Kickstarter

I am creating a video about utilizing bicycles as transportation to "project" rock climbs near Boulder, Colorado.  The title, "The Backyard Project," takes on two meanings: the first, and most obvious, is the verb "project" or the act of rehearsing the movement on a challenging rock climb until one climbs the route without falling.  The second definition, and the goal of this video, reflects the merging of climbing, biking, music, and art into a collaborative, multimedia "project."

The rules: pick a personally challenging climb near Boulder, bike to it, and "project" it.  This video is not about cutting edge climbing.  Instead, by accentuating a sense of place and a passion for art and adventure, I portray the visceral human experience of climbing: the mood, spirit, and ambient qualities that most climbers experience no matter their technical abilities.

I strive to emphasize the intimate, expressionistic sides of climbing and to illustrate this artistic lifestyle through its nuances: the preparation of food and gear, anticipation of the climb, ambient noise, existential experiences, and heightened senses; all of which contribute to my use of climbing for artistic inspiration.  As with much of my work, this video will include solely original music, written and recorded myself.  The video will contain additional footage of my colleagues working on their own "projects," stop-animation, painting, drawing, and found-sounds from bicycles, rocks, and climbing gear. 

I've completed this rudimentary trailer to give you an idea of my vision for the film.  Climbing cinematography requires considerable patience.  Climbing is a rather solitary sport without spectators.   At some level, climbers deliberately choose climbing to avoid attention, digital media, and other front-country distractions.  Telling their story has the capacity to alter this experience and requires compassion surrounding this dynamic.  Accordingly, filming climbing is a slow, methodical process demanding patience from both the cinematographer and climber. 

$4,000 is the minimum I would need to finish this project.  Even one dollar would be much appreciated - ideally thousands of people would donate $1 instead of a few donating generously.  Please tell all your friends and hopefully I can get as many people as possible donating a small amount.  Conversely, I feel I've offered some pretty good incentive for higher donations:  silk screened t-shirts, original art, and music.  Please feel free to donate even if I've already met the minimum - it will simply allow me to create a better video.  I will be using the pledges to purchase additional video equipment.  Your pledges would afford me both the equipment and the time necessary to work patiently with climbers, piecing together a film that does "The Backyard Project" justice.   Thanks so much!