2 best mates. 2 bikes. 1 beautiful country. 1 goal. To travel Cambodia dressed as Vikings... on Bikes.

Now we're making a TV show, and we need your help

THE PILOT
as explained by Dave... that's me on the left, Hi, you look nice today :)

In March 2012, we were sent an email by Amnesty International asking if we would like to ride a bike around Cambodia to raise funds for the charity. We accepted, on one condition. That we could do it dressed as Vikings. Amnesty agreed and after raising 7 grand for them, we were off on a whirlwind adventure around a country filled with poverty, hardship but, above all, beauty. Adorned with our horned helmets and dressed in the colours of the country we were about to discover, we set off for a 500km ride over 10 days, pursuing every possible aspect Cambodia had to offer.

Hearing about this insane adventure was Dan Wedd, a camera man and friend from Sydney who volunteered his services to come on the trek and film every step of the way. Paying his own fare over in the name of art, Dan grabbed every beautiful and insane moment we had on the trip, in the hopes of putting together a documentary pilot that was completely unique and entertaining.

As often happens when two mates go traveling together, we began competing for “who will be the toughest Viking” on the trip (as if riding 500kms looking like idiots wasn’t enough). We set out to find challenges that would push us to our limits and what we discovered was that with your mate by your side, you can do a lot more than you think you can. From rocket launching to tarantula hunting, dancing with local ninjas in Phnom Phen to suction cupping Redd’s entire body (and that's just a snippet), we did things we never thought possible and met (and interviewed) people who will stay in our hearts forever.

The Viking Biking adventure isn’t just about having fun and showing the beautiful people and countryside of Cambodia, it's about two mates learning who they are and finding out what they’re capable of. This is a story of friendship, adversity, beauty and inspiration that will not only entertain, but inspire people to get out there and make a difference themselves, to discover the world, to challenge their ideals and to make the most of this beautiful life we are given. 

YOUR DONATIONS

Ok, so, let's talk funds - what we need and what we can give ya! The filming of the pilot is already in the bag. Dan took care of that. Here's a picture of him with his family - yep, playing the sympathy card here. Seriously though, he's a legend and he's put more time and effort into this than is humanly possible (it may even be illegal) considering the fact he's doing it all for free. Ain't they adorable? (now HELP FEED THEM :P)

What we are looking for now is the additional costs to cut the pilot together into something that will give a solid indication of what our TV show idea is. We still need to record a V/O, add music and titles (we've got a Claymation guy) and grade it, plus distribution and all this costs money. We're not asking for much, but we understand if things are tight, so if you can't donate please just pass this on to friends and family. Hopefully our insane idea of Viking Biking will catch on like wildfire and the support will grow from there.  

This is where you can like the FB page and show your support. The more members we have, the more interest a network will take in the idea, so please LIKE the VIKE!

www.facebook.com/vikingbiking

FUNDS BREAKDOWN

This is where your money will be going:

$2500 – editing (by Dan)

$2000 – colour grade (by Dan)

$1500 – audio/sound mix (Production House)

$500 – V/O recording & mixing (Production House)

$500 – claymation titles (Production House)

$500 - production and distribution of pilot to networks, plus pitch document creation (In-House)

$500 – soundtrack and opening song production (utilising the bands of Melbourne)

TOTAL = $8000

OUR AIM

Our aim is that once this pilot has been made, we present it to as many networks and production companies as we can, and, as it will be the most entertaining and wild pilot anyone has ever seen, a network would be crazy to say no to turning it into a full series. Our overall goal is for us to ride six (maybe more) countries around the world dressed in our Viking gear, making new friends and exploring parts of the world many dare fear, filming the entire trip, show you aspects of the world you never knew existed.

This is our dream guys! We want to open people's eyes to the world, inspire you, make you laugh, entertain you and hopefully add to the current Australian television landscape by producing home-grown, good quality TV that people can relate to. We appreciate your support and promise to deliver a TV Pilot that will make you laugh, cry (honestly there is one scene that you will need a box of tissues for) and above all, entertain.

We sincerely Thank You from the bottom of our hearts! (SERIOUSLY, THANK YOU THANK YOU!!) 

Lots of love and respect from Viking Dave and Viking Redd (and Viking Camera-Man Dan).

THE TEAM

Dave Zwolenski
Writer/Presenter

Dave Zwolenski is a writer/presenter based in Melbourne, Victoria and works in the areas of film, television and radio. In 2008, after entering SBS’s search for young filmmakers/journalists competition, Dave was selected to be the face of the documentary “Embedded with Sheik Hilaly” in which he lived with Australia’s most controversial Muslim Sheik Taj El Hilaly. The doco received critical acclaim and Dave went on to create and star in his own 10 part television show “Dave in the Life”, an intellectual and comedic series which focused on spending time with some of Australia’s most prominent figures including Barnaby Joyce, Andrew Fraser, Anthony Mundine, Bob Francis, Mike Carlton and a range of others.

Dave has traveled to the US as a finalist in the Coca Cola search for young presenters competition, worked on The Great Crusade, an Emmy Nominated Digital Campaign produced by Qantas, acted on stage and in award winning films, and has now focused his attention on all things radio. Originally heard on Nova 106.9 with the Breakfast show, but more recently has worked as the Visual Producer for Nova 100 in Melbourne where he is responsible for Online and Internal Video Content. Making Viking Biking is his ultimate dream.

 

"I may be Polish, but I understand the mindset of a Viking, and that's what counts" - Dave Zwolenski

Matt “Redd” Peterson
Writer/Presenter

Redd is an award-winning Melbourne based graphic designer, writer and all-round funny-guy with a healthy disdain for anything boring. When he’s not creating amazing ads for his lucky clients, he’s outside seeing what the world has to offer. A genuine interest in life has seen Redd traveling to all parts of the globe; lending his hand to sports such as snowboarding, rock-climbing, cricket, afl, waterpolo and cycling and his also his fascination with music - dabbling in guitar and drums has seen him getting his rock n' roll on in a few Australian bands that, according to Redd, would have “been the next big thing, if talent wasn’t an issue."

 

“We're just like regular Vikings. Except we're WAY nicer and have iPhones” - Redd Peterson

Dan Wedd
Director/DOP

Sydney filmmaker Dan Wedd is an independent writer, producer and cinematographer that has travelled Australia and the world working a range of projects including indie films, documentaries and local productions. An accomplished musician with a genuine love for the art of cinematography, his creativity in shooting and editing has slated a distinctive approach to his story-telling.

Kristen Briggs is a Fundraising Coordinator and Tour Leader for Australian charity challenge agency Inspired Adventures. Kristen designs unique tailor made adventures throughout the world and has developed individual fundraising plans that have helped participants raise close to 1 million dollars for numerous Australian Charities. She herself has raised over $150,000 for the Fire Foundation in support of good friend Turia Pitt. 

Kristen’s passion for adventure travel has taken her to some of the world's most remote locations, backpacking through Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. She has led group expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro, cycles throughout Asia and treks in Borneo. Kristen loves meeting new people and immersing herself in different cultures. She believes that travel is the best medicine for fueling ones soul.