Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

Patsy Productions LLC is dedicated to producing stories and content about the lives of those working in the film and TV industry.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

Our organization is focused entirely on the health, safety, and wellbeing of those who work in film and TV production. Using the film medium itself, we aim to validate the mental, physical, and social challenges of those working in the industry, increase awareness among the general population, and catalyze solutions to improve workplace culture and conditions.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

To learn more about Safe Sets and our mission to improve health and safety in the film industry, visit www.safesetsmovie.com and follow us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.)  We welcome partnerships with film schools, unions, and advocacy groups who share our vision for safer, healthier sets.

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

As a medical doctor pulled into the film industry, I began to observe the less glamorous side of Hollywood. What started as a handful of candid interviews turned into a feature-length documentary that shines a light on both the obvious and hidden hazards facing film and TV crews, hazards that sometimes cost lives. Safe Sets was born out of the need to tell these stories honestly and inspire meaningful change.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

We are most proud of creating a film that offers a clear-eyed look at the inherent risks of working in film and television, without sensationalism or blame. Our goal was to spark dialogue and encourage accountability, and we believe the film achieves that.

Our biggest challenge was creating a high-quality film about health and safety that not only informed but also embraced the artistry of cinema, making it engaging, visual, and cinematic. We overcame this by assembling a team of experts, including an editor, story consultant, archivist, composer, sound engineer, and colorist, who brought both technical mastery and genuine passion, elevating the material far beyond our expectations.

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

Surround yourself with people who are not just talented, but who care deeply about the subject. Passion for the story drives creative problem-solving, and it’s that passion that makes the work resonate with audiences.

Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?

The film was literally made possible by the pandemic. The funding came from the profits of COVID testing for film, TV, and commercial productions. In an unexpected twist, the very crisis that exposed so many vulnerabilities in the industry also gave us the means to document them.

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

At our Los Angeles premiere, many veteran crew members were moved to tears and shared during the Q&A that, for the first time, their daily risks on set felt truly seen. That response affirmed our mission: to give voice to those behind the camera and inspire change.

Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’

…the art of transforming lived experience into a story that not only resonates on screen but also inspires change in the real world.