Help With a Very Special Project.

[John Bannister]

Hi all,

As you all know life can change in the blink of an eye but it never really sinks in until it happens to you.

13 days ago I sent a text to my son as he was going to skateboard down to my office to get a ride home, I texted, "Dont mess about mate, I need to get outta here early" I got no reply text.

About 35 minutes later I got a phone call from the Duty Doctor at the local hospital saying my son was there in the E.R and he was unconscious. He had come off his longboard and was not wearing a helmet. When I arrived at the ER my son ( Michael ) was indeed out cold, he was in a neck brace, he had IV's everywhere and they were busy inserting a Catheter into him. I spent 3 long days and nights in the Critical Care Unit, he was unconscious most of the time only waking for a few minutes here and there and only long enough to throw up repeatedly in to little paper bowls, the first 72 hours were the toughest of my life bare none.


Fast forward to yesterday, I bought my son home. He has permanently lost all hearing in his right ear and has facial Palsy that may or may not get better over time not to mention that he has no recollection of the accident. Two fractures to his skull and many abrasions. His DR said he doged a bullet, he had seen lesser injuries claim lives. Michael as you can imagine is thankful to be alive, but shattered at the same time that his dream of joining the armed forces is no longer an option. We ALL have a lot of healing to do.


My son for a 19 year old is amazing and his attitude throughout this entire ordeal has been one of a person well above his years, I am so very proud of him.


As we were on the couch talking he asked me if I thought I could produce a video with my Scarlet that would promote the use of Helmets for Skateboard and Scooter riders in NZ. I said “it could be done, why?” He told me that he would like to go around the schools in our area and maybe blow them away with a cool short movie on what happened to him and why it so important to wear protective gear, maybe get a couple of famous riders to pipe in. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it is a fantastic idea and if my son is willing to be “spokesman” I am willing to do all I can to make it happen.


To be honest, I have no idea where to start with a project like this and because it is so important to both my son and myself, I want to do it right.
So team, I am looking for some resources and ideas here…


If anyone would like to be involved in this project and donate some time, ideas and skills I would love to start an open discussion on how to accomplish it. If the message gets through to just one child, it will all be worth it, no parent should go through such an ordeal that could have so simply been avoided.

or email.. johnbannister at globalblackops dot com

Heart felt thanks to all...

 

[PatrickFaith]

There's a couple of good reality tv books, main thing is to figure out a story ... a simple one is the "recovery" (should at least be act 1) ... just shoot his recovery for now

 

[John Bannister]

There's a couple of good reality tv books, main thing is to figure out a story ... a simple one is the "recovery" (should at least be act 1) ... just shoot his recovery for now

Sounds like a good place to start Patrick, cheers mate.

 

[Richie Trimble]

I'm very involved in the Los Angeles bicycle scene and am ready and armed for shooting. Let me know what you need shot here in LA, John.

 

[Michael Millichamp]

This is really heart breaking. Im glad your son is alright.

Hope everything turns our good for you and your family John.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hi all,

As you all know life can change in the blink of an eye but it never really sinks in until it happens to you.

13 days ago I sent a text to my son as he was going to skateboard down to my office to get a ride home, I texted, "Dont mess about mate, I need to get outta here early" I got no reply text.

About 35 minutes later I got a phone call from the Duty Doctor at the local hospital saying my son was there in the E.R and he was unconscious. He had come off his longboard and was not wearing a helmet. When I arrived at the ER my son ( Michael ) was indeed out cold, he was in a neck brace, he had IV's everywhere and they were busy inserting a Catheter into him. I spent 3 long days and nights in the Critical Care Unit, he was unconscious most of the time only waking for a few minutes here and there and only long enough to throw up repeatedly in to little paper bowls, the first 72 hours were the toughest of my life bare none.


Fast forward to yesterday, I bought my son home. He has permanently lost all hearing in his right ear and has facial Palsy that may or may not get better over time not to mention that he has no recollection of the accident. Two fractures to his skull and many abrasions. His DR said he doged a bullet, he had seen lesser injuries claim lives. Michael as you can imagine is thankful to be alive, but shattered at the same time that his dream of joining the armed forces is no longer an option. We ALL have a lot of healing to do.


My son for a 19 year old is amazing and his attitude throughout this entire ordeal has been one of a person well above his years, I am so very proud of him.


