The Desert Said Dance - Documentary

MOJAVE PRODUCTIONS & MONSTER CHILDREN FILMS

thedesertsaiddance.com

Anyone can enter the Baja 1000, but not everyone finishes it. Some aren’t tough enough. Some don’t have bikes that are tough enough. And some make mistakes that take them out of the race. Sometimes, tragically, forever. This is a place where dreams go to die. Grand visions and hopes, materialized, but rarely sustained. The desert has this mysterious allure, there is freedom, solitude, and opportunity. The desert is the unforgiving canvas of life, and this is a story about the art of racing with it and against it.

It's competitors are connected to the desert, to their motorcycles, and to each other. A trio of man, nature and machine. Through this they find purpose. Flirting with death, a 1000 mile dance in search of victory. Some cross the finish line, others prevail, but not all make it home. This is a celebration of tenacity, and humankind’s unique ability to paint the world as we see it. For over 50 years, this one-of-a-kind event has been a magnet to those brave and foolish enough to face one of the most challenging race courses in the world.

This is the story of four men, whose passion come before any paycheck. Drawn to a challenge, and the romance of dancing with the unknown. Pushing themselves far beyond where most people feel alive. Each with motivations of their own. From chasing a childhood dream, to honoring a fallen teammate taken too soon. A five time champion in search of reliving his former glory, and a young Ironman trying to prove his place at the top. A motley crew united by motorcycle with the common goal of proving to themselves and to the world that they are alive and that the dance must go on.The Baja 1000 is like no other. It is the longest non stop, point to point, offroad race in the world. With a film crew of equal enthusiasm and tenacity, we set out to find a different kind of story. A team of racers united in their rejection of traditional life. This is a cinematic ode to these riders, a testament to their spirit of improvisation and their skill. For those who already understand, it will be a chance to connect with the subtleties of performance and the art of machines. For the initiates it is a breathtaking introduction to the spectacle and sublime wonder that is the Baja 1000 and the men who endure enormous hardship in a landscape like no other on the planet.

Directed by: Lincoln Caplice
A Story by: Harrison Mark & Forrest Minchinton
Featuring: Forrest Minchinton, Colton Udall, Derek Ausserbauer & Nic Garvin
Executive Producers: Jesse Stanley, Harrison Mark, Forrest Minchinton, Jamil Hassan & Lincoln Caplice
Producers: Harrison Mark, Forrest Minchinton & Jamil Hassan
Director of Photography: Andrew Gough
Edited by: Lucas Vazquez
Music composed by Sonar
Andrew Lancaster & Jackson Milas
First Assistant Camera: Alexander McLennan

Aerial Cinematography: JP DeLespinois, Eric Everly
Pilots: Craig Hosking, Dave Vernick
Aerial Special Thanks to: Pursuit Aviation, Icon Helicopters & Tempt Media
Drone Operators: Blake Scott, Rachel Scott

Assistant Editors: Braden Trotter, Phoenix Chisholm

2nd Unit Director: Harrison Mark
2nd Unit Director of Photography: Joe Carlino
3rd Unit DP: Chad Huff
4th Unit DP: Jacob Johnson

Motion Graphics & Design: Chris Thompson, Aaron Westwood
Colorist: Fergus Rotherham

Sound Recordist: Joel Jasper (Glue Audio)

Unit Production Manager: Harrison Mark, Jamil Hassan
Post Production Supervisor: Jamil Hassan

Stunt Direction: Forrest Minchinton

Chef: Alexander McLennan

Still Photography: Matthew Cherubino, Harrison Mark, Tom Hawkins, Jamil Hassan, Andrew Gough, Lincoln Caplice, Max Mandell

Archival material courtesy of: Tempt Media, Kelly Hammond, Jacob Gonzalez, Racing Cowboys, Mad Media

Music recorded and mixed at Sonar Music
Sonar Music Executive Producer: Sophie Haydon
Sonar Music Producer: Haylee Poppi
Music Mastered by: Evan McHugh
Pedal Steel Player: Jy-Perry Banks

Sound by Unison Sound
Supervisor Sound Editor: Wes Chew
Re-recording mixer: Michael Newtown
SFX Editor: Michael Newton and Tania Vlassova
Dialogue Editor: Cihan Saral

"What You Isn't" written and performed by The Brian Jonestown Massacre
(c) Warp Publishing administered by Gaga Music
(p) 2014 'a' Records

"Nevertheless" written and performed by The Brian Jonestown Massacre
(c) Warp Publishing administered by Gaga Music
(p) 2008 'a' Records

Music Supervisor: Gaga Music Pty Ltd

Special thanks:
Anna Vacca
Bob Glavan
Campbell Brown
Carby Tuckwell
Chelsea Curtis
Chris Searl
Dare Jennings
Ducati USA
Eric Everly
Eric Matthies
Esteban “Taz” Fallas
Faith Lukens
Gear Head
Ian Young
Josh Hetzler
Liv Reddy
Mary Anne Rounseville
Mauricio
Michael Lawrence
Mike Minchinton
Rachel Romano
Romie Gallardo
Shannon Hunt (Vacca)
Shea Caplice
The Brawner Family
The Editors
The Garvin Family
The Hilltoppers MC
The Oxley Family
WMW Ranch

Pit Crews
Brandon Peterson
Greydon Day
Mike Garvin
Michael Garger

Made with the generous support from
American Honda
Huntington Beach Honda
AHM Factory Services
Thrill Seekers
100%
STI Tires
Nitromousse
Motocutz
Bell Helmets
Deus Ex Machina
Alpinestars
Champion Adventures
IMS Products
Monster Children
Sonar
Unison
The Editors
Gearhead
Gaga