GIFTED – The Docuseries

Short Summary

GIFTED – The Docuseries is a five-part (first season) socially-conscious documentary series that explores the compelling and authentic stories of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. Viewers will hear from real life organ recipients — following their stories from near death to miraculous life thanks to the selfless gifts offered by complete strangers.

We’ll explore donor stories and hear from their family members, who in the depths of their grief, were able to find hope by donating their loved one’s gifts so that others could live on and do amazing things.

The series will follow the courageous medical professionals from the operating rooms to medical jets to transplant centers in the race against time to save lives.

And we’ll capture the moment when a waiting recipient gets the call that will change their life forever.

Gifted Productions has assembled an award-winning production team that is creating an inspiring docuseries focusing on the heroism of organ donation. Dramatic episodes — but of the highest journalistic integrity — will pull people in, open their eyes and dispel the myths of donation that often scare people away…all with the goal of increasing the registry and saving lives. This series will bring the issue to public consciousness and make it a family conversation, rather than simply a box to check or not check while you’re getting a driver’s license.

Our goal is to spark the conversation that moves the needle on organ donation registration! I’m inviting you to join us in this life-saving effort.

The Award Winning Team

Robert Horsey, RN, BSN, CPTC, CCTC – Executive Producer 

Robert is the Founder and CEO of Gifted Productions, LLC. He is a nationally, dual-certified organ donation and transplantation professional that has dedicated nearly 15 years of his career to this field. The passion he has for this project comes from the countless hours spent working with organ donors, their families and transplant recipients. This project is meant to pay tribute to them and honor them with respect and dignity.

Robert is also the Author of the exclaimed novel, GIFTED. This is a compelling fictional story of organ donation told, uniquely, from the donor family perspective. The book is enjoyed all around the world.

Ted Green – Executive Producer

Ted is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who has produced seven films that earned 21 regional Emmys including Best Documentary for the past four as well as countless national awards for journalism and filmmaking. He holds a BA from Princeton University and a Masters from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

John Hester – Producer

Josh is an Emmy-winning video producer with 20 years of experience creating compelling corporate films, television commercials, and online marketing video for business and causes. He holds a BA in Film & Video Production from Columbia College Chicago, and an MA in Communication from the University of Illinois. Josh is also an FAA commercially- licensed drone pilot.

Chris Costello – Production Crew

Chris is an Emmy-winning video producer. His production experience includes corporate film, television commercials, online marketing video, and a number of independent projects and films. He holds a BA in Visual Communication from the University of Illinois and is an FAA commercially-licensed drone pilot.

Kevin Christensen – Production Crew

Kevin comes from Fullerton, California with over 13 years of experience creating documentary films and corporate video. Kevin has produced travel films and tourism videos for our National Parks and the Bureau of Land Management. Kevin is also an FAA commercially-licensed drone pilot.

Educate  —  Entertain  —  Inspire

What We Need & What You Get

We are currently seeking $100,000 to produce a full-episode pilot which will be developed, tested and used to shop the GIFTED Docuseries to streaming services and networks. The funds from this campaign, specifically, will help offset the expenses related to: 

• Travel and accommodations for the cast and crew members while shooting the Pilot Episode in Wheeling, West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania.
• All production costs including equipment purchase or rental, location fees, set design and fees, cast and crew, insurance and other miscellaneous items to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• All post-production expenses including editing, music, sound, color and other miscellaneous items.

Production on the Pilot Episode will begin in the Spring/Summer of 2022.

Campaign Perks Highlights

We have perks designed for both supports of the arts and advocates alike. Check out the full list on our page, but here are some highlights:

• Gifted – the Novel by Robert Horsey personally signed by the Author
• Gifted Productions baseball hat
• Associate Producer Credit
• VIP Invitation for two to the Red Carpet Screening of the Pilot Episode
  • (does not include travel expenses)

The Impact

The Gifted Docuseries is rooted in programming that focuses on a subject matter that carries significant social stigma. Organ donation is a topic that is considered taboo in many cultures and sub-cultures. Many people prefer not to talk about it rather than face the fact that the subject may be forced upon them some day because of a tragic accident or medical misfortune.

The worldwide audience for this docuseries easily reaches into the millions when one considers those immediately affected by organ donation and transplantation; from donors and their families, recipients and their families, and those healthcare providers that participate in these miracles on a daily basis.  

When polled about organ donation, 94% of American support organ donation. However, only 54% have actually signed up to be on the organ donor registry. Our Docuseries will inspire viewers to act on their willingness to help others and join the registry. 

Risks & Challenges

The budget for the complete first season is $900,000. The Pilot episode will be used to attract the interest of streaming services and networks for distribution. The remainder of the budget will come from other crowdfunding sources, investors, sponsorship and donations.

Other Ways You Can Help

We know that the past couple of years have been hard for all of us, and if you’re not in a position to financially give at the moment, we absolutely understand! There is another way you can help our campaign too: 

• Spread the word! Sharing this campaign on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, everywhere, or emailing friends who may be interested, is a HUGE boost toward our goal. It gets our campaign in front of other folks who may want to contribute and helps us get noticed by Indiegogo, which in turn can get us featured, leading to more support, etc. etc. etc. In short, sharing on social media is an incredible help to us and our project!