Filming a day in the life of chaplains
February 18, 2025
News
Stonecastle Pictures spent two days embedded with hospital chaplains at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville to produce a short branded documentary about the spiritual side of healthcare.
Our short documentary for Vanderbilt Medical Center.
From the front lines
Just as the pandemic was ending, Vanderbilt invited us to document its little-known Spiritual Care Department, which deploys chaplains across the hospital for everything from last rites to wedding ceremonies. "Every day is totally different," Rev. Amanda Borchik told us. "It's one of the reasons why I love this work so much."
During the pandemic, chaplains became a much more visible presence at Vanderbilt, attending not only patients but also over-worked and stressed-out hospital staff. Our documentary team spent two days following three of the chaplains, each with a different story to tell.
Sweeping for signals of dramatic potential
Directed by Barry Simmons, the observational film is built on natural moments experienced by the chaplains. “No one walks up and announces they're having a moment," says Barry. "The magic is sensing them before these moments bubble to the surface. Even when the camera’s not rolling, we’re right there in moment with them, sweeping for signals of dramatic potential.”
