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December 30, 2008

WORDS OF WISDOM: NEXT PROJECT

"I've just spent five years pushing a rock up the Paramount mountain and I'm perfectly happy to do a short for an anthology and some television commercials."
-- Director David Fincher in an interview with MTV discussing what his next project will be after "Benjamin Button".

Amen to that. I just spent two years on ATHLETE (going on three) and I'd be perfectly happy doing a few birthday videos now. Ok maybe not. But seriously, it would be a year or two before I'd consider working on another feature. The process has been intense.

DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 08:03 PM |

December 29, 2008

WHAT DEFINES AN ATHLETE? (MAGDALENA LEWY-BOULET)

The third clip in our What defines an ATHLETE? series features elite marathoner, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet. I interviewed her back in November 2006, days before she ran the NYC Marathon.




Since then, she has run Boston in 2:30, qualified for and competed in the Beijing Olympics (Team USA, marathon) and signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Saucony. What's noteworthy about Magdalena, is that she's a first-time mom and one of the few elite runners who has always had a job outside of running (currently, assistant track coach at Cal-Berkeley).

Defy definition.

DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 11:29 PM |

December 23, 2008

CHRISSIE WELLINGTON

Good article on two-time Ironman Kona Champion Chrissie Wellington from last week's The Guardian. It's interesting to read how she basically started off as an everyday athlete (she had a full time job, no coach in the beginning, and no structured training background).

You just assume most pro athletes have an extensive background in a specific sport (high school > college > pro). Not her. She just started doing triathlons a few years ago, which makes her achievements and story that much more incredible.

DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 09:02 PM |

December 22, 2008

WHAT DEFINES AN ATHLETE? (RENATO)

One of the first athletes I interviewed for the film (in September 2006) was Renato, a 34-year-old computer programmer from NYC. At the time, he had completed an incredible number of marathons and triathlons over the course of five years. Most notable of these races being Ironman Lake Placid, Timberman Triathlon, Tupper Lake Triathlon, NYC Marathon, Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon.

Hear how he defines "athlete" in this short, 30-second outtake.




DLM

WANT MORE? Hear what marathon legend Kathrine Switzer has to say about what makes an athlete in this exclusive clip.

Posted by DLM at 07:59 PM |

December 21, 2008

TRAILER COMPLETE

Just finished the full trailer to ATHLETE this morning. Very excited. Here are some thoughts on the experience:

+ Not nearly as hard as editing the film, but cutting a trailer is an art form in of itself. Therefore, still very challenging.

+ A mistake I made early on: I did not establish a distinct beginning, middle and end. Result? A two-minute highlight reel of people running, swimming and cycling with no story. Not good.

+ I watched a lot of trailers of other films before and during editing (over and over and over again). Which helped.

Next up: designing the final set of ATHLETE posters. Yes, no more editing.

DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 10:27 AM |

December 18, 2008

ADP PICS OF THE WEEK: THE FINISH

Last week's focus was on what athletes endure before, during and after competition (pain). This week, one universal reason why athletes endure that pain -- to cross the finish.

Everyone who finishes is a winner! by redxdress.



Posing at the finish line by Brookins.



Untitled by mike.riepe



London Marathon Finisher by elviseight.




Crawling to the Finish by Dave Delay.



Wiping away my tears of exhaustion and joy by neenyd03.



Ishigaki Triathlon 2007, we're finished, as a relay team by kisocci.



To see more photos of athletes crossing the finish, visit The ATHLETE Defined Project on Flickr.

DLM

WHAT DEFINES AN ATHLETE? Hear what marathon legend Kathrine Switzer has to say in this exclusive clip.

Posted by DLM at 01:10 AM |

December 16, 2008

WHAT DEFINES AN ATHLETE? (KATHRINE SWITZER)

The one question I asked most subjects during filming was "what defines an athlete?" Ironically, none of this footage made the final cut of the film. But lucky for you, I'll be posting these raw clips online over the next two months. Some are incredibly short (19 seconds). Others offer a bit more insight. Either way, they'll probably make you look at the word "athlete" in a whole new light.

Our first outtake features marathon legend Kathrine Switzer, who I interviewed at the 2007 New Jersey Marathon. Enjoy.




DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 12:25 AM |

December 14, 2008

BEST HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAY

Came across this LIVESTRONG/Nike "Give 100" window display at Macy's Herald Square tonight.








DLM

FOLLOW ATHLETE ON TWITTER: twitter.com/athletemovie

Posted by DLM at 11:22 PM |

MY TOP 5: ALBUMS OF 2008



5) 19 by Adele
First came across Adele on VH1 (shocking but they still play videos). Amazing vocals. But her first single, Chasing Pavements, isn't even the best song on this jazz/pop album. That's a good thing.

4) Day & Age by The Killers
Best work to date. There are a few forgettable tracks, but the good far outweigh the bad. Can't stop listening.

3) The Dark Knight score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
Big fan of film scores (surprise). But sadly, in my experience, many score albums don't have a high playback rate (you can only listen to the 007 theme so many times). Not the case with this album. Been listening to it nonstop since July. It's innovative and gets the heart and mind pumping.

2) Perfect Symmetry by Keane
Feel-good album of the year. Best tracks include Black Burning Heart and Perfect Symmetry.

