Wingsuit/BASE Jump/Skydive Mini-Doc

[FreeFallFiend 0]

Hi everyone. I was hoping to get some feedback on a recent video project I was involved in. I was approached years ago by a producer to make a mini-doc about BASE jumping and Skydiving. We finally got around to making it and I've posted the link below. This was a passion project that edited down 8 years of footage, 3 hours of interview, and 3 hours of B-roll down to a 10 and a half minute story. I gave the producer complete creative freedom on this one so what you see is the same thing I saw for the first time. No changes have been made. I think they did a great job.

It's been received really well so far and the producer is toying with the idea of making either a second episode or a longer version. We have TONS of footage but more importantly we have a lot of good interview material talking about various stories, memories, and a lot of science and psychology behind what we do.

So my question is should we make another or a longer one? Is there anything people don't like?

Here is the link to the video:

https://youtu.be/i3VGqsBlD-I

Here is how I first described the video:

"Five years ago I met Jeremy Heslup when he was hired at the production house I was working at back in Cincinnati. We only knew each other in passing I was just starting my fall BASE trip that year and I quit my job when I returned. We stayed in contact over the years as I loved his work and he was intrigued by my lifestyle. We kept tossing around the idea of a video about my life as a BASE jumper. Through the ups and downs of the sport the idea constantly gained then lost momentum with me. These days Jeremy owns and runs Praemio which tells the story of the people behind interesting activities not just the activity itself. This format excited me. I wanted to tell my story, our story, the good and the bad. We aren't just jumpers we are real people - and very complicated people at that. This video is the culmination of 8 years of BASE footage, 3 hours of interview, and 3 hours of b-roll. I think Jeremy did a great job of editing it down to an 11 minute video. Not everyone is going to like what I have to say, but it's my story, and it's honest. I hope you enjoy."

Fiend

I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark. - Thomas Hobbes.

[gowlerk 2,260]

Very nice recruiting video. It will probably lead to at least a dozen more deaths.

Seriously, I admire the skill and nerve and hard work. There used to be an ethos, or code in BASE. You didn't talk about it much, and you never encouraged others. Now in the new Hero era we have videos where men talk about how they used to be awkward young guys, but thanks to their great new sport they are just too cool for words.

Sorry, too many dead friends for me to praise this work.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[Phil1111 1,149]

Like it.

Don't agree with the general rational of your comments around the 3:00 minute mark whereby "when wingsuiting you always want proximity to "see what you're doing, what you're speed is, how you're moving around." In the seconds before that you mention how dangerous it is.

Proximity flying, go-pros(what goes with one better shots-not the camera itself) and ego's are the main reasons for 37 dead base jumpers this year. With two weeks left.

Jeb Corliss "Grinding the Crack" has led many with underdeveloped senses of self preservation to think that life is not lived. Unless adrenaline is overpowering all the other senses. With 31 million views.

I always wonder when I watch a new wingsuit base video. And I've seen most of them. When the flyer dives into a gully not much wider than his wingspan. When maneuvering around the higher trees is necessary. When the latest, highest performance wingsuits just start flying before the scree slope starts and the glide angle of the suit is the same as the rocks.

Wonder how much longer till his name in in the incidents section of a base forum because he is dead.

[Yongary 0]

For gosh sakes! Secure that loose strap flopping around your head!

[DanG 1]

Quote

There used to be an ethos, or code in BASE. You didn't talk about it much, and you never encouraged others.

I'm not a base jumper, but that seems pretty at odds with what Carl Boenish was up to in the 70s. Did the mindset change after his passing?

- Dan G

[catfishhunter 2]

Great Job. This is dizzy so the arm chair qb's that sit mightily on their throne of superiority will also be quick to have speak down to you.

I read the comments first to then watched to see how wrong they were and they are. The video didn't say anything about proximity flying he said you want something in proximity completely different if you listen without looking for something to attack.

The lead also said he doesn't want any of his friends that don't already base to start so no this isn't a recruiting video.

As for Carl and what he did and what people are dong now are light years different. This was a mini doc of one mans journey. I think they all did a great job of trying to share what it means and what it feels like for those that ask "why would you jump out of or from...."

Congrats. You did a very nice job.

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose.