Ticked Off! (Working title)
Feature-length Documentary
A global Lyme disease cover-up has left thousands of Irish people sick, disabled and lacking in medical treatment in Ireland. Could new initiatives in Ireland signal a new way forward worldwide? Can a higher level of public awareness of Lyme change the outcome of this disease?
Yes... And That’s Where You Can Help
It's hard to imagine any other human illness in our time that is burdened with as much misunderstanding and mystery, contradictory information and political intrigue as Lyme disease. Limitations imposed upon diagnosis and treatment, added to the lack of physician awareness, training and experience; produce a highly challenging landscape for those living with tick-borne illnesses in Ireland - and around the world.
Ireland has a serious and growing rate of Lyme disease - and no effective way to deal with it. If no one knows…how can anyone care?
The Ticked Off! Story
Our initial Ticked Off! shoot took place during Ireland's first-ever Lyme Disease Conference held June 5-6, 2012 at Dublin's Clontarf Castle, and we could not have asked for a better start to this production! From the U.S., U.K. and Europe, the leading LD Doctors, researchers, as well as advocates and Irish politicians, came together and contributed truthful revelations over the two-day period. People living with Lyme in Ireland also made a tremendous contribution to this film through their dignified portraits.
This is a feature-length documentary with high production values. We are shooting on two RED Cine cameras with world-class camera, lighting and sound professionals. Some of our crew have worked on films such as: Saving Private Ryan, Dancing At Lughnasa, The Boxer, Blow Dry, In The Name Of The Father, My Left Foot and more.
This production has picked up momentum… and we are seeing progress towards change as a result of this initial shoot!
We have learned that Lyme-treating doctors from around the world are being continually subjected to investigation. They are being threatened with the loss of their licenses and livelihoods. Why? Because they continue to treat Lyme disease beyond the few short weeks or months stipulated by professionals and governments. It is also because these doctors make decisions on clinical grounds based on personal knowledge of this complex illness that challenge orthodox thinking, and for this, they are punished? Why is this the case for Lyme?
The officially sanctioned testing for Lyme, the ELISA, has been proven inaccurate. Under reporting and under treating are common. This disease can cause permanent damage and even fatalities if left undiagnosed.
After notifying our own Irish politicains about this disease, its seriousness and the lack of accurate testing or treatment in Ireland, we were invited to the Irish Parliament, The Dáil, on June 7th, to begin the process of change in the testing and treatment of Lyme in Ireland. Researchers from Lyme Research U.K., and advocates in Ireland have been working in joint cooperation for many years to the benefit of patients and policy makers in both countries. As a result of the introductions made during our film shoot as well as the Lyme conference organized by http://www.ticktalkireland.org, multiple cooperative research and collaborative projects have also begun between the United States and Ireland, and these are exactly the kind of partnerships we had hoped for. All of this happened in only three days!
We have been researching in preparation for this film for over a year. By bringing change to restrictive policies, awareness to the public at large and enabling new research the opportunity to be published – massive change can happen. Through film, a large audience of educated and informed supporters can make that happen.
This is a story of determination in the face of enormous controversy. A film that proves the importance of a relatively small number of dedicated individuals initiating change – because it’s the only way change has ever happened.
Ticked Off! Will Reveal:
1) Lyme: What it is and how we got here (the pandemic and politics on both sides of the Atlantic).
2) The consequences of Lyme (patients and beyond).
3) Where do we go from here? Most Irish Lyme patients currently travel abroad for diagnosis and treatment. What new diagnostic and treatment approaches will be available here and abroad? Can medical and policy changes in Ireland help to instigate positive changes in the U.K., Europe and the U.S.?
The Production
This is just the beginning of the production of this film and already we have garnered on camera and off camera support. Top Lyme research experts worldwide, have donated their research, microscopic films, laboratory findings and expressions of support.
This film won’t look for audience pity, instead we believe it will earn audience respect and in the process we hope to grow the international partnership for understanding and change. Together, we will be increasing awareness of a common but relatively unknown spectrum of medical conditions that many experts believe point to a paradigm shift in the way many other diseases are treated. We are grateful for your support to achieve this.
This is a feature-length documentary with high production values. We are shooting on two RED Cine cameras with world-class camera, lighting and sound professionals. During the course of the film’s production, we will be shooting in Ireland, the U.K, Europe and the U.S. This is a borderless issue!
How Can You Help?
During this funding campaign we are seeking to raise $30,500, which will enable us to continue shooting in Ireland before winter, concentrating on outdoor shoots and completing the production of a trailer (editing, grading, finishing).
Each increment of $6,300 will enable us a day’s shooting with 2 camera crews (crew costs, equipment costs, hard drives, insurance, transportation, food and/or lodging). We will shoot in parts of the west and southeast of Ireland concentrating on animals that host ticks, and ticks questing in their natural environments. Documenting the research scientists, wildlife experts and advocates that have had a major role in documenting and researching this disease in Ireland. These are the same experts now partnering with the U.S in research.
If we are fortunate to receive more funding than our goal (We thank you very much!) this will enable us to move on with the final leg of our shooting schedule, in the U.S., U.K., and Europe.
By helping us to make this documentary, you can do something about this global pandemic. Help us end the secrecy, corruption and minimization associated with tick-borne illnesses. With greater awareness we move closer to better prevention, more accurate diagnosis, and the cutting edge research that leads to a cure.
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Help By Spreading The Word
Tell your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, students about this campaign and share this link:
http://www.indiegogo.com/TickedOff?a=693716
SHARE it through Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/TickedOffDocumentary
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BLOG, TWEET, RETWEET.
Thank you!
Director/Writer
Lisa Vandegrift Davala
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4042434/
http://www.forpeacecomesdroppingslow.com
“…for peace comes dropping slow…”
Our Super Crew!
It’s an honor and pleasure to know and work with this crew. All of them have made huge contributions to the profession. Some of our crew have worked on films such as: Saving Private Ryan, Dancing At Lughnasa, The Boxer, Blow Dry, In The Name Of The Father, My Left Foot and more. Here is the complete crew list with links:
Cinematography and Lights:
Cian de Buitléar
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0207663/
http://www.ciandebuitlear.com/
Saving Private Ryan, I Went Down, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Boxer
Eleanor Bowman
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2044296/
The Girl With The Mechanical Maiden, The Club, Aisling’s Diary (TV Series)
Frankie Leonard
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3706449/
The Guard, Stella Days
Sound Recordists:
Kiaran Horgan
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394628/
In the Name of The Father, My Left Foot, Reign of Fire
Susan Downey
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4153456/
Derelict, Strongman Champions League: Ireland
