I got a call from a childhood friend this morning. He runs a video production company and is interested in doing a show about Kite Buggying. His shows run on Fox Sports and I think is called "In the Driver's seat".

He says he has watched the videos I've shared and posted on Facebook and thinks it is an interesting sport that would be fun to shoot and already has ideas about how to do it. He says he likes that it is a somewhat obscure sport that isn't common knowledge and also that it has an extreme side to it with the power and speed.

He said that on the day or days we shoot, the more that can be there, the more footage he has to work with. He would use multiple cameras on some buggies as well as stationary cameras to capture what goes on. His crew will be in Vegas in early May for a rodeo that he is doing a show on (a specialty of his). The rodeo goes on at night and he says they would just be hanging out during the day anyway so why not do this during the day and rodeo at night.

More info will come as we get closer but it looks like its a go. Anyone that could show up when the shooting days happen would certainly be welcome and would add to the quality and diversity of the show.

sounds like a great event and a good way to promote the sport .... good on ya Bob

.... O.K. everyone ... let's have a little fun at Bob's expense :tumble: ... I am sure he won't mind .....the task is let's come up with a name for the show ... me first .... BeamerBob's Buggy Bonanza .... I can't wait to hear what gOOfba11 comes up with :evil:....

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Originally posted by Bigbear97e sounds like a great event and a good way to promote the sport .... good on ya Bob .... O.K. everyone ... let's have a little fun at Bob's expense :tumble: ... I am sure he won't mind .....the task is let's come up with a name for the show ... me first .... BeamerBob's Buggy Bonanza .... I can't wait to hear what gOOfba11 comes up with :evil:....

Bigbear, I must say when I saw "let's have a little fun at Bob's expense" I was instantly worried about G00f.:ticking:

What a fantastic opportunity! Exactly the type of exposure this sport deserves.

Way to go Bob!

FOX has burned the kite community before. They in no way should be allowed to sully the reputation of kiting in the US and beyond, again!!!

We have had enough trouble due to the national news showing ONLY the BAD part of our sport. They refuse to show how safe the sport can be.

They are simply out for sensationalizing the dangers of these types of sports and MAKING A PROFIT.

THEY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED AT ANYTIME!

Friend or not, he has a producer that will take even the smallest footage of a buggy wreck or accident and exploit it!!!

The article linked below has 684 words. 353 words are used to say how dangerous the sport is. No mention of the safety measures that are taken just a doctor's comment on the dangers and quotes from Bob that make it look that much worse.

SEE BELOW HOW FOX HAS BURNED THIS COMMUNITY IN THE PAST:

Original Article:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,98961,00.html

Bob Childs Response:
http://www.doomwheels.com/articles/foxnews.php

My friend IS the producer. He has 13 episodes he does for Fox SPORTS. This isn't a news story, but a show of entertainment for stuff that most people don't do. Offroad racing, bullriding and such as that. He's here for a week, so I would avoid days with gusty winds where an issue could come up. I can see how Bob was roasted and it was apparently the full intention from the beginning. During our phone call, danger and injuries were never mentioned. Consider your advice taken but I'll proceed with caution and a wary eye.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob My friend IS the producer.

Is he the EXECUTIVE Producer? In other words, does he have the final say as to what appears on air? Does he deliver the final product? or does he provide raw footage? (BIG RED FLAG THERE)

Quote:

He's here for a week, so I would avoid days with gusty winds where an issue could come up.

My experience with media is that you work around their schedule not the other way around.

Quote:

I can see how Bob was roasted and it was apparently the full intention from the beginning. During our phone call, danger and injuries were never mentioned. Consider your advice taken but I'll proceed with caution and a wary eye.

I imagine that the conversation that Bob had went about the same way. Just look at the quotes that they used.

Fox Sports is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp. News Corp is currently under investigation for ILLEGALLY hacking phones in the UK. Your friend may be an upstanding individual, but its the people that pay him that I have concerns with. Might think about getting something in writing that has language essentially stating "not shown in unfavorable light" etc...

