This was created for a pharmaceutical company in the US. It went through a rigorous review process with the internal medical/regulatory/legal team to meet all FDA standards.

Because there was no benchmark (nothing like this was ever done in pharma), each episode received additional scrutiny/restrictions from corporate communications.

Our audience is the hemophilia A community. Hemophilia primarily affects boys and young men, who tend to internalize the emotional/social challenges of the condition, to not appear "weak".

Entertainment makes these issues mainstream (okay to talk about, and get help for) in a form they're already watching.

In the episode titled "Branch Out", our host, Justin Willman, helps Taylor, a college student with hemophilia A, get out of his comfort zone.

Admittedly, Taylor’s life has settled into a routine, due partly to fear of injury, and partly to plain inertia. So Justin takes Taylor on an adventure deep in the woods, in the middle of a thunderstorm. With the help of outdoor survival expert Cody Lundin, Taylor learns the value of putting yourself out there and being a little uncomfortable in the process.

Taylor’s story is just one example of how people in the community struggle with two competing forces: the natural desire to experience new things—and the fear of taking risks that comes from living with a bleeding disorder. The goal of this episode is to encourage people with hemophilia to step outside their comfort zone and break from the monotony of playing it safe.

Challenge Accepted is a reality/comedy series that takes on the unspoken issues of hemophilia one episode at a time. Each episode features a host (Justin Willman from Netflix's Magic For Humans), a guest (someone with hemophilia facing a specific challenge), and a coach (a celebrity friend that can help).

For this episode, “Branch Out”, coach Cody Lundin from the Discovery Channel’s cult hit “Dual Survival” helps Taylor get out of his comfort zone and try new things. Which doesn’t sound like a big deal. But for hemophiliacs, taught to be cautious their whole life, is a really big challenge.

There were several challenges that the scriptwriting had to accommodate for. Most of it planned, and some at the shoot itself.

First, we had to account for people who weren't used to being on camera, like our guest Taylor and his mom. There were hardly any "lines", so to speak, that they had to deliver. But we had to write around situations that they'd be comfortable in, on camera.

The biggest challenge: Two days before the shoot, one of the worst rainstorms in Southern California history set in. We needed to revise the activities in the outdoor shoot, account for the safety of Taylor (with hemophilia), and completely rewrite the opening and closing scenes.

INT. BARN- NIGHT

Open on pitch darkness and the sound of a deliberate, pounding sort of knock. A large barn door is pulled open to reveal the silhouette of a man with two stringy pigtails. Behind him, rain is beating down relentlessly. He steps quietly into the barn.

Eerie music plays and a flashlight clicks on, revealing the man's bare feet walking across the barn's wood floor. The floorboards creak as his footsteps trace the path of a thick electrical wire on the ground.

Pan up to reveal that the man is CODY LUNDIN, who arrives at a few bales of hay arranged into a sort of coffee table. On the "table" is an expensive-looking throw blanket, which is topped with a video game controller, a bowl of gummy worms, and a plate with a white-bread, crust-removed, sandwich.

CODY reaches down and picks up one half of the sandwich, inspects it.

CODY

(to himself)

Who cuts off the crust?

CODY puts the sandwich back down and picks up a gummy worm, smells it, and inspects it.

CODY

(suddenly aware. through clenched teeth...)

Justin.

Sound of a bear growl. CODY whips around.

The bear comes charging at the camera.

A flashlight drops to the ground.

The bear, now clearly just someone in a bear suit, speaks into the camera.

GUY IN BEAR SUIT

There's a lot to be scared of these days. Twitter wars. Email hacking. Bears.

I get it, most people don't want to stare into the beady, black eyes of fear and wrestle it to the ground.

But this show isn't called "no thanks." This...

GUY IN BEAR SUIT removes bear suit head to reveal JUSTIN WILLMAN.

JUSTIN

...is Challenge Accepted.

A flash of lightning takes over the frame. When JUSTIN appears again, CODY is standing behind him, looking over JUSTIN'S shoulder into camera.

JUSTIN

(sighs).

He's right behind me, isn't he?

CUT TO:

TITLE SEQUENCE ANIMATION

THEME SONG LYRICS

I can't, I can't, I can't

Or maybe I can, I can, I can

I'm not, I'm not, I'm not

Or maybe I am, I am, I am

I will concede

That push I needed

After all that bleeding

is NOW!

