The Partnership at Drugfree.org unveiled a new, moving collection of videos as part of their “You Are Not Alone” campaign, shot by award-winning director Lori Hoeft. The impactful series of testimonials helps further the goal of You Are Not Alone: to create a message of hope for the families of teens and young adults caught in the grips of a drug addiction, and to remove the stigma and misunderstanding that often prevents them from seeking help.nn
nnAmong those featured in the series of testimonials are:nnArt Alexakis, lead singer and guitarist of Everclear, realized it was time to change after a suicide attempt. The now father of two, 22 years in recovery, is proof that it gets better.nnnnBarbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeannie”) lost her son to a heroin overdose. She encourages others not to let shame become a barrier, but rather, to share their story.nnnnSkateboarding legend Christian Hosoi had everything: money, fame and a career. After seven years doing crystal meth every day, he hit rock bottom and realized that he had to make a choice. He is now 11.5 years sober and hopes that by telling his story, others will be inspired to make the right choice.nnnnAll three sons of Los Angeles mom Jane Paulsen struggled with addiction, but it was only when she shared her story with others that she realized she was not alone.nnnnActor and filmmaker Josh Leonard (“The Blair Witch Project”) is celebrating 13 years of sobriety. Josh credits the support his family gave him and taking things one day at a time for saving his life. By being open about his addiction, he believes that he is taking power away from the disease.nnnnAdditional testimonials from friends and loved ones help to round out the stories, reminding viewers of addiction’s devastating impact on family, relationships and friendships. nnLori, whose “Cleaning Girl” PSA for The Partnership at Drugfree.org was shortlisted for a Clio award, was particularly inspired to create these videos as a vital message for survivors of addiction.nn”Each individual we shot had a unique point of view to share from their own experiences. They openly relayed their stories of tragedy and redemption,” Lori said of the subjects she filmed for this project. “As a director, I’m in a position to tell stories that heal and empower people. I can make a difference so that others can find a more effective way to deal with such a huge, devastating problem.”nn”Lori’s enthusiasm for this project was incredible,” said Rebecca Shaw, VP, Director of Creative Development for The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Her passion for the cause and her dedication to capturing authentic experiences was fueled by her belief in the power of sharing these stories with families who need to know they aren’t alone and that recovery is possible.”nnThe Partnership at Drug Free.org encourages you to view and share these powerful new videos with friends and family. We hope the stories contained within will inspire those facing addiction to understand that they are not alone.nnCreditsnClient: The Partnership at Drugfree.orgnCampaign: You Are Not AlonenDirector: Lori HoeftnDP: Angelo Pacifici, Eric Raptosh nEdit: Rock Paper Scissors, Andrew MannenTelicine: New Hat, Beau LeonnMusic: Q Department, Drazen Bosnjak, composernStylist: Jane VernonnStills: Jules RevellennIn an homage to Richard Avedon, a portrait accompanies each testimonial.nnAbout Lori HoeftnDirector Lori Hoeft has a degree in filmmaking from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. She is a member of the Directors Guild of America and won a Clio Award for her Nike spot. Her “Cleaning Girl” PSA for The Partnership at Drugfree.org was shortlisted for a Clio award. Hoeft has directed other pieces around the theme of drug abuse and addiction as well as cyber bullying. Click here to view Hoeft’s reel.nnAbout The Partnership at Drugfree.orgnNinety percent of addictions get their start in the teenage years. The Partnership at Drugfree.org is dedicated to helping families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. Bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts and communications professionals, this public health nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, parenting, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources at Drugfree.org. Its You Are Not Alone campaign is dedicated to supporting families of the 11 million teens and young adults who need addiction treatment, while the organization’s community education programs reach families at the grassroots level. The Partnership at Drugfree.org mission to help parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector. We are thankful to SAG/AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.
Contact:
Lori Hoeft Director Contact Lori via email
Contact:Cassie Goldberg The Partnership at Drugfree.org">Drugfree.org 212-973-3524 Contact Cassie via email
SPW Category:Public Service Announcement (PSA) News
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More
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