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MAKINGTRAX 
PHOTO WAREHOUSE

INTRODUCTION

Makingtrax recently applied for 2021 the Canon Community Grant and missed out on this year (https://www.canon.co.nz/about-canon/community/grants).  As the filmmaker and photographer that supports Makingtrax I (Dylan Gerschwitz) wanted to reach out and looking for assistance to continue producing content for Makingtrax.

With Photo and Video International in Christchurch being my 'go to' camera shop,  I recently touched base with Greg to see if you can assist us.

THE INCLUSIVE MOVEMENT WITH MAKINGTRAX FOUNDATION

​ The movement to ensure the social participation & total integration of persons with disabilities, in travel, adventure, cultural contribution.

"It starts by looking at real people as they exist in all their diversity of abilities"

“We are promoting total Inclusion – We look at an ability and enhance its potential whilst showing the world equality and diversity. The more people understand potential the more it will integrate as a whole – abilities shine in a challenging environment”
Jezza Williams – Makingtrax Founder – Quadriplegic, Adventurer, Paraglider, Unstoppable

Makingtrax Foundation is a Charitable Trust dedicated to Inclusion & Integration through Adventure Travel.

 

Over the last decade Makingtrax have established themselves as the benchmark of Inclusive Tourism NZ, home to the Inclusive Directory & provider of the ‘Inclusive Tourism NZ Seal’

Internationally recognised game-changer in Inclusive Tourism, Educator and spokesperson to Tourism New Zealand, Inclusive representative to NZ Outdoor Instructors Association. NZOIA, Adaptive rafting policy writer to International Rafting Fed. & Technical Advisory Group - Accessible Tracks NZ

 

On a personal level Jezza a C5 tetraplegic after a Canyoning accident in Switzerland in 2010, has over 20 years in the international Adventure Tourism Industry.  He created Makingtrax to continue sharing his passion for changing lives through adventure rather than for financial gain and takes no financial benefit from Makingtrax.

Jezza is the first tetraplegic/quadriplegic in history to gain a PG2 paragliding license and complete the Mongol rally 26,000 km from London to Mongolia via Eurasia and back through Russia

 

Makingtrax specialises in

  • Inclusive Tourism – Education/Information/Cooperation/Adaption/Promotion

  • Adaptive Outdoor Adventure Training & Inclusive Tourism Education – Guest lecturer/Consultant

  • Accessibility in the Outdoors – Advocate, Educator & Consultant to Tracks, Trails & Cycle-ways

Makingtrax - By Extremekid Productions

MAKINGTRAX - JEZZA WILLIAMS

  • Adaptive Experiences Consultant for AirBNB

  • Ambassador for Inclusive Nepal

  • Head of International Adaptive Rafting

  • Guest Speaker at Tourism Industry Aotearoa

  • Makingtrax included in two National Geographic (UK) articles

  • and more

The Makingtrax Website is currently undergoing a rebuild to reflect the additional scope of Makingtrax in employment, mental health through adventure and industry.

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CURRENT CONTENT

CURRENT STATUS OF INCLUSIVE CONTENT

Makingtrax is the content provider for the following, with no financial assistance

Tourism New Zealand - https://www.newzealand.com/nz/feature/inclusive-tourism/

Destination Queenstown - https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/plan/accessible-queenstown/

"No Financial Benefit to Extremekid Productions throughout multiple film and photography projects"

OUR LATEST INCLUSIVE CONTENT 

As far as we are aware the two videos we made below are the only examples of inclusive tourism & adventure travel videos currently in New Zealand.

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GEAR TO MAKE IT HAPPEN


Filming with Makingtrax is very 'run and gun' style with little control over lighting, sound and with very limited space for equipment.   Maximizing image and photo quality in one camera for ultimate flexibility in post for each project and  future Makingtrax promotional material is of the highest priority. 

I am struggling to capture both the photo and video content MakingTrax requires in the time we have with Talent using my current equipment.

A full frame camera that can shoot both high quality video (4k@50fps) and photos (45MP) using one set of lenses with excellent stabilization is key to maximizing the potential of the project.

Canon has agreed to donate an EF to RF VND Adapter.

THE BEST CAMERA FOR MAKINGTRAX 

While filming for Makingtrax I usually find myself in a tight space with only enough room for 1 camera and lens. This means that I need a camera and lens combo that can shoot high resolution photos and video with excellent stablisation.

 

The ideal camera is the Canon R5 with RF-EF Adapter and Variable ND filter.

  • 45MP Photos
    Maximises the ability to crop photos for various aspect ratios (website strips or narrow free-standing banners).  My single 24-105mm lens become closer to 200mm when cropping reducing our need to carry extra lenses.
     

  • APSC Crop Mode (Video)
    This allows my 24-105 lens to become closer to a 200mm lens increasing flexibility for video when we can only carry one lens. 
     

  • 4k60P+120P
    Maximum flexibility in post-production to highlight talent's emotions.  Enables the footage to be used on more projects in the future.
     

  • Dual Pixel Auto-focus
    Given the uncontrolled nature of filming with Making Trax,  my subjects are moving unpredictably.  Dual Pixel Autofocus ensures that my shot are in focus regardless of how the subject moves giving me more time to focus on composition and building the video sequence.
     

  • Variable ND filter Adapter
    Enables us to switch exposure fast when changing between photos and video.  This makes it very easy and fast to switch lenses (16-35mm is other lens we would use often).
     

  • C-log
    Maximising dynamic range for those high contrast 'middle of the day' shots.  We are often shooting in less that ideal lighting (subject in shade riverside, background is full sun on opposite side of river).  High dynamic range helps even out the exposure in these situations.

