10 MPH

Infobox Film
name = 10 MPH


director = Hunter Weeks
producer = Hunter Weeks
Josh Caldwell
Johnathan F. Keough
writer = Hunter Weeks
starring = Josh Caldwell
Hunter Weeks
Johnathan F. Keough
music = Everett Griffiths
editing = Josh Caldwell
released = Start date|2007|05|29
runtime = 92 min
country = US
language = English
budget = US $100| website = http://10mph.com/
imdb_id = 0446083

"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. [cite web |url=http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid45613.aspx |title=Slow Ride |publisher=The Phoenix |last=Inglis |first=Jeff |date=2007-08-15 |accessdate=2007-12-26]

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.

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".cite web |url=http://10mph.com/the-film/backstory.html |title=Backstory |publisher=10MPH.com |accessdate=2007-12-26] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/16/AR2007081602867.html |title=A Major Life Segue Via...Segway |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2007-08-17 |accessdate=2007-12-26]

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.cite web |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=28184 |title=10 MPH: Seattle to Boston |publisher=DVDTalk |last=Orndorf |first=Brian |accessdate=2007-12-26] 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.cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2007/08/10mph |title=Filmmakers Chase Their Dream -- on a Segway |publisher=Wired Magazine |date=2007-08-13 |last=Tweney |first=Dylan |accessdate=2007-12-26]

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.

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.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.10mph.com/ Official website]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=DdR41fe9Zeg "10 MPG"] , full film freely available online
*
* [http://www.aragornsings.com/ Music Composer] Everett Griffiths (other songs by)