As we were on the couch talking he asked me if I thought I could produce a video with my Scarlet that would promote the use of Helmets for Skateboard and Scooter riders in NZ. I said “it could be done, why?” He told me that he would like to go around the schools in our area and maybe blow them away with a cool short movie on what happened to him and why it so important to wear protective gear, maybe get a couple of famous riders to pipe in. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it is a fantastic idea and if my son is willing to be “spokesman” I am willing to do all I can to make it happen.


To be honest, I have no idea where to start with a project like this and because it is so important to both my son and myself, I want to do it right.
So team, I am looking for some resources and ideas here…


If anyone would like to be involved in this project and donate some time, ideas and skills I would love to start an open discussion on how to accomplish it. If the message gets through to just one child, it will all be worth it, no parent should go through such an ordeal that could have so simply been avoided.

or email.. johnbannister at globalblackops dot com

Heart felt thanks to all...

John,

firstly truly sorry for what happened to Michael, yet glad He is kinda of okay, but very glad that He has such drive to do this.

I'm coming to Wellington NZ, and I'll be more then happy to prolong my visit in order to shoot the short with your son, as I find it an incredibly worthy cause!!

I haven't asked, but I know that I can look to Park Road's facility to do the post on the short.

Been also a writer I'll have no problem in writing the story line either...

My best friend's son, is also a skater in Vegas, and I never seen him once ware an helmet!! He is 13, so many kids don't ware an helmet to be cool... But is not so cool when your head gets smashed to the side curb... So this is something that really will save lives.

Lets talked over email me ketchrossi@ketchrossistudios.com


PS: Best of health to your son, and a fast and full recovery!!

 

[Lliam Worthington]

Hi John,

Incredibly sorry to hear bout your boy, but so glad he's ok. You of all people are not a guy who needs a reality check on the value of life,
so i'm sure you guys will do a fantastic project. That very may well save lives and prevent the devastation such tragedies cause to families. Very valuable work mate.

I used to direct and tour a suicide prevention theatre piece that would be followed by workshops here in Oz, it's a tough audience to impact on with the - bullet proof - live forever - worry tomorrow - nature of youth, but if anyone can reach them, it's very likely a personal appeal by a peer with a powerful story to tell, and a man who also has been through their own very powerful story.

One of the interesting things that worked very well with some of our workshops, was playback theatre. Young people are known to have issues with seeing cause and effect, they prefer not to think about it, and the only other way you learn it is generally the hard way, via experience. So playback theatre was a means devised to help young people see the cause and effect of their actions. Where a scenario would play out, critical decisions would be made, and then the consequences of those decisions would be shown. Then you would rewind so you speak, get the audience to reconsider where and how things could be done differently - and then follow through the cause and effect. Was extremely powerful when done well and dramatically enabled you to have the obvious, very worst case scenario, through to minor - but still sucks - like maybe being booked for not having a helmet and being grounded and not being able to go out and see the girl who then dates someone else blah blah... Through to a positive ideal result. Which in this case could all be something so painless as putting on the helmet, but we often went deeper and showed how events and courses of action would spiral and how maybe an attitude towards safe behaviour or risk taking in general could be addressed.

HAve always thought this could be done extremely well with film and I'm sure some people have. Just a thought.

Wishing you all the very best with it mate.

Lliam

PS. Ketch Rossi - you sir, rock.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Keep it personal, keep it simple and they'll remember it.

I have an old helmet cracked in half that took the hit for me once. I hold onto as a reminder any time I feel tempted to 'not bother'.

I would approach it like you would any ad campaign. Write out all the reasons people aren't doing it and then tailor the message to directly address those 'arguments'. Thinking back one thing to definitely not do is make it "cool" or hip. That always backfires.

I imagine your target audience is teenagers as you say. Any younger and they're probably under the supervision of their parents. I would say treat them like rational adults. Take them seriously and they'll listen seriously.

 

[brett ogden]

Hi all,

As you all know life can change in the blink of an eye but it never really sinks in until it happens to you.

13 days ago I sent a text to my son as he was going to skateboard down to my office to get a ride home, I texted, "Dont mess about mate, I need to get outta here early" I got no reply text.

About 35 minutes later I got a phone call from the Duty Doctor at the local hospital saying my son was there in the E.R and he was unconscious. He had come off his longboard and was not wearing a helmet. When I arrived at the ER my son ( Michael ) was indeed out cold, he was in a neck brace, he had IV's everywhere and they were busy inserting a Catheter into him. I spent 3 long days and nights in the Critical Care Unit, he was unconscious most of the time only waking for a few minutes here and there and only long enough to throw up repeatedly in to little paper bowls, the first 72 hours were the toughest of my life bare none.


