Help us complete the short film: Rich

Summary

The purpose of this GoFundMe campaign is to get a microbudget in place to finish a 15 - 18 minute short film about Rich, an inspiring, open-water swimmer who is blind. The funding will get this short film from production - 3 seasons of filming are already finished - to completion. A significant amount of the fundraising will cover the cost of the music licensing fees, film festival applications and 10% of the running total will be donated to the National Federation for the Blind (NFB.org). Those expenses will consist of one-third of the total raised while two-thirds will be used for all of the finishing costs, which will allow me to professionally edit this short film, submit it to film festivals and make it available to stream in two versions, one to accommodate those with disabilities and a version for those without disabilities. I anticipate that it will take me 4 - 6 weeks to complete all those essential steps.

A message from Rich in his own words, part 1. The 2nd part of Rich's message is below.

I want to thank Al Leibman for this video and for highlighting a blind guy’s vision for his life. He saw in me something that others might find positive. He encouraged me to share what I do. The Coney Island Polar Bears was my introduction to swimming after I retired from teaching. My first solo plunge changed to a team when two Bears offered to assist as they saw that I was blind. What an introduction to a new club! My friend Frank, a club member in the Coney Island Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers was instrumental in my swimming in open water. When I asked for a swim buddy, he stood up and said, “I’ll swim with you”. Those words made my desire to swim possible. If this video can open the eyes of others who see limits in their life then Al’s goal is complete. Yes, life is what you make of it. Thanks Al, for this opportunity to help to change minds. Having the support of my wife and family has outlined a better future than the one that seemed my destiny. Without their help, my pursuits would not have been realized.

Purpose and Intention

Just when I thought the local swim adventures and friendships at Brighton Beach/Coney Island, Brooklyn couldn't get more rewarding, I met Rich. With that million-dollar smile, his loving wife, Carol, by his side, and his in-the-moment exuberance, this blind swimmer boldly swims tethered to his sighted, swim partner, Frank. They swim far from the shore, competitively in long-distance swims and enjoy a bond that is unlike any other I've seen. As I've gotten to know Rich over several seasons of filming him, I saw a light in him that exudes love, gratitude and compassion, all underpinned by courage. I'm extraordinarily fortunate that he's the subject of my short film and very grateful to enjoy his friendship. Simply put, I would like to introduce this man to an audience that I'm confident will appreciate, as I do, a beautifully bold way to engage in life.

Up to this point, I've created the video trailer (below) and have done all the producing and filming - another one or two shoots remain. I've gotten pretty far simply driven by passion. But that won't be enough at this post-production (editing) stage to finish the very time-consuming and costly stages needed to get this short film (approx. 15 - 18. min. ) completed. That's where your support is needed...and deeply appreciated.

With your support, this GofundMe campaign will allow me to share a short film of Rich, a remarkable and remarkably inspiring guy. Rich will be humbled by this description because that's so characteristic of this grandfather, in his 70s, who enjoys the enormous love he's created with his marriage to Carol, three daughters, five grandchildren and two swim communities that he's helped to embolden and elevate.

The short film will share fuller aspects of Rich's life on and off the beach, including interviews of Rich, Carol and Frank, his life as a high school shop instructor, additional engagement with The Coney Island Polar Bears and CIBBOWS (Coney Island and Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers), his full 5k swim attempt from Breezy Point, Queens to Coney Island, Brooklyn and a surprise or two along the way.

Important Update about Rich

Some of you already know that Rich has been battling multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, for the past several months. He permitted me to mention it here, but he requested, months ago, that he didn't want me to film him as he goes through his challenging treatment. Rich told me that he developed cancer from his exposure to hazardous 9/11 agents while teaching at a high school next to Ground Zero. With Carol by his side, he's making impressive progress with his lengthy treatments and is dealing with it courageously as he has every other challenge he's faced. He expects to be back in the ocean sometime in the summer and I will be there, hopefully with you, to celebrate that homecoming.

What will we do if we surpass our funding goal?

If we are fortunate enough for that to happen, 10% of our running total will keep going to the National Federation for the Blind (NFB). Also, we will have the opportunity to reach a wider audience by submitting it to many more film festivals than the current funding goal allows.

How exactly will the donations be used?

-10% of the running total will be donated to the National Federation for the Blind (NFB). If we reach our goal of $4000, we will donate, in Rich's name, $400. More, of course, if we surpass that goal. When the campaign is complete, we will post NFB's letter of recognition of having received this donation, which will be in Rich's name. Rich chose this nonprofit because he has directly benefited from their crucial support at an earlier stage in his life. He details this in his message (below).

-Approximately $300 - $400 will be used to purchase the music licensing rights for the short film to appear in any film festival that selects it. I purchased the licensing rights to have it appear on social media, but licensing it to appear in film festivals is more costly.

-Approximately $500 will be needed to submit the short film into about 10 - 12 film festivals, more if we surpass our funding goal. Several of the festivals we will submit to are geared to those with disabilities.

-The remaining amount, which will be the majority of the funds raised, will be used to cover the cost of the approximately 4 - 6 weeks it will take to edit the short film professionally. I expect to do all the editing, color correcting, audio sweetening and application submission process to enter it into film festivals. Additionally, two video versions will be created to accommodate those with disabilities and those without.

-Please note that no goods or services will be offered in exchange for the donations. I am keeping this GoFundMe campaign straightforward.

About Me

I'm a short filmmaker/photographer/videographer/part-time instructor at CUNY and a former TV news cameraman/editor. As an avid, all-year-round open-water swimmer at Brighton Beach and Coney Island, I try to capture the magic that resides on these urban beaches steps away from the subway.

My website: Sea of Salvation hosts a short film by the same name, which played on the film festival circuit. The site also contains some of my photography and other videos of Brighton Beach and Coney Island open-water swimmers through all four seasons.

Other Ways You Can Help

I completely understand if you can't donate for whatever reason. I will never ask anyone directly to make a donation. This GofundMe campaign serves that purpose. I will share the link to this GoFundMe campaign on my social media. Please consider doing the same whether or not you can donate - any level of support is certainly welcomed and very much appreciated.

Thank you so much! If you have any questions or comments, please connect with me. -Al

A message from Rich, part 2

In 1975, I lost vision in my left eye due to a Retinal Detachment. In 1990, the Retina in my right eye detached and I became legally blind but still needed no White Cane to navigate. I took the remaining part of that semester from my High School teaching position and asked for Social Security to help sustain my family. In September, Social Security informed me that I was to continue on permanent disability. I contacted the National Federation of the Blind and they provided a Legal Aid to help me with my case.

Our closing argument to the disability panel was to say that “I went blind but did not become dumb because of my blindness”. They smiled and said OK! I learned many blind skills since then both on the computer and with using the White Cane. I lost all vision in 2003 but asked for an aid in my classroom and happily retired after 25 years of service.

I am eternally grateful to the National Federation of the Blind for their invaluable help.

-Rich