Help With a Very Special Project.

[Gavin Greenwalt]

"In just 10 seconds you could save a life. It won't even cost you a dime. This act of self sacrifice won't earn you a parade, it won't make you popular, it won't land a date with... you know who, and it definitely won't win any fashion awards--but it just might buy you enough time do everything else. Wear a helmet and the life you save is your own.

It took ___ months in the hospital but I am now able to hear out of one ear and I might be able to ______, but the doctors aren't sure. I'm one of the lucky ones. Change your life forever, wear a helmet. It's worth the hassle.

---Scroll List of people killed without helmets---" End.

In the end though I think nothing beats a personal story being told by the people affected. Just put it in their heads that it's not worth the risk. It's ultimately game theory. "Helmet is guaranteed to be annoying. Danger to self is remote and abstract." Make the danger real, close and relatable.

[KETCH ROSSi]

"In just 10 seconds you could save a life. It won't even cost you a dime. This act of self sacrifice won't earn you a parade, it won't make you popular, it won't land a date with... you know who, and it definitely won't win any fashion awards--but it just might buy you enough time do everything else. Wear a helmet and the life you save is your own.

It took ___ months in the hospital but I am now able to hear out of one ear and I might be able to ______, but the doctors aren't sure. I'm one of the lucky ones. Change your life forever, wear a helmet. It's worth the hassle.

---Scroll List of people killed without helmets---" End.

In the end though I think nothing beats a personal story being told by the people affected. Just put it in their heads that it's not worth the risk. It's ultimately game theory. "Helmet is guaranteed to be annoying. Danger to self is remote and abstract." Make the danger real, close and relatable.

Right on the money Gavin, even so I was sure thinking of involvement of BLOOD and stunt work, but this is why I offered the prolonging of my trip in NZ, and bringing extra gear so that this can be shot there with Michael, the actual victim of such tragedy, which could have been worst, much worst, as I have your same beliefs, such involvement of the involved person will give more value and weight to the message.

[John Bannister]

All,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your well wishes for my family and for the amazing offers and support. I am still trying to digest the feedback you have all given. The PM's have been wonderful and I have passed them on to Mike.

Richie, I imagine that there will be a real need for some skateboard, bicycle, scooter footage. Stunts, jumps, bowls etc you name it, I am sure we could use it! Very generous offer mate, cheers!

Brett, Pm will be heading your way shortly, will definitely in the need.

Jeff, putting the feelers out as we speak mate, already have one lead ;) Great idea!

Gavin...sounds like a perfect approach to the project, I am sure this will become the backbone of how we approach it, thanks mate.

Lliam, always the rock with solid advice and feedback, this could definitely be something that springboards off the original production, education never sleeps mate, I will shoot you a PM soon, if you have the time I may bend your ear on this some more ;) Good to hear from you mate.

Ketch...
you never cease to amaze, your offer is generous and humbling and it would indeed be an honour to work with you. I will email you shortly, thank you.

I could have never imagined a better start to the project, thank you all!

[Michael McLaughlin]

We just never skied and snowboarded with helmets.

Then a close friend had a bad fall off a horse, and she wasn't wearing a helmet, and she has never been quiet the same (bad concusion put her in a short coma).


My buddy who was first to the hospital to see her(who I went skiing and snowboarding with), decided on getting a helmet for skiing the next week. I went with him
and purchased one to.



I think of all the years I skied as a young child and how lucky I was.


Wearing a helmet feels right, so right I wear one for regular biking. Stories do help, just present the logic and why it extends to other sports to, and then why it's good for
skate boarding.

[Jeff Whitehurst]

John, Glad to see things are taking off nicely for you, it sounds like a very worthy project. I never have been much of a skateboarder, I would rather splash than bounce, so I surf instead ;) Seriously, though, I think it might be powerful to enforce with the audience that riding with a helmet makes a rider more confident to pull off risky maneuvers, which is I think why Tony Hawk always uses one. If helmets are perceived as an advantage to progression, that may help make the idea much more attractive.
Best, Jeff

[paulherrin]

Count me in.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and I'm glad to hear that the recovery is going as well as it is.

These other guys have provided some good ideas... keep it simple, keep it real, keep it personal. Teach and expect young people to be intelligent and they very likely will be. I tend to think people react to stories more deeply than advertising and public service announcements. Don't try to sell any thing/idea. Let people make decisions. Maybe just tell a/the story... that seems to be a good way to learn about important things.

The immediacy and realness of this spot has stuck with me. (warning: graphic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E
If you use shock value, it has to be real and probably understated as much as possible to be really effective. Otherwise it just wears off. Truth never goes away.

[Ivan Kovax]

Sorry to hear of this john.

I am in Tokyo. If I could help I would love to shot something with my epic...

Nobody wears protective gear here, which is rather disconcerting given the amount of cycling accidents that occur.

Hope your son recovers speedy and well!
Ivan

[Lliam Worthington]

All,

Lliam, always the rock with solid advice and feedback, this could definitely be something that springboards off the original production, education never sleeps mate, I will shoot you a PM soon, if you have the time I may bend your ear on this some more ;) Good to hear from you mate.

Be my joy to speak with you further at any time mate.

take care

Best

Lliam

[John Bannister]

Cherish EVERY DAY! Mike the day of the Accident. Grab your kids and hug them ;)

Jeff I hear you mate, I have surfed for most of my life...First thing I did with my American kids when I brought them home to NZ...got boards for all of them :)

Ivan and Paul. I am trying to get a list together in regards to what we will need and will shake out some details over the next couple of days...look for a post soon! and thank you!

[KETCH ROSSi]

...
Ketch...
you never cease to amaze, your offer is generous and humbling and it would indeed be an honour to work with you. I will email you shortly, thank you...

He he, its my true pleasure to do what I can to help others when its possible, and this cause is a worthy one, look forward to discuss details via email, and meet you and Michael in NZ!!

I'm also seeing what I can do to bring some Celebrity power to this Spot... ;)