CUT TO:

EXT. POND- DAY

A crane is wading in a pond as the episode title BRANCH OUT fades on screen.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET- DAY

11 HOURS EARLIER (lower third text)

JUSTIN driving in a non-descript (at best) red minivan.

JUSTIN

Today, we’re going to meet Taylor. Taylor’s a 20-year-old college student with hemophilia A. He comes from a pretty impressive family—his brother’s a professional MMA fighter. His other brother and his father both served in the Marines. And Taylor himself was actually a nationally ranked fencer.

But nowadays, Taylor’s life has gotten a little...routine...

CUT TO:

INT. CAFETERIA- DAY

TAYLOR is sitting at a table, eating cereal. He lifts up a spoonful of cereal to his mouth...then pauses and sniffs it, then shrugs and eats a bite.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET- DAY

JUSTIN in his minivan.

JUSTIN

...Maybe he’s even in a little bit of a rut. And that’s something a lot of people with hemophilia struggle with. Whether it’s fear of injury, or just fear of the unknown, when you have hemophilia A, it’s hard to break out of what you know and branch out a little.

But for one whole day, we’re gonna get Taylor out of his comfort zone. In fact, we’re gonna spend the next 24 hours making him downright uncomfortable. And we’ll start here—at his own home.

The minivan stops and JUSTIN exits.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOORWAY OF TAYLOR'S HOME- DAY

Jaunty, comedic music over TAYLOR opening the door to JUSTIN.

JUSTIN

Hey! You must be Taylor.

SOCHI, TAYLOR's mom, pops her head into the threshold to see who's at the door. She looks skeptical. Neither SOCHI nor TAYLOR seem to have any idea who JUSTIN is.

JUSTIN

And you must be Taylor's mom. Hello. Justin Willman.

SOCHI now looks just a tiny bit territorial. TAYLOR still looks at JUSTIN with a completely blank look. Not a modicum of recognition on either of their faces. JUSTIN awkwardly tries to explain who he is.

JUSTIN

The world-famous magician?

Still nothing.

JUSTIN does an awesome magic trick in a last attempt to try and jog their memory...

TAYLOR

OH. Alright. Come on in.

TAYLOR motions for JUSTIN to enter, and JUSTIN does so. As he walks by, SOCHI follows him, eyebrows raised.

JUSTIN

(VO)

It was clear mama bear was very protective of her cub. So I'd need to talk to Taylor in his own environment.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM OF TAYLOR'S HOME- DAY

JUSTIN and TAYLOR are sitting on a couch in a dark room, lit only by a TV screen. They are playing video games and are focused on the screen (behind camera).

JUSTIN asks TAYLOR about what it was like growing up with hemophilia, especially in such an athletic family.

TAYLOR talks about being involved in fencing, and how he tried to push too hard at times, so as not to stand out from his teammates.

JUSTIN asks TAYLOR whether he sometimes "plays it safe" to avoid being seen as different, or to avoid getting out of his comfort zone.

TAYLOR admits that he doesn't take as many chances as he maybe could, and tends to keep to the beaten path.

SOCHI enters and puts down a sandwich for JUSTIN and TAYLOR to split.

SOCHI

There you go, guys. Enjoy.

TAYLOR

Thanks, Mom.

JUSTIN

Thanks, Taylor's Mom.

JUSTIN looks down at the sandwich, disapprovingly.

JUSTIN

So, your Mom cuts the crust off for you?

TAYLOR

Uhh. sometimes.

JUSTIN puts down his own video game controller, takes TAYLOR's controller and puts it down.

JUSTIN

Ok, I'm calling it. Come with me.

JUSTIN and TAYLOR walk offscreen.

JUSTIN

(muttering to himself)

This is worse than I thought...

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET- DAY

JUSTIN and TAYLOR in JUSTIN's super boring minivan.

JUSTIN

Soo...what do you think of my ride?

TAYLOR

It's uh...okay.

JUSTIN

Feel those seat warmers kicking in?

TAYLOR

Uh..Yep.

JUSTIN

You know, most sports cars don't even have seat warmers like these.

