Reasons to learn about offroading?

Before becoming a sound mixer and before becoming a professor -- I was a student. Some of the best advice my professor imparted was to always try and widen the scope of my education and learn areas outside of filmmaking, yet useful to a career in filmmaking.

In keeping with this vein of thought, I present my new website, www.offroading.info which is a non-commercial, educational site for people who want to learn about offroading. (Yes, that is my hobby now that I am retired from Hollywood and academia.)

But the reason that I mention it here is that there are a lot of useful skills applicable to filmmaking. For example, learn about portable radio communications. GMRS handhelds cost less to purchase than most professional walkies cost to rent for two days!

GPS navigation software, such as onX Offroad, will guide you (and your crew) safely through wilderness locations and get everyone to the remote meeting points that have no street addresses. Comes in super handy if you have a location outside of the city. I wrote a free users guide to using that program.

Offroad driving techniques may not be needed around the city, but if you have to trek out into the boonies for some special shots -- there are good lessons to be learned.

For example, you are doing some shots on the beach or coastline. Do you know how to drive on sand, or how to get a stuck vehicle unstuck? (And no, calling AAA will not help. They do not recover vehicles that are off highway.)

Best news... my new site is completely free and non-commercial. It was written as a labor of love; not as a business venture.

www.offroading.info