GO DEEPER
Life Aid: A Story of Hope is a one-hour special that premiered on the Discovery Channel to a national television audience. It was also shown on the Science Channel, and American Heroes Channel.
The project, Written and Directed by our own Justin Jarrett and produced by our team was created in partnership with Al Roker Entertainment and the Life Aid Research Institute. Featuring first-hand accounts from 9/11 first responders, state troopers, and military veterans and their families as they battle PTSD, depression, and thoughts of suicide. We set out to discover how new therapies and technologies are being used to treat the health of the brain, reduce mental health symptoms, and ultimately prevent suicide.
SOCIAL ROLLOUT
In addition, to the television show, our team created a series of short films and PSA’s as companion pieces. The project was created as part of our Projects That Matter Initiative and directed by our own Justin Jarrett and Produced by Rick Angeli as part of a new campaign for the organization, Life Aid. The project, which wasn’t completely wrapped filming before the country went into mandatory lockdown due to the COVID19 virus continued production through online collaboration tools.
HUMBERTO'S STORY
FORMER NORTH CAROLINA STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
When former North Carolina State Highway Patrolman, Humberto, was in a tragic accident that left him with a severe traumatic brain injury his wife, Kay, was forced to search for answers.
After trying a series of ineffective treatments, she begins to look for alternatives modalities that have shown promising results.
Paco's Story
RETIRED 82ND AIRBORNE PARATROOPER
After losing numerous close friends while on tour overseas, retired Airborne Paratrooper, Paco, has struggled with PTSD and depression which has led to thoughts of suicide.
After struggling with the way medications made him feel, Paco seeks alternative methods of treatment such as Yoga and Hyberbaric treatment in order to find peace.
SEBBY'S Story
RETIRED FDNY FIREFIGHTER
In addition to PTSD and other health issues, many 9/11 first responders continue to lose their lives to toxic exposure stemming from their heroic efforts 19 years ago.
Retired FDNY Firefighter, Sebby, is hoping to shine a light on new treatments that may not only save himself, but his brothers that continue to struggle every single day.
John's Story
LIFEAID, FOUNDER
John Wordin is the founder of Life Aid and he has made it his mission to stop the cycle of suicide through cutting-edge science and technology.
José's Story
RETIRED NAVY VETERAN
When a former Navy Veteran loses his leg in the line of duty he is forced to cope with suicidal thoughts stemming from a severe case of PTSD while trying to raise a family.
Just when he thinks all hope is lost, he is provided access to new technologies and is able to see his brain injury and formulate a plan to heal for the first time.
PRESS
- Al Roker Sets Special On Veterans for Discovery
- Life Aid Research Institute Partners With Al Roker Entertainment to Create and Produce Life Aid: A Story of Hope to Air on Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel and Science Channel
- Al Roker Proud of his company’s Life Aid A Story of Hope
- In Focus by Al Roker
POST-PRODUCTION DURING COVID-19
Our team wasn’t completely finished with production when the pandemic shut everything down. We had our team go remote, with everyone working from home. Creating a one-hour television show when the entire post-production team is in different locations wasn’t always easy. Our Director had to communicate with our editors via Zoom calls, emails and phone calls. We also had to make sure that we were protecting and managing the media in the safest way possible by getting it back on the server every night. It just added an extra layer to everything, but our team was able to pull it off and deliver the television show to the Discovery Channel on time.
BEHIND THE SCENES
CREDITS
PRODUCED BY:
Al Roker Entertainment
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Al Roker
EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION:
Tracie Brennan
DIRECTOR:
Justin Jarrett
PRODUCER:
Rick Angeli
JTWO FILMS:
WRITER & DIRECTOR:
Justin Jarrett
PRODUCER:
Travis Capacete
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
Chris Harley
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Jay Miller
LOCATION SOUND:
Steven Layton
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER:
Conor Hare
EDITORS:
Maria Cantu
Ian Schobel
Steven Layton
COLOR GRADE:
Dave Bauer
AL ROKER ENTERTAINMENT:
POST PRODUCTION MANAGER:
Ricky Day
PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT:
Caren Franklin
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR:
Simone Moore
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:
Asha Smith
EMME SOLUTIONS, LLC:
Erica Rubach
Maria Paone
Krissy McNeil
LIBRARY MUSIC:
Jingle Punks
SPECIAL THANKS:
John Wordin
The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy
Village of Scarsdale Fire Department
Guiding Wellness
Infuse Life
Dept. of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Photographer Mark Roddenberry
North Carolina Hyperbarics and Wound Care
Park MGM, Las Vegas
This project was made possible through our Projects That Matter Initiative. The Projects That Matter Initiative is a program that was created over a decade ago for the benefit of non-profit organizations by providing them with cost-effective solutions for video production and other creative services. If you are a non-profit organization and are interested in learning how your organization can qualify or to simply learn more click the button below.