After searching the web and constantly being sidetracked by all the cool new blogs that are out there today, I was fortunate enough to come across a blog/vlog called Project Pedal. It’s the work of Mike or Michael (couldn’t find a last name but I guess we can call him Mike) Mike Ambs and he’s been on this project for the past three years. When I came across the website I really felt as if I came across something that was really worthwhile to follow.
His journey is a documentary that will follow a group of people who will take a cross country bicycle ride from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean. There will be weekly blogs with emphasis on the people and lives that the riders encounter. I was really touched by the presentation of this vlog and found myself anticipating the journey that lies ahead. I encourage you to visit Project Pedal to find in much more detail about the documentary and also to let it affect you the same way it did me.
I decided that I would put episode 1 of Project Pedal on my website so you can really understand why this is much more than just a documentary about cycling from one place to another but about people and our interactions. I began blogging thinking that maybe I had something important to say and maybe there were at least two people out there who wanted to hear me out. I admit that one of those two people would have been my mom. But after spending time on my blog and meeting new people, I realized I saw this as more of a way to reach out and meet people throughout the world. Even if it’s just on the Internet. There are so many talented people who, like myself, just want to know each other for what we have to say, show, and feel. I think Project Pedal is a journey that emphasize that and it’s something I would like to share and to be apart of.
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Have you ever experienced it when a cable channel throws in a short film in between their main film or program and not only are you trying to figure out what it is, but can’t because the only info on the screen comes from the movie or show that has already been shown or what is going to play next? To make it even worse you loved that short story you have no clue what the name is or who has directed it and now you’re left pondering as to how can I get that film. Well I may have found a website that may make your life a little easier. It’s Big Film Shorts, a large film distribution company. Their
marketing logo is “Film Distributors in All Markets Worldwide” and when you look at their catalog you will see what I mean. Here’s something else that’s awesome, they have a wide choice of formats for cable, broadcast, satellite, DVD, home video, and mobile. So, you can get those short films you’ve tried so hard to describe to your family and friends as they look at you as if you have lost your mind. Plus being in school I would love to have access to films that are more closely related to my style of writing. Maybe I’ll have a little help in getting what I have to say out to the world.
Now, here’s even more hope for us who love the short film format. Though its premier happened in 2003, I’m certain that there are those such as myself who do not have Comcast, who came late to the game. It’s called Nano TV and it bills itself as America’s first short film channel. I should mention it also builds itself as an network of international shorts, but this can only be a good combination, right. Right now it can be found only on Comcast On Demand under The Cutting Edge/Shortz. Okay now, guess where they get their short films? Yep, you got it, Big Short Films.
With finding these two awesome websites, I have also found two great events taking place. First, for all of you out there
who are thinking about making films for the mobile industry there is a Mobile Movie Fest (MMF) coming up in March. It will take place in Orlando Florida at CTIA Wireless 2007 with the sponsorship of Big Short Films and Nano TV. The events exact dates are from March 27 - 29, 2007 and I wish I could be there. I hope some of you filmmakers or bloggers (personal/video/photo) who are in Florida will get back with me and let me know what you saw. I woud love to know more about where this media format is going. But for now my time is limited to planned events and student platforms. But I’m definitely not complaining.
The other event is the world’s first inflight film fest in association with Frontier Airlines Wild Blue Yonder Network. Whoever thought there would be a festival for making content for the airline industry? Once again I’m not complaining. It’s the Cloud 9 film Fest and they are calling it the Academy Awards in the Air. Come on you know you want to go for it.
For all you “yoots” out there, as so eloquently put by Joe Pesci’s character in the movie “My Cousin Vinny“, the Cinema/Chicago’s Future Filmmaker Festival is here. 
The festival is for those of you 20 and younger who want to show off your skills and talent and it’s in it’s second year. Deadline for submissions to the 2007 Future Filmmakers Festival is March 16, 2007, so you need to get those awesome films entered. I actually get excited when I see the work of young filmmaker’s and writers because it only confirms all those many talents that I know exist in the world, but yet don’t have the money to put their work on the big screen. Well in the meantime, I’ll have to just keep searching on the Internet and hoping to let as many of you know who’s out there making it happen. The festival is scheduled for June and I hope to see you the filmmaker on the screen and maybe you the viewer in the audience.
Have you heard of Clint Comer aka Clintus McGintus or how about idoitdigital.com. If not, let me introduce you. Clint has launched his first Internet video show “Dare Me” and he’s looking for ideas. I have had the opportunity to know Clint through the Internet and I have only positive things to say about him. He is ambitious and has big plans when it comes to breaking into the video world that has taken off on the Internet. So, if you want to be part of the beginning of Clintus McGintus taking this world by the horns, stop over and check out his show. I laughed and so did my friends and we don’t even play doctors on TV.