You know him much better than I do, think about mentioning this to him. Show him the links, voice your concerns BEFORE any footage is shot.

I trust u bob and I have my eye on ur arcs but just waiting on the old paycheck the media will always spin it for what ever they want but bob is doing something good and I am shur he will talk only about the saftey measures and not the near misses because if he just says how he chooses to protect himself and not what might come to be they will have no ammo to spin

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Originally posted by Looking_Up I trust u bob and I have my eye on ur arcs but just waiting on the old paycheck the media will always spin it for what ever they want but bob is doing something good and I am shur he will talk only about the saftey measures and not the near misses because if he just says how he chooses to protect himself and not what might come to be they will have no ammo to spin

Thanks for the faith! I hear politicians say stuff all the time and cringe at what the soundbite can be turned into. I've looked at Bryan's work and its all entertainment of at least somewhat extreme activities.

The Tower industry went through the same thing a few years back with "Tower dogs" on Discovery.
But recently Dirty Jobs and Toughest Fixes both did a good job.

i worked in the engineering dept of a tv station for 5 years, and repeatedly reporters would twist stories for controversy.....in fact there was a special consultant that would come every 6 months or so, and specifically told the news crew to slant things to prey on peoples emotions and spin stories to make them of a more dubious nature..... not much honor in the news business, very unscrupulous...... no small wonder why the media is so vilified these days...... if i were beamer bob, id be very careful.......

cheezycheese --i tried sending a u2u but it wouldnt go thru, i'll try later.....

My 2 cents: trying to be objective...

Let's take a second and study the situation, and try to logically work through it...

a. By all appearances Fox News' "in the driver seat" is a show about driving stuff that goes fast.

b. The guy who produces the show about driving stuff that goes fast wants to do a story about driving something that goes fast (kite buggy in this scenario)

c. In the past, the buggying community was burned ONCE by a sensationalist.

d. In the spirit of shows like "mythbusters" or "dirty jobs" there is likely an opening disclaimer about "trained professionals--don't try this at home-- etc."

Add it all together and you get a+b+c+d = avoiding speculation about what MIGHT happen and in lieu of ONE previous bad experience, logic would dictate that this doesn't seem like a big deal. However much in the same way that being spanked by our kites can make us skiddish to get back on the horse, it is reasonable to proceed,... but with some REASONABLE amount of caution.

It isn't my intent to sound sarcastic or snarky,... this is just how I see it.

I think its a good idea and can be a positive promotion of the sport, Bob.

Mar 24, 2010
Fritz Gramkowski demonstrates traction kiting with buggies for CBS morning TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ffsUpqgK68

I saw this and thought it was a positive statement about our sport. Short & sweet.


MyAikenCheeks

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Bison makes a fair warning for general concern.

Most of us think it's neat to have some media coverage on our kiting sport...and Bob was obviously being forthright and trying to promote a positive image of a great sport and community. WE, I believe, appreciate and commend him for this.

But the media is careless and sometimes dangerous and holds out carrots that take in even the most savvy and cynical .

You need to know the exact content, history and direction of the person who is producing this show and show itself of course, and how the story will be presented.

I can't help but think that Bob himself unintentionally may have said things in the interview that were fuel for a reporter wanting to inflict a negative slant.. out of context or in context... or by itself:

Quote:

this is surely the most dangerous of all kite traction sports and often leaves enthusiasts with broken bones. Kite jumping should only be performed on soft sand.

Saying ,"often leaves enthusiast with broken.."may not have been the best thing to say. "Often"...bad word.

Better to have said, "If done by novice or untrained pilots...MAY result in broken bones("injuries" would have been 'softer' than "broken bones"). Most pilots learn control with smaller jumps and thus this should only be done by experienced trained pilots....."


I have a question whether popularizing or seeking TV or article promotion is necessarily a good thing?

Will it make the sport safer?

Will it protect, allow or open more access of places to ride or play?

This may be an old topic but is at the heart of this discussion.

After reading the Fox article I find it did leave the reader with perhaps too much of a negative slant.

