Fremonster and film director Dan McComb has been collecting interviews and information this spring on the scene-stealing opening act of the Solstice Parade – the painted cyclists. His film, titled ‘Beyond Naked’, now has a campaign running on Kickstarter to solicit donations to help complete what promises to be a lighthearted, and well-researched, look at the history, dilemmas and fascination naked bicyclists have incited.
By June 12th, on Kickstarter, the ‘Beyond Naked’ film project must raise $13,500. Many creative projects have begun to use this unique platform for raising funds. The site allows supporters to pledge towards a project’s goal, charging the credit card if the amount is raised but not if they don’t get the entire amount. Also, each pledge receives a delightful reward, depending on the dollar amount, but all will get a great, big hunka-hunka Beyond Naked love. To find out more, visit the ‘Beyond Naked’ Kickstarter page.
Funds raised will go to cover filmmaking expenses including those special requirements that come with filming the parade of cyclists – renting camera stabilizers, specially outfitting bicycles to allow ‘cheek-to-cheek’ filming, paint and a radio-controlled helicopter.
In addition to collecting information, McComb and his producer, Lisa Cooper, have recruited four first-timers who accepted the challenge to ride naked (except for body paint) before the 2011 Solstice Parade. The film will share in these riders’ trepidations, challenges and transformative moments along the way. Additionally, Tiberio Simone has signed on as the film’s front man and catalyst character who will engage participants and random passers-by in the conversation about getting naked.
In the mid-1990s, when naked cyclists first started crashing the Fremont Arts Council Solstice Parade, Seattle leaders – and Fremont – faced a crucial dilemma: Would the city tolerate this as an expression of creativity, or would it, like many American cities have, treat it as a crime? “Beyond Naked explores our deep-rooted fear and awkward fascination with nakedness,” states the website. “Deliberately breaking social conventions is scary, but liberating,” McComb has been quoted as saying.
Consider helping fund the film, and bringing the story – and the controversy – to the wider world!