The topic will be Jason Kenuk. The story will cover his life including: the tragic accident he was involved in on July 27, 1998, the loss of his mother, the loss of his memory of life before the accident, the rehabilitation process, past and future surgeries, and what he has accomplished/where he is in life today.
At its core the drama is Jason’s struggle to overcome what he was told was virtually impossible. After the accident his life and future abilities were uncertain. Jason describes his biggest obstacle as overcoming the negativity of those around him due in part to them not wanting to give him false hope. The loss of his mother will contribute to the drama of the story as well as his inability to remember having a mother. In every situation he sees an opportunity for good. A positive dramatic point will be the inspiration Jason feels in everyday life and the upbeat character his has become.
Stylistically we plan that the majority of shooting will be done using a handheld camera with the exception of sit down interviews. Close ups will be used during dramatic moments. Most of what we envision stylistically will be communicated during the editing process, touching on the experimental side.
The most important interview(s) to be conducted will be with Jason Kenuk because he is the heart of the story. Mr. Val Curran is his hometown lacrosse coach who will be coming to Wilmington the second weekend in October. This man is extremely important to interview because Jason credits him as his biggest source of encouragement during his rehabilitation process. Mr. Curran is the one person that worked with Jason to improve on a daily basis and got him to a level at which he was able to play lacrosse again. Jason’s father, John Kenuk, is another person we hope to interview. Mr. Kenuk can provide information of life prior to the accident as well as a better understanding of the Kenuk’s family life during the accident and rehabilitation. He can also provide more information of Jason’s rehabilitation and what actually occurred (as Jason does not remember all of his time recuperating due to being in a coma, in out of consciousness, and memory loss). Paul Gilbert is the head lacrosse coach at Cape Fear Academy where Jason currently coaches lacrosse, swimming, and substitute teaches. Brent, Andy, and Charles are three lacrosse players at CFA who have been trained and inspired by Jason. These four people will be good to interview for an idea of Jason’s character, motivational personality, and dedication to helping others.
Ideally it would be a huge addition to interview one of Jason’s physical therapists (he was very close to them and believes they will be happy to help with the documentary). Jason is close with many people from his home town that will be willing to comment on Jason pre and post accident including a high school teacher/advisor. Another idea would be to interview a Psychologist preferably who specials in memory who could give statistics of the likelihood of the rehabilitation Jason has made.
Articles:
1. Book: Reversing Memory Loss By: Vernon H. Mark M.D.
(I’ve written an excerpt because I feel it relates extremely closely with Jason’s case)
Amnesia and Closed-Head Injuries
The immediate consequences of head injury may be retrograde amnesia, in which the victim has difficulty recalling events that preceded the brain injury, or antrograde amnesia, in which the victim blocks out for a matter of minutes to hours, or sometimes even days, the events following a head injury.
That’s what happened to Karen, a fifty-seven-year-old instructor, who was sitting in the passenger seat of an automobile struck head-on by a drunken driver speeding in the wrong lane. She was unconscious for a time following the injury and was in the hospital for several weeks. She then began to make a gradual recover, to the extent that six months later she returned to teaching. Karen then found that her ability to study and teach was compromised, which clearly signaled memory problems since the recent-memory function is central to the acquisition of new information-that is, to learning. Karen had to transfer many of her students to other teachers and dropped down to limited teaching.
She sued the drunken driver, but when the case went to trial, the insurance company covering the other driver minimized Karen’s problems, saying that because she was able to teach in a college, she couldn’t have suffered major brain injury. It was at this point that we undertook a full evaluation of Karen’s case, including neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic tests as well as brain wave studies, neurological examinations, and a CAT scan of the brain. Karen’s brain examinations showed a previously unsuspected hole inside her brain which had been caused by the destruction of brain tissue at the time of the accident. This loss of brain tissue resulted in her loss of memory.
Karen’s case has two important lessons. First, even patients over fifty who have had major brain injuries may recover a significant amount of their mental abilities, so that inexperienced observers may say that they are completely normal when they are not. And second, even when such recovery takes place, a full neurological evaluation is necessary to pinpoint residual problems. This is important not only in working out programs for future rehabilitation but also in determining the amount of functional loss. When Karen’s loss was presented to a jury she was compensated with over $3 million in damages.
In my experience, neither the patient nor the physician should ever give up hope of recovery after a serious head injury. The mental abilities of one of my patients, a sixty-three-year-old man who had experienced severe intellectual deterioration and memory loss after a major head injury, were significantly restored five years after the damage to his brain occurred. Such improvement is more likely in a close-than in an open-head injury because extreme loss of brain tissue is less common in patients who suffer closed –head injury.
