CANCER IN A BARBER SHOP
Prostate cancer is a serious issue for African American men. Dr. Alden Hart at MCV is heading up a project with the American Cancer Society aimed at this audience. When they determined that a video would be appropriate and that barbershops are social gathering places for the audience, they contacted Brian Little (who worked with me on the Richmond Boys’ Choir project several years back). He called me and we went to work!
It was a challenge to write a script that could handle the subject with humor and humanity, while still being informative. The action starts in a shop where one of the barbers is out with prostate trouble. This spurs the other patrons to discuss the issue with their spouse, parent or physician. Additional doctors (played by actors) presented concepts in an interview format. Statistics were presented with animated graphics and voiceover by Daphne Maxwell Reid.
The result is an upbeat and interesting way to help make the prostate test decision. It will be shown in barbershops, but has already generated such a great response that it may be expanded to doctors’ offices, churches and on the web.