In January I attended the Sundance Film Festival with “The D Word: Understanding Dyslexia”, another documentary I produced. It was very exciting, to say the least, to be at an internationally renowned film festival and I am happy to announce that the film will appear on HBO in October.

Last week was full of celebration and networking, and I made some powerful and inspiring connections that will be fruitful for “The Eyes of Thailand” once we complete the film this spring. This week we are keeping up the momentum by pushing “The Eyes of Thailand” forward.

In December, we launched our IndieGoGo donation campaign for individuals who would like to be a part of our inspiring and award-winning documentary by making a small donation to “The Eyes of Thailand” film.

This our LAST IndieGoGo campaign for “The Eyes of Thailand”. The last opportunity to raise $17,500 to complete the film, the last chance to claim your donation perks, pre-reserve your DVDs and posters, and your last chance to get your name in the film’s credits.

Your donations of $10, $30 and up are greatly appreciated, and can be made between today and February 28th. In return, donors will receive some very cool “perks” (think of “perks” as cool gifts).

For example, with a $100 Donation, YOU will receive:

1. IMDB Film Credit (that’s right, you would get listed in the film’s ending credits under “Thank Yous”)
2. Personal THANK YOU and Shout Out from me (the Director)
3. DVD or digital download of “The Eyes of Thailand” film & the Film’s Score (when available)
4. Official poster signed by Filmmaker

Plus, your donation is 100% Tax-deductible and 15% goes directly to the FAE Elephant Hospital in Thailand.

Watch the powerful and inspiring trailer, learn more about the campaign and how to donate at: <http://tinyurl.com/TheEyesofThailandMovement>

If you have already donated, please consider donating again, even if it’s $10. It may not seem like much to you, but $10 donations add up quickly and they give us an opportunity to announce our progress online and keep the buzz up.

Another way to help keep our momentum going is sharing the link with your friends and networks and encouraging them to join you in donating to the film.

I hope you will join us and show your support by being a part of “THE EYES OF THAILAND“ and making a small donation today.

With gratitude,

Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

Like many documentaries today, “The Eyes of Thailand” film is incorporating animations to help illustrate key events in the film for which we don’t have photos or video footage.

We’re working with Tahnee Gehm, a student at the California Institute of the Arts, studying Character Animation, to create seven (7) animations, including: illustrating how two elephant landmine survivors (Motala and Baby Mosha) arrived at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital, why the Founder Soraida Salwala decided to open FAE in 1993, and how to build an elephant-sized prosthesis.

“Inspired by Nang Yai, or traditional Thai shadow puppets, the animations were created digitally in a space that emulates a light source that casts shadows,” explains Tahnee. “The moods of the pieces are emphasized with the color of the light. With animation, more cinematic opportunities are available for story-telling than might be available in traditional shadow puppetry. Still, the spirit of shadow puppets was kept alive by creating characters with hinged limb movements.”

Below are three still frames from the film’s animations.

Mother elephant feeding the Buddha.

Many believe the Buddha was once born as a baby elephant. The still frame above shows the Mother elephant feeding the young Buddha.

Buddha's eyes

The Buddha grows up to a majestic elephant, who refuses to eat or drink until he can feed his blind, old mother.

Elephant Triumph

Soraida Salwala stood in front of an armored truck for 25 hours before the authorities relented and released the elephants, who were scheduled to be exported to a zoo.

We look forward to hearing what you think about the animations.

Happy New Year, Ele-Friends! While we’re looking forward to announcing BIG things in 2012 (ahem! like the World Premiere of “The Eyes of Thailand” film), we also want to acknowledge our accomplishments in 2011.

Last year we:

• Edited “The Eyes of Thailand” trailer at Remedy Editorial (If you haven’t seen the new cut, check it out and share it with your friends).
• Edited the film with Gary Schillinger and got to “Picture Lock”.
• Began production on the film’s animation with Tahnee Gehm.
• Began composing the film’s score with Steve Horner.
• Worked with Annabel Nguyen to design a beautiful new poster (which you can receive as a donation “perk” when you donate to the film).
• Updated http://www.eyesofthailand.com with SeenDesigns (If you haven’t seen it lately, check it out!).
• Collaborated with international artist Annabel Ruffel to create “The Eyes of Thailand” painting (another donation “perk“).
• Received an ACE Grant from the Humane Society of the United States.
• Raised over $7,500 through tax-deductible donations to cover the costs of all of the above.