2. Book: Neuropsychology of Memory Second Edition Edited by: Larry R Squire and Nelson Butters
This book has a few sections that are helpful but the main one is called Posttraumatic and Retrograde Amnesia after Closed Head Injury. It describes the early stages of recovery after an injury that leads to a coma and in turn memory loss. It covers the definition and measurement of posttraumatic amnesia and the duration of posttraumatic amnesia in relation to the duration of a coma.
3. Article: Empowerment through the sport context: a model to guide research for individuals with disability Taken from Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
(http://0-web.ebscohost.com.uncclc.coast.uncwil.edu/ehost/detail?vid=9&hid=13&sid=2757009c-f5c3-4340-8989-766c81161b63%40SRCSM1)
This article discusses sport as a rehabilitative philosophy and the concept of empowerment in relation to sport for individuals with disabilities. The article gives information on empowerment through sport on an individual level for someone who is in rehabilitation. The article relates to Jason’s rehabilitation both mentally and physically.
4. Article: How Exercise Builds Your Brain and Reverses Memory Loss
(http://0-web.ebscohost.com.uncclc.coast.uncwil.edu/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=13&sid=2757009c-f5c3-4340-8989-766c81161b63%40SRCSM1)
This article discusses how brain tissue loss can be minimized through physical exercise. The article discusses brain tissue loss through age, however is still relevant during the rehabilitation process proceeding Jason’s injury and time spent in the hospital.
5. An Exploration of the Relationships Between Memory and Sport From Sociology of Sport Journal.
(http://0-web.ebscohost.com.uncclc.coast.uncwil.edu/ehost/detail?vid=13&hid=13&sid=2757009c-f5c3-4340-8989-766c81161b63%40SRCSM1)
This article discusses the relationship between sport and personal memory. In a conducted study results show that “our memories of sport link us not only to the institution but also to significant group relationships and important episodes in our lives.”
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Hands on a Hardbody
On a note aside from the work-in-progress documentary,
I enjoyed this film and thought that stylistically it was shot well. I liked the lower budget look and feel it had as if it was a home movie caught on tape. It was apparent that the filmmakers got so into in that I believe they didn't take breaks because by the end they became a big delusional which added to the film. I liked the different point of views of each character mixed with the editing style. Parts of the film that were in slow motion were edited in more as the film progressed. The pace of the film was enjoyable and pleasing, in the beginning of the film everything seemed a lot more planned out and clean whereas as the film progressed what was before "clean" began to get a bit sloppy (through editing and camera positioning). All in all I thought it was well told and shot in a way that was interesting instead of loosing some of the impact due to the length of a full feature film.
I enjoyed this film and thought that stylistically it was shot well. I liked the lower budget look and feel it had as if it was a home movie caught on tape. It was apparent that the filmmakers got so into in that I believe they didn't take breaks because by the end they became a big delusional which added to the film. I liked the different point of views of each character mixed with the editing style. Parts of the film that were in slow motion were edited in more as the film progressed. The pace of the film was enjoyable and pleasing, in the beginning of the film everything seemed a lot more planned out and clean whereas as the film progressed what was before "clean" began to get a bit sloppy (through editing and camera positioning). All in all I thought it was well told and shot in a way that was interesting instead of loosing some of the impact due to the length of a full feature film.
Group Meeting 9/23
I thought our meeting went well. We're coming closer to our direction. I spoke with Jason and he is available Sunday evening for an interview at his house. He'll be coming back from a Lacrosse Tourny (He should be back b/w 4 and 5... So we should be prepared to shoot the interview between 6 and 7) A concern would be that he would be too tired/worn out and I asked him if he thought that would be the case and if so we could do it sometime Monday perhaps... but he is all about doing it Sunday he said he shouldnt be worn out, so all systems go. I'll write more a bit later after I continue researching... I've gotten several names of people to interview (His Lacrosse coach who will be coming in town the weekend of October 12th- Mr. Val Curran, The Cape Fear Lacrosse coach- Paul Gilbert, a few players/goalies he's trained: Brent, Andy, and Charles).
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Group Meeting
Mario and Griffin,
Spoke to Jason, he's able to meet with us on sunday night at 7pm.. he went home to jersey today for an MRI for his next surgery (kidney) and I asked him to speak to his family/friends/Physical Therapists about being interviewed.. he seemed pretty encouraged that the town would be more than willing to participate in some interviews. I'll see you all on sunday!
Spoke to Jason, he's able to meet with us on sunday night at 7pm.. he went home to jersey today for an MRI for his next surgery (kidney) and I asked him to speak to his family/friends/Physical Therapists about being interviewed.. he seemed pretty encouraged that the town would be more than willing to participate in some interviews. I'll see you all on sunday!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Afterbirth...yummmmm
Talk to Me
One could almost call this Documentary a Journey Film but not in the sense that the filmmaker is showing the journey of an onscreen character, but rather the journey of 20 years of his lifetime. Viewing this film is a journey. I was very intrigued by the way the film was shot. I wonder if it was just a GIANT collage because I did not notice any cuts, just the camera moving along. I personally thought this was one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. For one reason, I had never seen a documentary like this one or can even recall another film that mirrors this one. The structure of the documentary was impressively original. I also enjoyed the time development that occurred by playing the messages in conjunction with showing pictures during the time period in which the messages were recorded. Faces were changing and growing older through out as well as emotional changes. Voices were changing from happy to sad telling the time has passed and an excitement they once had was gone, or visa versa. Another surprisingly intelligent part of this film was the ability to use the camera to force the attention to any direction it pleased. Often time was apparent (through layered messages such as the young woman having a baby) but time being apparent was also intermingled with times that were not (such as the “party people” of the documentary). I feel that the filmmaker used this notion of time and the knowledge of real time to carry the viewer through the three major time periods of the film (the beginning when he was younger and partying, to the growing up portion, until the end when his father dies.) I thought it was a very interesting concept and worked extremely well for a documentary film.
Window Water Baby Moving
I can appreciate the topic of this film, it’s honestly not something I would prefer to see so graphically however I thought the way in which the makers went about creating this film and editing this film was creative. Time was told through editing and interchanging past and present. There is a definite structure to the film, showing the period of time before the child is born. This part of the film is slower and more intimate as you can see the love in the woman’s eye. Although the man is never fully pictured you can sense him on the other side of the camera from her expression juxtaposed with their hands on her stomach. As the child is being born the film quickens and shots are edited together to show the birth. It is at this point in the film that time is not always apparent. The process of the birth is shown, reversed, and paired with previous shots of the calm bathtub prior to the birth. Although this was graphic, I like the way the filmmakers kind of montaged these shots together. The last structural part of the film is of course the child appearing out of the womb. I don’t really know why the doctor decided to cut the placenta open for all to see, but hey it’s experimental film right?
One could almost call this Documentary a Journey Film but not in the sense that the filmmaker is showing the journey of an onscreen character, but rather the journey of 20 years of his lifetime. Viewing this film is a journey. I was very intrigued by the way the film was shot. I wonder if it was just a GIANT collage because I did not notice any cuts, just the camera moving along. I personally thought this was one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. For one reason, I had never seen a documentary like this one or can even recall another film that mirrors this one. The structure of the documentary was impressively original. I also enjoyed the time development that occurred by playing the messages in conjunction with showing pictures during the time period in which the messages were recorded. Faces were changing and growing older through out as well as emotional changes. Voices were changing from happy to sad telling the time has passed and an excitement they once had was gone, or visa versa. Another surprisingly intelligent part of this film was the ability to use the camera to force the attention to any direction it pleased. Often time was apparent (through layered messages such as the young woman having a baby) but time being apparent was also intermingled with times that were not (such as the “party people” of the documentary). I feel that the filmmaker used this notion of time and the knowledge of real time to carry the viewer through the three major time periods of the film (the beginning when he was younger and partying, to the growing up portion, until the end when his father dies.) I thought it was a very interesting concept and worked extremely well for a documentary film.
Window Water Baby Moving
I can appreciate the topic of this film, it’s honestly not something I would prefer to see so graphically however I thought the way in which the makers went about creating this film and editing this film was creative. Time was told through editing and interchanging past and present. There is a definite structure to the film, showing the period of time before the child is born. This part of the film is slower and more intimate as you can see the love in the woman’s eye. Although the man is never fully pictured you can sense him on the other side of the camera from her expression juxtaposed with their hands on her stomach. As the child is being born the film quickens and shots are edited together to show the birth. It is at this point in the film that time is not always apparent. The process of the birth is shown, reversed, and paired with previous shots of the calm bathtub prior to the birth. Although this was graphic, I like the way the filmmakers kind of montaged these shots together. The last structural part of the film is of course the child appearing out of the womb. I don’t really know why the doctor decided to cut the placenta open for all to see, but hey it’s experimental film right?
