PETAWAWA — Stone Fence Theatre is looking for volunteer “extras” on bikes for an online cycling advocacy music video it is shooting in Petawawa Monday, May 23, 1:30 p.m. in the Valour School parking lot in Petawawa.
The video is part of an online “crowd-funding” campaign to raise money to produce an online show called Sprocketman. Written by the company’s producer Ish Theilheimer and directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, it’s a Superman spoof intended to spread the message that cycling is good for health, the economy and the environment.
The hour-long show is intended “to inspire cyclists, to inspire people to become cyclists, and to make the case that support for cycling and cycling infrastructure is in the public interest,” Mr. Theilheimer said. To raise money to produce the show, the company is shooting a demo music video of a song from the show called Critical Mass, which will be used as part of its crowd-funding appeal.
“Cyclists talk about “critical mass” because once there are enough bikes on the road, cycling becomes safer for everyone, and more people start riding,” he said. “To make the video great, we need lots of volunter “extras” on bikes.”
Music for the song was composed and recorded by Robin Pinkerton of Eganville and Schroeder Nordholt of Killaloe, who plays Sprocketman in the video. The video is being produced by Ottawa video company Space Camp Collective.
On Monday, May 23, volunteers of all ages are invited to come with bikes – any kind is fine – and friends to the parking lot at Valour School, 19 Leeder Lane, Petawawa.
There will be free refreshments. The session will take about two hours or less. Minors will need to have signed consent forms to participate, which will be available at the event.
The shoot was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 14, but steady rain forced its postponement. Nevertheless, a dozen cyclists showed up at Valour School, where the video is being shot in the parking lot. One was just six years old and still using training wheels, and one man brought two hand-made tricycles built for disabled people.
“This is exactly the kind of thing we hoped for,” Mr. Theilheimer. “We want to show that cycling is important for everyone. We had one young lad about 12 years old who pedalled over in the rain, just so he could be in a music video about cycling. The word is definitely out there, and so is the enthusiasm. We’re hoping for great weather and a really big contingent of riders of all ages, shapes and sizes to make this video amazing.”
