Biking Across America

[VJ Ascension]

My friend and I are planning a cross-country bike (bicycle) trip this summer. We plan on shooting 100s of hours of footage and updating a video blog on the road. We then plan to cut together a feature-length documentary. We're going to go from L.A to New York, stopping at a lot of towns along the way, meeting people, and getting their opinions on the state of their lives and the world. I want to film as much good conversation as possible, to show what young people of the U.S are really talking about. We're going to camp out most of the time, maybe get a motel/find a couch every three days or show to shower and eat a non-canned meal. Should be fun.

I'd like some technical advice from you guys. I'm planning on shooting on a light-weight consumer camcorder. I've had my eye on the Canon VIXIA HF100, which seems to be able to do everything we need. Anyone had experience with this? Then, we'll be bringing:

- lots of flash cards
- lots of batteries
- two bike mounts for our camera (http://store.advdesigns.net/ulclcamo.html)
- a monopod
- a shoulder-mount
- a wide-angle adaptor
- two wireless mics
- one camera-mounted shotgun mic
- one camera-mounted light (although the camera has one built in)

what do you guys think? we'll probably have to tow those little kiddie-trailers behind our bikes to carry all the equipment. we want to be as lightweight as possible, but at the same time I want to get the most beautiful 1080p images I can. And I want there to be a lot of variety in our shots.

Also, has anyone done anything similar? I'd like some survival tips as well.

And one other thing: Our first step is trying to get investors. We're thinking about trying to get a bike shop to sponsor us, and hook us up with bikes and equipment in exchange for a lot of exposure in our film. Should work out. But we'll need some more money, so do you guys have any financing tips for this kind of project?

Thanks!

 

[directorik]

I’m editing a documentary about a guy who did the same thing -
with a couple of differences: He started on the east coast and he
walked an established coast to coast trail rather than biked. He
interviewed people, he went to museums and roadside attractions,
he camped and he was given a lot of amazing hospitality while on
the road.

He used the Canon GL2 and sent me the tapes - usually after he
shot three or four of them. I can see a problem keeping all the
flash cards with you for the entire journey.

He used the camera mic for the entire trip. With two of you I can
see the advantage of having an extra mic, but it seems two
wireless is overkill.

He didn’t get investors. Even though this was his 10th long
distance hike and the third documentary he made (both of which
sold and returned a profit), we couldn’t find anyone willing to
invest. Even though there were five of us in different parts of
the country trying for an entire year. He did get equipment
donations and donations from friends, however.

If you want to get some kind of equipment sponsorship, you need to
get working. You want to start this ride this summer - only 10 or
so week away. Most companies take several months to consider a
proposal like yours.

 

[VJ Ascension]

Thanks for the advice man.

We plan on dumping the flash cards onto harddrives along the way, shipping them home as they fill up.

In terms of investors... it'll be tough. We were thinking about talking to some small bike shops and seeing if they'll hook us up with bikes and equipment for the ride (we'll even give them back when we're done). But yeah, getting money will be the hardest part for sure.

 

[directorik]

So you're carrying hard drives with you, too.

When the guy was hiking I was posting updates on YouTube
every week or so to keep people updated. He got a lot of
donations and support during the trip because of that.

Let me know how you do regarding sponsorship, okay? I'm
really interested in this project, I'd love to be kept informed.

When do you start the ride?

 

[VJ Ascension]

Thanks for the support. We're planning on leaving the beginning of June. That gives us two months to train our asses off and find investors. Luckily I should be getting the camera within a week, so we can start shooting everything. We're going to document the training process, and the road to getting financed. So, like you said, hopefully we'll start building some hype. I figure we can raise some money by taking Paypal donations as well.

We just registered our website. There's nothing on it yet, though.

www.conquertheland.com

Tell your friends!