The Dealy YO!
Okay so here's my pitch...
This project would be a profile piece about a good friend of mine Jason Kenuk. He had a horrible accident when he was younger(lost his mother, was in a pronounced dead, in a coma, was told he would not walk again), and the main focus would be about his recuperation, struggle, ect.. but it could possibly lean in a direction of his character to date. He is extremely motivational and has the utmost positive outlook on life, and he also loves to freestyle (he's hilarious). I feel this piece would be a good mix of dramatic emotions (sad, happy, laughter, tears..).
The topic: Jason Kenuk (J-Dog Resurrected)
Tone/Mode: Mix... sadness followed by inspiration followed by laughter and appreciation.
This would make a kickass short because it covers a lot and will maintain interest, he just has a great story and is a truly original character.
The plan: I would interview Jason many times I'm sure, I would also like to take a trip one weekend to Jersey if possible (I know it's far but it would add so much to the film) and interview his lacrosse coach (this is the one man who did not give up on him-Jason's lacrosse coach practiced with him every day to help gain back movement and strength.. and eventually Jason became an all state player and got into college for Lacrosse before he transferred to UNCW) I'd also like to try to interview some of the doctors he currently visits (he has continuous surgeries.. his next is on his kidney) as well as doctors that worked with him during the time of the accident (Jason still keeps in touch with some/most of them) I'd get footage of him playing lacrosse today and get commentaries from coaches/players (he is a lacrosse coach at cape fear academy, played UNCW club lacrosse, and is now playing for a Wilmington Men's Rec Group) If traveling is not an option there are two friends that live in Wilmington that knew Jason at the time of the accident.. commentaries. And I would also like to keep the camera close and catch Jason during some of his inspirational rampages/flowing freestyles.
The only technical challenges I can think of would be traveling to Jersey for a weekend, but if planned out correctly I think things could get accomplished.
Jason is aware I am pitching this project and he's all about it (we're getting him on Oprah one of these days) With the issue of interviewing doctors/nurses some accessibility problems may occur but I'm hoping if this get picked up and a trip can be made that Jason can talk to them on a personal level and get them to spare a few moments for questions.
I'm the right person to direct this film because I know his story, I know him.. he's one of my dearest friends and is always willing to create a positive outlook, and I can always tell when he's going to say something amazing..
The audience is anyone really, anyone who's had a tragedy happen to them personally or had any kind of major life struggle.
I would want this film to screen at independent film festivals, and most defiantly locally.
This idea is already unique and I believe audiences will care for one solid reason: I don't know a single person who's ever known his story that hasn't been touched.
This project would be a profile piece about a good friend of mine Jason Kenuk. He had a horrible accident when he was younger(lost his mother, was in a pronounced dead, in a coma, was told he would not walk again), and the main focus would be about his recuperation, struggle, ect.. but it could possibly lean in a direction of his character to date. He is extremely motivational and has the utmost positive outlook on life, and he also loves to freestyle (he's hilarious). I feel this piece would be a good mix of dramatic emotions (sad, happy, laughter, tears..).
The topic: Jason Kenuk (J-Dog Resurrected)
Tone/Mode: Mix... sadness followed by inspiration followed by laughter and appreciation.
This would make a kickass short because it covers a lot and will maintain interest, he just has a great story and is a truly original character.
The plan: I would interview Jason many times I'm sure, I would also like to take a trip one weekend to Jersey if possible (I know it's far but it would add so much to the film) and interview his lacrosse coach (this is the one man who did not give up on him-Jason's lacrosse coach practiced with him every day to help gain back movement and strength.. and eventually Jason became an all state player and got into college for Lacrosse before he transferred to UNCW) I'd also like to try to interview some of the doctors he currently visits (he has continuous surgeries.. his next is on his kidney) as well as doctors that worked with him during the time of the accident (Jason still keeps in touch with some/most of them) I'd get footage of him playing lacrosse today and get commentaries from coaches/players (he is a lacrosse coach at cape fear academy, played UNCW club lacrosse, and is now playing for a Wilmington Men's Rec Group) If traveling is not an option there are two friends that live in Wilmington that knew Jason at the time of the accident.. commentaries. And I would also like to keep the camera close and catch Jason during some of his inspirational rampages/flowing freestyles.
The only technical challenges I can think of would be traveling to Jersey for a weekend, but if planned out correctly I think things could get accomplished.
Jason is aware I am pitching this project and he's all about it (we're getting him on Oprah one of these days) With the issue of interviewing doctors/nurses some accessibility problems may occur but I'm hoping if this get picked up and a trip can be made that Jason can talk to them on a personal level and get them to spare a few moments for questions.
