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From the buzzards perspective...

Random articles that are created as I travel, experience new things, meet new people and discover new insights.

Writer's pictureEddy Weiss

Quiet on the set...


James Dickey plays Firefighter Brian Cook

It may be a few days before I post another blog so ya’ll are gonna have to go back and read through all the ones that you have missed! I will be doing my best to crank out more posts but I am excited to say that next week I will be a bit busy on the set of “Fighting the Fire”, a movie being filmed in the Shelbyville, Kentucky area.

The film has been years in the making and being produced by Little Chicago Pictures. “Fighting the Fire” focuses on first responders and will hopefully shed some light on the often overlooked mental health issues first responders are forced to face due to the strain of their rigorous careers.


“First responders have a very difficult job,” said Bobby Lacer, owner of Little Chicago Pictures. “Firefighters, police officers, medics, and all first responders see things that most of us could never imagine. They don’t do it for glory or recognition. They do it to serve the community. They do it to make a difference. Our hope is that this film will help shine a light on the struggles facing many of these men and women and their families.”


While the film is a fictional adaptation, Lacer, who also wrote the script and will direct the project, said all the stories shared within the film are based on real-life events and represent a true message of the horrors encountered by first responders, and how these events put a strain on not only their mental well-being, but also their families.

James Museitif plays Rookie Firefighter Ali Hamad

“This is a serious issue for first responders who are statistically five times more likely to suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and PTSD,” said Lacer. “Unfortunately, there has always been a stigma that first responders can handle these feelings, compartmentalize them. So many of these professionals do not talk to anyone or seek professional help. Our hope is that this film will bring awareness to the struggles first responders face day in and day out concerning their mental health.”


Actors James Dickey and Angela Katheryn Baker are the perfect match as husband and wife. The film really focuses on not just the firefighter (Dickey), but rather focuses on the whole family and the effects that the job has on the entire family unit. Don’t be fooled by the title; this movie delves into the lives of other characters including a struggling police officer, a military veteran-turned EMT and even a 911 dispatcher.

Cameron Ring is Det. Rick Shelton

In the movie, the pastor of the local church (played by me!) has a few tricks up his sleeve as his community experiences one tragedy after another. It is strange to be sharing my personal story in such a manner and I have to admit, even the script reading with the cast was an emotional time as real stories became a part of this film.


I could not be more excited about a project than I am about this film and I believe the potential of this film is enormous. I am enjoying getting to know the actors and cannot wait to post updates from the shoot itself!


The timing of this filming is more than perfect. As the final shot is completed, it will be May. Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as "Mental Health Month") has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings.

Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). During the month of May, MHA, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities which are based on a different theme each year.


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16230388/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm

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