The RLT Buzz
December 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 1
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We’re very excited to send out our very first newsletter. Thank you for signing up and supporting us as we enter into the final phases of our project.

We hope this will be useful and entertaining for you to receive and hope you’ll encourage your friends and family to sign up for the newsletter too.

With appreciation,
James & Steven Beatty

Things have been pretty busy since the RLT crew arrived out on the southwest coast of Oregon on August 12. Almost immediately after returning home, James had to throw all his stuff into storage and leave California for Missouri where his family is located. It wasn’t easy for James to leave his friends and apartment of seven years, but the project must come first and James is giving everything he's got to the post production of "The Road Less Traveled".

Steven has been hard at work as a martial arts instructor also back in St. Louis, Missouri. After 10 years with his martial arts studio, it was a very cool and exciting to be asked to join as an instructor. Although James was bummed to leave California, both brothers have enjoyed being able to spend some time together again.

Chris headed back to Beantown where he was surprised with a much appreciated promotion to Sr. Marketing Product Manager. Chris also began his 25th year playing soccer, while helping to maintain the website with Michael. Chris has become our newsletter guru so if you have any comments or questions feel free to let him know!

Michael was happy to return to what was his favorite state on the trip and also happens to be his hometown state - Colorado. Early on, the Road Less Traveled Movie teamed up with Michael’s company Motorrad Media to set up a website for the film and talk about a rider/shooter. After a summer of filming with the crew, Michael is maintaining the website and will be adding new features in the months to come.

Mathew is a busy guy. He returned to L.A. to jump right into another project. Good for him! Mathew is an excellent cameraman and has been working in the film industry for several years now. For more information about him check out Mathew's website
As you may or may not know, much of "Road Less Traveled" was produced by the sacrifice of private funds. However, without the sponsorship of many other businesses, this project would not have been possible. Check the websit e for a list of sponsors and special thanks. These wonderful sponsors proved to be an essential support group for the film as the crew traveled across the country, providing additional funding, t-shirts, snacks, motorcycle repair and parts, home cooking, housing, and so much more. As a result, this project is truly being built from hard work and dedication by all who were and still are involved.

James has been editing the film on his own Avid editing system. That sounds nice to some of you, sure, but just ask James what it’s like trying to capture over 151 hours of footage by himself. He’s now spent over 300 hours just trying to get the footage noted and into his machine. At the same time he’s the first to see just how stunning the high definition footage looks. He says it’s absolutely phenomenal! From the humid lush environment of the Virgin Falls in Tennessee to the majestic arid Canyonlands in Utah: the images are completely spectacular.

In the months to come the captured film will be edited and graphics, special effects, and music added. A composer, who you will learn more about later on, has agreed to do the musical score for the film. Currently working on another project, he will begin work on the Road Less Traveled soundtrack in the months to come.
The bikes have recovered pretty well from the trip. Steven brought his bike into the shop and they did a terrific job of bringing her up to tip top shape again. Hopefully Steven will leave his turn signals on the bike this time and not on the side of the road. And yes, Steven now has a flashy new license plate for his baby.

James's bike, as always, continues to have troubles here and there. It’s a great bike, but he rode hard through over 5000 miles of difficult terrain, often as the leader, so it’s no wonder that his bike has struggled a bit. At least it's all back in one piece again after seeing a handy welder with an MIG.

With Steven kicking student’s butts as a martial arts instructor, and James working day and night on post production, the two brothers haven't had much of an opportunity to get on the bikes since the end of the trip this summer. They aren’t necessarily happy about that, but life happens and it isn’t always convenient.

A few weeks ago, however, they did have the pleasure of working and riding with a camera man named Jim Key. Jim is one of the nicest guys you could meet. He is one hell of a rider on his BMW 1150 GS and rides it like a dirt bike. On top of it all, Jim has a lot of great tricks up his sleeve that turned out to be very helpful for our project. If you would like to check his stuff out go to: www.ke ycoydog.smugmug.com.

When will the DVD be available?
Many of you have asked about DVD¡¦s. There are many factors that must be considered. For now the focus must remain on completion of the post production. Once completed a scheduled release date can be determined.

What we can tell you is that we are striving for a short series to air on a cable station. There will no doubt be a DVD product, but first we have to find a home for it on the air. Because of you, committed fans of this project, the Road Less Traveled crew is encouraged and inspired to include you in the progression of the film. Through these newsletters, you will be the first to know about any new developments, so stay tuned!

In the next Newsletter read about

  • What it took to cross the Trans America Trail
  • The possibility of a major Off-Road / Motocross Star joining the project
  • Further post production progress and more!
  • A full length trailer!

Ride On!
RLT Newsletter
Unseen Voices Film and Video Productions, LLC