Women in the Front Seat
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary
From a young age I was aware of the missing images, role models, heroes that resembled me, a girl. WITFS shares the inspiring stories of women who not only drive their motorcycles but drive their lives. Overcoming accidents, forming communities, breaking records. Fierce, Bold, Fast, Brave!
Women in the Front Seat
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Documentary
Green Light
This campaign raised $7,905 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
55 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
From a young age I was aware of the missing images, role models, heroes that resembled me, a girl. WITFS shares the inspiring stories of women who not only drive their motorcycles but drive their lives. Overcoming accidents, forming communities, breaking records. Fierce, Bold, Fast, Brave!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The History
As a long time motorcycle rider I’ve wanted to do a project featuring women moto riders for many years. The population is growing exponentially world wide. Over the past decade women in the front seat have more than doubled, with a large percentage of women over 40 who have been on the back of a partner’s bike for decades. Most recently young riders are beginning to surge. Statistics show comparable numbers of women on cruisers (35%), adventure riders and sport bikes. With 50% of women riders maintaining and repairing their own bikes. This is exciting and inspiring.
Here’s me and some of my bikes through the years. (Broken arm in Suzuki pic was from mountain biking not moto riding!)
The Dream
A number of years ago as the numbers started to rise I pitched a series in a large conference room at a major studio to an all male decision team only to be told no one is interested in a documentary about women if they aren’t young and covered in dirt. I told them they were wrong. So eventually I just decided to do it myself.
Following a long time dream of doing a cross country solo motorcycle trip, after finishing work on a movie in Boston I bought my current dream bike - a beautiful red and beige 2015 Indian Scout with the help of a local Boston area dealership (Thank you Moms of Foxboro!).
I decided to bring a camera, some small lights and mics, and see who I could meet along the way. Once I started talking about the trip, the number of connections grew quickly and I discovered other people were as excited about this as I was. And my path across the country began to unfold. I was so focused on setting up the interviews and reaching out to women’s organizations that I didn’t think to much about the ride itself.
Hitting the Road
Then the day came where I was to set off on my first big ride with my case of equipment attached to my sissy bar and my small selection of clothes crammed in my tank bag, and suddenly I realized I was totally terrified. All my demons were screaming at me. Could I really do this? What if I crashed? What if I’m not up to riding this much? I don’t even know how to interview people…. Are all these strangers really going to meet with me and share their lives? THIS IS CRAZY! WHAT AM I DOING??!!
I took a moment and talked on facebook as I was about to start the journey and so many people rallied behind me giving me support. I was so moved. I felt all that energy and it was powerful. Then each woman I met along the way gave me such inspiration.
Inspiring Women
Missy and Theresa for a summer trip rode 12,000 miles on their massive 900lb cruisers crossing the country, twice!
Jan - A 74 year old who started riding only 14 years ago!
Diamond and Wendy who experienced devastating crashes and couldn’t wait to ride again.
Piston Annies - A Community of young women inspiring each other...
Tamale with riding partner Lucy
Tiara - transforming her life...
Facing my own Fears
It was not only a motorcycle trip or a documentary. It was transformative for me. As I weathered fierce storms and high winds, I was also pushed to my limits of fear and energy and personal belief in myself.
It was a trip of a life time for me. 30 days, 5000 miles, meeting, riding and capturing the stories of more than 30 women. I look forward to sharing these stories with you!
How can you Help?
-
* Donate. Any amount helps. Pledge directly or check out the fun incentive options.
-
* Follow the campaign. Reaching different milestones (250, 500, etc) releases extra benefits and support for us.
-
* Spread the word - share, share, share on social media.
Thank you CANON for your support! Loved filming with the Canon C200.
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Thank you all for taking the journey with us!
See you on the road!!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing
Costs $3,000
30 days on the road I filmed 50 hours of footage! Interviews, riding together, bike shots.
Music
Costs $2,000
Original music created for the story enhances and transports the viewer on an emotional journey.
Color Correction, Finishing, Conform
Costs $1,000
Filming in so many diverse environments, a skilled colorist seamlessly ties all the images together.
Animation and Graphics
Costs $500
Supplemental imagery to tell pieces of the story not possible with live video.
Sound design, Editing, and mixing
Costs $2,500
So much on the fly sound recording we need a great sound person to make all those moto bikes purrr!
