HIV AND ARMY

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HIV AND ARMY

CORPORATE DOCUMENTARY

PRODUCER

DIRECTOR

SCRIPT

CLIENT

Sound

EDITOR

POSTPRODUCTION

YEAR

VMA Belgrade

Zeljko Mirkovic

Željko Mirković & Vesna Šuljagić

Optimistic film DOO

Vladimir Perović

Pavle Nikic

Panina Studio

2014.

DIRECTOR

Zeljko Mirkovic

PRODUCER

VMA Belgrade

Script

Zeljko Mirkovic, dr Vesna Šuljagić

director of photography

Miodrag Trajković

Sound

Aleksandar Perović

CLIENT

Optimistic film

EDITOR

Pavle Nikic

POST-PRODUCTION

Panina Studio

YEAR

2014.

OVERVIEW

HIV and Army is a corporate movie about HIV infection in military population world wide. Two solders from Serbia have been selected for a peace mission in Africa, so they decided to find out more about HIV infection, transmission, consequences and prevention.

 

They apply for a interactive seminar witch is lead by and with doctor – infectiologyst on a famous MMA (Military Medical Academy), very respected hospital in Belgrade. They are breaking a lot of taboos and enigmas about HIV infection and HIV virus, and also to protect themselves in the region with high steps of HIV infected.

 http://www.vma.mod.gov.rs/

CHALLENGES & APPROACH

The post-production phase of the HIV and Army project, developed for the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, encountered a series of unique and complex challenges. One of the primary difficulties lay in the fact that the dramatized segments were performed by young and relatively inexperienced actors. Their limited exposure to acting—especially within the framework of a corporate documentary format—meant that the performances often lacked the precision and nuance required for such a sensitive and informative project. As a result, the actors had to repeat their lines numerous times to achieve the desired level of clarity, emotion, and authenticity in both diction and expression.

 

This placed significant responsibility on the post-production team, particularly during the editing process. It required a highly skilled and discerning approach to select the most credible and emotionally resonant moments from hours of raw footage. The task was not simply to assemble scenes, but to carefully craft a cohesive and engaging narrative that would align with the director’s creative vision and remain faithful to the structure and intent of the script.

 

Moreover, a great deal of attention was paid to the finer details of performance—especially the micro-expressions and subtle emotional cues conveyed by the actors. These delicate reactions were crucial in conveying the seriousness and human dimension of the topic, and they had to be seamlessly integrated with other dramatized sequences. Through meticulous editing, these moments were enhanced and harmonized with the overall tone of the film, resulting in a polished and impactful final product.

 

The process demanded not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the film’s purpose: to educate and inform, while maintaining empathy and sensitivity toward the subject matter. Ultimately, the successful completion of post-production on this project stands as a testament to the dedication, precision, and creative intuition of the entire team involved.

THE RESULT

HIV Prevention in the Military: Protecting Peacekeepers on Missions in High-Risk Regions

 

As members of the armed forces are regularly deployed on peacekeeping missions around the world, including to regions with high HIV prevalence—particularly in parts of Africa—the importance of health education and preventive measures becomes critical. Among these measures, HIV prevention stands as a top priority, not only for the well-being of individual soldiers but also for the overall readiness, resilience, and long-term effectiveness of military operations.

 

Deployments in areas with elevated rates of HIV/AIDS expose soldiers to increased risk, not only due to environmental and social factors but also through potential gaps in awareness and access to information. In response to this, the development and implementation of educational films tailored specifically for military personnel have become an essential tool in raising awareness, promoting safe behavior, and reducing the stigma associated with the disease.

 

These educational films serve multiple purposes:
– They inform soldiers about modes of transmission, symptoms, and treatment options.
– They encourage preventive practices, such as the use of protection and regular testing.
– They foster a culture of responsibility and awareness, empowering soldiers to protect both themselves and others.

Importantly, such films are designed to be direct, relatable, and culturally sensitive, reflecting the realities faced by peacekeepers in the field. By integrating real-life scenarios, testimonies, and expert insights, the films ensure that critical messages are understood and retained.

 

Prevention through education is not only a health strategy—it is a mission-critical responsibility. By equipping peacekeeping forces with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves from HIV, we are investing in their safety, the success of their missions, and the integrity of the military as an institution.

SOFTWARE USED IN PROJECT

adobe premiere n
davinci resolve n
after effect
adobe photoshop
adobe illustrator
adobe audition
magic-bullet-suite
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