EXHAUSTED FROM HUNTING YETI
Whew, what a couple of weeks. I can honestly say I haven't worked this hard and enjoyed my work like this since my prime at Helly Hansen. I love coming up with a new business plan and doing things different. The beginning thought you have, "is this possible?" Then as you explore the opportunities and things take shape, I can see that "yes" it truly can happen. Which makes my mind race and sleep hard to find. It's the uncertainty of every day and the learning that comes with trying something new that becomes more of an adventure than a job.
Had a prescreening of the film on last Monday, then a world premiere on Friday night, and have been pressing hard for a while. More to do than there is time in a day, week, month... But we hit our deadlines, at least pretty close.
Probably the most fun and passion I've had for a project was a promo film I produced and directed called HAPPY HAPPY. I worked 14-16 hour days with my good friend Kris Ostness for two months straight and loved almost every minute of it. Every day doubt seeped into my mind whether or not we'd accomplish the objective. Yet we did. We distributed more ski/snowboard DVD's than anybody ever has (412,000). The goal was to reach as many people as possible. This new project feels much the same. Lack of sleep driven on potential and passion.
The fuel? People telling me that they'd be surprised if we accomplish 50% of what we set out too. Those nah sayers just motivate me to prove them wrong. There is so much potential here it's ridiculous. Every night new ideas come to me which I promptly put down in my journal. It"s a feeling of accomplishment that can not be measured monetarily.
It's a great group of people which also makes a big difference. I want to see everybody in the group feel the same sense of satisfaction that I am. That and I know, respect, and enjoy working with all the partners. I get just as much fulfillment from them sharing and contributing to the project then just us doing it ourselves. For this business plan (I'm not going to get into it fully, but we're trying to revolutionize the way people view wintersports films) to succeed, it will take all of our business partners working together collectively towards our common objective. Alright, enough of my babbling and time to get on with the show.
So we have only released two parts of the first "Hunting Yeti" webisode. They are about 10 and 13 minutes in length. Then you can also go to our producer page and download them for your iPod. We will also have HD computer and another iPod download of a full-length version that's 28 minutes long. We may release the full length one on a couple sponsor sites and do some guerilla marketing where kids find it and tell the rest of the viewers via different chat rooms. That and we need to share the streaming and downloading so Rip doesn't take as big of a monetary hit. But hopefully all formats and all versions will be available for free to anybody who has the patience for the download.
Okay, okay, I'm getting to it. Here's Webisode 1, Part 1 - This is opening day at Mt. Hood, some night riding, and then a little kicker session.
And here's part 2 - The second segment is all riding at North Cascade Heli Skiing. Just to give you a taste of some big mountain and amazing powder pillow riding action. Wow what a great early season it's been.
So this has been the only client of mine for the G Brand so far. I keep contemplating how much further I go just working for them, as it's not enough money to make a comfortable living, yet. Do I keep charging forward and try to raise enough support so that it's my one and only client? Do I put everything I have into Nimbus, although I'm not an owner? Do I change the way the film industry does business or do I take on other clients and dilute the potential for success I may achieve if I stay solely focused? I hope that in the next couple weeks I can raise the support I need to just do this project, at least for another 5-6 months. I have other potential clients just waiting for an answer. I keep putting them off to keep on the Nimbus, Hunting Yeti quest. I guess it's just a matter of faith in the group and faith in my abilities to make it happen. Stay tuned.
Hope you like it. Be sure to check out our producer page and download the film for your computer or iPod HERE