3 Wheeling is a British observational documentary film charting the sidecar class at the Isle of Man TT 2016. The film utilises hidden cameras and lavalier microphones to provide an unprecedented insight into the sport's highest profile competitors; 17x TT winner Dave Molyneux and 6x FIM World Champion Tim Reeves.
| 3 Wheeling | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nathan Russell-Raby |
| Written by | Nathan Russell-Raby |
| Produced by | Chris Beauman |
| Starring | Dave Molyneux Klaus Klaffenböck |
Production company | Beaumanx Productions |
| Distributed by | Beaumanx Productions |
Release date | 8th May 2017 (UK) 14th October 2017 (DE) |
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | Isle of Man |
| Language | English |
The film was financed and distributed by Beaumanx Productions and was shot in association with North One Television, Blue Olive Productions and the Isle of Man Government. It received a limited theatrical release in Northern Ireland, Germany and the Isle of Man, and will be released on home media in 2018.
Development
Manx sidecar enthusiast and sponsor Christopher Beauman first devised the idea of a reality show in the Isle of Man TT paddocks hoping to promote sidecar racing to a wider audience, in order to increase sponsorship potential for the competitors.[1] Development began in early 2015 with Greenlight International handling sales and distribution.[2]
Using early concept footage shot during the TT and Southern 100 2015 [3], a teaser-trailer was screened during an interview with Dave Molyneux at the TT Press Launch in April 2016.[4] and on the film's official facebook page[5]
Despite the seemingly unpredictable nature of observational documentary production, the filmmakers were able to loosely script and plan for almost-any eventuality within the film's story due to the rigid structure of the event.[6] The film's director hoped to capture the raw emotions present at the TT, commenting that 3 Wheeling is "not a documentary, it's a movie - it just so happens that it's all happening for real."[7]
Production
The Department of Economic Development (Isle of Man) provided support in allowing the production company access to restricted zones at the TT Grandstand,[8] and principle photography took place during racing period of 2016 with Dave Molyneux, Tim Reeves and Klaus Klaffenböck attached to star.
Manx-Based company Blue Olive Productions captured original footage on Canon DSLR's, GoPro's and the Osmo (camera)[9], with racing footage filmed and licensed by North One Television. The camera-crew described the filming technique as "invisibly intrusive" and admitted that it took several days to develop a suitable method of capturing the action close-up, without impacting on the race-team's concentration.[8]
Beaumanx Productions sponsored Dave Molyneux Racing in order to secure the notoriously publicity-shy racer. Director Nathan Russell-Raby stated that Molyneux's dislike for the limelight made 3 Wheeling difficult to film, but acknowledged that it allowed them to portray Molyneux as a brilliant character with a tremendous screen-presence.[10]
Second Unit was filmed during the Southern 100 and Manx Grand Prix 2016, and the movie took ten months to complete.[11]
Release
The official trailer was previewed at the TT Press Launch in March 2017 and the film was premiered at the Villa Marina, Isle of Man on 7th May. Most of the film's stars were in attendance; Reeves and Klaffenböck were unable to attend due to racing seasons commitments, but sent their regrets.[12] The film was then released in theatres in Northern Ireland,[13] Germany.[14] and the Isle of Man[15]
References
- ^ "Official Isle of Man TT 2017 Press Launch - fuelled by Monster Energy". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "Are you going to SportelAsia". us3.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ Reeves, Tim (7 July 2015). "Morning filming.. #threewheelin #sidecarfilm @Klaffi_Racingpic.twitter.com/HfvL3HDnQl". @timreeves77. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ Official Isle of Man TT (2016-04-15), TT 2016 Launch Event, retrieved 2017-11-26
- ^ "3 Wheeling". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ Productions, Blue Olive (2016-05-31), 3 Wheeling Radio Interview, retrieved 2017-11-26
- ^ Productions, Blue Olive (2016-05-31), 3 Wheeling Radio Interview, retrieved 2017-11-26
- ^ a b "Mandate". Manx Radio. 9 May 2017.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "3 Wheeling". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "'3Wheeling' film premiers at Villa". Manx Radio. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "'3 Wheeling' Movie Set to Highlight Isle of Man TT Sidecar Racing". Ultimate Motorcycling. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "June 2017 | the TIME issue". issuu. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ Ltd, Moviehouse Cinemas. "3 Wheeling - Movie House Cinemas". www.moviehouse.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "Rio Filmpalast München München | kinoheld.de". www.kinoheld.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "Ticketsolve - villagaiety". villagaiety. Retrieved 2017-11-26.