Marketing and Distribution
Costs $500
To get the web series as much visibility as possible!!!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
INDY SAINI
Director/Producer/Cinematographer
Indy Saini is a long time avid motorcycle rider. An Emmy Nominated Cinematographer (Ice Bear, National Geographic Wild) and Award Winning Director, Indy splits her time between big budget movies working as a camera technician and on set colorist, and her filmmaking passion projects. Current docs in process include a video highlighting 25 years of community healing by the The Hume Center, a progressive mental health organization; an anti-bullying educational doc targeting tolerance; and Women in the Front Seat, a web series featuring dozens of women motorcycle riders across the United States filmed during a solo cross country trip.
https://www.facebook.com/womeninthefrontseat/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1437369/
JOIE GHARRITY
Producer/Marketing/Branding
Joie Gharrity Founder of 113 Branding Digital Media Studio is a Brand Strategist, Consultant, Creative Producer Author, and International Speaker. She worked in the Hollywood entertainment industry for 15+ years at top companies, in film, television, original web content, and branded entertainment.
In her book The Red Carpet Guide to Visibility and Influence, Joie shares branding strategies, techniques, tools, and tips that can be implemented easily. She recently was invited to sit on the DDI Branding/Reels & Links Panel as the brand expert at the prestigious Director's Guild of America in Los Angeles, CA. Shortly after the event, she launched the 113 Branding Hollywood Director Division.
Gharrity launched The Hollywood Spotlight Series, a LIVE interview show that features industry influencers. Guests share tools and tips on how they took their dreams from conception to fruition. She also launched The Red Carpet DTV, another LIVE interview show that features entrepreneur leaders in their field.
Joie truly believes that it is your birthright to stand in your spotlight and shine bright and that it has nothing to do with the last name you were born into or your vocation. Instead, it has to do with living your true purpose, turning up your Visibility spotlight and allowing your Influence to shine.
LORI KALLESTAD
Cinematographer/ Still Photographer (Los Angeles)
Lori Kallestad is a big-hearted, straight shooter who produces and directs inspiring cause based documentaries. Her storytelling covers the realities of life in the US, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Her television clients include A&E, PBS, Discovery Times, NRB, & TBN. She loves working with non-profit organizations, artists, entrepreneurs, makers, & magazines on a variety of projects and campaigns.
Lori earned a B.A. in Visual Journalism from Brooks Institute of Photography while studying under award-winning filmmaker/ photojournalist PF Bentley.
If she is not working, Lori can be found sailing off the coast of Southern California, scuba diving or refitting her tiny home a 33-foot sailboat.
JULIA C. LIU
Cinematographer/Drone Operator (Providence)
Julia is a filmmaker and artist. She is a contributing director to the New York Times' Emmy-nominated Op-Doc Series and her music videos have been featured on Stereogum, NPR Music, and Impose Magazine. Liu is the Director of Photography for the Netflix Original documentary "Take Your Pills" which premiered at SXSW Film Festival 2018.
Liu first cut her teeth working in the camera department on hit shows like Person of Interest, White Collar, and Girls. While she trained her eye working in television in New York, Liu developed her directorial aesthetic through making indie music videos, experimental dance films, and video art installations.
She is a graduate of Brown University and a member of the International Cinematographer's Guild, Local 600. She enjoys making comics and baking sourdough bread in her spare time.
GEORGIA PANTAZOPOULOS
Cinematographer, Drone Operator/Pilot (Cohassette)
Georgia fell in love with power of video and film at an early age. She knew she wanted to be behind the scenes of production since her freshman year at Lowell High School. There she directed the school’s morning TV show and shot and edited her own segments. Georgia joined the high school’s communications academy and graduated at the top of her class in video production. Georgia earned her BA in Cinema Studies and Film Production at Burlington College in Vermont. There she met filmmaker and fellow student, Mark Covino. The two joined forces and have collaborated on many projects together - most notably in the award-winning documentary titled, A Band Called Death In 2006 Georgia began working on feature films and has been a mainstay in Massachusett’s busy production hub. She joined the local grip & electric union and was hired to work on a film titled On Broadway. Since then, Georgia has worked over on more than 20 Hollywood feature films. Her film credits include the following titles: The Fighter TED Shutter Island American Hustle Black Mass Ghostbusters Most recently she reunited with director Mark Covino as the DP on a documentary titled The Crest that won her first award in Cinematography at the Woods hole film festival in Cape Cod. Georgia continues to work as a Grip on feature films and also freelances as a DP, camera and drone operator and photographer on independent productions during her free time. She specializes in lighting and photography for moving and still images.
