Just wanted to canvas opinion on how welcome a documentary on fellrunning would be - say, one that might appear on BBC4 or the like.
Could the sport benefit from having its profile raised in that way?
Or do you think it more likely the sport and the fells would end up being changed for the worse by too much exposure?
What if it was specifically about the BGR? Or Joss Naylor?
Last edited by ZootHornRollo; 24-03-2011 at 03:04 PM.
Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo
Personally I would rather be out on the Fells meeting the folk in the flesh, rather than wasting my time sat in front of a TV watching something that has been heavily edited in order to appeal to a large audience.
BGR IMO is already suffering from overkill and will ultimately fall victim to it`s popularity, Loads of footage already on the master (Joss Naylor) if folk care to look,
I reckon Fellrunning already has enough momentum to ensure its future I can`t see that more exposure would benifit it.
Last edited by JohnK; 24-03-2011 at 03:09 PM. Reason: Missed `been`out and spelt victim wrong
Zoot;
Documentaries these days usually need to have a dramatic structure. They'll only attract funding if there is an engaging character. And something interesting happens to that character.
If Haile Gebrselassie decided to do a record breaking, unsupported, BGR with Ian Holmes, then they both flew off to Africa to establish a HGR in the Ethiopian Highlands, somebody might put-up the money. And it would be marvellous to watch. But it's unlikely to happen.
Anybody got a fantasy fell-running documentary idea?
Well maybe.
But I think with the growth of smaller digital stations means that there is more room for niche, independent programme-making.
I don't think you'd struggle to make an interesting docu about fellrunning that would appeal to a wider audience - there are so many great stories. Look at FITC.
And look at all the countryside / bradbury / wainwright progs there have been in the last few years (for better or worse) - who'd have thought that 10 years ago?
A friend of a friend was thinking of this anyway, and was asking me if I would like to be involved. Maybe for instance following an attempt at the BGR, should I decide to do that, but also about the history and characters of the sport. That makes it sound very much like Feet in the Clouds on film.
I'm just not sure I'd want to be involved or whether in general it's a good thing.
I don't want to attract more attention to fell running then it has already. Whilst it falls under the radar it keeps away some of the less desirable effects of a 'popular' sport (higher entrance fees, difficulty getting places in events due to high numbers, charity saturation, restrictions, santising routes etc etc etc).
To be honest I am also sick of the whole BGR thing. Obviously I have the greatest respect for anyone that completes it as it is outside of my capabilities but it has become so 'popular' that it feels like it's the only thing some people think is worthwhile anymore. I think 'Feet in the Clouds' has a lot to answer for in that respect as I think it has bought more outsiders in to complete the challenge for the sake of completing a challenge (and ticking that box) rather than being fell runners that progress to BGR and other challenges for the love of running in the hills.
Reading back what I've written makes me sound like a selfish, grumpy old sod but maybe that's what I am!! - I should change my forum name!! :wink:
I'm not sure you need to worry too much about over-exposure if it's going to be on BBC4!
Seriously though I think a documentary on fellrunning could be really good and, if the budget was there (which I appreciate it probably won't be), even spectacular. Get some HD cameras up in helicopters doing wide angle shots of a banzai race descent - I'd tune in for that.
And I think I should definitely be in it.
I think thats why it would be a bad idea
You'd get a load of "Tough Guy", thrill seeking dudes turning up thinking they can pop a "radical" "banzai descent" and end up with a bunch of guys hospitalised like poor old AMEX, and one of them might just think it worth sueing.
If it had to happen I'd hope to see a dyed in the wool fell runner with total editorial control. And since I guess thats unlikely I think I'd rather it didn't happen.
Flopsy
I'm with you on the BG, too much noise. (which is not to say people should not aspire to doing it)
I was looking at the Fell Runner just this morning and flicked past yet another picture of the Moot Hall and thought, " Couldn't they maybe do just one BG free edition?"
Last edited by andy k; 24-03-2011 at 05:52 PM.
I don't really follow this line of argument - yes you might get a few new people taking up the sport (though I expect a documentary on fellrunning on a digital channel would be watched predominately by fellrunners), but so what? Everyone that is now a fellrunner once wasn't a fellrunner, and there won't be many who took it up for its unexciting undemanding nature, so I don't think that these 'Tough Guy' types would necessarily fare any worse than you or I did when we first started out.
And the thing about people suing - as a lawyer (boo, hiss etc), I can tell you that so long as the race is organised in the same way as every race I've ever done, with a kit list and route description and a bit about the type of experience required, then they wouldn't stand a chance.
I'm with you on the editorial control bit though - we don't want James Corden's Celebrity Fellrunning or some such sh***!
There really is no need for it.Go out and experence it in proper full HD widescreen colour,real life.
It used to be like that but that was before runners signed up the photographer before they had done their first recce.
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