Save Darfur Coalition

Heroic tales, brought to life on DVD can become an integral part of any public policy campaign. Just ask the Save Darfur Coalition.

Raising awareness about a crisis half a world away, shrouded in geopolitical gobbledegook, the Save Darfur Coalition needed a way to show Americans how they could make a difference and that the fight to save Darfur can be won right here in the United States.

New Media Mill suggested crafting six-minute profiles in courage, stories that told about individuals who were already making a difference. New Media Mill worked with the coalition to select subjects appealing to specific target audiences.

"They made every effort to keep costs to a minimum and always listened to the suggestions of our staff, working diligently to incorporate a collective vision, said Adam Milakofsky, Save Darfur's deputy director. "Most importantly, the NMM staff was a pleasure to work with. My entire experience with New Media Mill was extraordinary, and each time I watch the documentary, I remain in awe of their unparalleled work."

The Save Darfur DVD included four segments. One focused on a 19-year-old sophomore from Swarthmore College who traveled to the refugee camps of Chad. Another showed how a Christian activist in Indiana won support from a key US Senator. Another story followed the work of the Holocaust Museum's Committee on Conscience. While a fourth segment featured the amazing tale of a former Marine Captain who captured first-hand evidence of atrocities on the ground.

The DVD was authored with a menu allowing users to watch the entire program. Or, viewers could cue up individual segments. In this way, school teachers reported that students could immediately grasp the struggle through the story of the Swarthmore Sophomore.

By keeping each segment at six-minutes, the stories were perfect to spark discussion within house parties, classrooms and small groups.

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