discuss the event and set some serious dates. We are also happy that Geffrey Yabes has offered to help us with his PR magic and we are hoping to put together a club event very soon. Stay tuned for more information regarding more updates!

BUSY AT WORK!

2010-02-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

NEWS UPDATE!

Currently we very busy with working to put together a large scale fundraising event in the coming months. An auction committee has been assembled and we are working with Rhode Island International Film Festival for the fundraiser. They have generously offered to help us by hosting the event. We are working with them now to solidify everything.

At the moment we are looking at a Silent Auction Benefit to be held in Providence, Rhode Island in early May 2010. This event is something that we are all very excited for at Birdtank Productions. We have been receiving a lot of support with the cause and we couldn't be more grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way. Since we've started, we've been able to generate enough funds to purchase equipment that was helpful to being able to conduct upcoming interviews, began negotiating with contacts to work with scheduling interviews, and begin shooting more. We are also in the process of collecting stock footage to work with. Lots more to come. We'll keep you posted as things unravel. Hope to post more soon!

Documentary/Photo Campaign Shoot MARCH 13th, 2010!

2010-02-22T21:26:00.001-08:00

We will be conducting a photo shoot on Saturday, MARCH 13th, 2010, at 3RD WARD in Brooklyn (195 Morgan Ave.) This shoot will be part of a Public Service Announcement and Photo Campaign to help us spread the word about the 1983 MSM Blood Ban and help to get people involved to take a stand. We are calling all models, actors, and followers to get in contact with us to help make this event a great success. We already have media coverage from therainbowcollective.com, who will be at the shoot. Fashion Photographer, Sean Siegel will be conducting the event (www.seansiegel.com) making a masterpiece out of all of our models for the event. We will also be conducting interviews with subject and will be continuously updating our blog about the event.

Please feel free to email us with any inquiries regarding the shoot or if you would like to volunteer your time. We appreciate all of your interest and support.

Website/Teaser Are Now Up and Operational!

2010-02-21T22:44:00.001-08:00

WELCOME TO THE NEW WEBSITE! We have just launched the site today to support our efforts in the documentary. We'd like to acknowledge all the hard work Adrienne DeTraglia has done to make it such a success. Along with the site, we also have the opportunity to debut our new Teaser for the project. Thanks to the combined efforts of Tara Jacobson, Marc Christoforidis, and Jess Mireau, we now have a very strong representation.

We look forward to keeping you all informed with the blog and let you know where we are at with all stages of production. Birdtank Productions is proud to present its new documentary SAVE A LIFE, that will work towards bringing about equality for homosexual men in good health to be allowed to donate blood and vital organs to anyone in need. We hope to help bring about change and allow for the FDA and other countries' medical associations to allow for any person in outstanding health to help people in need.

So take a look around the site, and feel free to let us know what you think!