Breadcrumbs: Poems & Prose Designed to Lead You Home

For Immediate Release

To schedule an interview with James Anthony Ellis, contact:
Jennifer Geronimo ~ (619) 713-6756 ~ JMGeronimo@aol.com


Writer Leads Readers Home with New Book for National Poetry Month

It says it all right there in the dedication: “Dedicated to words, which saved my life.”

So writes San Diego author James Anthony Ellis in his new book “Breadcrumbs: Poems & Prose Designed to Lead You Home” (CreateSpace 2012). A collection of 101 poems written over the last 20 years, the book is published with the author’s expressed intention to lead readers to a state of freedom, love and joy. In a word, Ellis wants to lead readers “home,” a state of mind he has searched for his entire creative career.

Ellis is publishing his book to coincide with April’s National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, the designated national acknowledgement is held every April, when publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its place in American culture.

Ellis’ title “Breadcrumbs” was taken from the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, referring to the breadcrumbs that Hansel leaves on a trail in order for both he and Gretel to find their way home out of the dangerous woods. Their major obstacle: hungry birds.

The obstacles Ellis overcame to complete the book included believing in his self-worth and expression, both of which were bolstered by an ability to write.

“I remember being a kid with a lot I wanted to get across to my folks and friends, but without the ability to speak it,” he says. “The outlet of writing was my one saving grace, and that turned to poetry when I really wanted to reach deep.”

“Breadcrumbs” includes poems separated into chapters such as “Love Poems,” “Heartbreak and Humanity” and “Freedom.” They range in style and theme, from the first poem Ellis wrote at the age of 10 called “The Clock of My Life” to a poem he wrote in October 2011 called “He was One of our Own” in honor of a friend who passed away.

The book is available on Amazon.com and at bookstores everywhere. To order online, click HERE.

About the Author
James Anthony Ellis is a writer, producer and filmmaker living in Southern California. His first book, Starting Point; A Guide to Metaphysics, the Golden Time and Love, was initially published in 1989. Other books include Life Traveler, Tears, and Preparing For the Best; A Guide to Earth Changes in 2012. James also pens The Creative Collaborative, a monthly internet newsletter that announces available writings, upcoming special events and anything he finds pertinent in the moment. To receive a copy of the newsletter or to contact James about his books, see www.LegacyProductions.org.

The Buzz

The word is getting out there. The movie is getting out there.

The educational film "Indoctrinated" was screened in a special setting to help support the further dissemination of a film that will bring awareness of and solution to the issue of our prostituted
youth.

The San Diego County Office of Education sponsored a "Movie Screening and Study Guide Training of Trainers" session on February 14, 2012 at the South County Regional Education Center in National City, to a full room of educators, activists and community members ready to make a difference. Jim Ellis was part of a live panel commenting on the issue of child sex trafficking. "It's inspiring to see a community come together with such deep care for its own," Ellis said.

The big day is coming up soon! Countdown to an amazing New Year's Eve DAY event.

The Freedom For All Foundation has been working all year towards 1000 Breaths II; A Worldwide Release Party, an event which will hold an ancient "forgiveness" technique, a live concert as well as the world-wide release of "Indoctrinated; The Grooming of our Children into Prostitution."

Register HERE
FAQ HERE

Quotes from those who saw the film:

"I have two girls at home. This film scared the crap out of me. This film could make a huge difference in your lives and the lives of your children."
- Lieutenant Eric Thunberg, Chula Vista Police

"This film is a reality check for those of you who live in the world with your eyes shut."
- Corporal Colleen Stanich, National City Police

"This is a must see for parents, and students in middle school and high school.”
- Brian Beck, father of a youth victim of sex trafficking

San Diego Union Tribune Article!

Super SD Union journalist Karen Pearlman has written a wonderful article about the film, about the modest filmmaker (Jim!), and about the 1000 Breaths event on New Year's Eve Day.

Check out the article here:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/22/documentary-on-child-exploitation-set-for-release/

Successful Showing at USD

On December 6, 2011, there it was: 300 people - educators, city officials - sitting in the USD Institute of Peace and Justice Theater watching the "Indoctrinated" film. Was I dreaming? I was able to say a few words to the audience before they saw the sneak preview. I wasn't even nervous really, just proud I guess. Not just for the completion of the film, but also to be part of a cause that holds as solution: getting parents and teens on the same page! A successful night included a panel of experts on child sex trafficking. In the end, the good news is the word is getting out on what's really going on in this realm, and our education will lead us to our freedom and the freeing of the enslaved girls caught in a world they don't truly choose.

Another chance to see this film will take place at the special event - 1000 Breaths II - December 31, 2011 at 11 a.m. More and register here: www.1000Breaths.com.

Filmmaker takes on sex industry that shatters 100,000 US teens each year

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jennifer Geronimo
(619) 713-6756 - Jennifer@Indoctrinated.org

The statistics are staggering. UNICEF reports that two children per minute are trafficked for sexual exploitation in the world. Each year 100,000 teens in the United States fall victim to a sex industry that takes advantage of minors under the age of 18. (Source: Department of Justice). Locally, the FBI has identified the San Diego region as a “High Intensity Child Prostitution Area.”

So what is being done about this tragic issue? For one, San Diego filmmaker Jim Ellis has produced a short education film – “Indoctrinated: The Grooming of Our Children Into Prostitution” – in order to create awareness about and change around this issue. “Indoctrinated” – a 30-minute documentary sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education – uncovers the scope and destructive nature of child sex trafficking and teaches parents and youth ways to protect the girls and the community. The film does so by revealing the tactics used by pimps and gangs to recruit, groom, psychologically coerce and indoctrinate victims into a life of sexual exploitation and violence … a life that no one would ever choose.

Says Ellis, “As a filmmaker, I was present as females talked about the horrors they have been through in a lifestyle they didn’t truly want. It’s horrific the physical torture and mind-games they endured, and I’m proud to be able to share their triumph over their abuse, as well as give hope to a community that must wake up to the nightmare these girls face on a daily basis.”

Two versions of this film have been prepared: a student version in partnership with the San Diego Office of Education and The ACTION Network, as well as a community edition which will be made available worldwide. The office of education will make the film available to educators and school forums throughout the county, and already there is interest from other parts of the nation to present the film.

Three years in the making, the film includes interviews with former prostituted youth, law enforcement, a former pimp, and parents of victims, as well as police ride-along footage.

A premiere screening for selected school administrators and city officials takes place Tuesday, December 6 at the University of San Diego.

The worldwide release of the film will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 31 at St. Marks Sanctuary (3502 Clairemont Dr. San Diego, CA 92117). The worldwide showing of the film will be part of a larger event - 1000 Breaths II - that includes a musical concert by international recording artist Karl Anthony and a “release party” to celebrate the release of the film and to ceremonially release anything that binds us as individuals. This event will also be a fundraiser to help disseminate the film. For more information and to register, go to http://www.1000Breaths.com

Did you listen?

On Friday, Jim and I interviewed the one and only Kendra Wilkinson, reality tv star, Playboy Playmate, on our Freedom For All Radio Show. What a gift to hear her thoughts on the freedom of expression.

Check it out on the archive: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/11/11/guest-kendra-wilkinson