Well, I am not sure you could call that a film unless you actually put it on film. But hey, I have seen some art photos of urine and blood, so if you are so inclined, why not?
I like that you make all kinds of assumptions on what kind of people Josh & Hunter are. Would it be ok with you if they made a film if they had been severely abused as kids? Would that have to actually feature in the film?
I think you missed your calling. You should be a script-checker in Hollywood and make sure all those vapid and unworthy films don't get the green light.
I am having trouble posting on the main thread. If this goes in the wrong place again, I give up!
Anyway, if you are interested, I have answered some of your questions about this movie in this post and I can answer any further questions you have.
Apologies for the weird comment placements from a Slashdot newbie!
Well, for them it was really meaningful. Look, they know they didn't actually do something as astonishingly physical as scaling Everest or similar. The method they chose was kind of funny, but not without its own difficulties. But the part of the experience that was meaningful to them wasn't standing upright for hours on end. It was seeing their country as they had never seen it. And daring to follow their chosen path. And especially the people. They met a lot of people along the way who were also following their dreams. They took the time to smell the roses and their lives were changed forever. To them the experience was really profound. I can't say for sure if it will be meaningful for you. But I hope so.
Yeah, sorry about that. After I wrote the reply I realized I should have written something more general under the main thread. Now I just realized that somehow I ended up in this thread when I swear I clicked to reply to the main one. Ah well. I am a newbie at Slashdot. But I have since replied to your thread. Thanks!
I am not sure why anyone cares. But some do. Hopefully it will be enough. When I heard the idea, I cared. I thought it was such a cool idea. Enough people in the media and online have cared to get some attention, so some people are interested. There are lots of movies made about lots of different things for lots of different reasons. Why not add one about a journey on a Segway?
On behalf of Josh & Hunter - Thanks for the props!
I am not sure how I have time to avoid anything when I have only had time to respond to one post by the time your post was written. Ah well. I am available to discuss it now, if you are interested.
It was never their goal to be celebrated. They simply wanted to make a movie, and they did it! They decided they would do something many have done: travel a great, record-setting, distance on a relatively new form of transportation, and they did it! They wanted to do it on a particular device that no one else has ever used for that purpose, and they did it! They decided these two goals worked well together, so they documented their trip. They wanted to see the parts of America that people don't normally see, and meet people that aren't normally met, and they did it! Three cheers for your friend on the bike! He/she achieved a wonderful goal! I think these guys did too, but not everyone has to agree with me.
These guys are about two most genuine people I have ever met. They were never (as I understand it) trying to make a statement against corporate America or against anything else, they were instead trying make a statement FOR following their dreams. So I am not sure how they become hypocrites for making that happen. The amount of sponsorship they received was not enough to cover much at all. Like many first-time filmmakers, they have had to max out their own cards to get this made. They quit their jobs and put everything they had, including their hearts, souls, and all their own savings into this. They decided to make a gutsy move and leave a life that was unsatisfying to embark on an adventure. And they are also story-tellers, so they told their story too.
If you want to know if or how they ran out of money, perhaps you are more interested in their story than you suggest.
Hello there, I am the one who added my comment to Mr. "Really Lame" http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=173406&cid=144 27883. Like I said in my previous comment, I am glad to see everyone hot & bothered about our little movie. I worked as an assistant editor (among other things) on the film in question. Being involved with this project was truly a great experience. And I would be happy to answer anyone's questions on it. Of course, I was not there for the expedition. Perhaps Josh & Hunter, the filmmakers, will better able to answer some of the specifics, but I can help you out a bit too.
Some intial responses to the questions I see on here...
-Batteries -- They carried several with them. And changed them out as necessary. I don't remember if they charged the batteries when they stopped for the night, or if they had some method of charging on the road.
-Trailer -- yes, actually it does come in handy when you have to lug lots of extra batteries around. (And we're obviously not talking about the common AA variety.)
-Dean Kamen, was not involved in any way in this project. Though they did meet him at the end of their trip.
-Two guys on a Segway -- not exactly. One man (Josh Caldwell) on a Segway made the entire journey, although others in the crew rode occassionally too, when they were stopped, or alongside Josh. I can assure you that there was no funny business on the device itself.
-How long he had to stand -- well I am not sure how long Josh rode every day, but the journey was 100 days long, plus a little added couple days at the end to meet Segway & Dean Kamen.
-how they travelled on a single charge -- as already mentioned they had several spare batteries with them.