KEITH HEYWARD
Drone Pilot
Keith Heyward is scientist turned filmmaker, focusing primarily on science and natural history documentaries. With a Biology degree from Brown University he has worked as a research assistant in labs as well as in the field. As a filmmaker, web developer, and interactive media designer he has created a wide range of media experiences from documentaries and online course videos to multimedia art exhibits and music videos. As a cinematographer he has filmed across all latitudes of the globe for a wide variety of organizations including the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix, Science Channel, NHK Enterprises, and the New York Times.
STERLING NOREN
Drone Pilot/Operator
Sterling Noren's background includes 27 years of experience in the film and video industry as a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor and Cameraman. He has worked in multiple industries including corporate, commerical, software, independent, documentary, travel and broadcast television.
Since 2007, he is the Founder and Director of Noren Films, a company that creates adventure motorcycling movies and provides film services to the adventure riding community.
Sterling has traveled to over 60 countries as a motorcycle filmmaker and produced more than a dozen award-winning adventure motorcycling films since 2001.
His films are available on Amazon and Vimeo. DVDs are available through Touratech USA.
His most recent film "Run Free - The True Story of Caballo Blanco" can be seen on SundanceNow.com
PENDA DIAKITÉ
Editor
Filmmaker and Video Editor Penda Diakité grew up between her two homes in Mali, West Africa and Portland, Oregon. As a result, much of her artwork consists of her experiences as a bi-cultural woman of color living between these two cultures. As a filmmaker, she sees a lack of recognition/publicity of films made by other women and people of color and believes film can bring the voices of the marginalized forward. Penda graduated California Institute of the Arts, with a BFA in film/video and a minor in Cultural Studies. She is currently based in Los Angeles.
MEG DOYLE
Graphic Design/ Logo & Bike Patch Designer
Meg Doyle is a highly charged and energetic graphic designer with a passion for design and illustration. She prides herself in having a strong work ethic and a desire to learn as much as possible about all aspects of this industry. Somewhat of a perfectionist, Meg enjoys paying attention to the details, and she don’t stop working until the job is done well. She have extensive experience in both print and web design and is proficient in Adobe Creative Suite programs with strong conceptual, layout and typographical skills. Meg lives in Southwest Florida and works full-time as a freelance graphic designer. www.megdoyle.com
SCOTT KLEIN
Colorist
Scott Klein it’s a veteran “A-list” colorist, and has been busy working in the Los Angeles post production committee since the late 1980s.
In addition to a resume of Commercial and Music Video color-correction, Scott has been instrumental in Collaborating with directors and cinematographers to design the visual look of many milestone episodic television shows.
Quote from Scott,
“I love this job, and the collaborative process of setting a mood with creatives in the color suite. When the Editorial structure of the project is combined with color-correction and the sound, the story really starts to take shape! It’s so exciting!”
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The History
As a long time motorcycle rider I’ve wanted to do a project featuring women moto riders for many years. The population is growing exponentially world wide. Over the past decade women in the front seat have more than doubled, with a large percentage of women over 40 who have been on the back of a partner’s bike for decades. Most recently young riders are beginning to surge. Statistics show comparable numbers of women on cruisers (35%), adventure riders and sport bikes. With 50% of women riders maintaining and repairing their own bikes. This is exciting and inspiring.
Here’s me and some of my bikes through the years. (Broken arm in Suzuki pic was from mountain biking not moto riding!)
The Dream
A number of years ago as the numbers started to rise I pitched a series in a large conference room at a major studio to an all male decision team only to be told no one is interested in a documentary about women if they aren’t young and covered in dirt. I told them they were wrong. So eventually I just decided to do it myself.
Following a long time dream of doing a cross country solo motorcycle trip, after finishing work on a movie in Boston I bought my current dream bike - a beautiful red and beige 2015 Indian Scout with the help of a local Boston area dealership (Thank you Moms of Foxboro!).
I decided to bring a camera, some small lights and mics, and see who I could meet along the way. Once I started talking about the trip, the number of connections grew quickly and I discovered other people were as excited about this as I was. And my path across the country began to unfold. I was so focused on setting up the interviews and reaching out to women’s organizations that I didn’t think to much about the ride itself.
Hitting the Road
Then the day came where I was to set off on my first big ride with my case of equipment attached to my sissy bar and my small selection of clothes crammed in my tank bag, and suddenly I realized I was totally terrified. All my demons were screaming at me. Could I really do this? What if I crashed? What if I’m not up to riding this much? I don’t even know how to interview people…. Are all these strangers really going to meet with me and share their lives? THIS IS CRAZY! WHAT AM I DOING??!!
I took a moment and talked on facebook as I was about to start the journey and so many people rallied behind me giving me support. I was so moved. I felt all that energy and it was powerful. Then each woman I met along the way gave me such inspiration.