     

  • Excellent stabilisation
    We are unable to carry gimbals or other stabilisation equipment in a raft, jet-boat or other tight spaces.  The R5 stabilisation allows us to capture smooth footage wherever we are with no other equipment.
     

  • 10bit Colour with high bitrates
    This enables us to get the most out of non-ideal lighting situations and achieve colours similar to those from big budget projects.

We currently have an EF 24-105mm Mk1 lens which would be our main lens.  A 16-35mm would be helpful for when we are filming in tight spaces.

We also have a NINJA V that can be used to extend recording times in 4k60p and avoid overheating.

It is difficult to purchase or rent camera gear as we are filming on a virtually non-existent budget.  We anticipate filming more projects in the future with Makingtrax, and we would prefer keep this camera as future film shoots will present the same challenges. 

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I NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH MAKINGTRAX


Throughout my time working with Makingtrax I have taken no financial benefit for the months spent working on content to encourage the inclusion of people with disabilities.

I would like to continue to work with Makingtrax on testimonials, experience videos/photos and workshop recordings.

"No Financial Benefit to Extremekid Productions throughout multiple film and photography projects"


With assistance from Photo Warehouse we can go beyond what was possible through the community grants; I can donate thousands of dollars more in production costs towards creating content that directly changes the lives of people living with a disability.

Going forward I need an R5 to maximise what I can do for Makingtrax.  If Photo Warehouse were to give me an R5,  it would free up more than $7000 of commercial filming time that I could put towards creating content for Makingtrax.  Rather than completing $7000 of commercial projects to pay for the camera,  I would be able to donate that time and more to Makingtrax.   

 

In the future,  the camera would be able to further enhance my efficiency and production quality on Makingtrax projects and give me the ability to shoot photos and video at the same time.  

Going forward, this would increase the quality of life and mental health of  people with disabilities throughout New Zealand and the world.

WILL YOU HELP?

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ABOUT ME

DYLAN GERSCHWITZ - DIRECTOR

The outdoors are a passion of mine and I grew up between Coffins Bay (near Port Lincoln) and Port Augusta over in South Australia.  In Coffin Bay I lived in the middle of the national park (Father is a ranger) and spend a lot of time on my grandparents farm.  We regularly went on 4wd expeditions, camping and fishing throughout Coffins Bay National Park.  The Flinders Ranges were also a popular spot for our family with very regular walks through Wilpena Pound, Alligator Gorge and Devils Peak along with 4wd trips though the station country.

During my years in Port Augusta I discovered mountain biking, then moved to Adelaide for University and studied Product Design and Engineering.  While at university I raced sporadically (XC/Enduro) and guided rides at the Melrose Fat Tyre Festival and mentored students from Prince Alfred College at the Kona Dirty Weekend 24hr XC Race.  Then I got distracted by film making and photography.  This lead to shooting Crankworx Rotorua and a full time adventure film-making career.

 

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PHOTO: DYLAN GERSCHWITZ, DIRECTOR, EXTREMEKIDPRODUCTIONS

I currently spend the majority of my time around Christchurch.  Outdoor adventure and mountain biking videos are my favourites and I love finding community based stories to inspire.

Encouraging more people to spend time outdoors motivates me to work with communities and people to spread their stories through film and photos.

I SUPPORT

MAKINGTRAX

We support Makingtrax through creating video and photo content to promote inclusive tourism worldwide.  Our content is helping to change the face of tourism in New Zealand and spread the Makingtrax message around the world.

MOUTAIN BIKE ASHBURTON

Photo and video content we have created for the mountain bike club has assisted them with applying for over $50,000 in grants. See below.

CHRISTCHURCH SINGLETRACK CLUB

We anticipate filming a series of videos advertising the National Cross Country Mountain bike Championship race coming up in February.  This video would promote the track from both a racing and spectator perspective.

SINGLETRACK CLUB WEBSITE

PROJECTS I ARE PROUD OF

KOPIKO EPIC

Over 1000km across the north island,  this film explores the people and challenges of multiday adventure bikepacking.

This is our latest film and has yet to hit cinemas.  We have just received confirmation that it has been accepted into the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival.

HAYDEN PADDON
EV CAR REVEAL

Partnering with MA Media we filmed at a combination of locations around Highlands Raceway in Cromwell.  This video is the international release film for the new electric rally car developed by Hayden Paddon and currently has over 1 million views across all platforms.

GENLESS HAYDEN PADDON

We also filmed additional footage after the shoot above enabling MA Media to create a different version of the video for GENLESS.

BURKES METALWORKS

Burkes Metalworks wanted to showcase the 'old school' skill of their panel beaters and their capabilities as a custom car building workshop.  

ALLIANCE PAPER

'Make paper sexy' was the job description from the company CEO.  A week later of filming in their Brisbane based factory and we think we came up with something 'sexy'.

REARVIEWED - I30N

Filmed for the car review channel 'Rearviewed',  this video shoot was fast paced, dynamic and required us to think fast.  

APOLLO TRACE AND TRANSFER

Melbourne based Apollo bikes wanted to promote their new Trace and Transfer range on Facebook and their website.  After a flight to Melbourne our team got to work on shooting this video throughout the busy Melbourne CBD.

KRIX HELIX INSTALLATION

KRIX (Adelaide, South Australia) was struggling with their dealers installing and removing HELIX speakers incorrectly, damaging the ceiling.  We produced a video that showed the correct installation and removal of the speaker, and they have not had the same issue since.

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I NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH MAKINGTRAX

Makingtrax is a movement to empower people with disabilities and enable them to go on adventures, participate in the same activities as their families and open all minds as to what is possible.

I hope you will join me in my support of diversity and inclusion.

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