Shooting Blind

TYPE: Documentary Feature
GENRE: Documentary
STATUS: Production

LOGLINE

Shooting Blind tells the story of a military sharpshooter who must reimagine his identity when diagnosed with a genetic retina disease that causes blindness.

SYNOPSIS

At 21, Eitan Armon, an IDF sharpshooter, was suddenly diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and told he was going blind. Alone, facing despair, Eitan summons inner resources to reimagine his identity, deploying positive psychology to find new directions. He is among the very first volunteers for an experimental treatment and takes on new athletic challenges. Climbing Kilimanjaro, backcountry skiing, and finally, pushing himself to climb El Capitan in Yosemite to raise awareness for diagnosing and treating this often-missed disease, he uses the lessons he has learned to inspire others facing setbacks to find hope.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

The portaledge of El Capitan is where we find Eitan, camping out 2000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor, drinking coffee and taking in the view with the 5% tunnel vision he still has. Eitan’s journey will be told through filmed scenes of Eitan — maneuvering around NY with a white cane, undergoing medical treatment with his doctors in Iowa, discussing positive psychology with his professors and mentors, dancing with friends, hiking, skiing, kayaking and rock-climbing. We will also employ sit down interviews with medical experts, academics, friends and family, and use historical footage including Eitan’s family films showing his childhood clumsiness — early signs of his eye condition. Animation and graphics will be used to explain Retinitis Pigmentosa, as well as to depict key stories about Eitan’s military service and diagnosis, for which no b-roll imagery exists. We will also film black-and-white military simulations with actors to depict Eitan’s challenges during basic training, when his vision deteriorated markedly. During the El Cap climb we will employ specialized cinematography. One camera will be on the rock with Eitan as he climbs, operated by a specially trained adventure cinematographer/guide. Camera two will shoot from the ground with a super-telephoto lens, as well as on the summit to record the culmination of the climb. Although there are moments in Eitan’s life of despair and frustration, the overall goal is to show Eitan’s resilience, humor, and compassion for others facing a myriad of physical and emotional set backs.  This is a story that is inspiring and upbeat and will leave the audience feeling transported and amazed by Eitan’s abilities and exuberance. Please see our sizzle reel at: vimeo.com/630952952 (password: Shooting Blind)

KEY CREW

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