The
Gift of Peace So sadly, I never got to see this piece, |
 My last moments of life -- it's not easy playing dead. |
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 Christen prepares to enter the home as crew stand by. |
Ronald Sebilo-Tibbits wanted to make a fiml that could be used to train hospice workers and families that are considering using their services. He shows a situation in which the home care hospice worker has her job cut out for her when she visits a woman dying of cancer and her extremely distressed daughter. |
 Ronald Sebilo-Tibbits directing from the front door. |
 |Entering home. |
The hospice worker, Atlanta (Christen Hill), on her rounds enters the little cottage in question. Brandon A. Paddock mans the camera for this introductory shot. His work throughout was meticulous. |  Brandon Paddock in position. |
Tara (Kimberly Contreras) is on a binge, unable to accept her mother's impending death, and also filled with doubts due to her mother's alcoholism and her own. She insists that mom (that's me, Bonnie Steiger) should not be allowed to take her pain medication, of which I am in great need, but rather fight my addictions before I die. Hey, I'm hurtin' here! |
 Tara unconscious on the floor; not an encouraging welcome. |
 Tara, in the corner, prepares my medicine. |
Now, Atlanta must convince Tara that it's too late for me to clean up my act. I only want peace, and that could be the greatest gift Tara could give me. Sit with me, hold my hand, be there for me. And let me take my morphine! Otherwise, Atlanta must contact Adult Protection Services and perhaps take me away to a safe place where I can be properly cared for. |
Here I'm getting some inspiration from Ronald. This role demanded a lot more than just dying. I was in pain and writhing in agony; I had to temper my vocalizations to the conversation going on between the nurse and my daughter. And I had to die according to the hospice worker consultant who gave us details on the process. Still, I was laying down for the whole shoot; it was the most comfortable shooting situation I was ever in! Ronald was a very astute and sensitive director, giving all three of us the support and great ideas we needed to do this rather dark piece. I hope it gets the exposure it deserves; and I hope that everyone in this situation gets a chance to see it. The best photos on this page were shot by Alex Troy. |
 I get encouragement and great tips from Ronald while Brandon sets up shot. |