Heather Rivlin
07-23-2006, 11:55 AM
Have you been served by NILMDTS? If you haven't but you see the value in what we do, would you be willing to help us launch a documentary?
I am working with a filmmaker in Toronto to pitch a documentary to CBC television about the work we do. We need parents to share their stories, to illustrate that what we do celebrates the short lives of the children we love, and is a beautiful testament, not merely depressing or solemn.
The producer writes:
Dear Heather,
I am writing this to you after our recent email correspondence regarding the
documentary "Capturing a Short Life" that we are hoping to do with CBC about
the work you are doing with families through 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep'.
As I mentioned in my email, CBC are interested in the documentary, however
they are worried that it may be too depressing and, thus, are reluctant to
get on board. Despite my protests that this is a story that celebrates the
lives of children who are only here a short time and it looks at a process
of how best to remember these young souls who touch those around them so
profoundly in such a short time. Despite my proposal which highlights that
this is a film that explores the concept of how to talk to and about what it
means to lose a child, I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. My fear is
that they are going to reject this and then we're back to square one.
CBC are going to make their final decisions about this film in early August
and I am hoping that you are able to help me try to convince them that this
is a positive thing, rather than just a sad, depressing story about children
dying.
I am hoping that we may be able to enlist the help of a couple of the
families you have worked with recently to write a brief letter/email that I
can forward to Andrew Johnson at CBC, that explains why the process of
having photographs taken and the overall concept of NILMDTS was positive in
their journey and their healing. Further, what a documentary that gives
voice to the healing process involved in losing a child and allow families
to openly share their stories and talk about what they are going through and
have been through without shame or judgment, highlighting the beauty of
their relationships with their children rather than focusing on the loss and
sadness, may have the potential to do for other families going through a
similar journey.
I do feel that we are close to being able to make this happen, that it could
go either way and that we just need something that resonates emotionally
with the decision makers, that this can be beautiful and positive, rather
than dark and depressing, to tip the balance in our favour.
I appreciate your help on this matter. And, in advance, am thankful for any
other help we can get around this.
If anyone has any further questions about this or need anything answered
before writing a letter, please feel free to put them in touch with me.
Email is best as I am currently out of town.
Obviously time is of the essence, it would be ideal to be able to send him
something by Friday afternoon. Further, Heather, perhaps you could also
write a brief email about why this journey and process is beautiful and
important to you.
I appreciate your time and attention to this and will be in touch soon.
Warmest Regards,
Sheona McDonald
Are you willing to help us by offering your words, your experiences, your feelings about what we do?
If you can, please jot something in an email to me at info@heatherrivlin.com and I will forward it to Sheona. We are hoping to send a packet of parent letters by Friday July 28th.
Thank you so much for your support of what we do. Together we can raise more awareness about this program and help other parents learn more about us.
Heather Rivlin
I am working with a filmmaker in Toronto to pitch a documentary to CBC television about the work we do. We need parents to share their stories, to illustrate that what we do celebrates the short lives of the children we love, and is a beautiful testament, not merely depressing or solemn.
The producer writes:
Dear Heather,
I am writing this to you after our recent email correspondence regarding the
documentary "Capturing a Short Life" that we are hoping to do with CBC about
the work you are doing with families through 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep'.
As I mentioned in my email, CBC are interested in the documentary, however
they are worried that it may be too depressing and, thus, are reluctant to
get on board. Despite my protests that this is a story that celebrates the
lives of children who are only here a short time and it looks at a process
of how best to remember these young souls who touch those around them so
profoundly in such a short time. Despite my proposal which highlights that
this is a film that explores the concept of how to talk to and about what it
means to lose a child, I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. My fear is
that they are going to reject this and then we're back to square one.
CBC are going to make their final decisions about this film in early August
and I am hoping that you are able to help me try to convince them that this
is a positive thing, rather than just a sad, depressing story about children
dying.
I am hoping that we may be able to enlist the help of a couple of the
families you have worked with recently to write a brief letter/email that I
can forward to Andrew Johnson at CBC, that explains why the process of
having photographs taken and the overall concept of NILMDTS was positive in
their journey and their healing. Further, what a documentary that gives
voice to the healing process involved in losing a child and allow families
to openly share their stories and talk about what they are going through and
have been through without shame or judgment, highlighting the beauty of
their relationships with their children rather than focusing on the loss and
sadness, may have the potential to do for other families going through a
similar journey.
I do feel that we are close to being able to make this happen, that it could
go either way and that we just need something that resonates emotionally
with the decision makers, that this can be beautiful and positive, rather
than dark and depressing, to tip the balance in our favour.
I appreciate your help on this matter. And, in advance, am thankful for any
other help we can get around this.
If anyone has any further questions about this or need anything answered
before writing a letter, please feel free to put them in touch with me.
Email is best as I am currently out of town.
Obviously time is of the essence, it would be ideal to be able to send him
something by Friday afternoon. Further, Heather, perhaps you could also
write a brief email about why this journey and process is beautiful and
important to you.
I appreciate your time and attention to this and will be in touch soon.
Warmest Regards,
Sheona McDonald
Are you willing to help us by offering your words, your experiences, your feelings about what we do?
If you can, please jot something in an email to me at info@heatherrivlin.com and I will forward it to Sheona. We are hoping to send a packet of parent letters by Friday July 28th.
Thank you so much for your support of what we do. Together we can raise more awareness about this program and help other parents learn more about us.
Heather Rivlin