FILM PTSD (WORKING TITLE):
A documentary film that delves into the lives and struggles
of real British Military veterans who are dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). Emotive and
motivational stories showing the transition the soldiers have to make from the
frontline to the home front. Including an ex-SAS serviceman.
SHORT SUMMARY – WHAT
IS PTSD? WHY’S IT AN EPIDEMIC?
P.T.S.D – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – It’s had many
names: Hysteria, Combat Exhaustion, and Shell Shock to list a few. PTSD has
long been a taboo subject, skimmed over in the media for far too long. Statistics show it’s an epidemic, but not
enough is being done to educate, inform and understand it.
PTSD is a mental health condition that's
triggered by very stressful, frightening, or distressing events — either
experiencing it or witnessing it.
Symptoms may include flashbacks:
nightmares, severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts. It can resort to aggressive behaviour,
drug, alcohol or gambling misuse, breakdown of relationships, panic attacks, mood
swings, seeking high-risk dangerous pursuits, self-harm, self-destructive
tendencies, and feeling suicidal.
The floodgates are open as mental health problems
among UK soldiers back from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars escalate…
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One in five veterans are likely to suffer some
form of mental illness following their service career.
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26% rise in PTSD diagnosis on last year alone!
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77% of troops with mental health issues fail to
get the help they need because of stigma.
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93% of veterans revealed they are
ashamed or embarrassed about their mental health problems.
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One in eight soldiers have attacked someone after
coming home from a combat deployment.
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From
the recent wars in the Middle East more British soldiers and veterans commit
suicide than were killed in battle.
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10% of the
UK’s prisoners are ex- soldiers, and 9,000 of the nation’s homeless are
ex-forces.
WHY MAKE THIS FILM?
With film you have an opportunity to galvanise an audience.
It’s a compelling means by which to tell a story. After I researched and delve more into PTSD;
uncovering the lack of support networks, education, and funding, the more I
realised I had to try and put this issue out there. The more people learn about PTSD, the more
accepted it would become for these men and women to come forward and not battle
alone against their minds! This film will
aim to help educate, inform and create understanding about these invisible
wounds of war.
How can you help? This
is your call to action! We have the
power to create change and to put this issue out there. Contribute now and help educate more people
about PTSD. If we don’t act now, it will
be left in the shadows once more.
No film until now has told it the way it
is. These are their stories. Stories that must be told.
CHARITY WORK &
WHO IS INVOLVED:
We are lucky enough to have ex-SAS serviceman, Bob Paxman,
involved with the project. He will be
going into detail about his compelling and fascinating story, informing us
about how he’s dealt living with PTSD. Bob
also set up a mental health charity in 2008 called, ‘Talking2Minds’, in which
this project is showing its support and donating towards. ‘Talking2Minds’ are
allowing us access to a variety of their PTSD sufferers.
To further encourage donations for this film and the PTSD
charities, I am doing a variety of fundraising events.
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‘Tough Mudder’, the 12 mile obstacle race designed
by British Special Forces. [DATE: SAT 22ND
AUGUST 2015] - COMPLETED!
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The ‘3 Peaks Challenge’, which is climbing the 3
tallest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales within 24hrs. [DATE: FRI-SAT 18TH-19TH
SEPTEMBER 2015] - COMPLETED!
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The London to Paris bike ride. [DATE: TBC OCT 2015]
You can keep up-to-date with the team’s progress – On here,
by our campaign updates, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FilmPTSD) and Twitter (@FilmPTSD https://twitter.com/FilmPTSD), or at www.FilmPTSD.com.
We will be filming during and beyond the crowdfunding process and will keep you updated throughout. We aim to finish filming by the end of November and have a the film released towards the end of 2015/beginning of 2016.
THE FUNDRAISING
PLEDGE:
A percentage of the proceeds from this crowdfunding will be
going straight to military charities. There
will be no profits made from this and if we exceed our target or have any
remaining budget, this also will be donated.
Your contribution will:
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Bring their incredible stories to the screen
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Pay tribute to the bravery of a new generation of soldiers
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Remind the public of the sacrifices they have made in our name
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Generate income for military charities
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Provide a rallying call for further fundraising
WHO
ARE WE SUPPORTING?
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WHAT WE NEED:
We have worked tirelessly so far to gain
access to some of our contributors and their incredible, moving stories. We have also pulled in massive favors with our
industry contacts – of which many are working for ‘free’. With your backing you will help with the
following:
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Camera & Equipment hire
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Location Fees
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Contributor Expenses
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Composer & Original Soundtrack
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Film Graphics & Titles
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Colour Correction & Picture
Work
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Audio Mix & Sound Sweetening
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Music Licensing
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Archival Footage Licensing
Your backing will not be used to cover
any compensation for the principle filmmakers. This is strictly to help fund
the below-the-line items and necessities, and the finishing costs. A small
fraction of the total budget will be used for festival entrance fees.
Your contributions will help us to
finish the film under its best light, and help us to bring these important
stories to the screen!
HOW ELSE YOU CAN
HELP:
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It’s not too late to tell your story! If you are or know of any ex-servicemen or
women that have been dealing with PTSD – please get in touch and tell your
story (chris@chrispardew.com).
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Any additional footage and archive of being in a
warzone could be vital.
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Share this project with as many people as you
can.
WHAT
HAPPENS IF WE RAISE MORE THAN OUR GOAL?
If we raise more than our campaign’s
goal – That’s fantastic news! As
mentioned all of the proceeds will go towards the completion of the film and
then the rest will be donated to the military mental health charities.
Help us get our film to the public so we
can help spread the word and raise the awareness of PTSD. We are
incredibly grateful to you, dear supporters, for your time, energy, and
patronage. Together we can do this!!!