JUSTIN asks TAYLOR about college life and what he and his friends do for fun.

TAYLOR talks about how his friends sometimes jab at him for not wanting to try new things, and how he tends to stick to his routine.

JUSTIN tells TAYLOR that he's taking him on an adventure where he will definitely have to go outside of his typical schedule, and do things he's very likely to never have done before.

JUSTIN

Well I guarantee that what we're doing today is not part of your weekly schedule

Shots of the minivan heading farther and farther away from TAYLOR'S house, as the rain picks up.

JUSTIN

(VO)

What Taylor doesn't know is that I planned this whole day to a tee. Pick a day I know it's going to rain like crazy. Check. Let Taylor feel a little comfortable first, while playing video games. Check. Then, flip the script and head out in the open road. Check. We're going somewhere Taylor's never gone, and probably would never voluntarily go--the middle of freaking nowhere. Because how can you ever know what you're capable of if you don't try something new every now and then?

CUT TO:

EXT. DIRT ROAD- DAY

The red minivan drives down a dirt road, towards camera. The car stops, turns off, and JUSTIN and TAYLOR come out. JUSTIN is holding an umbrella.

JUSTIN

This is the spot.

TAYLOR

What spot?

JUSTIN

We're gonna meet a friend of mine. Sorry it's so rainy...you have your umbrella?

TAYLOR

Nope.

JUSTIN

(shocked)

You didn't bring an umbrella??

TAYLOR

(flatly)

No.

JUSTIN opens his umbrella towards camera. Shakes the umbrella, then lifts it to magically reveal a set of raincoats tied together with twine.

JUSTIN

No worries, I picked up some rain gear.

TAYLOR

(surprised and grateful)

WHOA. Thanks.

JUSTIN hands rain gear to TAYLOR and keeps one for himself. Motions forward, oddly confident.

JUSTIN

Let's head east.

JUSTIN and TAYLOR walk off screen.

CUT to JUSTIN and TAYLOR looking around, clearly not sure where they are going.

JUSTIN

I'm just gonna man up and say it. I think you got us lost.

TAYLOR turns to JUSTIN, just shakes his head slowly.

The sound of a twig snapping. JUSTIN leans down to listen intently and motions for TAYLOR to stop walking.

JUSTIN

Shh!

Whip pan to CODY LUNDIN sitting on a boulder. Tribal music track plays under JUSTIN humming his own elaborate tribal music to introduce CODY. In super slow-mo, CODY nods at camera.

CODY LUNDIN (left side text)

World-renowned outdoor survival expert (left side text)

Former cohost of Discovery Channel's Dual Survival (left side text)

Hasn't worn shoes in over a decade (left side text)

Slow motion ceases.

JUSTIN is getting really into his rendition of the tribal music, but finally wraps it up with dramatic flair. TAYLOR and CODY are just waiting for him to finish so they can be introduced.

JUSTIN

Hey buddy. Good to see you.

CODY hops down off boulder and greets JUSTIN. JUSTIN introduces TAYLOR and CODY.

JUSTIN

Taylor, Cody is going to teach us how to get out of our comfort zones.

CODY and TAYLOR shake hands, and CODY points up at the sky.

CODY

Let's go over here and get out of this rain.

CODY, TAYLOR, and JUSTIN walk offscreen.

JUSTIN

(to TAYLOR)

Go ahead and follow him from this point forward. Ignore me.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMP SITE - DAY

CODY, TAYLOR, and JUSTIN in front of a makeshift tent. The rain is really coming down.

CODY

Taylor, Justin had me bring you out here to get you out of your comfort zone. But being out of your comfort zone doesn't mean being unsafe. So I've set up a tarp out here for shelter. And I have some supplies for you both. Something to help with making shelter, something to help with making fire, and something to help with disinfecting water.

CODY hands small bags to JUSTIN and TAYLOR. JUSTIN peaks into his bag and looks excited.

JUSTIN

Oh check this out...it's a water filtration straw.

JUSTIN starts to pull an enormous straw from his bag. As he keeps pulling, the straw eventually fully emerges, at about 8 feet tall. CODY and TAYLOR just stare as this unfolds.

