Up until this point...

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I first learned of Ethan's story a couple years ago from my mother. She works for the Colorado Center for the Blind in Denver, CO, where she met Ethan, and then told me of his story.

At the time, I remember being so moved by his story, that it brought tears to my eyes, first because of the immense injustice that it is to poke out a six year old's eyes, but more so because of his lack of anger or guile towards his oppressors. I thought much about his story over the next few days, after which, I realized that this is a story that, quite simply, MUST be told. People in the "industrialized nations" must know about the still prevalent problem of child trafficking. They must know of the mind boggling numbers of orphans in the world, particularly in Africa. They must know what these young victims go through in their all too often shortened lives, because of the lack of resources and aid available to them. Also, they must know of the immense potential that these young people have to accomplish great things, and Ethan is a shining example of what their lives can be.

Not having ever filmed a documentary before, I realized that I had a LOT of learning to do. Where do I start? How do I fund this? I've heard of being able to get grants for humanitarian projects such as these. How does one get those grants? I eventually learned that in order to apply for grants, you must have a non-profit organization. "Ok. Now I'm getting somewhere. I'll just start a non-profit," I thought to myself. I learned that it's possible to establish one relatively easily by yourself, with proper guidance, and so I started to read up on how to do it.

In this process, as I was talking with a good friend, he told me about how his landlord, Michel Horvat, had filmed a documentary, and that I should discuss mine with him and ask him any questions I may have. I eventually spoke with him; he gave me a ton of useful advice and information. I now know that I don't have to establish a non-profit, but can apply for grants under the umbrella of a non-profit who is willing to fiscally sponsor me, and thereby apply for grants that way. This method will be supremely more easy to do. I'm now in the proposal writing stage of becoming fiscally sponsored.

Michel told me many things about the documentary film making process that were eye-opening. Will the places I shoot in Ethiopia have electricity? I will be going to a very remote village there, after all. I guess I'll need tons of batteries! How will the socio/political climate affect what and how I shoot? How much tape do I need to bring?

The conversation I had Michel was truly enlightening. the more I thought about it, the more it occurred to me how great it would be to have someone of his expertise on the project. As someone who has little experience with film projects, I know it would be very difficult to do this project by myself. I asked Michel about his interest in the project, and to my delight, he expressed interest in joining the project. And so, once funding is procured for the project, I'm happy to announce that the renowned, award nominated director/documentarian Michel Horvat will be joining Blind Promises!

Part of the process of writing a proposal for both fiscal sponsorship as well as for grant applications is to create a budget for the film. I am amazed at how quickly the cost of such a venture can balloon to monstrous proportions. Luckily there are resources aplenty out there for newcomers to this process, as it is most certainly daunting!

I'll conclude my blog today with a brief update on shooting. To date, I have shot several days with Esubalew. Late February of this year, I flew to Denver and had the opportunity to follow him around, as well as to shoot some interviews. As the NBA finals come up, I think it would be awesome to have him come out and enjoy one of his favorite teams play, the LA Lakers. I'm uncertain whether this will happen, but I'll keep you updated! Other than that, as previously mentioned, I'll be flying to Ethiopia in June to film Esbubalew's reunion with his mother.

Thanks for tuning in!

Introducing Esubalew Ethan Johnston

Who is Ethan Esubalew (pronounced soo-BAH-loo)? To be sure, he's unmistakably a die-hard LA Lakers fan. He's not bad on the basketball court himself, either. College student? Yes, that fits the bill too. He's studying communications at the University of Colorado Boulder.

When you meet Ethan, the first thing you will most likely notice will be his smile. He has the ability to light up a room with it. It also becomes apparent that he is blind. What is not apparent, however, is how he became blind.

When he was about six years old, some vagabonds tricked his mother into letting them take her son, telling her they would take him to the city to be educated. What lay in store for this young boy would have horrified his unknowing mother if she only knew. Perhaps you might have seen the Academy Award winning movie Slumdog Millionaire. Ethan is a living example of the atrocities that so many young children in developing countries face at the hands of villainous child traffickers. They intentionally blinded him, forcing him to beg in the unknown streets of the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Abeba, a long ways from the shelter of his mother. What's worse, they refused to even feed him, taking any money he earned for themselves.

This painful fact from Ethan's past is not, however, obvious to the first time acquaintance. His native happy demeanor betrays the abuse he suffered as a young child. In fact, the most remarkable aspect of his story is his absolute refusal to let anger against those evil men dwell in his heart. He approaches each day with a spirit of gratitude for the opportunities he has, and looks for ways to share the bounties of his life with others.

By a sliver of luck, Ethan was adopted into America, where he learned to become completely independent, despite the challenges he faces as a blind man. Join him on this journey as Ethan endeavors to turn his personal tragedy into hope for others by establishing a school for the blind in his home country, Ethiopia.

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Today I purchased my plane ticket to Ethiopia! This is part of a long journey I've embarked upon to film a documentary, entitled Blind Promises.

Blind Promises is about a victim of child trafficking Esubalew Ethan Johnston who was intentionally blinded as an eight or nine year old in Ethiopia. He was then forced to beg on the streets of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. He didn't get to keep the money, and they didn't feed him in return. They whipped him with stinging nettle if he didn't bring home enough money. The film will tell his incredible and heart warming journey to the great land of opportunity, America, and document his journey to build a school for the blind back in his home country.

While in Ethiopia, I'll be filming what will hopefully be one of the most incredible experiences of the tale: the reunification of Esubalew with his mother after 16 years of separation. I'll also film some interviews and other necessary shots for the film.

I leave June 14th from LAX, and will be back in time for the 4th of July. I'm so excited!