This inspiring, lyrical short poses questions that the homeless and those in need are facing in real life, the first query being, “What if everywhere you went, people turned their backs on you?”
During the initial portion of this nearly three-minute film, there are large images of people with their backs turned projected on buildings and other backdrops. At the same time, we see and hear about the plights of the needy
The copy is written in such a way that it’s not a stretch to think that some such plights could surface for all of us–and are not just confined to the currently down and out. “What if the job you relied on no longer relied on you?” Or what if the people you counted on thought you no longer counted?
Next we are exposed to some stark realities–the tens of thousands who are homeless in Orange County, Calif., the one in six O.C. residents who don’t have health insurance, the 890,000 people at risk of hunger, including children.
Yet there are thoughts and images that then take hold in this short that spark hope for those at risk and for those who donate time and money, and volunteer to help. We are introduced to the “Live United” campaign which promotes a world where no one looks away from the face of need–a commitment that turns heartbreak into hope, dependence into independence, and “helps put the unity back into community.”
This short is for United Way Orange County’s fundraising efforts and will be sent to corporate partners and be posted on the United Way O.C. website. There’s also the possibility of cutting it down to run as a broadcast spot in select markets.
The film was directed and edited by James Lipetzky of Foundation Content. United Way O.C. came to Foundation Content directly based on the company’s work on a Gold Hugo-winning effort for United Way Chicago.
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More