10 MPH
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| 10 MPH | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Hunter Weeks |
| Produced by | Hunter Weeks Josh Caldwell Johnathan F. Keough |
| Written by | Hunter Weeks |
| Starring | Josh Caldwell Hunter Weeks Johnathan F. Keough |
| Music by | Everett Griffiths |
| Editing by | Josh Caldwell |
| Release date(s) | May 29, 2007 |
| Running time | 92 min |
| Country | US |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US $100 |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
10 MPH is a documentary film directed by Hunter Weeks and starring Josh Caldwell with his Segway HT, the two-wheeled electronic scooter. This film, which takes its name from the Segway's average speed, documents Caldwell's 100-day, coast to coast journey across the United States riding the "Human Transporter". The trip started in Seattle, Washington on August 8, 2004 and ended in Boston, Massachusetts on November 18, 2004. 10 MPH has had a favorable reaction at screenings and film festivals and has won several awards.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Plot
10 MPH follows the progress of Caldwell as he rides a Segway scooter across the United States from Seattle to Boston, stopping at many places along the way to interact with people. The film focuses on showing the dynamic nature of the US countryside as well as documenting the stories of people Caldwell and Weeks encounter along the way.
10 MPH shows Caldwell, Weeks, and other members of the crew but also provides footage of the people they meet, both helpful and rude. For example, Caldwell and the crew are stopped by an Illinois police officer who admonishes them for traveling at 10 MPH on a road with a 45 MPH speed limit. The filmmakers also document their struggles, from the technical challenges of maintaining the Segway's batteries to the production challenge of losing a producer part way through the filming process.
[edit] Development
Dissatisfied with their average corporate jobs, filmmakers Weeks and Caldwell formed a production company, Spinning Blue, in Denver, Colorado prior to beginning production of 10 MPH. They have discussed their lack of training and experience in the film industry, lack of investment capital to make the film, and lack of film industry contacts as challenges at the beginning of the process. Rather than pursuing traditional channels of film making, Weeks and Caldwell used the Web to raise funds and promote 10 MPH.[2] They conceived the idea of making a film before knowing what it would be about. Shortly thereafter, a friend gave them the idea of making a film involving a Segway.[3]
In 2004, Weeks and Caldwell purchased a Segway and decided to film a documentary about traveling across the United States at 10 miles per hour.[4] Caldwell actually rode the scooter while Weeks directed and managed the film footage. Weeks and other members of the production crew followed Caldwell in a car with the film equipment.[5]
They used a Sony PD-150 to capture 180 hours of footage. Post-production occurred back in Denver after the Segway journey with involvement from other members of the Denver film community.[2]
[edit] Distribution
10 MPH is available in several ways including on DVD, which premiered on May 29, 2007 in the United States and is available through Netflix and other outlets, and by direct download from the film Web site and from iTunes. Additionally, Weeks and Caldwell spent months in 2007 traveling back over their path to show the finished documentary in theaters along the way.[5]
[edit] Artwork and soundtrack
10 MPH features artwork by the director's sister, Gannon Weeks, who also appeared in the film and performed public relations, logistics, and other duties. The soundtrack features artists such as Brett Dennen, Roman Candle and Daphne Loves Derby.
[edit] References
- ^ Inglis, Jeff (2007-08-15). Slow Ride. The Phoenix. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
- ^ a b Backstory. 10MPH.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
- ^ A Major Life Segue Via...Segway. The Washington Post (2007-08-17). Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
- ^ Orndorf, Brian. 10 MPH: Seattle to Boston. DVDTalk. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
- ^ a b Tweney, Dylan (2007-08-13). Filmmakers Chase Their Dream -- on a Segway. Wired Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- 10 MPG, full film freely available online
- 10 MPH at the Internet Movie Database
- Music Composer Everett Griffiths (other songs by)
