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.
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
SHARE through Twitter
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
