Education

HAZE the Movie

In a time when feature films have brought insight to such major issues as global warming and health care, a major full-length documentary brings to the forefront a growing problem that is responsible for more than 1,700 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year … alcohol misuse and hazing on college campuses.

The motion picture is titled “HAZE” and its purpose is to dramatically and thoroughly present an impressive case that it is time for leaders to wake up and attack this national health crisis that affects just about every campus in America.

The film uniquely weaves together a collection of interviews, many by national experts on the subject of alcohol abuse on campuses. Evidence of the severity of the problem is presented through highly graphic and disturbing images filmed at campus parties, during emergency medical calls, and from police files.

Presented on film are a number of experts in the field led by Joseph Califano Jr., former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. He founded and currently serves as Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Others featured are Chuck Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving); T.J. Sullivan, CEO of CampusSpeak (leading providers of campus speakers on social issues affecting college students today); Rick Barnes, of the North American Interfraternity Council (NIC); Barry Seaman, former TIME Magazine reporter and author of the book Binge, Excess in the Age of Disconnection; Dr. Henry Wechsler, College Alcohol Study, Harvard School of Public Health; and Dr. Aaron White, Alcohol Research, Duke University.

“The intent is to use real life footage to showcase the problems, and then present experts, on film, who can give an objective perspective on the severity of alcohol abuse and hazing in university settings.” said Michael Lanahan, Executive Producer.

Produced by the Colorado Springs, CO film company, Watt Imagination!, the movie is directed by Pete Schuermann who includes among his credits, film projects for The Walt Disney Company, MGM Lions Gate, Raytheon and Yamaha.

“We want to use the film to prevent other tragic deaths like what happened to Gordie.” according to Michael Lanahan. “We hope that this documentary will encourage our society to make the necessary changes for a safer environment on college campuses.”