World Premiere 2/06/13 12pm-230pm
Tix info www.studiocityfilmfestival.com
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Synopsis:
“Driving Blind”- a feature length documentary. Two brothers, Tod and Justin Purvis, faced with a rare genetic disease that causes blindness (Choroideremia) decide to take the road trip of a lifetime around the United States and see everything possible before going blind. The brothers explored large cities and small towns, camped in national parks, pushing themselves to their limits while meeting strangers and making new friends. The trip forced the brothers to confront some of their darkest fears, while also exposing them to amazing sight across the country and reinforcing their faith in the beauty of the human spirit. “Driving Blind” is the story of appreciating what you have, while you have it. The film is a portrait of what makes America beautiful, what really matters in life, and what we as human beings do with our short time here.
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Production:
“Driving Blind”- was shot by three best friends originally from Buffalo, NY. The budget was $50K that came from small donations and personal savings. This is the debut of director Brian James Griffo who enjoys a day job in Los Angeles as a camera assistant and operator on such shows as Biggest Loser, Master Chef, Anthony Bourdain No Reservations, and X-Factor. Long time friend Ryan J. Detzel and “Driving Blind” cinematographer came along with Adam Buckley on audio for the 12K mile road trip/production. During the trip, the crew lived in a follow van filled with film equipment. The van provided a place to cook, sleep, and travel with Tod and Justin as they made this remarkable trip. Constantly time lapsing every mile of the drive, monitoring audio of the brothers, building steadi-cam or a slider, or shooting motion-controlled photography at night, the crew never let off the gas pedal. It was one of the most grueling and rewarding productions any of the three have ever endured. Once back in Los Angeles Brian and Tod edited the picture in the Perfect Karma edit bay, carefully going through endless hours of audio and video to tell the story through point of view, without using interviews as a crutch.
Safety:
We went into production planning to do a pre-trip diagnosis. Due to scheduling issues with the optometrist the visit had to be delayed until after the road trip was completed. We started filming with the belief that Tod and Justin had at least half of their eyesight left. It is revealed at the end that their eyesight was much much worse, and in truth the trip or film would never have happened had we known they would in fact be driving blind. Justin was declared legally blind at the conclusion of the trip and has given up driving for good. Though Brian took the wheel for the brothers on a few dark rainy nights, the majority of miles were driven by the brothers.
Update:
“Driving Blind” - has been officially selected by The Studio City Film Festival (studiocityfilmfestival.com) and by the Black Hills Film Festival (blackhillsfilmfestival.org) to show at this year’s festivals, with many more to come. The film and the brothers’ story has been featured on WXXI Reachout Radio, Rochester NY, HuffPostlive.com, Los Angeles Radio Reading Service, The New York Daily News, The Augusta Chronicle.
The film was made by six people all together, with their own money. All proceeds from the final film are being donated to Choroideremia.org, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for this rare eye disease.