Fast forward to yesterday, I bought my son home. He has permanently lost all hearing in his right ear and has facial Palsy that may or may not get better over time not to mention that he has no recollection of the accident. Two fractures to his skull and many abrasions. His DR said he doged a bullet, he had seen lesser injuries claim lives. Michael as you can imagine is thankful to be alive, but shattered at the same time that his dream of joining the armed forces is no longer an option. We ALL have a lot of healing to do.


My son for a 19 year old is amazing and his attitude throughout this entire ordeal has been one of a person well above his years, I am so very proud of him.


As we were on the couch talking he asked me if I thought I could produce a video with my Scarlet that would promote the use of Helmets for Skateboard and Scooter riders in NZ. I said “it could be done, why?” He told me that he would like to go around the schools in our area and maybe blow them away with a cool short movie on what happened to him and why it so important to wear protective gear, maybe get a couple of famous riders to pipe in. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it is a fantastic idea and if my son is willing to be “spokesman” I am willing to do all I can to make it happen.


To be honest, I have no idea where to start with a project like this and because it is so important to both my son and myself, I want to do it right.
So team, I am looking for some resources and ideas here…


If anyone would like to be involved in this project and donate some time, ideas and skills I would love to start an open discussion on how to accomplish it. If the message gets through to just one child, it will all be worth it, no parent should go through such an ordeal that could have so simply been avoided.

or email.. johnbannister at globalblackops dot com

Heart felt thanks to all...

John,

firstly truly sorry for what happened to Michael, yet glad He is kinda of okay, but very glad that He has such drive to do this.

I'm coming to Wellington NZ, and I'll be more then happy to prolong my visit in order to shoot the short with your son, as I find it an incredibly worthy cause!!

I haven't asked, but I know that I can look to Park Road's facility to do the post on the short.

Been also a writer I'll have no problem in writing the story line either...

My best friend's son, is also a skater in Vegas, and I never seen him once ware an helmet!! He is 13, so many kids don't ware an helmet to be cool... But is not so cool when your head gets smashed to the side curb... So this is something that really will save lives.

Lets talked over email me ketchrossi@ketchrossistudios.com


PS: Best of health to your son, and a fast and full recovery!!

I am Praying for You and Michael.

Wow Ketch that is Great of you to prolong your Trip to shoot the short!

I would like to offer my help with any WebWork (WebSite design) for marketing. Please PM me

 

[Jeff Whitehurst]

John, As a new Dad my heart breaks to think about what you went through with your son. It also great to hear he's already improving. In my experience, big changes like this are almost never as bad as we first think, so keep your chin up and take it one day at a time. Just remember, there's nothing so bad that it can't be made good It sounds like you and your son are making your best moves to get to that place. All I could offer would be a observation that you rarely if ever see Tony hawk without a helmet on. Maybe some REDUser knows him?
Best wishes, Jeff

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

"In just 10 seconds you could save a life. It won't even cost you a dime. This act of self sacrifice won't earn you a parade, it won't make you popular, it won't land a date with... you know who, and it definitely won't win any fashion awards--but it just might buy you enough time do everything else. Wear a helmet and the life you save is your own.

It took ___ months in the hospital but I am now able to hear out of one ear and I might be able to ______, but the doctors aren't sure. I'm one of the lucky ones. Change your life forever, wear a helmet. It's worth the hassle.

---Scroll List of people killed without helmets---" End.

In the end though I think nothing beats a personal story being told by the people affected. Just put it in their heads that it's not worth the risk. It's ultimately game theory. "Helmet is guaranteed to be annoying. Danger to self is remote and abstract." Make the danger real, close and relatable.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

"In just 10 seconds you could save a life. It won't even cost you a dime. This act of self sacrifice won't earn you a parade, it won't make you popular, it won't land a date with... you know who, and it definitely won't win any fashion awards--but it just might buy you enough time do everything else. Wear a helmet and the life you save is your own.

It took ___ months in the hospital but I am now able to hear out of one ear and I might be able to ______, but the doctors aren't sure. I'm one of the lucky ones. Change your life forever, wear a helmet. It's worth the hassle.

---Scroll List of people killed without helmets---" End.

In the end though I think nothing beats a personal story being told by the people affected. Just put it in their heads that it's not worth the risk. It's ultimately game theory. "Helmet is guaranteed to be annoying. Danger to self is remote and abstract." Make the danger real, close and relatable.

