Students Make Film for Parkinson’s New Zealand

4 June 2009

Parkinson’s New Zealand
Media Release
For immediate use

Students Make Film for Parkinson’s New Zealand

Parkinson's New Zealand was chosen by a group of Massey University Public Relations Students for their class project focusing on creating awareness and exposure for a not-for-profit. The students decided to make a film for Parkinson’s New Zealand.

Parkinson's New Zealand provides education, information and support for people with Parkinson's, their caregivers, friends and families. Click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ParkinsonsNewZealand to view the newly completed film. It is also available on www.parkinsons.org.nz

The film was launched on Tuesday 2nd June at an intimate screening at Massey University Wellington. The launch was attended by people with Parkinson’s and their families, as well as Parkinson’s New Zealand Ambassador Jordan Luck (formerly of Kiwi band The Exponents), who performed and spoke about his experiences with Parkinson’s through his late father.

The students, based in Wellington and Palmerston North, worked on the film for over four months. The film includes interviews with people affected by Parkinson's, leading Neurologist Barry Snow, Ambassador Jordan Luck, and a Parkinson's New Zealand Field Officer.

The film is aimed at people who may have limited knowledge about what it means to live with Parkinson's.and explores the different affects that Parkinson's can have - ranging from depression, to the clarification and relief a diagnosis can bring.

Parkinson’s New Zealand hopes that the film will help combat misunderstandings and stereotypes about Parkinson's held by the general public. During their research, they conducted a survey which produced statistics such as 60% of respondents believe that Parkinson's is genetically inherited - this is an example of a misunderstanding the film aims to address.

“A lot of their film focuses on aspects of Parkinson's which are less commonly known, as well as providing human faces and real stories about Parkinson's,“ says Parkinson’s New Zealand Communications Officer Nicole Skews.

“For these students, this is the first film they have ever made and their first experience with Parkinson's and we are immensely proud of what they have produced.”

ENDS

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