Hi Alfredo
I have been monitoring this thread like it was my baby, which in a way i feel it is & have been humbled by the support from our extended family.
Without mentioning names the generosity of putting money up front for another movie is a huge motivation for me to do another some where down the not too far distant future.
Some who have spoken to me in general conversation may have picked up that i may not do another film which was a real consideration by me due to changing times within our sport. Times have changed since this family came together (thanks to Don & this site) from around the globe, the interest to see what was being done by others & the craft which they rode was exciting especially for those who had not travelled overseas & stumbled across what seemed to be like lost tribes with ways of there own passed on by generations of local traditions.
It was a frenzy for information from all & the best way I could contribute was do something i had no experience in but was self motivated to put forward kneeboarding as best i could in the form of film.
So, over time we have come to know many things about our sport, equipment, styles, personalities
shapers openly sharing their knowledge, motivational media in ways such as film & photos, international comps & gatherings, etc, etc.
I believe over time we have come to a point that information has been gained, soaked up, manipulated to help everyones personal needs, pondered upon, experimented, revisited, citiscised & supported to the finest grain.
From my perspective in putting films out over the past 15 years I have seen this amazing support from the days of "The Sparrow Has Landed" through to "The Sparrow Has Landed & Friends" then to the next stage of films on DVD to suit the times. "Now & Then" to "NSG 05" & "Inside & Out"
I know that these films have changed many peoples out looks to surfing & life. The feedback has been my motivation to keep going.
Over the past 3 films ive noticed a downward trend in numbers of customers to the point of struggling to pay the production bills.
Though the numbers may have declined the support has never been stonger with those who voice there opinions to me similar to what has happened on this forum.
In saying that the numbers have declined, Ive tryed to figure factors that have caused this,
Are the films I make now, not what people want?
Have the numbers of kneeboarders declined?
Has there been an overdose of films, causing lack of interest?
Cost?
Maybe, no reason & it is just what it is?
There are so many factors that come into play when making these films & the experience gained has been enormous, but that said I have to be careful financially as like most people here I have my own priorities to family, morgages, work, raising of 3 young children, surfing & attempting stress free living
Maybe i need to take a different approach to all this & instead of me making all the decisions of where to go & who to have in it maybe you guys & girls could tell me what you would like!
Before anyone posts places & people, consider the cost for the person to travel & availability of time away from work & family commitments as these are real issues that have to be faced & will fall flat on its face if it is over looked.
It has been put forward to me that my choices of surfers have been very one sided as far as styles go, so I am open to you "the people" choice of surfers for the next film.
The who, where & what would you like to see in the film?
Cheers
Simon