NewsREEL – 2008 DAKAR RALLY daily video blog

OK, I think this should be suffice for me to finally break the ice on a ‘behind the scenes’ development for one Canadian Film Girl and the 2008 Dakar Rally…

SBS and iDream Films GO LIVE (almost) at the 2008 Dakar Rally!

I actually got a little dizzy when I saw myself on the actual website… Kind-of got nervous about the whole thing. Nick, my Auzzie co-crime partner in this venture offer these kind and reassuring words to soothe my state:

“…and yeh, I wondered how you’d feel when you saw it. It’s only you and a few hundred thousand Aussies so no worries : ) “

Thanks Nick… Love you too. Go here to see what made my head spin JUST A BIT –>>

the Official 2008 Dakar Rally SBS Australia Site .com

I was hunted down a month ago by Nick Doherty, SBS Online Content Manager who found my site in cyber space. He asked wether I was interested in making a ‘couple calls’ direct from the rally then he quickly entertained one of my “Overly Ambitious Ideas” that I was considering testing during the film scout…

“Could I do daily edits and upload? Hmmm… That would be cool! A lot of work, considering I am also filming, but hey? Why not try…  Worst case scenario, I’d die – that IS the ultimate worst case.”

Enter Nick and a random ‘Shawna’ thought has become reality.

Darren Skilton, team manager of TEAM WIDE OPEN DAKAR and the North American Dakar Corespondent, didn’t hesitate to arrange for and accommodate my growing ambitions to add Satellite internet access to his Dakar communications truck.

Satellite Phones, $7 per megabite, MacBook PRO, Sony Disk Hard Drive, one film girl destined to collapse from exhaustion and we are NOW only a few weeks from going live and I CAN NOT GET ALL MY GEAR INTO THE REQUIRED ONE BAG… Panic.

‘Drop to the Desert’ and watch 11|oneone Film’s Blog turn in to the:

2008 Dakar Rally DAILY VIDEO BLOG on SBS Online

A true ground zero and behind the scenes account of one Canadian Film Girl:

• Traveling with TEAM WIDE OPEN DAKAR, under team manager Darren Skilton of BAJA AUTOMOTIVE and following Driver Mike Petersen of PETERSEN MOTORSPORTS as part of their assistance support.
• Chasing Mark Miller of TEAM VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT as he races his Touareg with co-driver Ralph Pitchford to be the first North American to capture the Dakar winners title.
• Hunting down Charlie Rauseo, Team Manager of TEAM RALLY PAN-AMERICA wrangles up and guides his rogue privateer motorcyclists, ranging from TOP North American rider, Jonah Street right to first-timer Vancouver Island Insurance Broker, Don Hatton.
• Surviving the 2008 Dakar Rally as she scouts solo, for the Official 2009 Documentary Film.

SBS is:

SBS Television is watched by more than seven million Australians each week. What they see is a unique mix of Australian-produced and international programs drawn from over 400 national and international sources. Programs in languages other than English – which comprise more than half the SBS Television schedule – are accessible to all viewers through SBS-produced English language subtitles.

SBS Radio, the world’s most linguistically diverse broadcaster, reaches across the major languages spoken in Australia. It produces more than 13,500 hours of language-specific programs each year, in English and more than 60 other languages. Since 1975, SBS Radio has expanded its service from a single AM station in Sydney and Melbourne, to a five signal network that’s available in all capital cities and key regional centres.

SBS Online provides text and video services as well as audio-on-demand in 68 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse website in the world. The online service extends and enhances SBS Television and Radio programming and generates original content, including comprehensive Australian and international news reports, innovative youth programming and one of Australia’s most comprehensive soccer web sites.

One Canadian Film Girl, One Australian Tech Boy, One Long Beach Desert Racer and One American Chasing his Destiny have joined forces to bring you ONE STEP CLOSER… INSIDE the DAKAR RALLY.

Buckle Up! It’s gonna be one hell-of-a-Ride!

THANKS to everyone for your continued support and SAVE THE SITE AND COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE!! (there will be a POP QUIZ when I get back… )

-Shawna