STORMING Documentary - Help Reach Our Stretch Goal
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SITUATED WITHIN THE NATIONAL "RIGHT TO LIFE" CONVERSATION, ONE FAMILY'S DECISION CONFRONTS THE REALITIES OF CARE-TAKING FOR THOSE IN A VEGETATIVE STATE AND PROVOKES THE DISPUTED QUESTION: WHAT DOES LIFE MEAN?
THE STORY:
In Storming , we will follow the daily lives and challenges of the Diviney family 9 years following a tragic attack which left their son Ryan nearly comatose with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The documentary offers an intimate view into Ryan’s physical care provided by his father Ken and the often frustrating world of insurance claims and finances navigated by his mother Sue, as they sacrifice the life they once knew in a fighting attempt to keep both Ryan and his story alive.
The film will explore the ambiguity of “life” for those suffering from an extreme TBI along with the complex dialogue and often controversial decision-making required of those who love them.
With supporting narratives from family, medical experts, friends, and others, the audience will follow the Divineys' tenacious fight to maintain Ryan's health as the clock ticks toward an unlikely recovery while his attackers live free. After nearly 10 years of fulfilling a promise to their son, they struggle to answer the ultimate question: Have they done all they can?
WHY MAKE THIS FILM?
In the early hours of November 7th, 2009, the promising life of 19-year old Ryan Diviney came to a halt in a senseless act of violence - his legacy snuffed out. The event, which sparked a nationwide discussion around TBI and ethics of the judicial system, forever changed the lives of the Diviney family who have dedicated themselves fully to maintaining Ryan’s physical state in the hope of recovery. Each year, chances of Ryan’s recovery decrease and life-threatening infections increase. This means we need to act now to give Ryan and the Diviney family a means to share their powerful story.
After the news crews leave and the spotlight fades, his attackers are released from brief prison sentences to resume normal lives while Ryan and his family are left in the dark.
First and foremost, Storming will challenge the traditional conversation of the “right to life” through an often unseen perspective of those affected by severe TBI. By documenting the outcome of one family’s decision to continue intensive at-home care for their son, the film seeks to compel viewers to ask themselves: what does "life" mean?
Secondly, the film seeks to raise awareness of the challenges millions of families face dealing with TBIs. Even with about 3 million TBI cases reported each year in the United States alone, treatment is often isolated, expensive and extremely physically and emotionally demanding on caretakers. Storming will share the innovative therapy regimen Ken has constructed to keep Ryan in top physical condition for his potential recovery in the hopes of educating others who are facing similar medical situations.
HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS:
Every single dollar donated in this campaign will go towards development and production of this film! To this point, our filmmakers have been volunteering their time, swapping their services for equipment, and have funded the project entirely out-of-pocket - but we need your help to make this film to its full potential. While there are many grants offering funds for post-production, most documentary films rely on individual donors and sponsors to support production in order to get them there.
We have already conducted interviews with Ken and Sue Diviney and have filmed supporting footage at their home in Ashburn, VA. Your donations will allow us to film our remaining interviews needed to help support the narrative, with important subjects such as CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in addition to spending more time filming with the Diviney family.
[BTS: Ken Diviney explains to Director / Producer Katrina Sorrentino the effects of vibration therapy.]
[BTS: Director of Photography Janelle Delia films Ken Diviney working to fix one of Ryan's many medical devices.]
If we can reach our minimum donation goal of $20,000 we’ll be able to dedicate ourselves to the production of this film over the next 6 months!
This will cover the following production costs:
• 30 days of filming
• Equipment rentals and expenses (think camera rentals, lights and hard drives)
• Travel expenses to conduct vital interviews (Sanjay Gupta, family, friends)
• Production insurance and location permits
Our stretch goal of $30,000 will allow us to produce this film with a higher production value, covering additional costs such as:
• Hiring a dedicated audio engineer for interviews shoots
• Hiring a production assistant for interview shoots
• Additional equipment rentals
• 6 additional b-roll film days
FOLLOW THE PROJECT
Once you've donated, be sure to follow the film on Facebook and Instagram @stormingfilm
To learn more about the film and subscribe for updates on its progress visit www.stormingfilm.com
For additional information about Ryan's story, visit Ken Diviney's blog ryansrally.org
THE STORY:
In Storming , we will follow the daily lives and challenges of the Diviney family 9 years following a tragic attack which left their son Ryan nearly comatose with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The documentary offers an intimate view into Ryan’s physical care provided by his father Ken and the often frustrating world of insurance claims and finances navigated by his mother Sue, as they sacrifice the life they once knew in a fighting attempt to keep both Ryan and his story alive.
