The true story of the world's fastest bike messengers racing each other and the clock in a dangerous underground urban subculture.
MESSENGERS
It was the summer of 2001 when I began a journey that has lasted over 10 years. I have followed and documented the rise of an underground subculture with its own language, code of conduct, mysteries, heroes and dreams. Racing along side these urban athletes, the world of the bike messenger has become my life, their community has become my family, and some of the fastest men on two wheels have become both my closest friends and the subjects of this documentary.
We are launching this Kickstarter to raise the funds necessary for post production and our last remaining shoots. After filming for 10 years, the editing process is no small task, especially when we are talking about editing 500 hours of footage down to 90 minutes. By participating in the project, you will become part of our family and you will aid in the completion of a film that is a true testament of human survival and a document of a magical time in New York when anything was possible … as long as you had a bike to get you there.
The real story. No stunt doubles. No blue screen.
MESSENGERS takes you into the world of the bike messenger from the streets where the deliveries are made to the underground racing circuit where heroes are created. This is the story of men and women who have come here from all parts of the world looking to fulfill their dreams. They are family men and single moms, artists, warriors and poets. They ride 70 to 100 miles each day through congested streets, dodging angry cab drivers, belligerent buses, and swinging car doors. They risk their lives for their clients – in the rain, sleet and snow, everyday from sunrise to sunset. And although they are as much a part of the city landscape as the taxis, they are largely invisible. They are looked down upon, ignored, and often cursed by drivers and pedestrians alike.
The highly dangerous underground AlleyCat races offer the messengers a stage to showcase their skills and get the respect from each other that they don’t get during the workweek. Documenting these races for the past 10 years, I’ve witnessed professional urban cyclists and friends locked in a dangerous rivalry at the center of this emerging subculture.
This documentary takes the audience beyond the streets, exploring the personal lives and shared dreams of these postmodern cowboys.
Why $60,000
Help me bring the story of these heroes to the screen
$60,000 is the absolute minimum we need to bring this film to completion by November. It will cover the cost of a full time editor, compositors, sound design and mixing, color correction and with a little luck, a small portion of the music licensing. However there is a great deal to be done beyond the 60K level. We have a working budget of $150,000 which includes additional shooting, full music licensing including an original score and an all star soundtrack, movie poster design, and even a fully immersive mobile phone app to release alongside the film. Since Kickstarter is an all or nothing campaign, we opted to set our goal to our smaller budget to insure the essentials are covered. We have every hope that we will exceed our bare minimum and take it all the way to 150K.
FAQ
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157
Backers
$11,150
pledged of $60,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on August 31, 2012.
Funding period
Jul 31, 2012 -
Aug 31, 2012
- First created · 3 backed
- Daniel Leeb 1048 friends
- Website: cinecycle.com
Pledge $10 or more
20 backers
Thank you! Here's your digital download of a still from the "Messengers" movie plus a personal thank you from the director.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $15 or more
22 backers
Recieve a comemorative Cinecycle/Messengers spoke card for your bicycle. Spoke cards are used in the messenger community to identify racers in the underground "AlleyCat" races. These races are a major part of our film so it's only right that our loyal supporters should have a custom spoke card of their own. Thank you!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $35 or more
36 backers
Here's a custom Cinecycle bicycle tool/bottle opener and a Cineycle t-shirt to go with your spoke card. Your t-shirt will identify you as part of the team that made "Messengers" happen and you can adjust your seat or handle bars and open that bottle in your hand at the same time! Cheers!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $75 or more
23 backers
Along with the t-shirt, spoke card, and bicycle tool/bottle opener which you will receive this October, you will be the first one on your block to receive a DVD of the documentary you helped produce as soon as it is released. For special thanks, I will sign the DVD.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $125 or more
16 backers Limited (184 of 200 left)
You will look great in your limited edition Cinelli/Cinecycle bike cap and Cinecycle t-shirt. You will also receive the spoke card, custom Cinecycle bike tool/bottle opener and the signed DVD. The DVD will come as soon as it is released.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $250 or more
7 backers Limited (293 of 300 left)
You will receive a signed, limited edition DVD set of the "Messengers" movie and selected Cinecycle short films ... a signed movie poster and the t-shirt, spoke card, and custom Cinecycle bike tool/bottle opener.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $600 or more
2 backers
Your name just popped up in the credits! You'll get a special thank you in the film's official credit roll, the signed limited edition DVD set of our feature film and Cinecycle shorts, a signed movie poster, the t-shirt, custom key chain and the spoke card.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $800 or more
0 backers Limited (100 of 100 left)
The "Messengers" team thanks you with a limited edition 11 x 14 photograph by Daniel Leeb, a special thank you in credits, a signed limited edition DVD boxed set of the feature film and Cinecycle shorts, a signed movie poster, the Cinecyle t-shirt, custom key chain, and the spoke card.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $1,500 or more
1 backer Limited (32 of 33 left)
I am honored to be able to count the legendary artist Futura2000 as one of my friends. Futura worked as a bike messenger in the 1980's. He is one of the great contemporary artists and graphic designers of our time and he has had an enormous influence on an entire generation. Futura has graciously donated a limited edition signed photograph he took while riding on his own personally designed Colnago bicycle. We are honored to have this donation that will be a great addition for any art collectors or cycling enthusiasts. You will, of course, also receive all the $800 rewards.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (20 of 20 left)
You and a friend can join me with 2 tickets to a special NYC screening of "Messengers" , two limited edition signed 11 x 14 prints by Daniel Leeb, a custom designed wool cycling jersey, a signed limited edition DVD boxed set of the feature film and Cinecycle shorts, a signed movie poster, two t-shirt, two custom keychains, and 4 limited edition numbered spoke cards for your friends.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
You are the Associate Producer for MESSENGERS and will be named as such in the official credits of the film. You will also receive 4 tickets to a special NYC screening, dinner with the director, two limited edition 11 x 14 signed prints by Daniel Leeb, a signed limited edition DVD boxed set of the feature film and Cinecycle shorts, a signed movie poster, 2 t-shirts, two custom designed wool bicycle jersey, 2 of our Cinecycle custom key chains plus 10 numbered limited edition custom handmade spoke cards.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
