Those of you who know me well, also know that I have a relatively wide portfolio of hobbies and pastimes!
This April, I am creating a 4 minute music video (don’t worry, I personally won’t be making the music) to outline the emotional journey that people go through as their child is born fighting for their life. For some, the journey is over in minutes, hours or days, for others it can be a battle that lasts months or even years. Parents watch as their child grows into a teenager, and later into an adult, as eventually the emotions of angst, worry and uncertainty are replaced with feelings of pride and happiness as they reach a point where they look at their son or daughter and realise that “looking at you now, you would never know.”
Hundreds of babies around the world are born everyday with conditions that are initially devastating, and incredibly difficult for their parents to comprehend, let alone believe the doctors when they tell them that the prognosis for their child to have a happy and healthy life is very good. These people grow up to be happy, healthy adults walking around our midst, many of which we would have no idea that they spent their early childhood fighting to survive or dealing with a condition that profoundly impacted their quality of life.
My aim of this short, yet powerful video clip is to provide reassurance to parents and families, that although they may be facing their darkest day, there will become a time where it will all be in the past, that their son or daughter will have a good quality of life, and there will become a point where unless they tell people, no-one will be able to tell what they have been through, whilst acknowledging the journey that they are going through and that there will be bumps in the road ahead to contend with first.
There will be no dialogue in the 4 minute clip, instead, the entire visual sequence will be set to the song ‘Wires’ by Athlete as I feel the lyrics to this song sums up this topic very well.
Want to help out?
If you want to feature in the video, please get in touch by emailing enquiries@kennyardouin.com and letting me know which parts you’d be interested in playing. You can also contact me on the above address with any questions you may have.
Here’s what you need to know:
To feature in the video, you need to be available at the following dates, times and places:
– Wednesday 9 April, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Christchurch (meeting and presentation of storyboard)
– Friday 18 April (Good Friday), 8:00am-5:00pm, Christchurch Hospital and Christchurch Airport (transport will be available, venues may change for operational reasons but will be within Christchurch). People will not be required to be available for this entire amount of time. Lunch will be provided.
Acting Positions Available
Main Character Positions – please note, actor/actress age does not have to match that of the part played – we can use costumes, makeup etc to dress an actor or actress.
Newborn Boy
Newborn Girl
Toddler boy
Early primary school girl
Year 4-5 aged boy
Year 9 aged boy
Year 9 aged girl
16-18 year old boy
16 year old girl
18-20 year old girl
21 year old man
21 year old woman
25 year old man
25 year old woman
Young mum (dressed to look ~25 years)
Young dad (dressed to look ~25 years)
Older mum (dressed to look ~35 years)
Older dad (dressed to look ~35 years)
Older proud mum (dressed to look ~50 years)
Older proud dad (dressed to look ~50 years)
Extra Positions
Doctors (x4)
Nurses (x4)
Male fiancé
Female fiancée
Vicar
Male best mates at 21st
Female BFFs at 21st
Brothers/Sisters (all ages)
Grandparents/other family members
You can apply for as many positions as you wish.
Logistical Help Needed
Despite the total production only being 4 minutes in duration, a lot of logistical help is needed to see this project through. If you are available on the above dates in Christchurch and can help with any of the following, please get in touch.
Logistics Positions Available
Camera Person (x2)
Makeup Assistant
Dressing Room Assistant
Driver (x2)
Backstage Co-ordinator
Catering Assistant
Please note that as this is a vocational project, all positions are voluntary and are therefore unpaid. Please ensure you are happy to do this before getting in touch.
KennyArdouin.com 