With the return of the school semester came the return of the shooting process for this film. As previously mentioned we interviewed 3 more great subjects around the Niagara region and wrapped shooting mid to late October. Due to Covid the shooting teams were condensed and safety practices changed the shooting environment to a much safer one. The interviews were all brought outdoors and Covid safety standards were enforced.
As production wrapped and was brought to the post production process, Covid also changed this environment. For example the editing team (Srishti Jaiswal and Harrison Justin) had to work remotely off of the schools server. This meant that they had to login to one of the schools computers from their laptops at home. Working off a server vs actually being on location was a hurdle to get over for the team. Additionally, because of the health restrictions, most of my input was via a zoom call which added another layer of sorts to this process. In the beginning it was a struggle adapting to this new environment, but after two weeks it felt natural and we powered on with the editing process. We were joined by a great composition team, provided by Sheridan, that we are eager to hear what they have for the films soundtrack.
The final edit was submitted November 28th and we are now eagerly awaiting for post audio.
On October 5 our crew visited Dan Perry at his home in Fonthill. Dan is a Close friend of Dave’s and was his first-hand man during his Niagara Falls adventures. Dan helped Dave construct the barrels that he rode over Niagara Falls. Dan was also there every step of the way to assure Dave would have a successful plunge. Dan walked us through the construction of the barrels and the process of making the trip over Niagara Falls.
On September 28th 2020, our small crew met with Michael Clarkson at Niagara Falls to film his interview. Michael spoke about his book “The Age of Daredevils” and highlighted the history of the Daredevils of Niagara Falls. Michael was our expert to the film. After his interview at the Oaks Garden Theatre, we walked down to the falls to capture B role with Michael.
As the many sectors of the world move mobile in what is being considered the largest work-from-home experiment in history, the film industry has followed suit. Any productions that had finished principle photography before the global quarantines, are now left in limbo. They are left managing workflows and conducting important team meetings exclusively through digital pathways. Our film is no different. Despite the challenges, we have been doing our best to stay positive, to try and communicate well, and to keep each other accountable. Like everyone else, we are hopeful that in the coming weeks and months this situation will be better understood. In the meantime, we are staying busy, we are cherishing the time with our families, and we are looking forward to when we can resume our lives with some resemblance of before. We wish all nothing but warmth and safety for all of our supporters. Stay safe.
My name is Daniel Mavromihelakis and I am the Director of this documentary film. For this initial post, I wanted to introduce myself and the project to give you a baseline of who I am and why this project is so important to me. So, to begin with, I am a Graduate student at Sheridan in the Advanced Film and Television program. I take part in a master class on directing and one in camera and lighting as these are avenues in which I find great passion and would like to pursue in the film industry. For our final project we were tasked to make a 10-minute project to showcase the learning process from this program. After teaming up with the talented and enthusiastic Carter Purtelle and Caitlin Mackay as the producers for the film we unanimously decided to venture into the mind of the Daredevil, with focus on those pursuing the Niagara Falls drop. Carter was a large proponent of this idea getting traction to begin with as he did a lot of the groundwork on the project before it had any light. So, when he and Cait brought it to me I was blown away with the concept.
For some back story, as an Ontario child, the Niagara Falls destination was a frequent Summer trip of mine and my families. At the age of 8 years old I was led onto a “ride” of sorts that consisted of a simulation on getting in a large barrel and plummeting over the falls. As a child I believed the whole experience was real and cried and made whole scene because I was confident we would not survive the experience. When the ride was over, and the trauma had subsided, I became obsessed with how one could do such a feat. I was a child, but I truly couldn’t comprehend how anyone could get into a contraption and plummet over the falls willingly. Why would they do such a thing? This question stayed with me and I believe is a large reason for my drive to understand the psychology surrounding different situations and events and those involved. So, when the documentary idea was mentioned to me, I was in love with the idea of what it could be and will be and had to get aboard.
