CROSSING THE FINISH: ATHLETE Director Dave's Blog

In the current issue of GDUSA. Thank you Gordon and Rachel.







There's also an interesting article in this issue about the packaging and branding of Metallica's latest CD Death Magnetic (very good album). You would never think a heavy metal band would be so aware of design and iconography. But I guess that's what makes them one of the greats.




DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 10:15 PM | Permalink

My costume this year: Burnt-out Filmmaker
Not as festive as last year's get-up, but just as frightening.

Thanks Mel for the pic.

DLM

*There's an amusing line in the film involving Gobstoppers.

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 09:52 PM | Permalink

Was lucky enough to catch UK duo The Last Shadow Puppets play last night at the Manhattan Center (they're only doing two shows in the states; the other is in LA next month). The last time I was at the Manhattan Center was to hear information design guru Edward Tufte speak. What a versatile space.








They played with a 20-piece orchestra (bad ass).





















DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 06:15 AM | Permalink

Just watched Tom McCarthy's The Visitor. Great film. Very moving. If you haven't seen it, check out the trailer, then go rent it.




Since finishing ATHLETE, I've been recovering by watching films again. I really haven't seen many since The Dark Knight. In fact, I recently found a rented DVD from July (yikes! thank goodness for that flat rate).

Watching The Visitor tonight, after having just completed my first film, was a little surreal. What's interesting is that it was Tom's brother, John, who originally hired me for my current Internet gig, which allowed me to relocate to NYC. I remember interviewing with John and hearing about his brother's first film, The Station Agent, which was coming out that December. I never would have guessed, sitting in that interview, that I would end up making my own directorial debut, nearly five years later.

So, in some ways, if it wasn't for Tom's brother, I wouldn't have moved to NY and run the NYC Marathon, which kick started my short-lived "running career", and eventually led to the idea for this documentary about everyday folks taking part in endurance sports. Talk about a chain of events.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 12:22 AM | Permalink

Here's your first look at the recently completed ATHLETE. There are over 20 stills from the film now available on Flickr. Choosing which images to present was tricky. You obviously want to introduce the most compelling shots. But you don't want to give away too much of what happens in the film. The challenges of movie marketing.














These should tie you over until the release of the full trailer in early '09.

Cheers!

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 05:29 AM | Permalink

Since the new ATHLETE posters went online three days ago, I've received several kind emails describing them as "stunning" and "bad ass thumbs up" (thank you). But the one that takes the cake has to be film blog "Get the Big Picture". They've described them as "thunderously cool". Wow. Thanks guys!

I really like it when your first exposure to a film isn't a story on the internet or an unfounded rumor, but is instead something that is so eye-catching you have no choice to find out more about it.

I saw this collection of movie posters for Athlete, and was floored.

Read the rest here.



Also, thanks to the site Internet Movie Poster Awards for featuring the entire ATHLETE collection.




DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 05:15 AM | Permalink

The finish. Two words I've been waiting to utter since I started this "little project" over two years ago. The feeling of finishing your first feature-length film is pretty incredible. The experience surpasses any marathon I've completed. Even outweighs the time I survived my "vacation" in Patagonia.

To mark this special occasion, I've designed three new teaser posters for the documentary. Each poster represents a storyline and reveals a little more about each athlete in the film.

I'm also pleased to announce that all net proceeds from the sale of these three posters will go towards the charities featured in ATHLETE (I will not receive a dime from this). Now you have another way to take part in the Cycle of Giving. The posters are available for purchase in the ATHLETE movie store.



1) "Defy Pain"
Features cancer survivor Jenny. Image refers to the markings found on her neck and chest area during radiation treatment. All net proceeds will be evenly distributed to Team in Training and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Click HERE to purchase.



2) "Defy the Odds"
Features blind triathlete Artie. All net proceeds will benefit the NYC chapter of the Achilles Track Club. Click HERE to purchase.



3) "Defy Definition"
Finally we have twin sisters Carrie and Kellie. All net proceeds from this poster will go to the charity Girls on the Run. Click HERE to purchase.



DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 11:31 PM | Permalink

Just saw this in my inbox. Pretty neat. The winner of Saturday's Ironman Championships in Kona was Craig Alexander, a Carmichael Training Systems client. CTS was founded by Lance Armstrong's coach, Chris Carmichael, and offers coaching to both elite athletes and everyday (age-group) athletes. Their strategy of helping Craig "conserve energy on the bike (by reducing his aerodynamic drag numbers) so he was fresher for the run" paid off.

Read more about it here.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 06:07 AM | Permalink