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Life Happens is a documentary series based on the experiences of real people sharing the hidden gifts revealed when dealing with the unexpected trials and tribulations of life.
"Labels are for Cans not People" inspired this first series of videos focused on people living with labels like Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. My goal is to change the preconceived ideas that those labels elicit to offer a different perspective. Life Happens- Different abilities, not disabilities reveals the possibilities and opportunities that can be found within this previously discounted population. Everyone has a purpose, focusing on what that purpose is, and not what's lacking, results in a much more positive experience. And that is what Life Happens is about.
You cannot control all that life gives you, but you can control what you do with it.
My name is Cheryl Hiltzik and I am a short form documentary maker. After working in Hollywood for 20 years producing videos about movie stars promoting their latest films, I was looking for a new tale to tell...Then one day I met a woman who's story influenced the direction of my work. Once a model, she had been a victim of domestic violence, an experience that changed her profoundly and she subsequently dedicated her life to helping other women find the resources needed to rebuild theirs. I produced a short video for her, and the impact of that experience was tremendous. Seeing my work matter was intoxicating. Since then, I have produced stories of impact for various nonprofits dealing with a variety of topics such as; Down Syndrome, Autism, Addiction, Prostitution, and the Foster System , and in the process I have come to a greater appreciation for the abundance of my life. I live in gratitude. It's a zip code that's hard to find, but with the right guides it's possible. I want to be that guide. 
This is where I need your help...
I want to turn the interviews I have captured over the last 8 years into a series of short documentaries to share these insights with a much broader audience.
The pearls of wisdom I have been given by the people I've interviewed are amazing, and sharing those treasured insights is my quest. Life Happens uses my access to these poignant stories of unexpected challenges and inspiring outcomes to demonstrate the ability to overcome obstacles and shred stereotypes.
What do I need the money for? Good question! To tell these stories I need to both repurpose the interviews I have conducted over the last 7 years as well as shoot new material, then there is editing, finishing and most importantly distributing these videos in order to make a difference.
How Soon? No time like the present. My aim is to get these shorts seen on line and into the film festival circuit to continue sharing these Pearls of Widsom with a larger audience.
Stories can change the world! I know they changed me.
"Labels are for Cans not People" inspired this first series of videos focused on people living with labels like Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. My goal is to change the preconceived ideas that those labels elicit to offer a different perspective. Life Happens- Different abilities, not disabilities reveals the possibilities and opportunities that can be found within this previously discounted population. Everyone has a purpose, focusing on what that purpose is, and not what's lacking, results in a much more positive experience. And that is what Life Happens is about.
You cannot control all that life gives you, but you can control what you do with it.My name is Cheryl Hiltzik and I am a short form documentary maker. After working in Hollywood for 20 years producing videos about movie stars promoting their latest films, I was looking for a new tale to tell...Then one day I met a woman who's story influenced the direction of my work. Once a model, she had been a victim of domestic violence, an experience that changed her profoundly and she subsequently dedicated her life to helping other women find the resources needed to rebuild theirs. I produced a short video for her, and the impact of that experience was tremendous. Seeing my work matter was intoxicating. Since then, I have produced stories of impact for various nonprofits dealing with a variety of topics such as; Down Syndrome, Autism, Addiction, Prostitution, and the Foster System , and in the process I have come to a greater appreciation for the abundance of my life. I live in gratitude. It's a zip code that's hard to find, but with the right guides it's possible. I want to be that guide. This is where I need your help...
I want to turn the interviews I have captured over the last 8 years into a series of short documentaries to share these insights with a much broader audience.
The pearls of wisdom I have been given by the people I've interviewed are amazing, and sharing those treasured insights is my quest. Life Happens uses my access to these poignant stories of unexpected challenges and inspiring outcomes to demonstrate the ability to overcome obstacles and shred stereotypes.
What do I need the money for? Good question! To tell these stories I need to both repurpose the interviews I have conducted over the last 7 years as well as shoot new material, then there is editing, finishing and most importantly distributing these videos in order to make a difference.
How Soon? No time like the present. My aim is to get these shorts seen on line and into the film festival circuit to continue sharing these Pearls of Widsom with a larger audience.
Stories can change the world! I know they changed me.
