Reel Rock Tour

From Jeff...
HEY EVERYONE,

So...Let me see...how do I start. Most of you remember how back in October of 2006 I became really ill with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. I was hospitalized, spent time in rehab, etc. Anyways, It was a really important experience of my life that I went through. I learned so much about whats really important, etc. So fast-forward to my recovery. Most of you know how important rock climbing was to me before I was sick...and those closest to me know how much that passion helped me in my rehab and getting stronger post illness. To say my passion for climbing increased after my illness would still be an understatement.

Throughout the year following my recovery I spent a lot of time thinking and trying to process the whole experience. I knew I wanted to find a way to not only tell about what happened to me, but also spread awareness for GBS. Armed with my trusty MacBook and camera, I thought it would be fun to make a short climbing video. It was a lot of fun to make and Elle did a great job helping out and giving input. Making the video was also very therapeutic for me.

So...blah...blah...blah...come on Chunky get to the point...well here it is...

I decided to enter the film into a national climbing film competition, The Reel Rock Tour, its sponsored by The North Face and other climbing companies. Its a 100 city film tour that shows the latest climbing videos featuring some of the worlds top climbers. Honestly, it took about 30 seconds to enter the contest and I really didn't anticipate anything. Well, it has made the finals and is up for voting on the website...

http://www.reelrocktour.com

Just click on the filmmaking competition Vote Now! link and look for the film "Back On My Feet".

The bottom line is this...

I am completely overwhelmed that this little video that I made is in the finals. Its nothing terribly exciting. I talk about what happened...and I climb one of my favorite local boulder problems (a V0, nothing hard) and thats it. But, it does raise awareness for GBS and stresses how important this simple act of going from the bottom of a rock to the top is to me and others like me.

So, go to the website and vote..it takes no more than 20 seconds. Watch all the videos, just watch mine, do what you want. If you like another video better than mine...vote for that one! I'd be lying if I say "I don't care if I win". I'd LOVE TO WIN and have my video included on the tour, but if not, I'd just love for everyone to take a look and drop me some feedback...what did you think?? did you like it? hate it?

Also, PLEASE...

pass it on...forward it with a little message to everyone in your address book...

if you are on facebook, myspace...send out a bulletin, start a group, etc.

I just want to thank my wife Ellen for spending that afternoon with me and helping film and my good friend Jeff Rupertus who taught me everything I know about filmmaking. The rest I learned by making mistakes, haha.

So please vote for "Back On My Feet" at http://www.reelrocktour.com
and pass it on to everyone you know.

Thanks !!!!

Jeffrey Zschunke

jeffreyzschunke@yahoo.com