Inspiring Women
Missy and Theresa for a summer trip rode 12,000 miles on their massive 900lb cruisers crossing the country, twice!
Jan - A 74 year old who started riding only 14 years ago!
Diamond and Wendy who experienced devastating crashes and couldn’t wait to ride again.
Piston Annies - A Community of young women inspiring each other...
Tamale with riding partner Lucy
Tiara - transforming her life...
Facing my own Fears
It was not only a motorcycle trip or a documentary. It was transformative for me. As I weathered fierce storms and high winds, I was also pushed to my limits of fear and energy and personal belief in myself.
It was a trip of a life time for me. 30 days, 5000 miles, meeting, riding and capturing the stories of more than 30 women. I look forward to sharing these stories with you!
How can you Help?
-
* Donate. Any amount helps. Pledge directly or check out the fun incentive options.
-
* Follow the campaign. Reaching different milestones (250, 500, etc) releases extra benefits and support for us.
-
* Spread the word - share, share, share on social media.
Thank you CANON for your support! Loved filming with the Canon C200.
Thank you all for taking the journey with us!
See you on the road!!!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing
Costs $3,000
30 days on the road I filmed 50 hours of footage! Interviews, riding together, bike shots.
Music
Costs $2,000
Original music created for the story enhances and transports the viewer on an emotional journey.
Color Correction, Finishing, Conform
Costs $1,000
Filming in so many diverse environments, a skilled colorist seamlessly ties all the images together.
Animation and Graphics
Costs $500
Supplemental imagery to tell pieces of the story not possible with live video.
Sound design, Editing, and mixing
Costs $2,500
So much on the fly sound recording we need a great sound person to make all those moto bikes purrr!
Marketing and Distribution
Costs $500
To get the web series as much visibility as possible!!!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
INDY SAINI
Director/Producer/Cinematographer
Indy Saini is a long time avid motorcycle rider. An Emmy Nominated Cinematographer (Ice Bear, National Geographic Wild) and Award Winning Director, Indy splits her time between big budget movies working as a camera technician and on set colorist, and her filmmaking passion projects. Current docs in process include a video highlighting 25 years of community healing by the The Hume Center, a progressive mental health organization; an anti-bullying educational doc targeting tolerance; and Women in the Front Seat, a web series featuring dozens of women motorcycle riders across the United States filmed during a solo cross country trip.
https://www.facebook.com/womeninthefrontseat/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1437369/
JOIE GHARRITY
Producer/Marketing/Branding
Joie Gharrity Founder of 113 Branding Digital Media Studio is a Brand Strategist, Consultant, Creative Producer Author, and International Speaker. She worked in the Hollywood entertainment industry for 15+ years at top companies, in film, television, original web content, and branded entertainment.
In her book The Red Carpet Guide to Visibility and Influence, Joie shares branding strategies, techniques, tools, and tips that can be implemented easily. She recently was invited to sit on the DDI Branding/Reels & Links Panel as the brand expert at the prestigious Director's Guild of America in Los Angeles, CA. Shortly after the event, she launched the 113 Branding Hollywood Director Division.
Gharrity launched The Hollywood Spotlight Series, a LIVE interview show that features industry influencers. Guests share tools and tips on how they took their dreams from conception to fruition. She also launched The Red Carpet DTV, another LIVE interview show that features entrepreneur leaders in their field.
Joie truly believes that it is your birthright to stand in your spotlight and shine bright and that it has nothing to do with the last name you were born into or your vocation. Instead, it has to do with living your true purpose, turning up your Visibility spotlight and allowing your Influence to shine.
LORI KALLESTAD
Cinematographer/ Still Photographer (Los Angeles)
Lori Kallestad is a big-hearted, straight shooter who produces and directs inspiring cause based documentaries. Her storytelling covers the realities of life in the US, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Her television clients include A&E, PBS, Discovery Times, NRB, & TBN. She loves working with non-profit organizations, artists, entrepreneurs, makers, & magazines on a variety of projects and campaigns.
Lori earned a B.A. in Visual Journalism from Brooks Institute of Photography while studying under award-winning filmmaker/ photojournalist PF Bentley.
If she is not working, Lori can be found sailing off the coast of Southern California, scuba diving or refitting her tiny home a 33-foot sailboat.
JULIA C. LIU
Cinematographer/Drone Operator (Providence)
Julia is a filmmaker and artist. She is a contributing director to the New York Times' Emmy-nominated Op-Doc Series and her music videos have been featured on Stereogum, NPR Music, and Impose Magazine. Liu is the Director of Photography for the Netflix Original documentary "Take Your Pills" which premiered at SXSW Film Festival 2018.
