Canines in sidecars at the ABFM 2013 AutoShow display. Photo Jim Jorgenson
Eric Ristau and Geneva Limatta, a husband-and-wife team from Missoula, Mont., are putting together a film about motorcyclists who bring their dogs along for the ride.
No, these easy-riding pups don’t sit on the seat, clasping their owner’s midsection. They ride in sidecars and wear specially designed dog goggles (called “doggles”).
Fittingly the movie is entitled Sit Stay Ride: The Story of America’s Sidecar Dogs.
“Seeing a dog in a sidecar brings a smile to everyone’s face,” said Liimatta. “Our film explores the relationship between sidecar dogs and their motorcycle-riding humans. The dogs and humans we’ve met while shooting this project are amazing characters. You’ll love them all.”
So far, footage for Sit Stay Ride has been shot in Washington, California and Montana.
“We’ve found other amazing sidecar dogs in other parts of the country,” said Ristaur. “We really want to include them in the movie.”
Travelling around the country to produce a film is an expensive proposition, however. Ristau and Liimatta have a budget of $28,000 for travel, a soundtrack, sound mix, color correction, DVD manufacturing, distribution and promotion.
Ignore the bike, look at me! Photo: Jim Jorgenson
In order to defray these costs, they have launched a Kickstarter campaign, encouraging dog-lovers, motorcyclists and anyone else to support production of the film.
Thus far, about $10,000 has been raised. Information about their Kickstarter campaign, including sample clips from the movie, can be viewed at www.sidecardogs.com.
The Kickstarter campaign has three distinct objectives:
- Help fund production of the film
- Solicit additional subjects for the film
- Promote animal welfare organizations
“Many of the dogs featured in this film were adopted from the Humane Society and other incredible organizations,” said Ristau. “This is an important message we’re trying to send. We want people to adopt dogs and other animals, and also to support agencies that find homes for these pets.”
Anyone interested in appearing in Sit Stay Ride can contact Ristau and Liimatta through their Kickstarter page.
Depending on their donation level, Kickstarter contributors will receive thank-you gifts that include behind-the-scenes photos, bumper stickers, on-line previews of the movie, DVDs, T-shirts and viewing parties.
“It’s a great story,” said Ristau. “The film shows how dogs and their owners came to ride together, the adventures they have and how they connect with the greater community when they’re out on the road.”
For further information, visit www.sidecardogs.com or contact Ristau at Email.