Hey everyone, I am new to this (will be first film) and had a question about making a very controversial film. It deals with abuses in healthcare, things that people don't realize happen. For instance, a person goes in for surgery, as soon as they are out, medical students are brought in, lined up to give rectal exams without the patient knowing.
See: Medical students are performing intrusive exams on unconscious patients
and
Medical Student Won't Perform Pelvic Exams on Anesthetized Patients
Another issue is doctors forcing women to have pelvic exams before they prescribe medication. Oral contraceptives do NOT require pelvic exams to be prescribed.
See: (Mother Jones) Holding Birth Control Hostage
There is also the issue of sexual predators in healthcare.
See: Is Dr. Mark Donnell lying to protect a sexual predator?
and
Ayres sentenced to 8 years on molestation charges
and
Johns Hopkins To Pay $190 Million For Gynecologist Who Secretly Recorded Women's Exams
Unfortunately people would rather have sexually abusive, physically abusive, coercive, incompetent, or bad healthcare than no healthcare. I have the (short) film story boarded (10-2-15min long), I have the research and academic references (most important) that show this is real and the damage it is doing, and I have most of the dialogue written.
So I am l looking for advice on doing a controversial piece.
I was thinking of using students because I (basically) have no financial backing, it can be filmed in any park, only needs 5 actors. It has the potential to launch a career (the public is so unaware of the abuses). It will be made for the internet so the camera does not need to be high end.
What does everyone think about this strategy of students?
How and where do I find students or anyone who would want to be part of this project (pitch the project)?
(I live between NYC and Philadelphia, ideally finding people in either place.)
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
Update: I am adding this for clarification.
My audience is the average person who is unaware of the inner workings of the healthcare system (until they are violated).
The film is going to be sexual predators (one a doctor and the others not in healthcare) talking amongst themselves. The doctor is explaining how being in healthcare his "urges" are satisfied (legally) by what patients are required to submit to.
There are few protections for patients. If a doctor feels something is medically necessary, they can do (almost) anything they want and it is NOT illegal. The purpose is to raise awareness so people can protect themselves.
Current guidelines expect that EVERY PERSON in the US annually, get undress, submit to a complete physical exam (including genital and rectal exams), EVERY YEAR. That does not include additional undressing for exams (pelvic exams, sports exams, skin cancer exams, colonoscopies, mammograms) that may be annual or every couple years.
Almost every healthcare encounter includes the patient getting naked (and putting on a gown that covers nothing). Healthcare is more concerned with naked bodies and genitalia than the porn industry. This is excessive and abusive. There are even guidelines that justify a genital exam for a sore throat! I will not even go into the pediatric guidelines, they are absolutely disgusting (one calls for a genital exam at every visit).
I cannot do a documentary because many doctors do not want to disclose what happens and none will speak of what goes on. Just look at the issue of Medical Student Won't Perform Pelvic Exams on Anesthetized Patients.
See: Medical students are performing intrusive exams on unconscious patients
and
Medical Student Won't Perform Pelvic Exams on Anesthetized Patients
Another issue is doctors forcing women to have pelvic exams before they prescribe medication. Oral contraceptives do NOT require pelvic exams to be prescribed.
See: (Mother Jones) Holding Birth Control Hostage
There is also the issue of sexual predators in healthcare.
See: Is Dr. Mark Donnell lying to protect a sexual predator?
and
Ayres sentenced to 8 years on molestation charges
and
Johns Hopkins To Pay $190 Million For Gynecologist Who Secretly Recorded Women's Exams
Unfortunately people would rather have sexually abusive, physically abusive, coercive, incompetent, or bad healthcare than no healthcare. I have the (short) film story boarded (10-2-15min long), I have the research and academic references (most important) that show this is real and the damage it is doing, and I have most of the dialogue written.
So I am l looking for advice on doing a controversial piece.
I was thinking of using students because I (basically) have no financial backing, it can be filmed in any park, only needs 5 actors. It has the potential to launch a career (the public is so unaware of the abuses). It will be made for the internet so the camera does not need to be high end.
What does everyone think about this strategy of students?
How and where do I find students or anyone who would want to be part of this project (pitch the project)?
(I live between NYC and Philadelphia, ideally finding people in either place.)
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
Update: I am adding this for clarification.
My audience is the average person who is unaware of the inner workings of the healthcare system (until they are violated).
The film is going to be sexual predators (one a doctor and the others not in healthcare) talking amongst themselves. The doctor is explaining how being in healthcare his "urges" are satisfied (legally) by what patients are required to submit to.
There are few protections for patients. If a doctor feels something is medically necessary, they can do (almost) anything they want and it is NOT illegal. The purpose is to raise awareness so people can protect themselves.
Current guidelines expect that EVERY PERSON in the US annually, get undress, submit to a complete physical exam (including genital and rectal exams), EVERY YEAR. That does not include additional undressing for exams (pelvic exams, sports exams, skin cancer exams, colonoscopies, mammograms) that may be annual or every couple years.
Almost every healthcare encounter includes the patient getting naked (and putting on a gown that covers nothing). Healthcare is more concerned with naked bodies and genitalia than the porn industry. This is excessive and abusive. There are even guidelines that justify a genital exam for a sore throat! I will not even go into the pediatric guidelines, they are absolutely disgusting (one calls for a genital exam at every visit).
I cannot do a documentary because many doctors do not want to disclose what happens and none will speak of what goes on. Just look at the issue of Medical Student Won't Perform Pelvic Exams on Anesthetized Patients.
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