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A Birthday, a Rough Cut, and What’s Next
It’s been a while since my last post, but this feels like the perfect time to check in. Today’s my birthday — and honestly, there’s no better gift than where I’m at right now. We’re officially in post-production on The First Save. A few weeks ago, I shared the first rough cut with my producing team and a handful of close friends. The feedback has been incredible. Watching it all come together has felt like reliving that amazing weekend over and over again — the late nights,
Orlando Suazo
4 days ago2 min read
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Announcing the Cast of The First Save
We are thrilled to introduce the actors bringing our story to life. The First Save follows a father and former Freedom House paramedic...
Orlando Suazo
Sep 172 min read
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Casting a Young Actor for The First Save
We’re excited to announce a casting opportunity for the short film The First Save , inspired by the true story of the first Black...
Orlando Suazo
Aug 112 min read
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We Did It — Because of You
I’ll never forget the moment we crossed the finish line. I was walking with my daughters when I got the notification: The First Save was...
Orlando Suazo
Aug 42 min read
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The Moment I Said Yes to Myself
There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: Orlando's 5th-grade class photo At what point did I really start believing in...
Orlando Suazo
Aug 12 min read
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We’re in Motion: Pre-Production for The First Save Is Underway
Over the past few weeks, our team has been working diligently to prepare for the production of The First Save , a powerful short film...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 262 min read
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What Happens When We’re Greenlit on Seed&Spark?
Current funding status Right now, The First Save is in crowdfunding mode — and we’re close to being greenlit on Seed&Spark. But what...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 211 min read
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Why Public Media Still Matters — And How It Helped Shape The First Save
This year, I came across a PBS documentary called The First Responders . It told the story of Freedom House Ambulance Service — a...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 211 min read
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The Team Behind The First Save
Behind every good story is a team of storytellers who believe in its power. The First Save began with a script. But it’s growing because...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 211 min read
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The First Save That Changed Everything
It’s April 4, 1968. Riots are breaking out in Pittsburgh’s Hill District after the assassination of Dr. King. The streets are on fire....
Orlando Suazo
Jul 171 min read
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Why This Story Now?
In 1968, after Dr. King was assassinated, cities across America erupted. In Pittsburgh, while the city prepared for unrest, a group of...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 161 min read
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The Soundtrack Behind the Script: Songs That Shaped My Screenplay
Whenever I start writing, I always think of the playlist first, and it will take me hours to curate the right music. Heck, I'm listening...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 132 min read
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How a TV Show Sparked the Story of The First Save & the research that helped shape it into something real
It started with a single episode of The Pitt. One line. One character. One forgotten legacy. That moment led me to Freedom House — the first paramedics in America, Black men serving Pittsburgh’s Hill District when no one else would. My short film The First Save is the result of that journey.
Orlando Suazo
Jul 122 min read
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Supporting the First Save Short Film Fundraiser
When I first learned about the Freedom House Ambulance Service, I was stunned. Why hadn’t I heard about this before? In the late 1960s, a...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 103 min read
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Cinematic Tribute to Forgotten American History
American history is rich and diverse, filled with stories that often go untold. While many films focus on well-known events and figures,...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 105 min read
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Honoring the Legacy of Black Paramedics in America
In the heart of every community, paramedics stand as the first line of defense in emergencies. They are the unsung heroes who rush into...
Orlando Suazo
Jul 104 min read
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