DakarREEL – Morocco 2008 | taking the 2008 Dakar Rally Route

Ok – who knew??  Pat Trahan, a desert racer and guide from Montreal, Canada has kept up with me since the start and now, is finally digging in and showing up to help me through the Moroccan towns and deserts.  Funny how things can at some point come together.   

Pat even raced with Mark Miller and in the town of Merzuga was the area where Mark Miller won his first stage ever in a rally raid back in 1998 on a KTM bike !! - the ONLY TWO North Americans in a field of hundreds!

I guess it’s all about timing and at this point – NOT GIVING UP.  I can’t wait for the nuances of broadcast letters and US verses Canadian funding / financing issues – I HAVE TO FILM as it might be the last I will shoot on the project.  I won’t wait for someone to give me the green light – I am doing it again.  Go forth and film.  That is  what I will do – again…  AND Pat is doing everything he can to make sure it will be a trip worthy of one Canadian Film girl and the elusive North American Dakar Documentary.

I want to share the latest email with you…  I am excited.  Especially since I don’t have to tackle Morocco and this pivotal segment on my own.  I need all the support and encouraging friends I can gather at this point…

Hello Aischa (touareg princess),
Ok, I did not have any prices yet and quotes. For the trip, I will not be able to share not much cost if I go qith you.. I donèt mind going to guide you and making sure you have a good trip and a perfect spot for filming… But I wont be able to participate in the 4×4 rental.. I will find you a good deal. 
I can pay for my food and drink, Accomodation will be in the desert, I will cook also and prepare the bivouac..
Other, we will share the room, I sleep on the floor with my slleping bag. You will see I can travel for very cheap.
I would arrive at Marrakesh, on the 14, I would drop you at the boat and bring back the 4×4 in Marrakesh en leave from there to go to Tunisia where I will be guiding there.
I will call you this wednesday, with a lot more details, if you agree with what I mention. 
You will need some credit card info for the 4×4 and maybe a reservation in Marrakesh!
I am working on the route, i am dowloading some GPS point. I bring you sur les pistes du Dakar!!

Later….
Pat

Thanks Pat.  I can’t wait to be able to return your support and hospitality.  Pat was actually racing with Mark Miller way back in 1998.  They were the only 2 North Americans competing at the time.  When I revealed the routes I wished to take and shared Mark’s email of recommended travel, Pat had this to say:

Both route are going in Erfoud! So yes it is close…

It is funny I was reading what Mark Miller was writting.. I was there in 98 when he won he first stage, It was my first race ever! Mark know you I am becase I spoke to him there beeing the only 2 north american, We wrote each other on email after a bit.. Small world
P.

 

It is a small world – and I am grateful for it.  I never would have got this far with out the friends and neighbours I have and have found along the way…  Here’s for dropping those borders.  More later.

Shawna

 

DakarREEL – Really want to know about Dakar 2009? | Magic 8 Ball

Filming Dakar 2009 in January?? Magic 8 Ball says: ‘reply hazy, try again’

You REALLY want to know what’s going on for Dakar 2009 right now? One film girl from Vancouver / Calgary and her one last shot… at The Dakar Rally. South America. January 2009.

Here you go – an email to a long time supporter (since this whole Dakar Documentary started way back in the summer of 2007). Geesh – I just wanted to finish my feature dramatic script on the thing – never dreamed I would be in the middle of it, about to jump off a cliff – again!

This is what’s on my mind, in my sights…

Start email here:
__________

I really have no money to spare – I haven’t even looked at if I have enough for a place to stay! ha!

Give me some numbers, I am looking into everything this weekend. I need help for sure – if you know people I can stay with or travel with.
I am in Marrakesh and then hope to travel to a few points that Mark Miller mentioned and where Mitsubishi maybe training.

Most is the 2008 dakar route up till the Mauritanian border. Where we were supposed to go.

I would like to camp in the desert if it is safe. I was thinking of a camel trek? No idea prices. 4×4 would be super cool. I can’t guarantee anything will make broadcast. I have ideas, but without financial support or funding / financing – it’s over my head.

I am currently in negotiations with the ex-field producer for Versus from 2006, 2007 for a potential co-production.

There is a company here in Vancouver as well that I am meeting with next week.

MIPCOM is not far away and $$ need to be in. People (competitors and assistance) are dropping like flies. It’s not a good scene for all from last year’s project.

Morocco could be the end. I will get as far as I can, both with the film and Dakar, but we are all on our last legs.

Thanks for offering help.

Morocco from October 14th (late flight into marrakech) then latest to October 22nd – 23rd.

The rights fees for the show are high – just got them today – must negotiate with ASO or find sponsors or both. $60,000 Euro – ridiculous and higher than last year. What are they thinking? I might try Daniel Ferguson on that one.

__________
End email there…

there you all have it. Right in the middle of it all and no more money to spare. I guess THIS is where it gets REALLY interesting… We are looking into sponsorship and funding and selling my Dakar undies to Japan to fund it. Seriously. Would be sad to stop now and I am not that attached to my cool Canadian Flag Briefs. Seriously – make me an offer…

Ha! I should be careful – I might get a bid.  

I will keep you posted over the next few weeks with the co-production offers and what teams are still in. I have some catching up to do with you all, but I was waiting till I had a different story to tell than… “soon!” Well, ‘soon’ enough, the project fate will be decided. I have no way of getting to Dakar 2009 on my own funds this year, so it is definately a different story at this point.

We are now writing the end of a long journey and time will tell where the grand finale will play out. 

Thanks to everyone for your lasting support. I wouldn’t be this far without it.

…not giving up.
- Shawna