Awkward moment. JUSTIN is now holding this ridiculous straw. CODY is amused but also kind of wants to continue with the outdoor lessons. And TAYLOR...well TAYLOR looks like he was just whisked away from a perfectly good afternoon playing video games.

CODY breaks the awkwardness.

CODY

So I'm not going to do everything for you guys. We're gonna have to go together to find stuff to make fire. Let's head this way.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAIL - DAY

CODY is walking alongside TAYLOR and JUSTIN. TAYLOR and JUSTIN are in raincoats, with hoods. CODY is in shorts, barefoot. As they walk along, CODY starts to pass along some of his expertise in outdoor survival.

JUSTIN

Cody, I'm sorry. I have to ask. Why aren't you wearing any shoes?

CODY

I didn't want to get them wet.

JUSTIN and TAYLOR exchange glances, but CODY doesn't miss a beat.

CODY gives tips on finding the right wood to make fire with. Points out different fallen branches and explains why they are (or are not) ideal for kindling.

As they continue walking, CODY says that another thing that is crucial to preventing hypothermia is finding food.

He stoops down and picks up what appears to be some sort of small animal droppings. He holds out his palm, full of misshapen brown pieces, to TAYLOR and JUSTIN.

CODY

Ahh. Check out these tasty snacks. Want one?

CODY pops a couple of the droppings in his mouth as he talks.

TAYLOR/JUSTIN

(disgusted yet polite)

No thanks/Maybe later/I'm good

CODY pulls out a plastic sandwich bag of chocolate candies. They do have a remarkable resemblance to animal poop...

CODY

(with a smirk)

You guys don't like chocolate covered raisins?

TAYLOR laughs and JUSTIN gives CODY a "you got me this time" look.

JUSTIN

Nice sleight of hand, CODY.

CODY motions forward and TAYLOR and JUSTIN follow.

CODY

Let's keep going and I'll show you how to find some other food around here.

As the trio walks off camera, JUSTIN spits out the chocolate covered raisin and wipes his hands on his raincoat.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAIL - DAY

It's getting dark quickly. CODY and TAYLOR are talking as they walk down another trail.

CODY

Let's head this way and see if we can find some food.

JUSTIN is putting his "water filtration straw" to the test, sucking up water from a pond. TAYLOR looks over his shoulder and sees JUSTIN at work.

TAYLOR

Justin, you coming?

TAYLOR walks off screen with CODY. JUSTIN gulps up pond water through his enormous straw, and spits out crystal clear water.

JUSTIN

It works!!

JUSTIN then coughs up a huge fish. It wriggles around in his hand and he tucks it in his jacket while he runs off to catch up with TAYLOR and CODY.

JUSTIN

(to himself as he scurries offscreen)

Ooh. It tickles.

CUT TO:

EXT. POND EDGE- LATE DAY

CODY leads TAYLOR and JUSTIN to the edge of another small pond. He points out edible plant-life (curly dock) and how to eat it.

CODY

This is called curly dock; it's a wild edible plant. You don't want to eat the stuff in the water but we can eat anything out of the water. It's fresh, organic, and rain-drenched. Pretty good, right?

JUSTIN and TAYLOR taste the curly dock and JUSTIN is particularly enthused.

CODY

Let's keep going and find some more wood for the fire.

CODY walks offscreen, and JUSTIN and TAYLOR look at each other, and start binging on curly dock, grabbing at the leaves, stuffing them in their mouths and pockets. Soon JUSTIN ushers TAYLOR to move on and they scurry off to catch up with CODY.

Flash of lightning over early night sky.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMP SITE- NIGHT

JUSTIN alone in front of camp fire, talking discreetly on his cell phone.

JUSTIN

I gotta make this quick. I have no service out here. This is worse than I thought. You gotta get me out of here. You found accommodations? Nice. King-sized bed?? Good thread count?

TAYLOR and CODY walk in and sit down next to JUSTIN in front of the fire, with thin spears of wood in each hand.

JUSTIN

(super casual)

HEEEEY. How's it going, guys?

TAYLOR

Hey Justin

JUSTIN attempts to cover up the fact that he was just on his phone.

JUSTIN

This seems like a perfect moment to capture forever. Cody, would you do the honors?

JUSTIN gives CODY his phone and puts his arm around TAYLOR, posing for a picture.

CODY

OK! Say curly dock!

