My name is Sav Charudattan. I'm the Director of IMV Films.
I joined this forum to publicize some facts about this video, which is getting ALOT of good press and *some* bad press. My main focus is to respectfully ask those of you in this sport / industry to pass the word along that Kyle Sarasin REMAINS:
1) A talented and great young driver.
2) Does NOT encourage reckless driving, nor drive in an unsafe manner, or in an illegal fashion.
3) DID NOT drive the Subaru in this video under any questionable circumstances.
Evidently Kyle and his team Manager are getting some ill-conceived calls about the image this video portrays about the sport of rally and his involvement in (SAFELY STAGED) shenanigans. The truth is this video has nothing to do with actual rally, Rally America or "gymkhana". I myself was among 3 OTHER stunt drivers from INTMO/IMV that took on the stand-in roll of driving ALL the scenes that appear to be on an open road, or appear to be illegal. Scenes of such a nature were CONTOLLED, closed course areas with safety cars, support vehicles and stunt extras. I personally (along with our team) edited this video to take 5 hours of boring, totally legit / safe footage and turn it into something that is actually entertaining, without compromises or the corporate "million-dollar budget look" glossing everyone over. It's all in the editing. If you saw the raw 5 hours of what we had to work with, everyone would not be batting an eye about safety or public roads.
IMV Films is like an *extremely* low budget automotive "Jackass", "SNL" or "MadTV" show. I'm not going to get into a debate about what is funny and what is inappropriate. But it should be obvious that the scenes that are shocking to one, are taken in the correct light by 10 other people at the same time. The baby was a $5 "My Buddy Doll" purchased at a thrift store. The stroller was $10 from the same place. 2 Ziploc bags were filled with corn syrup, red food coloring, pig guts from a Publix Meat department and Ragu sauce. The acting by our female counterpart was clearly awful, and fake. But IMV considers it hilarious... and IMV edited the video. If we tried to make everyone happy... we would've given up years ago.
I'm sorry if people were offended. But if you don't like it, turn it off. It seems like most people keep watching the whole thing.
It took 5 months of filming to collect all our footage. Kyle was ONLY present for a couple days of filming, on private closed courses or private race tracks. The rest of the time, he wasn't even in FL. Kyle, POR, and IMV's intention was to make a hilarious parody of the Ken Block videos, with IMV's flair for the excessive and over-the top insanity. We were shooting to make something that is edgy, rather than lame. We were trying to boost the sheer number of NEW people that will remember the name, Kyle Sarasin. Since it was the off season, Kyle had time to sit down with us and think of a few ideas over the span of those few days.
I would hope people strive to build businesses and/or rally events around a *quality product* rather than an "image". Hopefully they can clearly see through the spoofing nature of what Kyle had his name attached to with this video. The biggest deception is faking reality when you're serious; whether it be a brand name, company image or in the court of public opinion. When you're intentionally sarcastic and trying to be outlandish, a sense of humor is needed along with an understanding.
Kyle is serious about actual rallying, and being fast under the stopwatch when it comes to driving. Race teams should be seeking someone committed to WINNING and DRIVING, rather than someone who poses under an "image". Clearly everyone in this video didn't take themselves seriously. Its meant as a joke.
People who have taken this as an "Unprofessional Image" have missed the point totally. Don't blame it on Kyle as so many (not necessarily on this forum) are doing. Blame it on IMV Films. It was our video. And the majority find it grossly entertaining.
Developing a professional image is a tough thing and this might not be the best thing for Kyle's image down the road.
He'll get value out of it because it is shocking. If it weren't shocking or controversial, it wouldn't be circulating in the manner it is.
The collective memory of motorsports is short. Through the prism of time, Deegan's ghost ride was a fun prank, but at the time it was one of the stupidest things he could have done.
Not necessarily the video that I would have produced to convince Ford executives that I might be a good candidate for an X Games or a WRC seat.
That said, I did enjoy parts of it. Going through the trailer was neat. Hitting the baby carriage with baby - not so great.
Yea.
The suits at Ford are a little more image conscious than a bunch of ricers on the Subaru forums. And I own a Subaru and have seen the forums. So don't give me crap over the ricer reference.
Sean Gallagher
Last edited by Joe Average; 07-13-2009 at 07:45 PM.
Never mind about Travis and the Nitro Circus (and thrillbillies)....I mean come on....they never did any street racing in rented Ferraris or drifting diesel p/u trucks (should I go on?) (found it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkWW8u_XqIU )
Kyle's video rocked and hopefully made it's point about overproduced self promotion. But I still think he needed to drive over more lightbulbs.
LOL...the baby carriage thing is probably a lot more risk compared to the actual importance/value of the shot, but anyway, it's a hilarious spoof by a driver at least as capable as Ken. Hopefully it will become just as viral!
I think the people that are upset need to remember that this is a MOVIE.
Should the rally drivers who were stunt driving for the fast and the furious or the dukes of hazzard need to worry now because the driving that was portrayed was illegal?
I don't recall anyone being all upset about that, even though their names were still listed in the credits.
Or, because he wasn't paid, that's it's somehow different? Is it only okay to portray illegal acts of driving in a movie if the person is listed as a "stunt driver" and gets money for the job?
Fine, IMV, please give Kyle $5 and list him as a professional stunt driver and that should take care of everything.
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