Artists of Worcester
Artists of Worcester
THE INSPIRATION
Our local community came together to throw a wedding day for 6-year-old Aubriella. This was the first time we experienced the magic of a wish first-hand. Aubriella left an imprint on our lives and inspired us to help more families experience these life-changing moments.
THE INSPIRATION
Our local community came together to throw a wedding day for 6-year-old Aubriella. This was the first time we experienced the magic of a wish first-hand. Aubriella left an imprint on our lives and inspired us to help more families experience these life-changing moments.
THE FIRST CONCEPT FILM
After being inspired by Aubriella’s story, we naturally came to Make-A-Wish® to see how we could help, so we connected with Heather Davidson and Kara Walker of Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We talked through ideas and challenges they faced and came up with the idea for a film that depicted how a wish is more than what it may seem on the surface. With a grant from Sony Alpha Female+, we were able to make this vision come to life.
THE FIRST CONCEPT FILM
After being inspired by Aubriella’s story, we naturally came to Make-A-Wish® to see how we could help, so we connected with Heather Davidson and Kara Walker of Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We talked through ideas and challenges they faced and came up with the idea for a film that depicted how a wish is more than what it may seem on the surface. With a grant from Sony Alpha Female+, we were able to make this vision come to life.
THE FILM SERIES
Make-A-Wish® is well-known for helping children with critical illness dream big and wish for anything their heart desires. These kids are given the opportunity to exercise feelings of hope and possibility, and wishes have been scientifically shown to have the power to improve health outcomes and quality-of-life. It comes as no surprise that wishes have the power to change a child’s life, but what surprised us about being present for a wish is how it changed ours.
Being witness to the granting of a wish leaves an indelible impression. Putting words to the experience is like trying to describe the sunrise to someone who has never seen it before. Being present for a family’s immense joy during a time of such pain, fear, and tiredness filled us with a desire to spend more time appreciating the gifts we have in our own lives, and lit a fire in our hearts to help more children have access to wishes.
As a nonprofit organization that depends on donations and volunteers, many people have come together to help make these wishes possible, but few have had the opportunity to be present for a Wish Day. The goal of the “One Wish” film series is to transport viewers into the stories of wishes as they are being granted so the audience can experience for themselves the impact of a wish. Ultimately, we hope this series will inspire a movement of people to join Make-A-Wish® in their vision to grant the wish of every eligible child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
THE FILM SERIES
Make-A-Wish® is well-known for helping children with critical illness dream big and wish for anything their heart desires. These kids are given the opportunity to exercise feelings of hope and possibility, and wishes have been scientifically shown to have the power to improve health outcomes and quality-of-life. It comes as no surprise that wishes have the power to change a child’s life, but what surprised us about being present for a wish is how it changed ours.
Being witness to the granting of a wish leaves an indelible impression. Putting words to the experience is like trying to describe the sunrise to someone who has never seen it before. Being present for a family’s immense joy during a time of such pain, fear, and tiredness filled us with a desire to spend more time appreciating the gifts we have in our own lives, and lit a fire in our hearts to help more children have access to wishes.
As a nonprofit organization that depends on donations and volunteers, many people have come together to help make these wishes possible, but few have had the opportunity to be present for a Wish Day. The goal of the “One Wish” film series is to transport viewers into the stories of wishes as they are being granted so the audience can experience for themselves the impact of a wish. Ultimately, we hope this series will inspire a movement of people to join Make-A-Wish® in their vision to grant the wish of every eligible child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
WHY THESE FILMS
The vision of Make-A-Wish® is to grant a wish to every eligible child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. They currently grant approximately 15,600 wishes annually, but with an estimated 27,000 children who are eligible in the US each year there is still work to be done to reach more families.
In collaboration with Heather Davidson and Kara Walker of Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we have identified three areas that we believe this film series can be used to help bridge this gap.
