Still Breathing
An observational documentary following a 22-year-old cystic fibrosis patient named Pearl Cooley's life after two double lung transplants.
The Story
The short documentary “Still Breathing” will be an observational documentary following a 22 year old cystic fibrosis patient who lives in Guelph ON named Pearl Cooley. In the documentary, we will accompany Pearl through her daily routines and obstacles as she manages her disease, and see what her life is like post transplant. We will have the opportunity to visit Pearl’s home where she spends hours a day doing her medications, and even take a visit to St.Michaels Hospital to talk to the lead doctors and nurses who helped Pearl during of her months pre-transplant. The goal of this film is to display Pearls transformation as she regained her strength and determination to live with her new set of lungs. Her passion for helping others and animals has lead her to working closely with the Guelph Animal Humane Society, creating her own charities, and going back to school to pursue kinesiology. |
Follow our website for more information about Pearl, related resources, and our crew’s inspiration and thoughts on this documentary! |
The Cast
Pearl is currently 22 years old living in Guelph, ON. She undergone her first double lung transplant on 03/24/2015 & received her second double Lung Transplant on 06/04/2017. Her story is just to inspiring to not tell.
“I may have Cystic Fibrosis, but Cystic Fibrosis doesn’t have me. " ——Pearl Cooley
Facebook & Instagram
@OnetoughCooley is Pearl Cooley's Instagram blog and Facebook Page especially sharing her stories with CF and her achievement with transplant.
Behind the Scenes
Director's Interview with Cassandra Goltsis
Q&A:
Q: As a Director with CF, what is the biggest impact it has brought to your life?
Cassandra: As a director that also fight CF, CF has really impacted my life. Not in a bad way, but I would say...also in a good way. Of course, CF is changeling, but CF is giving me a different perspective on life. Knowing that life expectancy with somebody with CF is shorter, it really purchases me to go chase my goals and pursue my dreams, which making this documentary is a big part of that for me.
Q: What are your hopes for this film once it is completed?
Cassandra: Once the film completed, I really want to submit to a whole bunch of film festivals worldwide, and hopefully get a really broad audience to be able to watch this film. My goal is to have as many people see it as possible, that means, many people will get educated and aware of this disease. So as long as is awareness of cystic fibrosis, I'm happy and my jobs completed.
Q:
Q: As a Director with CF, what is the biggest impact it has brought to your life?
Cassandra: As a director that also fight CF, CF has really impacted my life. Not in a bad way, but I would say...also in a good way. Of course, CF is changeling, but CF is giving me a different perspective on life. Knowing that life expectancy with somebody with CF is shorter, it really purchases me to go chase my goals and pursue my dreams, which making this documentary is a big part of that for me.
Q: What are your hopes for this film once it is completed?
Cassandra: Once the film completed, I really want to submit to a whole bunch of film festivals worldwide, and hopefully get a really broad audience to be able to watch this film. My goal is to have as many people see it as possible, that means, many people will get educated and aware of this disease. So as long as is awareness of cystic fibrosis, I'm happy and my jobs completed.
Q:
The Crew
Cassandra Goltsis
Director/Screenwriter Cassandra is a third year Bachelor of Film and Television student at Sheridan College specializing in directing and cinematography. Cassandra created this film in hopes to educate inspire and create awareness around Cystic Fibrosis, as she herself suffers from this invisible illness. Creating films has always been of great importance to her, solely due to the fact that she is able to capture some of the most important moments in a person’s life right on camera, and tell stories that she feels responsible to tell! “The beauty and human emotion that is able to be projected through a film is indescribable” and is the reason why she has chosen to create this inspiring documentary about Pearl’s story! Matthew Anderson
Editor/Colorist Matthew is also in third year of Film and Television. He has developed his love for film and post production only over the past couple of years. He never had it in his mind that he would end up in the film industry but after some change of plans and a little bit of curiosity, he found himself making films. Over the years he has found a passion for color correction and seeing the transformation of the final product. Although, the one thing better than seeing the final product, is the grind that it takes to get there. He is excited for the grind to tell Pearl’s story and her life going forward. A great story is about to be told and he hope you are all excited to hear it. Lorenzo Aza
1st Assistant Camera Lorenzo is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Film and Television program at Sheridan College, majoring in cinematography/camera and minoring in sound with a personal connection to this documentary. One of his oldest friends that he has known since high school also lives with cystic fibrosis. He is familiar with the challenges that those afflicted by this condition face and the courage that they show in the face of adversity each and everyday. This documentary is a great chance for him to help tell a story about living with cystic fibrosis and hopefully raise awareness, in hopes that someday a cure will be found. |
Paige Van Zeben
Producer Paige is a third year student at Sheridan College in the Bachelor of Film program, majoring in producing and directing. She loves organization and paperwork and as producer she is the one who gets all the legal forms and contracts signed! She hopes to go into daytime television for executive producing, and loves to be able to tell stories through many different lenses. She is so excited to be part of a documentary all about inspiration and hope, and as a Christian her faith and belief in God inspires her everyday. She is so excited to work on a profile documentary on someone as amazing as Pearl, who inspires others and shows how to make the best of every situation. Declan Rolph
Sound Recordist/Editor Declan is a film student at Sheridan specialising in camera and sound. He is excited to be working on such an important film as "Still Breathing", bringing his talents in sound to make the film the best it can be. Iris Song
Transmedia (BTS) Iris Song, a third-year student in the Bachelor of Film and Television program at Sheridan College. Iris grew up in China and has lived in Canada for around 3 years for her studies in Film and Television Production. Although studying abroad is a challenge for her, she is grateful for the experiences she receives. |
Lindsay Server
Director of Photography Lindsay is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Film and Television program at Sheridan College, majoring in cinematography. When approached by Cassandra with this story, Lindsay immediately saw the potential this film had as well the impact this powerful story could make. “My goal is to enhance what is being said, making the words even more impactful, inspiring, and unforgettable with the imagery created.” Michael Hiebert
Gaffer/Grip Michael is third-year film student in the Bachelor of Film and Television program at Sheridan College, majoring in cinematography and directing. Ever since he was little, Michael has been enamored by movies and the magic of cinema, watching behind the scenes featurettes, finding interviews with directors and always trying to learn as much as he could about film and it’s production process. Michael currently works as a freelance P.A. filming sports commercials, as well as directing and producing music videos, hoping one day to direct a feature length film. He finds great inspiration in this project and looks forward to helping to share Pearl’s incredible story of perseverance. |