PRESENT MOMENT is a collaborative film project documenting a family negotiating the realities of a longterm, degenerative illness. The film is a celebration of living life well, despite whatever health challenges one might face: our protagonist's wisdom, honesty and courage inspires the viewer while reminding them of their own innate resiliency.
I made PRESENT MOMENT with my business partner, Noah Dassel at Reel Witness, as I wanted to share my father's courageous story. I deeply admire Gary and feel he has an important message to communicate within this illness: to live in the world with intention, while finding acceptance amidst challenge and adversity. Mostly, I made PRESENT MOMENT to honor my amazing parents as they co-navigate living with Parkinson's.
We started the project in early February 2015, as a germ of an idea; and, had a final film by the end of March. This remarkably fluid production was the result of a few factors: Noah jumped on board quickly and brought his creativity to the filming, while holding a very personal story with professionalism and compassion. Secondly, my parents supported me, unwavering in the filmmaking process -- which ultimately led to an honest and tender portrayal of their very private experience. And lastly, my father's unflinching willingness to expose himself so candidly, without hesitation, which made this story what it is: an honest look at his daily struggles balanced with his natural resiliency and bravery.
So we made this film to capture a moment in time with our family. We envisioned officially releasing it in the indefinite future, when we weren’t so busy with other projects, with the Parkinson's community (e.g. doctors, non-profits, support groups, etc.). In the meantime, I sent PRESENT MOMENT as a private screening to my father's doctor, Laurie Mischley. Dr. Mischley was so moved by what she witnessed, that she immediately shared the film with colleagues at The Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF) and Northwest Parkinson's Foundation. What resulted from her two April emails, was a viral spread of the film. MJFF embraced the video, posting it via their site/social media; then, they immediately invited my dad to participate in an alternative health webinar. We had 8k views in the first two days of MJFF posting the video. By the end of May, the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation asked to show the film at their HOPE Conference, as well as, offered to help us distribute the documentary nationally. We were astonished by the immediate reaction and enthusiastic support from such eminent leaders in the Parkinson’s community. Friends, family and other filmmakers were giving us positive feedback too. By the end of 2016, we have shown in 18 festivals around the world, received 5 awards and have aired on PBS at KCTS9 in Seattle, WA.
People were authentically responding to PRESENT MOMENT! The film was touching people from around the world. Commentary and letters ranged from the head of a Parkinson's support group in Morocco; to a mindfulness therapist in Australia; to various voices around the USA. Gary’s and Rubye’s story was having a big impact and it was being shared with those who knew someone with Parkinson's: an aunt, a father, a friend...it swiftly became a touchstone for people to talk about resilience and thriving. Inspiring a recognition of a potential capacity -- far beyond the realms of earlier discussions of limitations around longterm degenerative disorders. The teachings of mindfulness, meditation, singing, and aging with grace, were coming up as key evocative concepts.
One of the most impacted and evolved outcomes of PRESENT MOMENT has been intimate. Our family has gone through a profound change in our ability to talk more openly and honestly about the role of my dad’s disease in our lives. The transition is both surprising and liberating. My parents have even been asked to lead support groups, as a person with Parkinson’s and as a caretaker. We've been invited to speak at events about our experience as a family making this film. What started out as a creative project of heart-ship, has now profoundly changed our family’s story, and continues rippling out to the world.
As a filmmaker and daughter -- I am indebted to this process as a life-changing event and look forward to all the ways it will continue to unfold.
PRESENT MOMENT is a collaborative film project documenting a family negotiating the realities of a longterm, degenerative illness. The film is a celebration of living life well, despite whatever health challenges one might face: our protagonist's wisdom, honesty and courage inspires the viewer while reminding them of their own innate resiliency.
I made PRESENT MOMENT with my business partner, Noah Dassel at Reel Witness, as I wanted to share my father's courageous story. I deeply admire Gary and feel he has an important message to communicate within this illness: to live in the world with intention, while finding acceptance amidst challenge and adversity. Mostly, I made PRESENT MOMENT to honor my amazing parents as they co-navigate living with Parkinson's.
We started the project in early February 2015, as a germ of an idea; and, had a final film by the end of March. This remarkably fluid production was the result of a few factors: Noah jumped on board quickly and brought his creativity to the filming, while holding a very personal story with professionalism and compassion. Secondly, my parents supported me, unwavering in the filmmaking process -- which ultimately led to an honest and tender portrayal of their very private experience. And lastly, my father's unflinching willingness to expose himself so candidly, without hesitation, which made this story what it is: an honest look at his daily struggles balanced with his natural resiliency and bravery.
So we made this film to capture a moment in time with our family. We envisioned officially releasing it in the indefinite future, when we weren’t so busy with other projects, with the Parkinson's community (e.g. doctors, non-profits, support groups, etc.). In the meantime, I sent PRESENT MOMENT as a private screening to my father's doctor, Laurie Mischley. Dr. Mischley was so moved by what she witnessed, that she immediately shared the film with colleagues at The Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF) and Northwest Parkinson's Foundation. What resulted from her two April emails, was a viral spread of the film. MJFF embraced the video, posting it via their site/social media; then, they immediately invited my dad to participate in an alternative health webinar. We had 8k views in the first two days of MJFF posting the video. By the end of May, the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation asked to show the film at their HOPE Conference, as well as, offered to help us distribute the documentary nationally. We were astonished by the immediate reaction and enthusiastic support from such eminent leaders in the Parkinson’s community. Friends, family and other filmmakers were giving us positive feedback too. By the end of 2016, we have shown in 18 festivals around the world, received 5 awards and have aired on PBS at KCTS9 in Seattle, WA.
People were authentically responding to PRESENT MOMENT! The film was touching people from around the world. Commentary and letters ranged from the head of a Parkinson's support group in Morocco; to a mindfulness therapist in Australia; to various voices around the USA. Gary’s and Rubye’s story was having a big impact and it was being shared with those who knew someone with Parkinson's: an aunt, a father, a friend...it swiftly became a touchstone for people to talk about resilience and thriving. Inspiring a recognition of a potential capacity -- far beyond the realms of earlier discussions of limitations around longterm degenerative disorders. The teachings of mindfulness, meditation, singing, and aging with grace, were coming up as key evocative concepts.
One of the most impacted and evolved outcomes of PRESENT MOMENT has been intimate. Our family has gone through a profound change in our ability to talk more openly and honestly about the role of my dad’s disease in our lives. The transition is both surprising and liberating. My parents have even been asked to lead support groups, as a person with Parkinson’s and as a caretaker. We've been invited to speak at events about our experience as a family making this film. What started out as a creative project of heart-ship, has now profoundly changed our family’s story, and continues rippling out to the world.
As a filmmaker and daughter -- I am indebted to this process as a life-changing event and look forward to all the ways it will continue to unfold.
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