I'm the right person to direct this film because I know his story, I know him.. he's one of my dearest friends and is always willing to create a positive outlook, and I can always tell when he's going to say something amazing..
The audience is anyone really, anyone who's had a tragedy happen to them personally or had any kind of major life struggle.
I would want this film to screen at independent film festivals, and most defiantly locally.
This idea is already unique and I believe audiences will care for one solid reason: I don't know a single person who's ever known his story that hasn't been touched.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Blue Vinyl
In Blue Vinyl filmmakers Judith Helfand and Daniel Gold tap into the truth about vinyl and the harmful effect of PVC. The film opens up with a scene from Helfand’s parents home which is being redecorated with blue vinyl siding. In reference to the Rabiger readings I feel the opening of this documentary does a good job introducing the projects “world” including some main characters of the film. Humor is used throughout the film to prove points and keep the audience interested. Judith Helfand’s parents were two of my favorite characters in the film. They brought in an every day kind of feeling to the project which addresses how easy it is to flow with what is popular to the public while disregarding the negative side to vinyl. The beginning of the film sets up a plot-like underlying story of the documentary, that is can this filmmaker who is so passionate about PVC’s harmful effects influence her own parents to employ a more environment friendly house treatment. (Although I have not seen the end yet, I believe if she successfully does this, the documentary will be that much more informative of how to get around using vinyl).
The documentary takes on the point of view of Judith Helfand (referred to as a Single Point of View via Rabiger) having her in most of the shots or just next to the camera having an off screen voice of her questioning someone/thing. The film supports her point of view by her narration throughout the piece.
I believe the filmmakers do a good job showing different sides to their argument (as mentioned by Rabiger) and not just showing only the views that support their feelings on the subject. The two filmmakers use many credible sources during the duration of the film. Scientist and Professors are expert witnesses used to explain and inform of the harmful effects. Testimonies from local residents surrounding PVC factories provide a more personal opinion and footage of PVC melt downs represent a visual image providing the harm of such an incident can not be ignored.
The documentary takes on the point of view of Judith Helfand (referred to as a Single Point of View via Rabiger) having her in most of the shots or just next to the camera having an off screen voice of her questioning someone/thing. The film supports her point of view by her narration throughout the piece.
I believe the filmmakers do a good job showing different sides to their argument (as mentioned by Rabiger) and not just showing only the views that support their feelings on the subject. The two filmmakers use many credible sources during the duration of the film. Scientist and Professors are expert witnesses used to explain and inform of the harmful effects. Testimonies from local residents surrounding PVC factories provide a more personal opinion and footage of PVC melt downs represent a visual image providing the harm of such an incident can not be ignored.
Documentary Idea(s)
A Documentary idea I’ve had over the past few years is a profile on a best friend of mine named Jason Kenuk. In 1998 when he was twelve years old he and his mother were driving on the highway when they were hit by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. Both Jason and his mother were pronounced dead and transported via helicopter to the hospital. Jason’s mother passed and he was kept on life support. Jason was in a coma for months and doctors told his father to plan his funeral. After Jason woke he was told (among other negative things) he would never be able to walk again. He has no memory of the time period of his life before the accident. He knows his mother was a great lady, but does not remember her. Today Jason is one of the most inspirational characters I have ever met. Although he will continue to have frequent surgeries over his lifetime he sees a positive side to every problem, has done motivational speeches, and has won several lacrosse awards. Jason describes the hardest part about post accident was acceptance and overcoming the negativity from others around him in reference of his future capabilities. He’s just an all around great guy with an awesomely inspirational story.
Other topics that are of most interest to myself are: Music, Beach/Ocean (would like to look into the surfrider foundation) the real silver surfer seems very interesting and living at Wrightsville Beach I have heard of his story – anything having to do with surfing/waves/beach is something I’d love to research, and I think it would be cool to do a profile piece on Marshall the Photographer which is a guy who is notorious downtown for taking pictures and I bet has a crazy awesome living space (like crazy buffalo bill style).
Other topics that are of most interest to myself are: Music, Beach/Ocean (would like to look into the surfrider foundation) the real silver surfer seems very interesting and living at Wrightsville Beach I have heard of his story – anything having to do with surfing/waves/beach is something I’d love to research, and I think it would be cool to do a profile piece on Marshall the Photographer which is a guy who is notorious downtown for taking pictures and I bet has a crazy awesome living space (like crazy buffalo bill style).
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