Thank you for all your support and please join us in giving an “Ele-Friend” Shout Out to all of the donors who supported us in 2011!

Aimee Reiss

Alaina Zepeda

Amelie Frank

Anne Wasson

Ashley Martin

Ayumi Ashley

Belinda Ogley

Carlyn Montes De Oca

Carmen Mendieta

Carol & Stewart Kriss

Chanel Brown

Cynthia Pepper & Val Hornstein

Daniela Rible

Dhaivat Shah

Diana Iles Parker

Elephant E-ctivism

Fiona Mackie

Jack Watson

Jacqueline Eichman

James Boyle & Jennifer Kincaid

Jamie Sirgany

Jaqueline Frierman

Jennifer Bradwell

Jennifer Cote

Jimmy Jo Allen

Joel Reger

Josie nedved

Julia O. Tryk

June Billings

Karen Mulligan Linarelli

Karin Kelly-Givens

Kelly Winters

Laura McLennan

Laure A. Wiliams

Lee Holen

Lori & Wayne Aus

Maria Gloria Salinas Picon

Marilyn Eidenberg

Mark Lefko

Nela Fry

Kate Reding Coreson

Patty Coggan

Paul Hannon

Peter Hewitson

Rachel Caplan

Robert & Danuta Vanderbeek

Robert Dove

Ruthie Cassidy

Ruthy Effler

Sarah Kraft

Sarah Schwarzchild

Stacy Miller

Susan Allsbrook

Susan Beckett

Ted Durongbhand & family

William Matheu

Wendy Morgan

And a special thank you to all our Anonymous donors.

Thank you for joining us in our quest to protect Asian Elephants and ban landmines around the world. We could not do it without you!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

P.S. 2011 was a banner year, but stay tuned for some BIG announcements coming soon…

Dramatic Elephant Doc Takes Second Prize; Moon Bear Rescue Doc Takes First

SAN FRANCISCO (Dec 9, 2011) – From a rich and diverse field of almost 90 submissions from over 20 countries around the world, The Eyes of Thailand, a feature length documentary by Windy Borman about an inspiring quest to build prostheses for elephants who stepped on landmines, won an Animal Content in Entertainment (ACE) Documentary Grant from The Humane Society of the United States.

A panel of development and programming executives from HBO Documentary Films, Animal Planet, The Documentary Channel, Authentic Entertainment, Screaming Flea Productions, Gravitas Ventures and Green Planet Films selected The Eyes of Thailand to win the $2,500 grant.
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Congratulations, Susan Allsbrook! Susan won the Free Trip for 2 in Thailand from Intrepid Travel.

The Trip: Northern Thailand is among the greatest adventure destinations on the planet and this journey reveals why: hiking among hill tribes, sailing its rivers, and calling into friendly and colorful villages along the way. This 15-day journey will take her from the chaotic streets of Bangkok to the serene countryside and offer a glimpse into this fascinating country. Plus, during her adventure, Susan will visit the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital and meet Motala and Mosha, two of the elephants featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary.

As promised, ALL DONORS WHO SELECTED THIS PERK WILL GET TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN “EYES OF THAILAND” POSTER, T-SHIRT OR WATER BOTTLE. You will receive an email within the week to select your preference.
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“The Eyes of Thailand” has contracted Animator Tahnee Gehm to help bring certain stories within the film to life. Examples include Motala’s and Mosha’s trips to FAE’s Elephant Hospital after being injured and Soraida’s inspiration to found FAE, among others.

Tahnee is currently a student at the California Institute of the Arts, studying Character Animation. Creating a handful of internationally-screened animated short films in as many diverse styles as possible, she hopes to one day start her own animation studio. While art and animation have been life-long passions, she also enjoys playing violin and piano, along with tinkering with technology.

We’re thrilled to have Tahnee on board and look forward to unveiling a sneak peek to some animation stills soon. Stay tuned!

Salee, losing her mind to her altered nervous system. Testing in progress. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

By Michael Wysocki

We, as in all species, need our personal “sanctuary,” our peaceful place that we find even inside our aggressive yet stimulating cities. A place either by ourselves, or that we share with someone special. My sanctuary in New York City was the Harlem River, in Los Angeles its Venice Beach. You should know, FAE is not an Elephant Sanctuary, it is a Hospital.

