No Ordinary Runners

[Paul Frost]

If you like that video you might like this one featured on World of O.
Short documentary about origins of orienteering. Also advertising world class orienteering race situated in Mala Skala, Czech Republic. View the video

These are both examples of "thinking outside the box" when promoting orienteering in general or specific events. It's not about expensive recording equipment, it's about the creative storyline and editing.

Cameras that record HD quality are in the low hundreds of pounds and there are many cheap or free editing packages out there that are more than capable. The expensive bit is the time it takes to come up with the story board, repeated visits to the location (to ensure you capture it at the best time) and then the hours to edit it. Not least is also the creative talent to conceive the whole concept in the first place.

The issue we need to deal with is how or should we compensate non-professional film makers for their time and skills that we might like to think should be given as volunteers, as we currently expect of planners, controllers, organisers etc.

[andypat]

Thats an interesting question. A recent quote from inside orienteering for an event based video involving basically a day onsite was best part of £1000.

Without in any way diminishing what the two boys have done, I am sure there are the skills within orienteering to produce similar. The question is whether there is the time and will to do so without any significant incentive.

[AndyO]

I think we are talking about 2 entirely different perspectives, andypat. I have no doubt whatsoever about the ability of people within the sport to produce a video like this, but the likelihood of doing so is remote. This video works because it is it is made by orienteers not by an organisation. It is anarchic, a little off the wall, and great fun. If it was an official video produced by BOF (e.g), or by the Scottish 6Day Company, the film would have to be made in an entirely different way to avoid possible criticism for not properly representing the sport (not in accordance with rules, H&S, etc) that the spontaneity would be lost.

We should enjoy this for what it is, and congratulate those involved with it. I have seen similar films, made in Czech republic I think with runners running straight off a cliff into a lake; Australia with guys jumping out of everywhere down ridiculous slopes to punch controls; and I remember seeing a great video made by this very organ, which played at JK 2005 as I recall. I haven't seen it since, but it would be great to see it on Youtube at some point

[andypat]

Andy
Not the point I was trying to make. In fact this video is made by freerunners not orienteers. My point was regarding Pauls query whether or not we reward (I assume pay?) people outside of O to produce this sort of thing. I was suggesting there might be some similar talent around O that just needs some support?

[Paul Frost]

No Andy P, the point I was making was if we should pay orienteers that happen to be good non-professional filmmakers, or would we expect them to do it all for free.

If it was an official video produced by BOF (e.g), or by the Scottish 6Day Company, the film would have to be made in an entirely different way to avoid possible criticism for not properly representing the sport (not in accordance with rules, H&S, etc) that the spontaneity would be lost.

BOF maybe, but I don't think that the 6Days wouldn't need to worry about such things. It's a holiday event and we are talking about a promotional film showing off the terrain and a bit of fast action, it doesn't need to be extreme freerunning etc.

These young "orienteers" have shown that they know how to storyboard, film and edit a short film. Now whilst they may have done it for fun/free because it gave them a chance to show off their skills they may not be prepared to do one to order for free. Hence my question if it would be in our interest to pay them something rather than pay £000's for a professional company.

I admit there could be problems if the finished product wasn't up to scratch, but the same could happen with a professional job.

[Roomungous]

[quote="andypat"]Andy
In fact this video is made by freerunners not orienteers.

One of the film makers is a highly accomplished orienteer, who also has many other skills and interests (including film making and free-running)..... Both of them are in the top ranks of their triathlon age-group. He does not compete in O as much as he used to, but can mix it very successfully with his SCOTJOS cohort when he does. Both of them 'get' orienteering, but also 'get' what appeals.

[Sunlit Forres]

Beat me to it Roo. Johnstone Snr is digging out the evidence.

[Sunlit Forres]

For example (SOL4 2011)...
Light Green ( Preliminary results 16:39

1 Macpherson-Stew M14 MOR 36:39
2 Barr, Andrew M14 MOR 37:57
3 White, Callum M14 INVOC 38:04
4 Carcas, Alex M14

[andypat]

Sorry my mistake about the guys pedigrees - misread the original info on the website and missed that part!

If I can rectify that in part by saying I dont think the guys have done their chances any harm of picking up any work that might be going. Their video has had a lot more impact than many other professional videos about orienteering. (3000 views in 4 days! versus 8500 views of the official BOF video in 6 months...)

However there isnt a lot of money in orienteering to splash around on marketing, plus its quite difficult to get external funding for marketing initiatives, so I doubt anyone will be making their fortune.

[Sunlit Forres]

Thanks to everyone for spreading the word. The two lads are so chuffed about the number of hits (5,000+) on You Tube, and Moravian's Facebook page has gone from around 300 people reached to over 2,600.

Orienteering has all of a sudden become a cool thing to do round here - even my 17 YO son who gave up orienteering when he was 10 had decided to come to the SOL this weekend - until a late night party on sat night intervened.

[magneticnorth180]

Awesome Film!!