The film will explore the ambiguity of “life” for those suffering from an extreme TBI along with the complex dialogue and often controversial decision-making required of those who love them.
With supporting narratives from family, medical experts, friends, and others, the audience will follow the Divineys' tenacious fight to maintain Ryan's health as the clock ticks toward an unlikely recovery while his attackers live free. After nearly 10 years of fulfilling a promise to their son, they struggle to answer the ultimate question: Have they done all they can?
WHY MAKE THIS FILM?
In the early hours of November 7th, 2009, the promising life of 19-year old Ryan Diviney came to a halt in a senseless act of violence - his legacy snuffed out. The event, which sparked a nationwide discussion around TBI and ethics of the judicial system, forever changed the lives of the Diviney family who have dedicated themselves fully to maintaining Ryan’s physical state in the hope of recovery. Each year, chances of Ryan’s recovery decrease and life-threatening infections increase. This means we need to act now to give Ryan and the Diviney family a means to share their powerful story.
After the news crews leave and the spotlight fades, his attackers are released from brief prison sentences to resume normal lives while Ryan and his family are left in the dark.
First and foremost, Storming will challenge the traditional conversation of the “right to life” through an often unseen perspective of those affected by severe TBI. By documenting the outcome of one family’s decision to continue intensive at-home care for their son, the film seeks to compel viewers to ask themselves: what does "life" mean?
Secondly, the film seeks to raise awareness of the challenges millions of families face dealing with TBIs. Even with about 3 million TBI cases reported each year in the United States alone, treatment is often isolated, expensive and extremely physically and emotionally demanding on caretakers. Storming will share the innovative therapy regimen Ken has constructed to keep Ryan in top physical condition for his potential recovery in the hopes of educating others who are facing similar medical situations.
HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS:
Every single dollar donated in this campaign will go towards development and production of this film! To this point, our filmmakers have been volunteering their time, swapping their services for equipment, and have funded the project entirely out-of-pocket - but we need your help to make this film to its full potential. While there are many grants offering funds for post-production, most documentary films rely on individual donors and sponsors to support production in order to get them there.
We have already conducted interviews with Ken and Sue Diviney and have filmed supporting footage at their home in Ashburn, VA. Your donations will allow us to film our remaining interviews needed to help support the narrative, with important subjects such as CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in addition to spending more time filming with the Diviney family.
[BTS: Ken Diviney explains to Director / Producer Katrina Sorrentino the effects of vibration therapy.][BTS: Director of Photography Janelle Delia films Ken Diviney working to fix one of Ryan's many medical devices.]If we can reach our minimum donation goal of $20,000 we’ll be able to dedicate ourselves to the production of this film over the next 6 months!
This will cover the following production costs:
• 30 days of filming
• Equipment rentals and expenses (think camera rentals, lights and hard drives)
• Travel expenses to conduct vital interviews (Sanjay Gupta, family, friends)
• Production insurance and location permits
Our stretch goal of $30,000 will allow us to produce this film with a higher production value, covering additional costs such as:
• Hiring a dedicated audio engineer for interviews shoots
• Hiring a production assistant for interview shoots
• Additional equipment rentals
• 6 additional b-roll film days
FOLLOW THE PROJECT
Once you've donated, be sure to follow the film on Facebook and Instagram @stormingfilm
To learn more about the film and subscribe for updates on its progress visit www.stormingfilm.com
For additional information about Ryan's story, visit Ken Diviney's blog ryansrally.org
Fundraising team (4)
Katrina Sorrentino
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Janelle Delia
Team member
Ken, Sue, Ryan, & Kari Diviney
Team member
Sue Diviney
Team member