Right on the money Gavin, even so I was sure thinking of involvement of BLOOD and stunt work, but this is why I offered the prolonging of my trip in NZ, and bringing extra gear so that this can be shot there with Michael, the actual victim of such tragedy, which could have been worst, much worst, as I have your same beliefs, such involvement of the involved person will give more value and weight to the message.

 

[John Bannister]

All,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your well wishes for my family and for the amazing offers and support. I am still trying to digest the feedback you have all given. The PM's have been wonderful and I have passed them on to Mike.

Richie, I imagine that there will be a real need for some skateboard, bicycle, scooter footage. Stunts, jumps, bowls etc you name it, I am sure we could use it! Very generous offer mate, cheers!

Brett, Pm will be heading your way shortly, will definitely in the need.

Jeff, putting the feelers out as we speak mate, already have one lead Great idea!

Gavin...sounds like a perfect approach to the project, I am sure this will become the backbone of how we approach it, thanks mate.

Lliam, always the rock with solid advice and feedback, this could definitely be something that springboards off the original production, education never sleeps mate, I will shoot you a PM soon, if you have the time I may bend your ear on this some more Good to hear from you mate.

Ketch...
you never cease to amaze, your offer is generous and humbling and it would indeed be an honour to work with you. I will email you shortly, thank you.

I could have never imagined a better start to the project, thank you all!

 

[Michael McLaughlin]

you could also show snow boarders to...

you could also show snow boarders to...

We just never skied and snowboarded with helmets.

Then a close friend had a bad fall off a horse, and she wasn't wearing a helmet, and she has never been quiet the same (bad concusion put her in a short coma).


My buddy who was first to the hospital to see her(who I went skiing and snowboarding with), decided on getting a helmet for skiing the next week. I went with him
and purchased one to.



I think of all the years I skied as a young child and how lucky I was.


Wearing a helmet feels right, so right I wear one for regular biking. Stories do help, just present the logic and why it extends to other sports to, and then why it's good for
skate boarding.

 

[Jeff Whitehurst]

John, Glad to see things are taking off nicely for you, it sounds like a very worthy project. I never have been much of a skateboarder, I would rather splash than bounce, so I surf instead Seriously, though, I think it might be powerful to enforce with the audience that riding with a helmet makes a rider more confident to pull off risky maneuvers, which is I think why Tony Hawk always uses one. If helmets are perceived as an advantage to progression, that may help make the idea much more attractive.
Best, Jeff

 

[paulherrin]

Count me in.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and I'm glad to hear that the recovery is going as well as it is.

These other guys have provided some good ideas... keep it simple, keep it real, keep it personal. Teach and expect young people to be intelligent and they very likely will be. I tend to think people react to stories more deeply than advertising and public service announcements. Don't try to sell any thing/idea. Let people make decisions. Maybe just tell a/the story... that seems to be a good way to learn about important things.

The immediacy and realness of this spot has stuck with me. (warning: graphic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E
If you use shock value, it has to be real and probably understated as much as possible to be really effective. Otherwise it just wears off. Truth never goes away.

 

[Ivan Kovax]

Sorry to hear of this john.

I am in Tokyo. If I could help I would love to shot something with my epic...

Nobody wears protective gear here, which is rather disconcerting given the amount of cycling accidents that occur.

Hope your son recovers speedy and well!
Ivan

 

[Lliam Worthington]

All,

Lliam, always the rock with solid advice and feedback, this could definitely be something that springboards off the original production, education never sleeps mate, I will shoot you a PM soon, if you have the time I may bend your ear on this some more Good to hear from you mate.

Be my joy to speak with you further at any time mate.

take care

Best

Lliam

 

[John Bannister]

Cherish EVERY DAY! Mike the day of the Accident. Grab your kids and hug them

Jeff I hear you mate, I have surfed for most of my life...First thing I did with my American kids when I brought them home to NZ...got boards for all of them

Ivan and Paul. I am trying to get a list together in regards to what we will need and will shake out some details over the next couple of days...look for a post soon! and thank you!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

...
Ketch...
you never cease to amaze, your offer is generous and humbling and it would indeed be an honour to work with you. I will email you shortly, thank you...

He he, its my true pleasure to do what I can to help others when its possible, and this cause is a worthy one, look forward to discuss details via email, and meet you and Michael in NZ!!

I'm also seeing what I can do to bring some Celebrity power to this Spot...