Way back in June Ashlee from Kids Cancer Care asked us if we would be willing to take part in the KCC 2012 video. They were looking to feature 2 families who they would interview and film at various events and then would make a 90 second to 2 minute clip as part of the 2012 video. We were thrilled to be asked and even more excited to help out Kids Cancer Care in any way.We met with the producer and the director in July and discussed our journey and the impact the KCC has had on our lives so far. We showed them our blog, Karlee’s photo album, both kids beads and various other stuff we have collected so far. They met the kids and got to see how they react to different people. They talked to us about how they saw the shoot going and what we should expect. We then worked out a date for them to come and spend the day with us taking some video.
On August 19th they showed up at our house at 9am. We had Grandma looking after the kids in the morning so we could have uninterrupted time to be interviewed. It took a while for them to determine where to shoot us and then it took even longer to make sure the background was perfect. They had us make the house very dark and then set up lights in the house. It is amazing how small your house feels when there is a camera and a couple big lights setup.
We spent over 2 hours talking to them about everything and anything to do with cancer, The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, camp and life in general. They made us feel very comfortable and made it very easy to talk to them. There were some very emotional moments and some funny and happy times. It was a good experience and we enjoyed sharing our journey.
After they got back from lunch we did some outside shooting. This we neat because they captured the kids running around and playing with Grandma. They got to hold a white board that they will impose words on during the video. We sat down and talked about the beaded journey and how each bead had a special meaning. That was really interesting looking at how long both kids beads have gotten over the year. We then looked through a couple of photo albums and talked about some memories while they filmed us. Somewhere in the middle of all this we even managed to squeeze in a wardrobe change. At the very end they got Ryley jumping into the pool which was very, very cold.
Now they disappear for a while a edit the video to make it into something that makes sense. It is amazing to think they are going to take 4 or 5 hours of video and edit it down to 90 seconds. They are supposed to give us a call and let us come in and take a look at the first cut. We are looking forward to seeing what they create.Hopefully this video will serve a couple of different functions. The primary reason is for Kids Cancer Care to use the video to raise funds to continue offering the great programs they do. They will be posting the video on their website and showing it at events to show people the positive impact they are having in the lives of young cancer patients and their families. A secondary reason for the video would be to help other families. We have drawn incredible strength and support from all the families we have met. It would be nice to be able to help some of the newer families in some little way. This video will also give Karlee and Ryley something to look back on in 20 years and say we made it through an incredible journey. It will be a permanent reminder of where we were one year after diagnosis.
We are looking forward to sharing this video with everyone when it is released in early 2012.
