I've never been one to really write too much on public forums on the internet. This has been mainly because I can't be bothered with the idiotic posts of people who either want to cause trouble or who know absolutely nothing about the subjects they are commenting on. I'd rather be constructive than destructive. People who 'troll' sites looking for trouble and abusing people whilst hiding behind fake names are not the sort of people I want to be involved with.
I have had the idea for BEYOND STRONG for sometime now. Initially I wanted to write a book. Then I wanted to bring a fitness concept to the masses. After much thought I decided on a media idea that is just starting to become popular. The DVD Magazine is a new concept and one that fulfills a bunch of my own personal interests. Not only that it's an awesome way to see things that we are interested in on a regular basis and in the comfort of your own home.
I've been involved in the film industry as a stuntman for almost ten years now. Throughout that time I've worked on some very big films, lots of bad TV, a bunch of commercials and music videos and a variety of films that friends have made guerrilla style. More importantly it led me to study different parts of the industry including script writing, producing and directing. I've directed a few small projects and have been involved with a couple of very small DVD projects.
As a strength athlete I have been training all my life. I started young as a swimmer and then as a track and field athlete. Later I rock climbed extensively and this is what really got me into strength. I'd been hitting the gym since I was 15 but this eventually led into competing in All Round Weightlifting, Grip Contests, Strongman, Arm Wrestling, Tug of War and a bunch of other strength related sports.
The DVD Magazine idea was obvious really. I could film my favourite strength sports and at the same time attempt to fulfill my directing ambitions at the same time. Since my work is very much all or nothing it is the perfect adjunct to my 'day job' and thus a no brainer. Not only that I have friends and contacts all over the world and with stuntmen having such diverse skills and backgrounds I should have access to some of the best in every sport and activity you can think of.
This Blog is the precursor to what I hope will be a something everyone who loves strength and health can be a part of. This is a place for like minded people and people who want to be part of a creative process with a vibrant and exciting concept.
The DVDs
The style of the DVDs will depend on how well I can film things and how good my editing skills become. My budget is in the 'shoestring' not the Spielberg category! However, imagination and ideas are free so we'll be hoping to make these as colourful as we can. Think of these DVDs as a cross between the very best MILO's and PLUSA issues filmed and edited in the style of skateboarding and surfing DVDs and videos.
I am not setting dates on any of the first issues as yet. I have begun filming already though and for those of you who know we'll be using two cameras, one of them a pro level CMOS Sony HD camera, and we'll be editing on my trusty Apple MacBook Pro with the industry standard Final Cut Pro. I'll also be on a steep learning curve with photography at the same time but I do have the help of top professional photographer Billy Ryan.
As I travel a lot anyway I will be adding in trips that can be filmed for the DVDs. For example, I have a trip to Bulgaria I would like to do to meet with some of their top Powerlifters. We all know they can Olympic lift but how good are they at Powerlifting? How about Spanish strongmen? Would you like to see top rock climbers strength training? Unarmed combat with some of the toughest doormen in the UK? Reviews of the best hardcore gyms? This is the sort of content you can expect.
Of course, the proof is in the pudding but we want to evolve and we want to create so let's see where this takes us. In the meantime, if you haven't seen it, here's yours truly from last years British 105kg Strongman Championships (which, ahem, I won).
Nick McKinless
A DVD mag sounds great. I've been considering similar options here; let me know if you're interested in a collaboration.
Posted by: Scott | May 09, 2007 at 08:44 PM