But Bob admitting to story of a runaway buggy slamming into a truck and doing $1500 damages only feeds the negativity. That may have been better kept to oneself. Honest ..yes. But a+b+c(a=broken bones, b=$1500 damage, c=Dr Ho says,"Not worth the risks) = Negative slant.

There wasn't enough -nor may not have ever been enough positive angles-even if a bunch were added- to counter a,b,and c.

Football is a much more injurious sport but it only hurts the players and does not have the possibility of hurting innocent bystanders(beach walkers) or peoples property(truck body).

Safety and caution should be a concern, not just using the kites, but also when not using the kite....especially with dealing with the media.

If you think entertainment value does not come way before fair and balanced and loyal to the subject- you'll often be very mistaken about many media venues and entities.

:roll: :roll:

:roll::roll::roll::roll:

A continuing series about "extreme sports" is targeting a knowledgeable audience. Such sports already have built-in "sensationalism" and the stories would tend to come down on the side of promoting the sports.

A segment or report on a general audience daily newscast is typically fear-based sensationalism and would tend to come off as a warning or expose. The only way around this would be to have the sport event organized for some charitable or community cause.

It would be a two-edge sword to promote any extreme sport that takes place on scarce public land: Undisciplined beginners can start to crowd out public spaces; accidents are more common or blown out of proportion...just pointing out the other side of things here that I've read has happened at kite surfing locales.

Hey Sailors,

There is good and bad in media relations.
Creating a buzz to entice viewership (and exposure to the ads) is the bottom line in television programming.
Depending on the personnel involved, could do good or harm.

But then there's this:
Assume it is positive...
Creates a popular buzz about our sport...
Next nabx is overrun with 5000+ attendees...
(we saw it on TV!)

Now what?

Just something to think about...


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama - Mayor of Buggytown

Somebody is going to sell a bunch of kites and buggies. Lottery system to be able to attend NABX.

I think the video will be a positive outlook on the sport and cause some awareness of it, but not any insane growth. I figure on moving forward unless something doesn't seem right. All his other work I can find is upbeat and "look how much fun this would be" type coverage. It is typically something the masses doesn't participate in but is entertained by watching how others make it work.

All who are able to participate are welcome to help guide this towards a positive outcome............. Whatever that is.

Quote:

Originally posted by lad A continuing series about "extreme sports" is targeting a knowledgeable audience. Such sports already have built-in "sensationalism" and the stories would tend to come down on the side of promoting the sports. A segment or report on a general audience daily newscast is typically fear-based sensationalism and would tend to come off as a warning or expose. The only way around this would be to have the sport event organized for some charitable or community cause. It would be a two-edge sword to promote any extreme sport that takes place on scarce public land: Undisciplined beginners can start to crowd out public spaces; accidents are more common or blown out of proportion...just pointing out the other side of things here that I've read has happened at kite surfing locales.

exactly right on the first 2 paragraphs.... no opinion on the 3rd.......

'A double edge sword with no sheath may cut it's bearer'


Behind the scenes:"This program has been all 'milk toast'! We need to start making this program exciting and get more views and sponsor money starting with next feature. Who we got coming on? A kite buggy guy?
.... Here's what I want you to get him to talk about and what I want you to ask and get him to do...

....and if not here's what you say and edit out/in..":o


If you go forward......Let's all hope it's a wonderfully positive ride

As I was inferring, I would think a "Driver's Seat" type show/producer would be more interested in promoting the sport in general.

The other side of the coin is hearing about some of the safety concerns developing with so many riders at the WWBB last Fall.
Or reading of kite surfers complaining about increased crowding at their usual spots as Kite Surfing caught on more and more (a reason why one took up landboarding!)

Ivanpah has enough room for a lot of riders, but most public beaches have their limits.

Bobby.... You have to be yourself... get our name out there, promote our breed of fun... If they twist it, too bad... If 5000 people show up to nabx... Hell yeah! 5000 more kiters!

You cant control anyone.... People will do what they will, all you can do is your best.

If someone asks you to show them a kite, what do any of you do?? Me, I explain the kite to them, the safety, the ways to operate the sail, and watch them smile! If they have a question or two or ten, hell ill talk kites all freaking day!