-did they film & drive, film & drive -- as someone who personally sifted through an unbelievable amount of footage, I can personally attest to the fact that they entire trek was on Segway.
-Sundance -- Sundance lists some of their selections before they even accept submissions! Others are listed later. And I believe some films are sometimes accepted later.
-10mph the whole way? -- Not sure, the max speed is 12.5 mph, but I think they averaged 10mph. I can ask. I know they rode by one of those speed detectors that tell you how fast you are going, and it read 10mph.
-Saw the trailer a year ago. -- Don't think you saw this specific one as I am almost positive it was made last summer. Maybe you saw an early teaser? Why has it been a year and you still haven't seen the movie? The movie itself wasn't finished till last summer. They have been submitting it to various film festivals. When you are doing things independently, it can take a lot of time and hard work to get your movie out there -- it even takes Hollywood sometimes more than a year, cut them some slack, huh?
Well, I think that's enough answers for now, let me know if you want more!
Hello all. Glad to see everyone all hot and bothered about our movie. I worked on this project as an assistant editor. I think it is interesting that you are able to make judgements on what they should have put in the movie, not having seen it.
I actually found the idea to be unique and interesting when the filmmakers told me about it. Interesting enough too to get a lot of media attention despite being a self-funded effort. (Yes, they had some sponsorship, but I think most of the costs were out of their own pockets.)
And actually I don't know if the word "Dude" even came up in their brainstorming sessions, but I can ask. I think it was more along the lines of "What a fun idea! Let's follow our dreams of making a movie, and follow the wind on our journey and see what interesting people and places we meet along the way." This movie is sort of a love letter to America. They were really most excited about seeing the true America that no one sees hurtling 70+ mph down the highway, with views obscured by billboards, and the only people you meet being gas station attendants.
I am not sure if they really rode at 10mph the whole way. I know the top speed is 12.5 mph. But the average was probably 10mph. Again, I can ask. I know that they absolutely did not cheat, and that at least one man (Josh Caldwell) was on the Segway travelling the entire distance. Does it matter to you if they chose to name the movie 10mph instead of 12.5mph?
Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, I am not sure you could call that a film unless you actually put it on film. But hey, I have seen some art photos of urine and blood, so if you are so inclined, why not?
I like that you make all kinds of assumptions on what kind of people Josh & Hunter are. Would it be ok with you if they made a film if they had been severely abused as kids? Would that have to actually feature in the film?
I think you missed your calling. You should be a script-checker in Hollywood and make sure all those vapid and unworthy films don't get the green light.
I look forward to seeing your crap film.
From what Josh Caldwell & Hunter Weeks have told me of their meeting with Dean Kamen, he was excited about their use of his device.
I am having trouble posting on the main thread. If this goes in the wrong place again, I give up! Anyway, if you are interested, I have answered some of your questions about this movie in this post and I can answer any further questions you have. Apologies for the weird comment placements from a Slashdot newbie!
Well, for them it was really meaningful. Look, they know they didn't actually do something as astonishingly physical as scaling Everest or similar. The method they chose was kind of funny, but not without its own difficulties. But the part of the experience that was meaningful to them wasn't standing upright for hours on end. It was seeing their country as they had never seen it. And daring to follow their chosen path. And especially the people. They met a lot of people along the way who were also following their dreams. They took the time to smell the roses and their lives were changed forever. To them the experience was really profound. I can't say for sure if it will be meaningful for you. But I hope so.
Yeah, sorry about that. After I wrote the reply I realized I should have written something more general under the main thread. Now I just realized that somehow I ended up in this thread when I swear I clicked to reply to the main one. Ah well. I am a newbie at Slashdot. But I have since replied to your thread. Thanks!
I am not sure why anyone cares. But some do. Hopefully it will be enough. When I heard the idea, I cared. I thought it was such a cool idea. Enough people in the media and online have cared to get some attention, so some people are interested. There are lots of movies made about lots of different things for lots of different reasons. Why not add one about a journey on a Segway? On behalf of Josh & Hunter - Thanks for the props!
I am not sure how I have time to avoid anything when I have only had time to respond to one post by the time your post was written. Ah well. I am available to discuss it now, if you are interested.