I could finally find some form of an answer for that question I had back when I was 8 years old.
After teaming up with the producers, we set to fill up the rest of the team with individuals just as passionate as us. First to join was Eamon Hillis, a strong camera student and even stronger writer who immediately had ideas of how to navigate the storytelling. From the camera team Kushagra Agarwal and Harrison Thannippilly Justin joined up. Kush took the DOP position as we had worked previously and developed a friendship where I witnessed his immense skill handling a camera. Harry took the role as his assistant and similarly was a frequent collaborator of mine and his strong technical know how and enthusiasm made him perfect for the role. From the audio team Ethan Southpaw and Daniel Robertson. Ethan had worked with me previously on another documentary as the mixer and his quiet demeanor and strong audio knowledge made him a no brainer or the role of Mixer. Danny has worked with me frequently as well, although he keeps quite silent, he has demonstrated time and time again his strong understanding of the fundamentals behind audio which made him a must have for this team.
I believe this team to be the best I could have asked for and their passion for the project already has shown. I am very excited going forward to see what we create together as a team!
On the morning of March 12th, 2020, the crew had the privilege of accompanying Mr. Michael Clarkson to a presentation which he was putting on for the Niagara Parks Commission. This presentation was a proposal to the commission in an attempt for them to fund a statue of Mr. Red Hill Sr, an esteemed Niagara Daredevil & river man.
Michael’s presentation was informative and professional. The Niagara Parks Commission is known to not exactly highlight and approve of the glorification of daredevils in the Niagara Parks, though Michael’s skill with public speaking and knowledgable mind of Niagara Daredevils may have been enough to sway the commission’s minds.
Michael pitched the statue of Red Hill and displayed him as a hero, as opposed to a daredevil. Red has been involved in numerous high profile rescues along the Niagara river, during the early 1900’s of the Fall’s daredevil history. Red was also a key player in the Niagara Scow rescue of 1918.
Among the attendees was Red Hill’s great-grandson Mr. Kip Finn. Upon meeting Kip at the presentation, the Michael & the crew shared the idea of “Over The Edge” with Kip and he was incredibly interested in giving some of his first hand knowledge of the falls for the film. Kip, still to this day works around the falls and the Niagara Whirlpool. Kip has expressed interest in sharing some amazingly beautiful photo op locations of the falls, and some of the inner workings of how the falls work.
Over the February reading week, our crew embarked on a road trip to Cape Breton Nova Scotia to visit our new friend Dave Munday. Dave is famously known for successfully making the trip over Niagara Falls, not once, but twice!
Our crew made the 20 hour drive to Nova Scotia thanks to the supporters of our go fund me. Thanks to you we were able to raise $1200 towards our trip and any other expenses of our film. We could not be more grateful! Thank you all so much!
Our crew stayed in Cape Breton for two nights where we were able to film Dave’s beautiful home town and the surrounding communities. We are forever grateful of Dave for welcoming us into his home and allowing us to conduct an interview, we cannot wait for you all to see. We loved hearing about all that went onto successfully getting Dave over the falls, it was not an easy job. Dave speaks about his loyal friends and his amazing adventures around Niagara Falls. The Daredevil crew has made a friend for life! Thank you Dave
Just updating you all on the status of Over the Edge and where it’s currently at in the filming process. Due to the rapid pandemic that is COVID-19, Over The Edge filming has been postponed for a later date which is not yet known. We’ll make sure to update you all when dates have been announced. We’re still looking at a release date of late this year!
Sending a heartfelt thank you to all of our patrons. This film wouldn’t be possible without you guys.
Lisa MacKay Josh MacKay Dan Muller Rebecca VanBoxmeer Jane McGregor Diana & John MacKay Annette Harris Cyndi MacKay Dianne Thomas Erik Bajzert Deborah Chapman Denise Girard Donald Koval Marcelle & Camille Girard Steve & Lisa Sullivan Joan Girard
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