The Reef: Crowd-funding request.

[steve shearer]

I'm throwing this out there, as they say, and I expect there'll be some heat in the replies, with respect to the fact there are far more deserving things and projects in the world as we know it circa 2012.

Next week there will be a team of surfers and classical musicians/composers from the ACO (Australian Chamber Orchestra) heading for a remote desert location with some of the heaviest waves in the Indo-Pacific. Their stated aim is to surf these waves finless and create both a moving picture document of same and a piece of classical music which they intend to tour around Oz for the cultural delectation of the inhabitants of this great country. The Title of this project is the Reef.
Surfers include Derek Hynd, Tom Carroll, Ryan Burch, Brett Callas and some others.

I have been invited on this excursion into the unknown/frivolous as a writer but can't find a funding source/backer at this late stage to secure costs for the trip so I'm attempting to raise the paper by putting it out to the people.

There is no industry involvement in this project, it's a pure cultural phenomena and the results could be, I think, interesting. It might implode amongst it's own pretentiousness, it could create something amazing, it might descend into some kind of Heart of Darkness/Vossian craziness and dysfunction. I can't for the life of me imagine how they can surf this wave finless.

If I can get to Perth next Thurs (10May) I've got free transportation to the location. Accom/food/internet is $900. That leaves an airfare. Say 6-700 bucks return.
Total: $1600

I'm hoping the writing might consist of travelogue, gentlemanly adventure, character profile, naturalism,romance, scientific discourse, land-based game-fishing exposition, global political discussion, personal memoir, racial tension in the north of Australia and coverage of the attempts to ride Australasias' heaviest left finless.

I'd like to publish the writing publically, on Swellnet preferably, because that is where I have a relationship with the Editor/publisher and I'm most confident the writing won't be butchered by a ham-fisted/nervous editor.

For subscribers I intend to shoot and edit a series of short high definition video segments of surfing action/interview and upload to a password protected Vimeo site. That will be exclusive content for subscribers only.

When I get back I intend to write a long form piece to try and sell for publication. That money would cover my rent, food, utilities, kids' education, livestock, seedlings, surfboards in that order.

Thats about the size of it. Any questions, baggings, flamings etc etc ?

[offshore1]

Steve, you're using that link my niece used for her film I gave you after the beefweek fongdectomy?
And, why the fcuk finless? what's the point/symbolism/deathwish of that?

[steve shearer]

Not sure of the link you sent Offshore.
I'm setting up a Pozible (crowdfunding site) link.

Why finless?

Good question.

[gabsouy]

righto ss, if you can get CAMEL on the team, and get him to ride a finless......in the style of waves jeff goulden likes....im gonna slip you $50.........anyone else wanna see camel go finless ? cmon lets donate... .

[offshore1]

Not sure of the link you sent Offshore.
I'm setting up a Pozible (crowdfunding site) link.

.

now yur pissin me orf shearer .
So you didn't even read my PM to ya re. the beefweek debacle?! : "But my niece and her friend have had pretty good luck with raising money through kickstarter."

daryl daryl and daryl were right. you are a wanker..

[steve shearer]

I read the PM Offy but I have to keep deleting them otherwise the box fills up.

Pozible is the Aus Kickstarter.

Pretty sure Camel will have some weird boards being ridden.

I will have a finless board he can ride.

Very much intend to film/talk with Camel.

[offshore1]

no wuzzas steve.
Just googled pozible.
good luck, sounds interesting.
Not up to the level of Week de la Boeuf, but I'm in for twenty if braithy can go and bring his feather-duster boom mike.

[gabsouy]

good onya ,a yarn with the camel....desert ciggarettes, finless boards, and some g land hallucinogen tales..............nothing from rottmouth yet ? maybe a little more insight into tommys little reported drug problem a few years back........interested to know a little more about it......if tom will tell.

[Natho]

Have you asked your board sponsor Prodmore for support? .

[collnarra]

Hi Steve,

I wish you all the best in your quest for support. I can't see something about finless being anything more than niche, however.

JG

[steve shearer]

Agreed Josh.

It's niche, avante-garde and probably insane.

What will happen is a symphony being created which to me puts surfing in Aus on a whole new level

Oi.

Pretty sure Dane Beevor and Tom C might take to the left with fins.

[jimmy]

I could probably stump up a 50. Quite happy not to read or hear an interview with Derrk Hynd though.

[steve shearer]

Cheers gents....and thanks for the offer of airfare Boo.

I think this is going to happen.

For anyone who thinks it's a holiday: I usually write 500-1500 words a day. That takes 4-8hrs.

Harry Crews writes 500.

[Natho]

Do you mean surf 500 - 1500 waves per day? Research

[pinhead]

I'm guessing Richard Tognetti is involved in this - i'd be willing to support this venture on the condition you get footage of him attempting to surf this wave and getting smashed. The guy has got a big head and a lot of Australian classical music fans would like to see him taken down a few pegs especially after his performance of Bach's chaconne from D minor partita.

[steve shearer]

I won't be surfing that joint finless...thats one bit of research I won't be undertaking.

[steve shearer]

Yep Richard Tognetti is the main protagonist.
I imagine he will have to pay his dues out there.

[gabsouy]

s s , how do we get money donations to you.....? p m a postal address.?