GOOD SHEPHERD
The triumph of the human spirit
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation, helping people rebuild strength, movement and independence after serious injury. Its annual Sweet Charity Gala raises funds for the Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit, where the youngest patients relearn how to stand and walk. Good Shepherd Sweet Charities asked Ruckus to give that mission a face, with the studio handling story development and pre-production, documentary cinematography, interviews and direction, and editing, score and motion graphics.
The film that opens the gala
The through-line was set from the start: communicate the triumph of the human spirit. The ask was specific too, shape a single patient's recovery into a short film, four to six minutes, built to premiere to the room on gala night. The story had to earn its emotion honestly and hold a crowd that had heard many appeals before.
From the first supported step to the front door
At sixteen, Megan Miller suffered a traumatic injury that left her completely paralyzed. At Good Shepherd she began the slow, deliberate work of recovery, and the film follows that work in full, from the first supported steps, measured and hard-won, to the shot the whole film is built toward: Megan walking home. The details carry the feeling along the way, a family photo, a handmade sign, the words the future is bright.
Frame by frame, across three locations
The film was built, frame by frame, from a tremendous amount of footage. Pre-production set the story synopsis, creative direction and coordination to find the shape of Megan's story before a single frame was shot. A Ruckus crew then captured interviews and observational b-roll across three locations, from the therapy gym to Megan's home. In post-production, editing, motion graphics and a licensed score cut it into a film built to be felt in a single sitting.
The film premiered to the room, and the room answered
Megan's Story helped power a record-setting Sweet Charity Gala for Good Shepherd's Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit. Then the film earned its own honor: a 2020 Emmy Award nomination for Health/Science/Environment: Program/Special, a rare distinction for a short film built to premiere once, in one room, on one night.
“What a beautiful and moving story. The storytelling from the team at Ruckus was incredible, they did an amazing job with a tremendous amount of footage. It brought tears to my eyes, and it will bring tears to others, I'm sure.”Elizabeth, Good Shepherd Marketing Team
