In the year 2003, a chance conversation between Donald W. Fisher (President, Prodigy Sports Medicine) and Dr. Ungerecht (A leading expert on materialistic oriented addiction) led to the formation of the Institute of Independent Filmmaking Addiction (IIFMA). During this conversation both men noted how the activity of “Indie Filmmaking” led to people to develop anti-social tendencies and self-destructive behavior. Both Mr. Fisher and Dr. Ungerecht had been personally affected by having close acquaintances become “Film Sociopaths”. Donald W. Fisher asked Dr. Ungerecht, if he could help and immediately, Dr. Karl agreed to be the first Director of the Institute of Independent Filmmaking Addiction (IIFMA). After funding by the Donald W. Fisher Foundation, this world-class facility began to do research at its headquarters in Luzern, Switzerland.

The term ‘addiction’ was previously applied exclusively to chemicals such as alcohol, drugs, or nicotine, but after years of research, Dr. Ungerecht began to realize that for some people, Independent Filmmaking had the same effect on the brain and its processes. Dr. Ungerecht and his associates began to understand that Independent Filmmaking could be a devastating addiction. These same medical researchers also began to realize that the problem of Independent Filmmaking Addiction was a growing problem worldwide.

Realizing that the public needed to become aware of this growing problem, The Donald W. Fisher Foundation and the Institute of Independent Filmmaking Addiction have joined forces to make the Public Service Announcement Indie Fever. This short film was produced to educate the general public as well as health care professionals about this insidious disease. The PSA “Indie Fever” has been combined with its companion website www.indiefever.org to provide a valuable tool for those who are affected by Independent Filmmaking Addiction or know those addicted to Independent Filmmaking. Both the PSA and its companion website explain the tell-tale signs of addiction and the best approach to helping those with “Indie Fever”.

This short film was shot with 35mm & 16mm film, on location in and around Nashville, TN. The PSA was written and produced Jarboe (Bell-Jarboe Films) and directed by Scott Simmons with original soundtrack by Harrison Holmes.