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It all happened in April of last year. I was contacted by a production company that works with The Discovery Channel USA. Initially, I was skeptical. I receive many e-mails from people with all kinds of offers, which don’t always come to reality. After sending e-mails back and forth and a few telephone conversations they decided that they would come up here from Maryland to meet with me and do preliminary filming. It all happened so quickly, only 3 weeks after I received the e-mail! The filming went on for 3 days. It was a very exciting experience. I am very comfortable in front of cameras and audiences, but having a camera following you around was a totally new experience. (I couldn't help but giggle, non-stop, for at least half of the first day shooting). Eventually, I got used to it and almost forgot the camera was there. Filming went on here in Vancouver for the duration of the summer for a 1 hour documentary on me and my passion for motorcycles. I agreed to do the documentary because I thought it would be a good way to really promote girls and motorcycles positively and respectfully in a main stream environment.However, once I viewed the video I was quite disappointed as several aspects of the film were edited in a one-sided manner that does not truly portray what I believe in or what I am doing to make a place for us girls in this male dominated sport. The fact is that I was not responsible for the way the show was created and edited. There were several other positive motorcycle related events and projects that were filmed that I thought were going to be in the show.
ie: Instead the show was edited to focus mainly on the confrontation and challenges I faced with an extremely unprofessional, negative and belligerent man (that Discovery sent me to the same afternoon that I got my new bike!) who went out of his way to make the whole painting project difficult for me and to create controversy. During that whole painting portion of the show, I was put in a situation in which I had no choice than to re-act in a defensive manner. Anyone else in that same situation would most certainly stand up for themselves and their opinion of how they want their possession (my new baby!!!!) to be painted. A custom paint job is a direct reflection of someones personality. Bottom line is that they didn't want to give me the paint job I wanted. When I thought of an idea for a design he completely refused to do it, which in my opinion is ridiculous. Then they are shown complaining about how they don't have time to complete my paint job, but they have time to shoot a paint gun INSIDE the shop and at a passing train??? I was taken aback by their lack of professionalism when I saw how they repeatedly complained about the lack of time to complete the job, but they were fully aware of the deadline when they agreed to do the job in the first place. I refuse to let someone walk all over me, especially when I am a paying customer of theirs. In addition, I do not react favorably to someone who is completely disrespectful to me. Is that how you run a business? You disrespect them and make fun of their opinions? If I had been a guy and the painter had insulted me and I then responded with an insult, everyone watching would have just laughed and shrugged it off. "Boys will be boys" However, because I am a girl the rules of behavior and how that behavior is judged are different. If anyone insults you and is being disrespectful, obviously you should stand up for yourself. At least I always have and always will and I hope that all other girls do the same. Stand up for yourself and what you believe in. "If you don't stand for something, you're bound to fall for anything!"
Regardless, it was a once in a life time opportunity that I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in. |
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