Liu first cut her teeth working in the camera department on hit shows like Person of Interest, White Collar, and Girls. While she trained her eye working in television in New York, Liu developed her directorial aesthetic through making indie music videos, experimental dance films, and video art installations.
She is a graduate of Brown University and a member of the International Cinematographer's Guild, Local 600. She enjoys making comics and baking sourdough bread in her spare time.
GEORGIA PANTAZOPOULOS
Cinematographer, Drone Operator/Pilot (Cohassette)
Georgia fell in love with power of video and film at an early age. She knew she wanted to be behind the scenes of production since her freshman year at Lowell High School. There she directed the school’s morning TV show and shot and edited her own segments. Georgia joined the high school’s communications academy and graduated at the top of her class in video production. Georgia earned her BA in Cinema Studies and Film Production at Burlington College in Vermont. There she met filmmaker and fellow student, Mark Covino. The two joined forces and have collaborated on many projects together - most notably in the award-winning documentary titled, A Band Called Death In 2006 Georgia began working on feature films and has been a mainstay in Massachusett’s busy production hub. She joined the local grip & electric union and was hired to work on a film titled On Broadway. Since then, Georgia has worked over on more than 20 Hollywood feature films. Her film credits include the following titles: The Fighter TED Shutter Island American Hustle Black Mass Ghostbusters Most recently she reunited with director Mark Covino as the DP on a documentary titled The Crest that won her first award in Cinematography at the Woods hole film festival in Cape Cod. Georgia continues to work as a Grip on feature films and also freelances as a DP, camera and drone operator and photographer on independent productions during her free time. She specializes in lighting and photography for moving and still images.
KEITH HEYWARD
Drone Pilot
Keith Heyward is scientist turned filmmaker, focusing primarily on science and natural history documentaries. With a Biology degree from Brown University he has worked as a research assistant in labs as well as in the field. As a filmmaker, web developer, and interactive media designer he has created a wide range of media experiences from documentaries and online course videos to multimedia art exhibits and music videos. As a cinematographer he has filmed across all latitudes of the globe for a wide variety of organizations including the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix, Science Channel, NHK Enterprises, and the New York Times.
STERLING NOREN
Drone Pilot/Operator
Sterling Noren's background includes 27 years of experience in the film and video industry as a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor and Cameraman. He has worked in multiple industries including corporate, commerical, software, independent, documentary, travel and broadcast television.
Since 2007, he is the Founder and Director of Noren Films, a company that creates adventure motorcycling movies and provides film services to the adventure riding community.
Sterling has traveled to over 60 countries as a motorcycle filmmaker and produced more than a dozen award-winning adventure motorcycling films since 2001.
His films are available on Amazon and Vimeo. DVDs are available through Touratech USA.
His most recent film "Run Free - The True Story of Caballo Blanco" can be seen on SundanceNow.com
PENDA DIAKITÉ
Editor
Filmmaker and Video Editor Penda Diakité grew up between her two homes in Mali, West Africa and Portland, Oregon. As a result, much of her artwork consists of her experiences as a bi-cultural woman of color living between these two cultures. As a filmmaker, she sees a lack of recognition/publicity of films made by other women and people of color and believes film can bring the voices of the marginalized forward. Penda graduated California Institute of the Arts, with a BFA in film/video and a minor in Cultural Studies. She is currently based in Los Angeles.
MEG DOYLE
Graphic Design/ Logo & Bike Patch Designer
Meg Doyle is a highly charged and energetic graphic designer with a passion for design and illustration. She prides herself in having a strong work ethic and a desire to learn as much as possible about all aspects of this industry. Somewhat of a perfectionist, Meg enjoys paying attention to the details, and she don’t stop working until the job is done well. She have extensive experience in both print and web design and is proficient in Adobe Creative Suite programs with strong conceptual, layout and typographical skills. Meg lives in Southwest Florida and works full-time as a freelance graphic designer. www.megdoyle.com
SCOTT KLEIN
Colorist
Scott Klein it’s a veteran “A-list” colorist, and has been busy working in the Los Angeles post production committee since the late 1980s.
In addition to a resume of Commercial and Music Video color-correction, Scott has been instrumental in Collaborating with directors and cinematographers to design the visual look of many milestone episodic television shows.
Quote from Scott,
“I love this job, and the collaborative process of setting a mood with creatives in the color suite. When the Editorial structure of the project is combined with color-correction and the sound, the story really starts to take shape! It’s so exciting!”