JUSTIN and TAYLOR smile for the picture.

CODY "sneezes" and throws JUSTIN's phone deep into the woods.

CODY

Sorry! Slipped out of my hands.

JUSTIN, almost not even surprised anymore, throws his hands up good-naturedly.

JUSTIN

Well. Live in the moment, I guess.

TAYLOR offers JUSTIN a cricket speared on a wood stick, and JUSTIN reaches for a small metal box instead.

JUSTIN

Actually...you guys want a worm?

CODY and TAYLOR continue toasting their crickets. JUSTIN holds up a huge, live worm, squirming wildly in his fingers.

TAYLOR/CODY

(disgusted yet polite)

No thanks/Maybe later/I'm good.

JUSTIN

Well I wouldn't actually eat it this way. Let me make it a little more appetizing.

JUSTIN places the worm into the metal box, covers it, snaps his fingers, and reopens the box. It is now filled with gummy worms.

TAYLOR and CODY laugh and eagerly take a gummy worm.

Time passes, and JUSTIN starts conversation with CODY.

JUSTIN

Cody, you seem like such a fearless guy. There has to be something that scares you.

CODY thinks for a second.

CODY

A lot of people get freaked out by bears. But I'm just scared of television executives. They give me the creeps.

JUSTIN

Yikes. Hope there's neither of those in these parts.

JUSTIN holds up the end of his cricket stick to inspect his dinner.

JUSTIN

You know what would go great with this cricket? Curly dock.

TAYLOR and CODY politely nod.

JUSTIN

I'm just gonna do a little harvest. I'll be right back.

JUSTIN gets up and walks off. TAYLOR and CODY continue toasting their crickets.

TAYLOR starts to thank CODY for the day they had together.

CODY tells TAYLOR that nothing that happened during the course of the day was built for someone with hemophilia. He says that he didn't hold back because nature doesn't hold back. So it's important not to use hemophilia as a crutch. No matter what, there's always an opportunity to push yourself to try something new.

CODY

Are you ready to try a new experience?

TAYLOR

Ok...

CODY

It's on the end of your stick there. Bottoms up.

TAYLOR hesitates for a moment, then looks at the cricket and takes a huge bite.

TAYLOR

Not bad. It's actually tasty.

CUT TO:

INT./EXT. MONTAGE

A montage of JUSTIN, TAYLOR and CODY throughout the day.

JUSTIN

(VO)

Today, Taylor was uncomfortable.

He talked about some rough things he's gone through in his life with hemophilia A. He hiked around with two weird guys in the rain. And he ate something he truly never thought he would.

Today, Taylor faced his fears of the unknown.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMP SITE- NIGHT

CODY and TAYLOR in front of campfire.

TAYLOR

It's been a while. should we go look for Justin?

CODY

Hm. you're right. It has been a while.

(sniffs)

I smell Wifi. You watch the fire, I'll be right back.

CUT TO:

INT. BARN- NIGHT

In some sort of glamp-ing barn, JUSTIN is slurping an iced drink through a straw. JUSTIN is seated on bales of hay which have been arranged into a sort of comfy little nook. There's a life-sized stuffed bear, lanterns, blankets, the works.

He getting really into a video game he's playing when he's interrupted by aggressive knocking.

JUSTIN looks up, listens intently. Concerned, he whips his head around, trying to come up with a plan.

FLASHBACK

JUSTIN

Cody, you seem like such a fearless guy. There has to be something that scares you.

CODY

A lot of people are freaked out by bears...

[CODY saying "...freaked out of bears" echoes several times.]

Cut back to JUSTIN in barn, locking at the stuffed bear in the room. It's clear he's figured out a plan.

Flash of lightning.

QUICK CUTS of:

-JUSTIN putting on bear costume head

-Silhouette of CODY throwing open barn doors

-CODY's bare feet walking across the wood floor

-Pitch black, with sound of a bear growl

-Bear charging at camera

-Flashlight dropping to the ground.

JUSTIN

(VO)

I can' t believe that worked!

CUT TO:

WHITE END CARD

Special thanks to Taylor for stepping up and going way outside his comfort zone, for the good of the hemophilia A community. (Text on screen)

FADE IN:

(No bears suits were injured in the making of this program.)