The Challenge

Stroke is time-critical. Every minute lost increases long-term damage. Awareness campaigns often fail because they rely on abstract messages or technical explanations that don’t land emotionally.

This story needed to educate clearly, motivate action, and stay respectful to patients and healthcare professionals.

The Story

Filming in an active ER required precise coordination with hospital administrators, emergency physicians, nurses, and paramedic units.

We designed the production to capture authentic clinical processes while respecting patient privacy, safety protocols, and operational flow.

Reenacting a medical emergency is one of the most ethically and logistically demanding forms of filmmaking. Balancing accuracy with accessibility guided every creative decision.

Our Role

We built a real-time narrative that followed a stroke patient from first symptoms to treatment. The goal: show the chain of survival in a way viewers could understand and remember. Naturalistic performances, clinical environments, and clean graphic reinforcement created a story that felt real and urgent.

We shot on location inside an ambulance, ER, imaging suite, and ICU. Medical teams guided us to ensure accuracy.

Cinematography was handheld and immediate, mirroring the stakes of the situation.

Production Team:

• Director / Producer: Heron Hanuman
• Director of Photography: Hamish Hamilton
• Editor / Sound Design: Mike Southworth
• Sound Recordist: Dave Parfit
• Colour Grade: Elemental Post
  
  

The Impact

Eight years on, Code Stroke remains one of Heart & Stroke’s flagship awareness videos — still featured prominently in the FAST campaign and used to educate the public across Canada.

Powerful storytelling can save lives — and build trust in complex, human-focused work. Whether it’s health, education, or public safety, DHC helps organizations turn impact into narrative.