It was never their goal to be celebrated. They simply wanted to make a movie, and they did it! They decided they would do something many have done: travel a great, record-setting, distance on a relatively new form of transportation, and they did it! They wanted to do it on a particular device that no one else has ever used for that purpose, and they did it! They decided these two goals worked well together, so they documented their trip. They wanted to see the parts of America that people don't normally see, and meet people that aren't normally met, and they did it! Three cheers for your friend on the bike! He/she achieved a wonderful goal! I think these guys did too, but not everyone has to agree with me.
These guys are about two most genuine people I have ever met. They were never (as I understand it) trying to make a statement against corporate America or against anything else, they were instead trying make a statement FOR following their dreams. So I am not sure how they become hypocrites for making that happen. The amount of sponsorship they received was not enough to cover much at all. Like many first-time filmmakers, they have had to max out their own cards to get this made. They quit their jobs and put everything they had, including their hearts, souls, and all their own savings into this. They decided to make a gutsy move and leave a life that was unsatisfying to embark on an adventure. And they are also story-tellers, so they told their story too.
If you want to know if or how they ran out of money, perhaps you are more interested in their story than you suggest.
Hello there, I am the one who added my comment to Mr. "Really Lame" http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=173406&cid=144 27883. Like I said in my previous comment, I am glad to see everyone hot & bothered about our little movie. I worked as an assistant editor (among other things) on the film in question. Being involved with this project was truly a great experience. And I would be happy to answer anyone's questions on it. Of course, I was not there for the expedition. Perhaps Josh & Hunter, the filmmakers, will better able to answer some of the specifics, but I can help you out a bit too.
Some intial responses to the questions I see on here...
-Batteries -- They carried several with them. And changed them out as necessary. I don't remember if they charged the batteries when they stopped for the night, or if they had some method of charging on the road.
-Trailer -- yes, actually it does come in handy when you have to lug lots of extra batteries around. (And we're obviously not talking about the common AA variety.)
-Dean Kamen, was not involved in any way in this project. Though they did meet him at the end of their trip.
-Two guys on a Segway -- not exactly. One man (Josh Caldwell) on a Segway made the entire journey, although others in the crew rode occassionally too, when they were stopped, or alongside Josh. I can assure you that there was no funny business on the device itself.
-How long he had to stand -- well I am not sure how long Josh rode every day, but the journey was 100 days long, plus a little added couple days at the end to meet Segway & Dean Kamen.
-how they travelled on a single charge -- as already mentioned they had several spare batteries with them.
-did they film & drive, film & drive -- as someone who personally sifted through an unbelievable amount of footage, I can personally attest to the fact that they entire trek was on Segway.
-Sundance -- Sundance lists some of their selections before they even accept submissions! Others are listed later. And I believe some films are sometimes accepted later.
-10mph the whole way? -- Not sure, the max speed is 12.5 mph, but I think they averaged 10mph. I can ask. I know they rode by one of those speed detectors that tell you how fast you are going, and it read 10mph.
-Saw the trailer a year ago. -- Don't think you saw this specific one as I am almost positive it was made last summer. Maybe you saw an early teaser? Why has it been a year and you still haven't seen the movie? The movie itself wasn't finished till last summer. They have been submitting it to various film festivals. When you are doing things independently, it can take a lot of time and hard work to get your movie out there -- it even takes Hollywood sometimes more than a year, cut them some slack, huh?
Well, I think that's enough answers for now, let me know if you want more!
Hello all. Glad to see everyone all hot and bothered about our movie. I worked on this project as an assistant editor. I think it is interesting that you are able to make judgements on what they should have put in the movie, not having seen it.
I actually found the idea to be unique and interesting when the filmmakers told me about it. Interesting enough too to get a lot of media attention despite being a self-funded effort. (Yes, they had some sponsorship, but I think most of the costs were out of their own pockets.)
And actually I don't know if the word "Dude" even came up in their brainstorming sessions, but I can ask. I think it was more along the lines of "What a fun idea! Let's follow our dreams of making a movie, and follow the wind on our journey and see what interesting people and places we meet along the way." This movie is sort of a love letter to America. They were really most excited about seeing the true America that no one sees hurtling 70+ mph down the highway, with views obscured by billboards, and the only people you meet being gas station attendants.
I am not sure if they really rode at 10mph the whole way. I know the top speed is 12.5 mph. But the average was probably 10mph. Again, I can ask. I know that they absolutely did not cheat, and that at least one man (Josh Caldwell) was on the Segway travelling the entire distance. Does it matter to you if they chose to name the movie 10mph instead of 12.5mph?
Happy to answer any other questions you might have.