Express Energy Services has created a film, “Left Undone,” as part of its contribution to safety in the energy industry. The movie aims to educate and inform oilfield workers on the hazards and safety procedures in the event of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure while working on a well site.
“Left Undone” is unlike any other training or safety video out there in regards to its storyline and cinematic quality. The film follows a family man who goes to work and dies in a preventable H2S incident only to find himself back in bed the next morning — over and over again — with the chance to do what was “Left Undone.”
Jason Ramirez, director of employee development for Express Energy Services and one of the producers of the film, said the company wanted to put together a safety resource that was completely different than typical training videos seen throughout the industry.
“It seems the training videos of today are unrealistic and look like something you’d watch on daytime television,” Ramirez said. “We wanted people to watch this film and have an emotional experience. Some of the best movies today are the movies that stay with you when you leave the theater. We wanted people to think ‘That could have been me.’
“As far as the topic, we chose H2S exposure because there have been few training films released on it. Hydrogen sulfide is an ever-increasing problem for workers involved in oil and gas exploration and production.”
Ramirez, who has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in theater arts and has also acted in small production films, wrote the script for “Left Undone,” which was shot in June 2013 at three different locations. Express Energy Services has produced short one- to two-minute safety videos in the past but nothing like “Left Undone,” which runs for 38 minutes.
“We came up with a concept that evolved and we were really pleased with the outcome,” Ramirez said. “The response we’ve received from the industry has been overwhelming. The film has been shown at industry and safety meetings throughout the United States, and viewed in other countries all over the world.”
The film is free to industry and endorsed by ANSI/ASSE Z390 Committee for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety.
“The movie illustrates the importance of following safety procedures and the potential tragedy arising from H2S exposure,” said Frank Perry, chairman, ANSI/ASSE Z390 Committee for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety. “The movie should be widely used as an invaluable supplemental training tool for people who work in the oilfield.”
For its next film, Express Energy Services is planning to release a movie on distracted driving with the same cinematic quality and story level as “Left Undone.” Ramirez is hoping the film can be completed by the end of this year.
“With ‘Left Undone,’ people responded very strongly to the realism of the film,” Ramirez said. “It is about a series of events and the study of behaviors. So when we started to come up with the concept of our next film, we were thinking these lessons of behavior could be more universal and for a larger audience. Even though the distracted driving film will involve someone driving from industry, the people the driver impacts could be anyone on the road.”
“Left Undone” can be viewed by registering at www.eeslp.com/p-video-subscriber. Upon registration, viewers will instantly be sent a password to view all of Express Energy Services’ films including “Left Undone.”
For more information, visit www.eeslp.com or call (877) 807-7401.