1) The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
I said it in June and I'll say it again. Album of the year.

My other favorites: 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West; Death Magnetic by Metallica; Rockferry by Duffy; Last Night by Moby.

DLM

ATHLETE MOVIE FACT: Filming took place on location at over 10 marathons and triathlons across the East Coast. See which races here.

Posted by DLM at 11:07 AM |

December 10, 2008

ADP PICS OF THE WEEK: PAIN

This week, we look at the different facets of pain (and suffering) experienced by athletes both in and out of races.

Cramp by GafferBee.



Untitled by BastieN [M].



Push by terriseesthings



Untitled by RODRIGO VALLINA.




Help by Molz.



Untitled by M.M.MarCeLLo.



crash-repair femur by dolomitico .



Julies face + road by davidlomax.



SSWC08 by mike.riepe.



Ouch! To see more photos of athletes defying pain, visit The ATHLETE Defined Project on Flickr.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 11:15 PM |

ENDURANCE SPORTS NEWS

RunnersWeb.com has two articles worth checking out:

Is Triathlon Recession Proof?
Good read on how a fairly expensive sport/hobby is holding up in these tough economic times.

Women's Running Magazine More Than Triples Bookstore Newsstand Orders
A new running magazine for women will launch later this month. Interested to see how the coverage and overall design/layout will differ from Runner's World.
womensrunningmag.com

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 10:05 PM |

December 07, 2008

THE ATHLETES

Been meaning to update the "athletes" section on athletemovie.com for a while now. Below is a shot of the new profiles of the four athletes who appear in the final cut -- Jenny, Artie, Carrie and Kellie. Special thanks to Shawn Francis for his pic of the twins.




Now back to work on the trailer.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 08:23 PM |

TEARY EYES + GOOSE BUMPS

Teary eyes and goose bumps seem to be a common reaction from some of the athletes who've gotten their first look at the film (that's a relief).




Thanks guys!

Athlete Kellie's blog: kelliejones.wordpress.com

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 01:59 AM |

December 04, 2008

STOKED

An old pal Akiko sent me an email last week about the work that she's doing for a charity called Stoked. It's an organization that pairs mentors with at-risk youth to help them become "Successful Teens with Opportunity, Knowledge, Experience, and Determination" through action sports. It reminded me of Girls on the Run, except with a slightly older demographic and the program is open to both guys and girls.




So after a successful summer learning how to skateboard, Akiko and her mentee Jessica are now embarking on snowboarding this winter. They just need to raise $350 more to make it there (as of this morning). And that's where you guys can help. Check out their page on Active.com to learn how you can contribute.

Thanks guys.

DLM

By the way, how great are those photos above? Really tells a nice story.

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 05:38 AM |

ADP PICS OF THE WEEK: EXTREME CONDITIONS

Switching things up a bit this week. Going with a theme of extreme conditions. Photos of athletes performing in the snow, rain, desert, ocean, etc. I got the idea while working on the trailer last week (there's a scene in the film where a marathon begins during a thunder storm). Enjoy.

Swimmers, Ironman Triathlon by CurLy98.



Untitled by ledusledus.



Untitled by Slang4201.



Lake Placid Ironman 2008 by Lepak Pix.



Cyclocross Mud Action by digammo.



Lake Mead Triathlon - Day 3 by Deuce..



Ecomotion PRO 2008 by Fernanda Franco.



See more photos of athletes in extreme conditions in The ATHLETE Defined Project collection on Flickr.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 01:54 AM |

December 01, 2008

MY TOP 5: MOMENTS OF 2008



5) The Dark Knight
It wasn't just the film, but the whole frenzy surrounding the release. From the toys to the soundtrack to sold-out IMAX screenings. It felt like 1989 again with the original Batman, and reminded me why I love movies.

[Read original post from July here]

4) Murakami Opening Night at the Brooklyn Museum
Hard to explain, but being in the same room with people you admire and who are at the top of their creative profession -- Kanye West, Frank Gehry, Marc Jacobs, and Murakami -- was really an inspiring night. Not to mention, probably one of the best parties I've attended.

[Read original post from April here]

3) LIVESTRONG Day
It was during this event where I had my "mini epiphany". The realization that you don't need to be wealthy to make a difference. That we can all leverage our own strengths (as great leaders, designers, marketers, athletes, etc.) to help charities in need. Four months later, the idea for the "Cycle of Giving" was born.

[Read original post from May here]

2) Runway of Opportunity
Working on this short film for Liz Claiborne Inc. was a great learning experience. It gave me a lot of confidence, which came in handy in the final months of editing ATHLETE, when things got pretty harsh.

[Read original post from June here]

1) Finishing ATHLETE
Probably not a suprise to many that this is the No. 1 moment. But one thing you're not aware of is that things looked so bleak in July (major editor's block), that I wasn't expecting to complete ATHLETE until mid-2009. Which of course makes finishing in 2008 that much sweeter.

[Read original post from October here]

Honorable Mention: Seeing Jeff Koons' earlier works in person for the first time in Chicago (at the MCA) and picking up my very own Lobster Rider.

DLM

GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.

Posted by DLM at 02:52 AM |