BCM Delivers “The Test” for Cielo Productions
July 9, 2010
BCM has delivered “The Test” for Cielo Productions. This documentary project follows the creation of a unique AIDS testing incentive program in the Lurambi District of Kenya, Africa.
Vestergaard Frandsen (VF), a leading disease control textile manufacturer, devised an incentivized program to encourage the citizens in the Lurambi District to come in and be tested for HIV / AIDS. VF donated two of their disease control products, PermaNet and Lifestraw to people in exchange for being tested. With Malaria and Diarrhea being very serious issues in Kenya, it was hoped that by offering these products for free, this would encourage more people to show up for the testing. You simply cannot treat the population for HIV / AIDS unless you know who has HIV.
HIV / AIDS has long been attached to a stigma among the Kenyan population. To even go and be tested for HIV was to potentially bring shame to yourself and your family, regardless of what the test results showed. VF hoped that by creating a community event where everyone would come to be tested together, not only would they discover who has HIV, but also start the process of eliminating the stigma associated with the disease.
Produced by Gary Strieker and BCM Principal Walter Biscardi, Jr., the one hour program follows the results of the pilot project in September of 2008. Strieker and his camera crews made multiple trips over a one year period to not only capture the event itself but to track the path of multiple citizens from Lurambi after finding out their status. Edited over a 6 month period at Biscardi Creative Media, Biscardi and Strieker collaborated on overall style and direction of the film. Biscardi and Kim O’Neill shared editing duties and Kim really put the film into its final polished state.
Delivery was a little bit of a challenge with VF requiring the finished product in both HD and SD, NTSC and PAL. The project was cut in 720p / 60 and then converted to 1080i / 29.97 for mastering. The master was sent to PostWorks New York for conversion to 1080i / 25. From the original and converted masters, Biscardi then authored two BluRay disc versions (PAL and NTSC) and two DVD versions (PAL and NTSC) for delivery to Vestergaard.
The film will be screened at the Global AIDS Conference in Vienna, Switzerland in July 0f 2010 and it is expected to be released on the international film festival circuit shortly thereafter.
Partial Credits:
Producer: Gary Strieker & Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Director & Writer: Gary Strieker
Photography: Rhett Turner, Ron Borden, Tyrone Edwards, Gregory Pope, Roger Herr
Sound Recording: Gregory Pope, James D. Mitchell
Editor: Walter Biscardi, Jr. & Kim O’Neill
Assistant Editor: Adrienne Latham
Sound Design: Patrick Belden
Colorist: Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Production Assistant: Jenny Reese
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