We dont belong to an exclusive club of better people.... Show this guy our sport... And if he slams you, that sucks, but if it gets one person involved in kiting, its worth it.... The people that really want to fly, wont be bothered some bad publicity... Theyll seek out positive kiters, and people who know the sport inside and out, not news reporters...


Do the show Bobby, and do your best to show people how awesome this sport is. And maybe... Maybe, someone will get the same feeling i do, deep inside, when i see the wind blow.

Oh, congrats on the tv spot btw!

Post a link when its available, I look forward to it!

Thanks for that Drewculous! It's pretty much what I was thinking but hadn't put into words yet.

after reading all these posts, i say go for it also..... look at it this way--people are going to do and say whatever the hell they want about kiting and usually, theres not alot we can do, except play responsibly..... there are plenty of utube vids showing both sides of the kiting sport, positive and negative.....people as individuals have to come to their own conclusions..... organizations and groups opposed to kiting, well thats another story altogether.......

I also say go for it Bob. Kite Buggying is such a rush. Having someone like you get on T.V. and promote it safely, will do great things for the sport. As far as NABX and WBB getting a larger crowd, I'm with Drew! Just a few more people to kite with. At WBB there is about 8 miles of beach. The beach is 300yds wide if not wider. There is always room for another kiter in my book. You just have to have things set up right to handle it.

Go for it Bob, make us proud!

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Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies I also say go for it Bob. Kite Buggying is such a rush. Having someone like you get on T.V. and promote it safely, will do great things for the sport. As far as NABX and WBB getting a larger crowd, I'm with Drew! Just a few more people to kite with. At WBB there is about 8 miles of beach. The beach is 300yds wide if not wider. There is always room for another kiter in my book. You just have to have things set up right to handle it. Go for it Bob, make us proud!

Thanks for the confidence Rich! I guess being "someone like me" is a good thing? :duh: :duh:

smile and ride! just do your session and letem get what they can. you are the pilot, right ?
he wants fresh content, and the chatty factor (which he knows can be twisted ) they count on it.

what about the "the silent bob kite buggy show"

tell them your sessions comes with a soundtrack! and has no room for dialogue!

I've been holding my tongue long enough. IMHO, this is a fantastic opportunity for the kiting community as a whole. We all work hard to get exposure for our sport, why? To help it grow. I've seen all the posts here bringing up very valid points about public beaches and lake beds getting potentially crowded, safety issues due to crowding, safety issues about new pilots trying to fly outside of their skill set. Very good, very valid points. Let's take a quick look at these points.

"Our favorite spots getting crowded" - It would seem this is going to happen over time either way since we all try to promote our sport right? Well, on the flip side of that coin, perhaps we would all be shown some fresh real estate to fly on with new faces in our community? Just a thought.

"Safety issues due to crowding" - Another very good point, but shouldn't we, as more experienced pilots take some responsibility in educating new pilots on the do's and don'ts of flying in less than wide open spaces?

"Safety issues due to new pilots trying to go "HOOJ" - We see this now. We have all tried to push the limits. My first kite was a Twister II 5.6m for crying out loud. Again, I feel that it is up to us as a community to do what we have been doing all along and promoting safe kiting.

I truly believe this is going to do more good than harm if it is presented by Bob and whomever else can make the taping. We have a chance to help our sport, and community grow here. I stand behind BB 100% on this because I trust his judgement as well as trust in him to promote safe kiting in the segment.

Maybe make a reference to PKF or other forums the public can access to research our great sport and educate themselves prior to a kite purchase. This may help to reduce the chance of words being twisted in a negative manner? Keep in mind I really know nothing about the media, this is all just my humble opinion.

Good on ya BB!!! Wish I could be there!

I have something to add. Do you know what days it will be for? If not why not try to make it for NABX tons of riders from all around the world the best doing it to the extreme. Several pilots to interview and the lakebed is already reserved fro us. Just a thought. I like the idea can't wait to see the show. Only problem is the time frame is 1 and a half months roughly. Could your friend get everything in order before then?