COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Rallying support for autism research

MOST WOULD AGREE THAT AUTISM RESEARCH IS A WORTHY CAUSE, but the first step in actually making it happen is to raise funds and rally support from key decision makers. To set the wheels in motion for a new research center at Columbia University, NCI shot and produced a fundraising piece targeted at key stakeholders and major donors.

The video alternates between the families touched by the disease and scientists working on related research. One of the keys to the project’s success was NCI’s ability to put the interview subjects at ease and earn their trust. In doing so, NCI was able to capture their urgency and passion for finding a cure.

“In addition to producing a film that helped us secure the major gifts needed to move forward, the process NCI instituted in producing it actually helped us achieve our secondary goal of building support among our peers and partners,” says Dr. Martha Welch.

“We made a real investment in this project, but it continues to pay off. NCI is adapting portions of the film to short topic-specific video vignettes packaged on an interactive DVD and on our website. Throughout the process they have helped us assemble a library of video, inspiring sound bites and still images that we will use for years to come.”