- Dispel assumptions that keep eligible families from applying
For example, many people assume Make-A-Wish® only serves children with terminal illnesses when in fact 65-70% of Wish Kids survive into adulthood. - Increase referrals from health care providers
These films can be used to increase excitement and improve understanding of how to communicate with patients. Physicians are able to identify eligible families and take the referral off of their plate. - Inspire more financial and volunteer support
The majority of films in this series will highlight wishes being fulfilled, getting viewers itching to see more wishes being granted. It will end with a child who has not received a wish yet, prompting the audience to join in helping Make-A-Wish in tangible ways.
WHY THESE FILMS
The vision of Make-A-Wish® is to grant a wish to every eligible child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. They currently grant approximately 15,600 wishes annually, but with an estimated 27,000 children who are eligible in the US each year there is still work to be done to reach more families.
In collaboration with Heather Davidson and Kara Walker of Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we have identified three areas that we believe this film series can be used to help bridge this gap.
- Dispel assumptions that keep eligible families from applying
For example, many people assume Make-A-Wish® only serves children with terminal illnesses when in fact 65-70% of Wish Kids survive into adulthood. - Increase referrals from health care providers
These films can be used to increase excitement and improve understanding of how to communicate with patients. Physicians are able to identify eligible families and take the referral off of their plate. - Inspire more financial and volunteer support
The majority of films in this series will highlight wishes being fulfilled, getting viewers itching to see more wishes being granted. It will end with a child who has not received a wish yet, prompting the audience to join in helping Make-A-Wish in tangible ways.
DISTRIBUTION OUTLINE
Make-A-Wish® is the expert in reaching their audience of patients, families, health care providers, donors and sponsors. Our objective is to work alongside them to develop new and innovative strategies for distribution through some of the following concepts:
- Pre-screenings at conferences and events
Current and potential partners serving similar audiences can include a screening of the introductory film. Representatives of Make-A-Wish® can be present to collect donations and email registrations for a link to the digital screening. - Private viewings for sponsors as a thank-you
They give selflessly and this is an opportunity for them to experience the beauty they helped to create. - Gala premiere
At the most recent Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island Gala, we were getting goosebumps as families shared their stories of both beauty and heartache. Our goal for the film is to amplify this feeling for everyone at the gala and get donors engaged in the series from the beginning. - Digital release once a week for the length of the series
One of the advantages of a film series is that it keeps people engaged for longer because they want to keep coming back for more. Our digital platform allows Make-A-Wish® to accept donations after each screening. - Conversations at hospitals
One of the objectives of this series is to encourage referrals from healthcare providers. By screening one or more of the films in this series, it creates an opportunity to have conversations with physicians about how to communicate the mission of Make-A-Wish® and the process of receiving a wish.
DISTRIBUTION OUTLINE
Make-A-Wish® is the expert in reaching their audience of patients, families, health care providers, donors and sponsors. Our objective is to work alongside them to develop new and innovative strategies for distribution through some of the following concepts:
- Pre-screenings at conferences and events
Current and potential partners serving similar audiences can include a screening of the introductory film. Representatives of Make-A-Wish® can be present to collect donations and email registrations for a link to the digital screening. - Private viewings for sponsors as a thank-you
They give selflessly and this is an opportunity for them to experience the beauty they helped to create. - Gala premiere
At the most recent Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island Gala, we were getting goosebumps as families shared their stories of both beauty and heartache. Our goal for the film is to amplify this feeling for everyone at the gala and get donors engaged in the series from the beginning. - Digital release once a week for the length of the series
One of the advantages of a film series is that it keeps people engaged for longer because they want to keep coming back for more. Our digital platform allows Make-A-Wish® to accept donations after each screening. - Conversations at hospitals
One of the objectives of this series is to encourage referrals from healthcare providers. By screening one or more of the films in this series, it creates an opportunity to have conversations with physicians about how to communicate the mission of Make-A-Wish® and the process of receiving a wish.
MELODY joy
+
DAVID paine
MELODY joy
+
DAVID paine