who we arE
Code Blue is a video production company that specializes in crafting compelling stories for the healthcare industry.
Our uniquely qualified team combines extensive film production experience with real-life medical expertise to make impactful video content.
We believe using video to tell well crafted stories packs the most punch, whether it’s for patient education, medical device demonstrations, or healthcare branding & advertising.
If you’re looking for content that connects, call us!
get in touch
kirk@codebluefilms.com
612.490.9999 t.
we speak your language.
- our award-winning filmmakers are also real-life medical professionals
How we’re different
Beyond our vast film & video production experience, we bring an added perspective to all our projects:
We understand great patient care is the bedrock of any healthcare system and we are committed to crafting visual stories that build trust with your clients.
We know the lingo, nomenclature, and anatomy. We may not know the ins and outs of every surgery or procedure, but we understand a lot of it. And we respect the sterile field.
We recognize the importance of patient literacy and education. We strive to create visual and engaging stories that help patients understand difficult medical procedures or concepts.
We’re secretly technology geeks. So, when it comes to promoting the latest medical devices for your clients, we’re a perfect fit.
What we offer
Our film & video projects include:
Patient education
Medical device and technology
Product introduction & demonstration
Branded content for television, internet, & social media platforms
Employee education
Our services include:
Writing
Producing
Film and video shoots
Editing / Post production
Consulting
we know video production…
inside & out.
1991
2019
Our story
Kirk and Betsy’s friendship started years ago.
Kirk had just finished working on Prince’s Purple Rain when he met Betsy on the set of a Target commercial he was producing. Betsy was a production assistant just starting out, but Kirk recognized her talent and hired her on his next project. And then the next. And the next…
They had an instant rapport and soon became a formidable production team. Kirk formed his own film production company, Voodoo Films, where Betsy found a niche as an assistant director, working on feature films, music videos, and TV commercials.
Somewhere along the way, Kirk recognized Betsy’s talent for directing people and offered to represent her as a director. Betsy said yes, and the die was cast. The duo spent years working together, making award-winning broadcast commercials.
Later Betsy decided to pursue a career in medicine. She went back to school and became a physician assistant. She worked in urgent care while occasionally flying off to Belize and Cambodia to provide medical care where there was none. Meanwhile Kirk continued to produce interesting film projects and began directing himself.
One night, they reconnected over coffee and starting talking…..
Code Blue Films was born.
Awards
Paul Wellstone Campaign – 1991
Grand Effie Award
Winner - US Film Festival Dallas
Winner - MN Adfed advertising Awards/The Show
“Listen” Milwaukee Blood Center - :30 TV commercial about AIDS & donating blood. – 1991
Clio Award nomination
1991 Telly Award winner
Cannes Film Festival recognition
ITVA Award of Excellence - “The Ungentle Truth” - A 26-minute dramatic film about child abuse.
Telly Awards (TV Commercial Category)
“Listen” Milwaukee Blood Center - 1991
“Flying Colors” - Wagner Paints – 1991
“Chase” – Trinity Homes – 2000
“Dream” - Wisconsin Tourism – 2001
“Save” – Excel Energy
MN Adfed Advertising Awards / “The Show”
“Pinhead” – Page Foundation – 1990
“Black Hawk Fans” - 1992
Advertising Annual award of excellence PSA commercial
“Minnesotans for Nuclear Responsibilities” – 1994
AICP Show Award
“Lirena” – Miracle Ear - 2001
WE get to the heart of the story.
WE understand your patients, because we’ve been one.
their concerns are of the utmost importance to us.
Our work
Other work
THE Team
Betsy bangs| Partner
Betsy has over 20 years experience in film production and over 10 years experience as a medical provider. Her work in feature films, music videos, and IMAX, eventually led to a career as an award winning TV Commercial Director for Voodoo Films. An accomplished storyteller and writer, Betsy has written scripts for: Starwood Hotels, Campaq Contura Computers, and USA Direct. She produced/directed and adapted a screenplay about child abuse, “The Ungentle Truth” which won an ITVA Award. Her original screenplay “Duke of Manitou” was a finalist for a Morrow-Heus Fellowship. In 2001 she attended UCLA’s Professional Screenwriter’s Program where her screenplay “A Secret Rebel” was the winner of their annual screenwriter’s contest.
Subsequently, in 2003, Betsy returned to graduate school and became a Physician Assistant. As a PA she worked as an Urgent Care provider, served as an Investigator in the medical occupations division for Minnesota Attorney General, as well as Preceptor for Augsburg University’s Physician Assistant Program.
It’s Betsy’s expertise in medicine, writing, and film production that helps make Code Blue uniquely qualified to provide you with our special blend of medical storytelling.
Kirk Hokanson | partner
Kirk has over 30 years experience producing and directing television commercials and film projects. His vast experience encompasses all aspects of film/video production including feature films, corporate films, and documentaries. In 1995 he created Voodoo Films, an award winning TV commercial production company based in Minneapolis where he served as Executive Producer/Director.
Voodoo Films’ clients included: St Jude’s, Target, Purina, Piper Jaffray, Delta Airlines, and Harley Davidson. Kirk served as the Minnesota Chapter president of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) for 13 years. Kirk has a strong post-production background and is a skilled and creative problem solver. He is particularly talented at finding innovative solutions for unexpected problems.