Kickstarter

ABOUT DO YOU DREAM IN COLOR?

When people ask us how we found the idea for this film, we tell them that we didn't—it found us.
Do You Dream In Color? began as a small project: a quest to understand the dreams of the blind. We quickly found ourselves with a story bigger than we were—surrounded by an inspirational group of blind teenagers and a larger-than-life mission to raise awareness about a community that captured our hearts.  

Each of the teenagers we follow in the documentary has an inspiring story and a dream to pursue: Connor is a blind skateboarder with his heart set on making the Active Rideshop skate team.  Sarah longs to connect with her mother who passed away by living abroad in Portugal for her senior year of high school. Madison works tirelessly to perfect her singing and overcome her stage fright. Hannah was adopted from China at age twelve, and five years later she feels compelled to rediscover her roots by returning to the Hunan Province where she grew up.  Nick, a writer and drummer, struggles to keep his rock band together before the big show at the local Hot Topic. Carina, a second generation Mexican-American, fights to break down barriers by becoming the first member of her family to graduate high school and attend college.

We live in a visual society, and it is often difficult for a sighted person to understand that being blind does not mean living in the dark.  Do You Dream in Color? will show sighted audiences that to a blind person, the world is just as rich, vibrant and beautiful. To bridge this gap of understanding, we are using the power of animation and visual effects to bring the sleeping dreams of the teenagers to life in the most accurate and compelling way possible. The film features neuroscientists Dr. Alvaro Pascual Leone and Dr. Lotfi Merabet, dream psychologists Dr. William Domhoff and Dr. Nancy Kerr and opthalmologist Dr. Sam Masket to better understand how we can depict these previously unexplored realms of blind imagination.

OUR MISSION:

When we set out to tell the stories of these inspirational teenagers, we had no idea that our little documentary would expand its scope to confront larger issues of equality that affects the blind community on a national level. By immersing ourselves in the lives of these teens and the blind organizations that fight tirelessly for their rights, our eyes have been opened and our minds expanded. 

The most important lesson we’ve learned is that the largest obstacle faced by blind teenagers is not their disability, but low expectations.  Jim Dickson, a blind role model featured in the film, recalls when his college counselor would not let him apply to Brown University because he was blind.  After staging a sit-in at his counselor’s office, he eventually relented and submitted the application. Dickson graduated from Brown Cum Laude four years later and is now the vice chairman of the American Association of People with Disabilities.  Although Jim's story took place decades ago, the blind community still faces many of the same obstacles.

The stories of the teenagers in the film can raise awareness about these issues, start a dialogue in the educational community, and encourage change for the future of blind and disabled children across the country. 

The film’s message is one of inspiration and could create change in both the blind and sighted communities.  These young adolescents inspire us everyday to make this the best film we can.  Now we are asking for your help to become a part of our story and join the Do You Dream In Color? family!

Michelle Bruns, director of Society for the Blind wrote to us recently: "A film such as Do You Dream in Color? which depicts young blind people in such a positive way will establish what blindness is and what it is not. But most importantly, it will depict blindness as not something to fear but rather something that can be overcome. With creativity, the possibilities are endless."

DETAILS:

All of our production team and equipment has been donated and we have avoided many costs, however in order to finish funding the film we will need at least $25,000. It's imperative that we raise these funds in order to complete the film.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! If you can't give, please forward on. We need your help, and the help of your brother, girlfriend, history teacher, neighbor and mailman. Please spread the word!
Oh and thanks to our non-profit partner, Society for the Blind, donations will be tax write-offs.

Last but not least, THANK YOU to the wonderful organizations that have participated.
National Federation of the Blind
American Council of the Blind
American Association of People with Disabilities
LightHouse for the Blind – San Francisco
The Braille Institute – Los Angeles/Orange County
Society for the Blind - Sacramento
Carroll Center for the Blind – Newton MA
Perkins School for the Blind – Watertown MA

Love,
The Do You Dream in Color Family
Abby, Ivy, Norma, Christian, Bobby, Chevy, Art, and Mike