FILM-RELATED WEB SITES
Thank You For Playing
www.thankyouforplayingfilm.com/ - Information about the film and filmmakers.
www.facebook.com/thankyouforplayingfilm and www.twitter.com/tyfpfilm
"That Dragon, Cancer"
www.thatdragoncancer.com/ - In addition to information about the game and its creative team, the website includes the team's blog and information about Joel's cancer and treatment. The game is available to purchase for iPhone, iPad, PC and Mac.
The New York Times: "Games You Can't Win"
This is a short film by the same filmmakers about "That Dragon, Cancer" and other video games that deal with similarly personal and profound struggles.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/opinion/games-you-cant-win.html
Original Online Content on POV
To enhance the broadcast, POV has produced an interactive website to enable viewers to explore the film in greater depth. The Thank You for Playing website -- www.pbs.org/pov/thankyouforplaying -- offers a streaming video trailer for the film; an interview with the filmmakers; a list of related websites, articles and books; a downloadable discussion guide; a lesson plan with streaming clips; and special features.
Childhood Cancer
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancerinchildren/ - The largest cancer advocacy group in the U.S. provides statistics, general information and links to support groups.
CancerCare for Kids
http://www.cancercare.org/tagged/children
CancerCare for Kids provides free, professional support services for parents, children and adolescents affected by cancer, as well as information about helping children understand cancer and additional resources.
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers/child-adolescent-cancers-fact-sheet - This organization offers basic information on types of cancer, treatment options and research.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO): Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care
http://www.nhpco.org/pediatric - NHPCO is committed to improving access to hospice and palliative care for children and their families - both nationally and internationally. Their website includes journals and resources for families, as well as information about their pediatric advisory council.
Gaming
Daily Good: "15 Serious Games Aiming to Change the World"
http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=5209 - This page offers a list of video games designed to raise awareness about social justice issues.
Games for Change
http://www.gamesforchange.org/
Founded in 2004, Games for Change facilitates the creation and distribution of social impact games that serve as critical tools in humanitarian and educational efforts. "That Dragon, Cancer" won its award for most innovative game in 2016.
Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/educators/
Created by the MIT Media Lab, this is a free-to-use platform that enables people without any prior experience to program their own interactive stories, games and animations.
Reactions to "That Dragon, Cancer"
These are just two of the many reviews of the game. In very different ways, both delve into the potential for video games to tell serious stories.
- The Guardian: "That Dragon, Cancer and the Weird Complexities of Grief" https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/14/that-dragon-cancer-and-the-weird-complexities-of-grief
- The New York Times: "This Video Game Will Break Your Heart" http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/06/arts/that-dragon-cancer-video-game-will-break-your-heart.html