Film Explores Whether Terminally Ill Should be Kept Alive by Machines
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2013) – Actor Leo Oliva is turning his experience as a nurse into a medical drama with veteran actor Danny Glover that asks whether the terminally ill should be kept alive by machines or whether they should be allowed to die.
“It’s a question that frequently comes up in hospitals for medical professionals and for families and it’s not an easy answer for anyone,” said Oliva, who stars in THE SHIFT, a drama he wrote and produced while working in the medical field.
“With the beginnings of THE SHIFT, I was looking into what was my worst fear as an ER nurse working in my home town: Finding myself caring for a close friend or loved one and ultimately not being able to save their lives.”
THE SHIFT tells the story of Kayle, a young male nurse, portrayed by Oliva, who is conflicted on whether doctors, nurses and families should let long suffering patients or family members live in pain and anguish or allow them die in peace. It stars Oliva, veteran actor Danny Glover (“Dreamgirls,” “Grand Canyon,” “Lethal Weapon” series), and young actress Casey Fitzgerald (“After the Wizard”). THE SHIFT is set for release in January.
“We sought out the best people we could find to participate in this project and thankfully we were lucky enough to get Danny Glover to play Head Nurse Floyd, who is an integral part of the story,” Oliva said.
“Danny read the script and immediately jumped on board. It was the kind of role that he wanted to play. It was unlike anything he’d done before and that was a big part of it. The other was the script and the message it conveyed.”
THE SHIFT is also about a question facing many today: “Where do you draw the line between being alive and actually living your life?” The answer isn’t easy and many continue to debate the issue, whether as medical professionals or as family members or patients themselves. Himself a medical professional-turned-actor, Leo Oliva understands first-hand how doctors, nurses and family members question whether life should be sustained at all costs.
“Some things in life are never as black and white as we sometimes think and this film explores an important part of that as it happens in hospital rooms across the country and around the world,” said Oliva, whose work includes the films “Los Traficantes” and the upcoming “Strike One.”
“That’s what makes this film very timely and so thought provoking and so important to us all.”
The fact the film was shot at an actual hospital, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, was part of Oliva’s goal to be as realistic as possible when it came to the production. Its interiors, architecture and overall atmosphere of a facility that dates back to the 1930s gave THE SHIFT gritty, realistic feel from the get go.
Part of the realism also included the benefits of actors training with medical equipment and learning how they work. Oliva’s desire to train his actors in the proper way to hold and use the equipment was especially important.
“You can’t hold a medical device upside down and do your dialogue and be believable. You have a sophisticated audience out there and you can’t afford to lose them by not being factually correct with these instruments,” Oliva said.
ABOUT LEO OLIVA
Lead Actor/Writer/Executive Producer Leo Oliva graduated from the University of Miami School of Nursing in 2006. In addition to being a registered nurse, Leo is a trained actor. In 2009, he officially became a graduate of the Sanford Meisner Studio in Burbank, Calif. Before writing THE SHIFT, Leo wrote, produced and starred in a short film, SPOILS OF WAR. With THE SHIFT, Leo used his many years in the ER and ICU to write a story about nursing from a unique prospective: the nurses’.

ON TV ONE with Co Star Actress, Singer Ajiona Alexus.

Tune in Friday, October 11th at 8:00pm CST to TV ONE and watch what happens when Rickey Smiley is eager to see his son’s first step show. The season finale is sure to be funny, family friendly and jam-packed with Rickey’s Omega Psi Phi brothers!
In just two seasons, on The Rickey Smiley Show, Ajiona Alexus has become well recognized for her role as DeAnna, Rickey Smiley’s only daughter, a very spoiled, shopaholic fashionista, who’s sometimes dingy at heart. “It’s fun playing DeAnna, she’s always dressed like a diva, stays on her cell phone and can pretty much do what ever she wants! I’ve learned so much working with, Director, Roger Bobb and the Bobbcat film team, they allow me the freedom to have fun with my character and be creative.” Ajiona shared.
The Rickey Smiley Show in loosely based on the real-life experience of super-funny comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley. Season Two is hilarious because it introduces some of Rickey’s characters like Lil’ Darryl, Clarence and of course Bernice Jenkins. ” I love working on set with my cast members, we are truly one big happy family. I can’t wait for season 3!”
Since being on a national TV network,17 year old actor and singer, Ajiona Alexus is in high demand. Just last month, she performed the National Anthem at the WNBA Atlanta Dream vs. LA Sparks game and UniverSoul Circus.

Additional Background
The Rickey Smiley Show: http://tvone.tv/shows/the-rickey-smiley-show.html
Ajiona Alexus Credentials: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4725344/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ajiona
Twitter: @ajionaalexus
Instagram: @ajionaalexus

Category: TV/Film, Music, Entertainment

Tags: Ajiona Alexus, The Rickey Smiley Show, Rickey Smiley, Bobbcat Films, Roger Bobb, TV One