Contacting Extreme TV

Jorden · Post by **Jorden** » 27 Feb 2006 16:20

For those who haven't heard of it, Extreme is a hip and trendy satellite sports channel that is 24 hours of extreme sports shows (skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, surfing, motocross, etc.). It is currently broadcasted in 53 different countries. Their website is http://www.extreme.com.

After seeing the channel, the potential for great footbag exposure and appeal seems very apparent. The shows truly revolve around the cultures of whatever sport they are featuring.

Although shred doesn't fit in the typical 'stand/sit on some sort of forward moving object and go off jumps' extreme sports mentality

, the target audience would definitely find the intensity of shred appealing. It could be a big step in breaking some of the stereotypes and current paradigms of North America and beyond.

My questions is, If I were to contact the company, what kinds of things should be said to make our sport sound exciting and extreme? What video(s) could be included in the message that would showcase the intensity and extremity? What kind of proposal should be made?

Footbag needs the recognition and sick TV features it deserves.

Sliiight bias.

Thoughts?

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 27 Feb 2006 16:53

Very good idea Jordache!

I think a special video should be made for this situation. One that shows shred up close and in slow-mo so they can follow it.

The things that need to be talked about are about how we are an eager underground sport that is gaining momentum worldwide. We are all very supportive and encouraging of eachother and alot of the action happens at the grassroots level.

You should let them know how keen alot of us are to get the word out to the world that there is a bad ass sport called footbag. We move and do shit like nobody else in the whole world and this is something that will eventually blow up and become hugely popular, they would be ahead of the ball on accepting us to the mainstream.

More ideas soon.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 27 Feb 2006 17:38

I would say there are two important things you need to convey to them. First you need to show that what footbag is is indeed "extreme". You can do that with a video - any freestyle video probably. I don't think you need to make a new one. The intro to sick '03 would be fine. The other thing you need to do is to show that people will be interested watching this stuff. Probably the best thing would be a series of photos showing somebody freestyling with a big crowd watching - something like that that shows the mass appeal of the sport so that the tv station will get the impression that people will watch it beyond those who play footbag. You don't need to give any kind of impression of how eager the footbag community is or what kind of people we are.

Keep things short - people don't want to watch a 5 minute video - keep it to 2 minutes or under. That's why photos are really great. Majority of the time people who are organising performers etc. know that the proposals are of talented people - they don't really care if you've got good skills or not - they're looking for something that will sell and make money - it's the mainstream appeal that is the important thing to get across.

In terms of proposals - it really depends on how big a budget they have and what your personal aim is. I think it would be best to come up with a few specific ideas to throw at them - but also see what they want. I'd make sure you're getting something from them beyond exposure for the sport because that exposure is also making them money. You should either be paid or get some kind of sponsorship for events etc. If you don't ask for anything in return you give the impression that they won't be getting much out of it.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 27 Feb 2006 17:41

One thing I've noticed is that people who don't understand freestyle don't appreciate dexes as much, usually because they can't always see them. Cross-body, spinning and ducking look the coolest to them so plenty of Blender, Mobius and all sorts of ducking to be the most "extreme" IMO.

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 27 Feb 2006 20:08

One thing I've noticed is that people who don't understand freestyle don't appreciate dexes as much, usually because they can't always see them

The wonders of not editing in your basement allows for the possibility for some really cool stuff, especially if (seeing as this is more of an 'alternative' station) they give footbaggers a certain degree of content control. Or at least how a segment is shot, as far as shred is concerned. And plus, they can slow it down, or use high speed cameras. Imagine shred on a highspeed camera? I'd like to see that!!!

Anyway, it's a neat idea, and I'm interested to see where you can go with it.

jake · Post by **jake** » 28 Feb 2006 00:15

i think itd be sweet to get footbag some recognition on t.v.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 28 Feb 2006 01:25

I disagree about the dex thing. Think double around the world, and think of the response that Tom's barfly beesauce got from the crowd on that demo video -- the public loves same leg double dexes!!

