Frontline Caregivers have a message for us all

ANSWER THE CALL: "Viral" Public Service Announcement. A Tribute to Caregivers, with a message from them to all of us. https://youtu.be/sHXfSW42h0k

Director Sam Small has morphed country-western songstress Shanna Jackman's 2018 anthem "Answer The Call" from its original intent to honor the first, first responders; 911 dispatchers, into a tribute to ALL responders and caregivers working the front lines of the Corona Virus Crisis.

Small says Jackman's chorus "tells the story and captures perfectly the appreciation we all feel right now for everyone who's everyday job is suddenly putting them in critical harm's way."

The video lasts less than 90 seconds but the takeaway message will have minds and hearts engaged for much, much longer. "Hopefully", says Small, "for as long as this virus has us all forced into isolation in order to save ourselves, and each other from the very real risk of death."

Jackman's powerful vocal imagery comes to life seeing these everyday heroes in action. The fierce appreciation she expresses for the personal sacrifices that every single one of them is making on our collective behalf, makes it impossible to ignore or deny the simple and extremely specific call to action that's delivered on-screen by a collective of caregivers, directed back to all Americans.

We won't spoil the impact of that message here, you'll have to watch the video to receive their unified and important plea to every one of us.

They're the ones behind the scenes, every day and night.
That friendly voice you need to hear when you're fighting for your life.
Not every angel wears their wings,
But they're always there for you and me.
To them, it's just a job after all,
When they answer the call.

The verses of the original tribute, co-written by Shanna Jackman, Lance Carpenter, and Ayla Brown, focus beautifully on the critical public service that 911 dispatchers provide.

Their exquisite storytelling is heart-wrenching and the passion of Jackman's vocal delivery is deeply authentic. She's lived it, working as a public safety dispatcher herself for over 14 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHXfSW42h0k

Jackman and Small didn't know one another until just days ago, but neither are new to combining their art and personal experience to authentically express appreciation for others and contribute what they can to the common good.

On the morning of 9/11, Sam stood with hundreds of other New Yorkers at Union Square cheering the first responders as they raced, sirens blaring, down Broadway towards the unthinkable harm of the Twin Tower's collapse.

In the disturbing months to follow "I did what I knew how to do, I filmed." says Small. "but it was years before I had enough emotional distance to edit any of it."

The result is a short tribute film titled "For The Missing" that has over 12,000 views on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHXfSW42h0k

"It's intense, weaving evocative words and images together into a tapestry that has maximum emotional impact." explains Small, "It's when I'm sobbing as I work that I know I'm getting it right.

I've probably watched the Answer The Call video over two hundred times now, and I still cannot get through it without choking up."

Small Wonder Video Services
Sam Small, Director
1880 Piiholo Rd.
Makawao HI, 96768
cel (973) 271-0788
sam@swvs.net

Shanna Jackman has written other powerful tribute anthems. About her song "We've Got Your Back" which honors those in military service Shanna says, "I didn't serve, but this is how I serve".

Jackman has won numerous awards for both her music and her community service.

Sam Small is the Executive Director of Maui Causes, a crowd-funded media production group supporting not-for-profit and environmental causes in Maui County, Hawaii

Shanna Jackman: www.ShannaJackman.com or call (615)-669-4289.

Sam Small: www.SmallWonderVideoServices.com and www.MauiCauses.com or call (973) 271 0788

This release was published on openPR.