Re: Three Rivers - news, links, discussion - part 7
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:13 am
Donate Life America have an interview with Carol Barbee on their Facebook page.
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/DonateLife?ref= ... 878&ref=nf
And here's the article:
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/DonateLife?ref= ... 878&ref=nf
And here's the article:
The Donate Life Community nationwide is gearing up for CBS’s new television drama, “Three Rivers.” Premiering on Sunday, October 4, 9/8c, the show spotlights stories of generosity, hope and inspiration that are inherent in the daily work of transplant and procurement professionals. The series will weave three stories of giving, receiving and bringing those gifts together.
We sat down with the show’s creator and Executive Producer, Carol Barbee, to discuss how she prepared to write the show and what she hopes to achieve by telling these incredible stories each week.
How did the idea for the show originate?
I was actually doing research for another medical drama that I was considering developing and I saw a documentary about a hospital, in which there was a story of a transplant and I thought it was really fascinating. All three areas – the donor story, the recipient story and their family, and then the doctors and their personal lives – were very interesting to me. I also thought it was fascinating and moving how all of these lives came together because of a random event; they become the answers to each other’s prayers. It also spoke to a theme that I really like – we’re all one, we’re all taking caring of each other; the global community aspect of it.
How did you prepare to write the pilot for Three Rivers? And what was that experience like?
Once I sold the idea, I started doing a lot more research. I spoke to a former transplant coordinator, who put me in touch with a bunch of people, who were incredibly generous with their time. Donate Life was amazingly helpful and answered many questions for me, and also put me in touch with an organ procurement coordinator, who I was able to go on call with and follow around. It was so interesting and so moving. I also spent time at the Cleveland Clinic with their transplant team. My strategy was to drop myself in that world and let the story find me. And I found no shortage of drama on either side!
Did you have any special connection with organ donation or transplant before getting involved with the show?
Well, I’ve always been a registered organ donor. And although it’s not with organ donation specifically, my nephew had Leukemia 12 years ago and had to have a bone marrow transplant (it had been in remission and then it relapsed). It was a harrowing experience – the two weeks they were looking for a donor were the worst two weeks of our lives. Luckily, they found that his sister was a match. He was incredibly lucky – many of the kids he was in the hospital with had died because they couldn’t find a match. That’s why you need as many people on the registry as possible so people can. And I have to say, I feel so lucky that we’re in a country where there is this access to organ donation.
What did you take away from your participating in the Donate Life Hollywood (DLH) Film Festival?
That was an incredible weekend. It was the first time I had done an event that was associated with this show and organ donation. What really struck me were the patient stories – it made me so proud to be a part of the community.
Has your perception of organ donation and transplantation changed since writing the pilot? If so, how?
Before, I was really naïve about it, but now learning about the details of it all and what the patients/families go through and what the after care is like, I just appreciate it all a lot more. I always had a positive view of it, but now I have a deeper positive view after seeing the need more specifically up close and the good that it does! One thing that really surprised me is that the donation not only benefits the recipient, but also the family of the donor. There’s comfort to be had knowing that some part of your loved one lives on – it never occurred to me that there was a psychological benefit for the donor family.
There are a lot of myths out there surrounding donation and transplantation that can impede people from registering as donors. How are you and your team of writers working to assure that Three Rivers “gets it right”?
All of our scripts are being read by Donate Life and UNOS to make sure that nothing we’re doing is “off.” We’ve made a commitment to be as accurate as possible, and I’ve also found that the drama is more interesting when it’s real or based on something real. In fact, the writers get really upset about these myths and want to write episodes dispelling them; we’re actually doing an episode about the myth of EMTs not saving people b/c they’re a donor. What we’re basically trying to do is tell stories here and there that touch on these myths and dispel them.
Do you think medical TV has any responsibilities to the public rather than just to entertain?
I do. I think that when you’re doing a show about this kind of subject matter that can change the way people live their lives or the way they approach healthcare, it’s important that we get it right. I also feel like TV is a powerful medium and can be a powerful weapon if it’s turned against you. We have to be very careful how we use it. This is a show to be entertaining, but there’s great human drama in there and we have a responsibility to get it right.
What have you learned about organ donation and transplantation while working with the community?
The most important thing to me is the emotional and spiritual value that comes out of the act of donation. I’ve been overwhelmed with respect and the procurement teams that do this work. They have purpose in their job and I was really inspired by the way they approached their work – they were engaged in a mission more than just doing a job. I wish the public could see the way these doctors are and their dedication!
I also thought that connection you make on such a visceral level – you’re a human life and someone else can save your own life – through organ donation is so important. It’s a random act of faith – so shouldn’t we all be on the list to ensure that someone else is there to save our lives?
The 16,000 fans of the Donate Life America FB page are people who are especially motivated to spread messages about the importance of organ donation. Is there any “inside” information about the show this season that you would be willing to share with this group of people?
One neat thing to look out for in episode two is that Alex [O’Loughlin] is wearing a Donate Life bracelet. Also, we actually have a lot of extras who were former recipients or donors or who had personal experience with donation, which I thought really added to the authenticity.
Also, there’s an interesting story behind a promo that CBS is doing for the show. They had identified this great song to use in the promo – it was very focused on survival – and the band that sings the song didn’t initially want to sell the rights to it. But, when the band found out that it was to promote a show about organ donation and transplantation, they instantly wanted to give the rights to it because the band’s lead singer had had a bone marrow transplant. They felt a great personal connection, which I thought was fantastic!
Anything else you’d like our Facebook fans to know about the show?
Our doctors are really hot – and who doesn’t like cute doctors? The stories are really rich and we hope to honor this community by telling stories about people that everyone can relate to. I hope we get to tell these stories for a long time!
too tired to read straight tonight!!!
At least I didn't call you Helga... or Sherman... 
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