I agree with most of what Jeremy said, but I also think that a video put together JUST FOR THEM as part of the proposal could be awesome. I agree with the length of the video being short. But also keep in mind that if you want a video made just for them that you would want to make everything about the video really appealing and interesting to everybody. I think it could be valuable to have a video that appeals to non-footbaggers, and maybe to include a video of just purely sick shred to help compare what is popular amongst most people and what is popular in the "underground".

I don't know -- great topic, though.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 28 Feb 2006 07:58

Yeah I agree with Mosher in that there should be a lot of slo-mo, or repeat slo-mo. I would take some clear, well-filmed videos of really intense circle and solo shred (of really awesome footbaggers of course), and make a compilation. Have really intense music in the background, and put a several slow downs in each of the segments after huge tricks. Maybe have 8 segments or so in the entire vid, and only make it 10 min long. As sort of a sample if you will.

=Formula for making an appealing shred video.

cd · Post by cd » 28 Feb 2006 08:16

yeah i agree. The best idea would be to put together a bunch of short clips into one video that shows all the stuff that would get their attention. Such as some 'street' shred from 100 Bars, those big slow-mo whirling swirls and ripsteins from Late Night Jam, some clips of Allan Haggett doing trials, some competition footage like shred30 or sick trick, etc.

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 28 Feb 2006 09:25

show them vasek, thats all i have to say ;p

DanielWhittle · Post by **DanielWhittle** » 28 Feb 2006 09:50

Zeb Jackson wrote:show them vasek, thats all i have to say ;p

I agree, it would be good to show them how extreme vasek plays,
But you have to remember that only footbaggers would appreciatte the insanity of some of his moves, maybe some of the easier moves would still look very impressive to a non-footbaggers eye

dontlikespam · Post by **dontlikespam** » 28 Feb 2006 10:45

Whatever you do, send them an actual tape/dvd. Every single video i've ever downloaded of freestyle is utter and absolute crap quality(compression i'm guessing), considering what the viewer is supposed to be following is smaller than a golfball and usually/often somewhat dark colored. If you can't set it to fullscreen setting without graininess it isn't good enough.

sidekick · Post by **sidekick** » 28 Feb 2006 11:06

I propose getting a few good player's highlights together, and make sure each one has a different style, yet still have it be intense. Make that into a 2 min video, burn it to a DVD, and send it off. IMO good people to put on this video:

Red, Jim, Lon, Vasek, Jorden, Carol, Sunil, Honza.

If we gave them all about 15 sec highlights of awsome shred, then you'd have your video. I chose all of those people not only becuase I love thier style, but becuase they are diverse enough to show that it's a popular spor tfor men and women (they don't know that not enough female players exist)

JoshMan01 · Post by **JoshMan01** » 28 Feb 2006 11:54

Start it off with the beginning of felix's GFO 05 routine when the crowd went wild. They'll see the entertainment potential for sure there. Not to mention it's friggin awesome.

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 28 Feb 2006 13:05

I would send them sick '03
Its really professionally produced and shows high quality shred.
And then try to arrange a personal meeting. Much better than just emails.

Paul Agostinelli · Post by **Paul Agostinelli** » 28 Feb 2006 13:16

if you send anything to EXTREME tv and it DOESNT have allan haggett in it, i think ill bitch until no more bitching can be done. trials, to the eye of the layperson are the uber-extreme.

~NEL~

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 28 Feb 2006 13:45

Maybe show some serious bails to show that it's not just a nice happy little kick-ball game?

Skippy! · Post by **Skippy!** » 28 Feb 2006 17:02

Yeah, you never see any bails in videos, but I've personally seen some people fall pretty hard.

DanielWhittle · Post by **DanielWhittle** » 01 Mar 2006 00:21

Yeh, on EXTREME tv they always show bails when people are skateboarding at the end of the programme.

So show them all the shred, and add a few shots of some bails on at the end.

BalinorNZ · Post by **BalinorNZ** » 01 Mar 2006 02:56

Show them this video: http://www.munich-footbag.de/videos/vas ... 30slow.mpg

Vasek's best ever competitoin shred30 in slowmo, great for non-footbaggers!

Great job on getting this idea Jorden! Let's get it goin!