There are a few blessed Elephants that can safely call FAE home; including Motala, Mosha, Ekhe, Auan, and just recently Bobo, that will live out their lives here in the giving hands of FAE staff, down the hill somewhat sheltered from the drama above. As for the rest of the Elephants, their days are full of syringes, injections, antiseptic soaks, enemas, and many other medical practices; balanced out with treats, cleanliness, and affection.

I made my way to Chiang Mai this past week to renew my visa, so I thought. I ended up having to make my way to Burma for a last minute “border run.” Yes it sounds fun, and is; even after four different bus rides. My time in Chiang Mai became a part of my journey to learn more, and I became reassured by my God that he is behind me. I experienced what a tourist would face as I wandered the streets of the old city, seduced by many attractions but refusing the most prominent, Elephant Trekking, “The ultimate jungle experience.” I stopped and read out of curiosity, gazing into the eyes of the Elephants. It was then I knew how different Soraida’s mission for FAE was from other Elephant camps here in Thailand, whether it be Trekking, Shows, or even Conservation Parks.
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Trilogy at The Vineyards presents
Meet the Filmmaker: An Afternoon with Windy Borman, Director of “The Eyes of Thailand”

Join us on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 2:00pm as we welcome the filmmakers of “The Eyes of Thailand“, a feature-length documentary directed and produced by Windy Borman and produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg.

“The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors—Motala and Baby Mosha—walk on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another. Told in the style of “The Cove” (2009), “Born into Brothels” (2004) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), “The Eyes of Thailand” is a touching and uplifting story of how far one woman will go to ease the suffering of an endangered species.

Windy will share production stories from the field, updates on the elephants at the Elephant Hospital in Thailand, as well as share an exclusive never-before-seen “Sneak Peek” of a clip of “The Eyes of Thailand” before it’s released in 2012.

All attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine.

Donations will be accepted after the presentation and all donations are tax-deductible when made via check or through the Film’s IndieGoGo online fundraising campaign. Donation Perks include: posters, T-shirts, artisan chocolates, fine art, invitations to the Film’s Sneak Peeks, a private screening with the Filmmaker for you and 25 friends–even a chance to Win a FREE 15-day Trip for 2 in Thailand. For more information, please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Eyes-of-Thailand-Film

Please RSVP by:
Calling the Concierge Desk 925.809.7180 OR
Emailing michelle.medina@trilogyresortliving.com

Soraida Salwala supervises as the staff at FAE try to help Thongbai stand up. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

By Michael Wysocki

The laws of nature rarely show mercy, but today here at FAE hospital we escaped death. This morning I woke up the moment the first sunray showered my face. Instead of laying and just being for a bit like most mornings, I instinctively got up, threw on my favorite orange uniform, and grabbed my camera. Between the foliage and the topography of this place, I learned in order to find my friends I must listen not look, and as I picked up their voices I knew, they were with Thongbai. He is our 45-year old male patient, blind in his right eye, skinny, weak, came to us about a week ago for the treatment of an abscess on his back from the equipment he carries as a life long logging Elephant.
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Thongbai, a 45-year old elephant with wounds from hauling logs, is treated at FAE's Elephant Hospital. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

by Michael Wysocki

You and I have chosen to care and be a part of a pure thing in this world, but no living creature is exempt from the wrath of Man’s greed.

Soraida works very hard to protect the FAE hospital, and anyone and any Elephant within it, from the corrupt, cruel, and judgmental realities of this world. But with the rains back and the trucks arriving with new patients, we are totally submersed into it. Thankful as I am, Soraida knows that without major change and cooperation from the government this will always be, until the elephants no longer exist.  She travels back and forth to Bangkok immersing herself amongst the tough and powerful politicians, speaking her voice without flinching.

I sense that Thailand, as other countries have before it, has reached a critical point to either protect its environment, which includes the human population, by protecting the forest and its inhabitants; or finish her off for some quick cash. Thailand can be a misleading place, almost like an illusion. My train ride from the south to north was full of natural beauty of what appears to be virgin tropical jungle, in my mind teaming with wildlife such as Tigers, Sun bears, Monkeys and Elephants. I was thrilled with even just the slight chance of spotting one of these species as I stared for hours out the window.  I actually knew that this was just me, again in my fantasy world, but I have always dreamed of that world and I refused to let it go, as does Soraida. There is still hope for Thailand; not only do the laws have to be changed, but they also have to be honored.
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