The following is an interview with David Knight and Julie Nimoy, the filmmakers behind the upcoming documentary, COPD: Highly Illogical – A Special Tribute to Leonard Nimoy. In this interview, Fanboy Comics Managing Editor Barbra Dillon chats with Knight and Nimoy about their inspiration for the project, what viewers will be able to take away from the film, the talented cast and crew involved in the project, and how you can get involved with the film and help to raise awareness for COPD through their crowdfunding campaign!
Barbra Dillon, Fanboy Comics Managing Editor: David and Julie, thank you for taking the time to talk with Fanboy Comics regarding your upcoming documentary, COPD: Highly Illogical – A Special Tribute to Leonard Nimoy. For our readers who may be unfamiliar with the project, what inspired the production of the film, and what do you hope that the film will convey to audiences?
David Knight and Julie Nimoy: After Leonard appeared on the CNN/Piers Morgan show announcing he had COPD, this immediately inspired us to the idea that developing a film project on this condition could have a huge impact.
So many people throughout the world sent Leonard notes of support and saying that they either had a friend or family member who also suffered from this illness. In addition, Leonard became very proactive by posting messages regularly on his Twitter about his illness and the dangers and risks of smoking. Julie and I felt strongly that we wanted to continue Leonard’s message and mission of education by producing a film on this topic.
Our hope is to convey to the audience that COPD is very treatable today, and you can enjoy a very high quality life. Our film will include the latest information and treatments available and to create awareness for the millions of people in this country that have the illness but have yet to be diagnosed.
BD: COPD: Highly Illogical will both honor the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and raise awareness of those suffering from COPD. How would you describe your creative process in taking on these monumental tasks?
DK: Julie and I have already started accumulating extensive information from leading pulmonary researchers, scientists, and physicians across the country. It’s imperative that all information presented in our film will be medically accurate. We want the film to be interesting and engaging, and we’ll be including spectacular computer graphic images that will illustrate how the lungs of patients appear during the different stages of COPD. Finally, we’ll be sharing Leonard’s story, as well as real-life patients who are struggling with this condition.
BD: A notable Star Trek alum will lend his artistic talent to the documentary. Are you able to speak to this individual’s involvement, as well as the creative efforts of the film’s cast and crew?
DK: We’re thrilled that our narrator for Highly Illogical is John De Lancie who played the character “Q” on Star Trek: The Next Generation. John was a personal friend of Leonard’s for years and was very excited about participating in our film project. As mentioned, the cast will be some of Leonard’s family, friends, and personal physicians, as well as experts in the pulmonary field. In addition, we’ll be featuring patients that currently have COPD. In regards to the crew, Julie’s brother Adam Nimoy will be directing the film.
BD: You recently initiated a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the production costs of the film. What encouraged you to use this fundraising method, and why do you feel that it has been such a successful tool for independent creators like yourselves?
DK: The reason we chose a crowdfunding campaign was because so many fans have reached out to us – asking Julie and I how they can help to support or contribute to the making of our film. In addition, our sister film production (For the Love of Spock) had tremendous success using this platform, so we feel that this is best course to help us attain our films budget. We feel crowdfunding is a successful tool for independent films, because it gives fans the opportunity to play a role in the creation and production of whichever film they chose to support.
BD: For our readers who may be interested in donating to COPD: Highly Illogical’s campaign, will all funds raised be put towards the production of the film?
DK / JN: Yes. Two components of production expenses we feel are extremely important to this project and can be quite expensive. These are the costs of having the high quality computer graphic images (CGI) and obtaining the intellectual licensing rights for allowing us to use Star Trek names and images. Also, donors should be aware that 10% of all contributions will directly go towards COPD research.
BD: Lastly, where can readers find more information about COPD: Highly Illogical in advance of its release?
DK / JN: Readers can find information on its release, as well as dates and times for special screenings and broadcast information, on our website, www.NimoyCOPDFilm.com.
