Klunkerz Film In Newcastle

[P20]

Don't think there are any photos of the Ritchey Tashes. Shame, quality idea by Andy.
Good night, good film, nice little intro from Gary and Bill, nice touch. Finished with some good banter and some drinking.

 

[Dr S]

Still feeling rough as.... :cry:

Forgot to say a big thanks to Rocco for sorting out the tickets and for sheparding us to the venue.... would still be looking for it if you hadn't rescued us

Cheers
Si

 

[toons]

That’s coz Drew drinks like a fish!

Gutted I couldn't make it, another example of how kids ruin your life.

 

[klunkerbill]

Bill, how much did Tom Ritchey contribute for his charity advert to be on the DVD, it goes on forever.

\

Tom didn't pay anything. Nobody did. I haven't received any monetary support from any bicycle company except Shimano. They threw a party at InterBike and gave me some $$$ to pay off my website guy. In return, I helped them with their industrial film. I was happy to get what I got, as I was close to 200K in the hole at that time (I'm deeper now). Shimano continues to be supportive. I did the whole 'extras' thing because I though Karma might bring it back around somehow. I still think it might, though probably not in this lifetime. I actually GAVE quite a bit of money to some of the charities mentioned in the film for the same reason. Many of the guys in the film, especially Gary, but the guys like Charlie, Joe, Alan, etc. have been really cool about coming to screenings, so that's definitely support, it's just not monetary. It's worked out very well for Gary, and he's definitely sold some discs for me by supporting the film.

I tailored specific sponsorship programs to more than a dozen bike-related companies, with support ranging from $500.00-$50,000.00 and nobody but Shimano wanted to play along. Nobody believed in me or the project, since I was an 'unknown' in bike circles. Hell, even the guys in the film didn't believe in me or the project until the world premiere. Most of the companies said they we're really happy I was doing the project, but they'd already spent their marketing budgets for the year, there wasn't anything in it for them (product placement, etc.), blah blah blah, or whatever. That was pretty disheartening when I knew some of these companies were dropping $20,000-$40,000 for 5 minute short films to play on the monitors of their booths during InterBike, Eurobike, and elsewhere. Business is business, and I approached this in a very non-business like manor. I suppose I learned a lot of lessons on this one.

I just helped some cool guys out on their new film. It's called FreedomRiders. They're putting my trailer on their DVD (hopefully) for me helping them out. They obviously know what their doing. I bet they've already made 2X the $$$ I've pulled in, and they haven't even shown the film yet! They'll premiere at the Sea Otter Classic next month. I'm looking at 5 years since starting the project with 18 months on the 'worldwide' market at this point. All you have to do is look at their sponsors and and their website and you know they got paid some serious coin before the ball even started rolling on their film.
http://www.freedomridersthemovie.com/

It's become apparent that I'll never live to pay this film off, but I did get to make the film I wanted to make. I got great reviews in all the bike mags, and even the mainstream publications here in the States. I doubt you'll see many bike porn films getting reviewed by The New York Times anytime soon. Nobody can ever take that away from me. If anyone thinks they can make this type film again, let them try. I think it will stand the test of time. I may have not sold many DVDs, but more than 50,000 people have illegally downloaded it off of 'torrent' sites. etc., and I've screened it everywhere at 100s of festivals, so the story is getting out there. It's also broadcasting in countries all over the world. When, or how I get paid for it is another issue, the story is definitely getting out. I promised the guys in the film I'd get the story out, and I'm delivering on that promise. I also feel really honored to have worked so closely with the pioneers of the sport. I really consider many of them friends now, and you can't put a price on that sort of thing. I just wish I could get my wife and creditors to see it that way.

Thanks RetroBikers, for keeping it alive. You guys have always made me feel like I what I did has value, and I appreciate it.

Ride on,
Billy
www.klunkerz.com

 

[Dr S]

Well thanks for making it for us Bill, it's a fantastic film made with love and passion, and made for the right reasons not just financial gain (although I hope you at least break even). It's a real honour to have you here on Retrobike and I for one hope you hang around and keep in touch with the community.

Si

 

[nayfinesse]

KLUNKERZ

Great film , Cool bikes, cooler riders ,soul of the sport stuff. How could anybody on Retrobike not buy it?. Thanks to Rocco for sorting the tickets and Si for the lift and Bill for the film. BUY IT and the Tshirt, is there a Tshirt?