Blind Courage The Movie | 055 - Actors Talk - Come Inside The Acting Business

BLIND COURAGE - Never Lose Faith - Never Give Up
Bill inspired me to look at my life and to just keep going — whether it’s on the script, my career, my family — to just keep going and have a good attitude.

Below you'll find some of my thoughts on this project and about my interview with BLIND COURAGE producer Paula O'Neal and director Clint Ross. But before I go too far into the show notes, I want to make sure you are aware of the Indiegogo campaign currently underway for this project.

Below is a BLIND COURAGE concept trailer that was shot on location on the Appalachian Trail.

In this video, the role of Bill Irwin is played by, Bill Oberst Jr.an outstanding actor who has well over 100 IMDb credits and is a strong force in one of my personal favorite films of the past several years, THE RETRIEVAL. His guide dog, Orient is played by DANTE from the Seeing Eye organization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MtXwf7VjrQ

This is one of the best concept trailers I've seen for a crowd funding campaign. I can get a feel for what it will be like shooting this movie in this very environment.

To the left are producer Paula O'Neal and Debra Irwin on location in the Appalachian Trail for the concept trailer shoot.

In case you missed the link above, CLICK HERE to become an active supporter of BLIND COURAGE. The goal of $300,000 is ambitious but obtainable. This is one project I have no problem asking you to support.

Director, Clint Ross went from latchkey kid whose academic work in high school prevented him from getting into college to a self-starter with an advanced degree in filmmaking. Paula O'Neal went from a fourteen year old with an interest in photography to a filmmaking degree and to work with Hollywood film companies.

Both Paula and Clint have both cut their creative teeth on numerous short film projects as writer director and/or producer.

These two individual stories of courage and inspiration are examples of what it is to follow your passion, your calling. Pair the two of them with the extraordinary story of Bill Irwin and you have the potential for a film that will be exciting, entertaining and inspiring to a very broad audience. What you have is BLIND COURAGE the movie.

I have to admit that somehow the Bill Irwin story had, until recently, escaped my consciousness. That's a shame because I would have loved to hear him tell this story in person. He was, I am told, an incredible motivational speaker. After learning about his story that is easy to believe.

Some months ago I began to see Facebook posts from producer Paula O'Neal about this project she was working on - BLIND COURAGE.

WHO IS BILL IRWIN

In 1990 Bill Irwin and his dog Orient thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. That's a 2100 mile trek that took either eight or nine months. In researching this story, I've read or heard both figures. Either way, it's a LONG walk in the wilderness.

That in itself would make a fascinating story. Add in the fact that Bill Irwin was totally blind and Orient was his guide dog and you have a story that is almost unbelievable. It is a story of perseverance and determination and faith that has 'movie' written all over it.

The fact that it is a true story only adds to the fascination, the appeal. Tell me this film is playing at the local theater and I'm in.

Bill Irwin, who died in March of 2014 at the age of 73, co-wrote with David McCasland, a book about his journey through the Appalachian Trail.

The book is called BLIND COURAGE and that is the title of the film about his journey and his life that is currently in pre-production.

BLIND COURAGE THE MOVIE is the topic under discussion on this episode of ACTORS TALK.
We wanted this to be a film about courage and faith, and by the end, it will be obvious where Bill got that from.

BLIND COURAGE - IN THE WILDERNESS