Working with a professional video camera on Long Ride Home was different for Lukacs, whose background is in 35mm motion picture film.
Among other production aspects, Lukacs has worked as a cinematographer for more than 20 years. Her camera department credits include feature credits on major films such as Coal Miner's Daughter, The Blues Brothers, Beverly Hills Cop, and Groundhog Day.
Yet Lukacs has never run a one-person show before, as she is doing with Long Ride Home. "I'm at ground zero, pursuing the concept, being out there with the guys and in the chutes," she said.
While filming the documentary, Lukacs felt like she was sometimes intruding on the cowboys. For example, some of her best shots are those of cowboys in the chutes, on top of their horses, and concentrating on their upcoming ride.
"You have to be careful, like with any athlete, you don't want to break their focus and you certainly don't want to be in the way of their making a good score."
Lukacs' enthusiasm and dedication to the project are boundless; she could "talk about this film forever." "This has been one of the most rewarding projects and the most humbling. It might seem naive, but I never expected the funding to be so difficult to achieve. Consequently, this has been a project of the heart and is still self-funded at this point."
Principal photography has been completed and the post-production process has begun. "I owe it to these cowboys to finish this project and to get their story told."
Lukacs produced a five-minute short which won several awards and gave her the encouragement to produce a longer version. If the longer version is anything like the short, Lukacs' passion for filmmaking and that of the cowboys for bareback riding will easily come across to the audience, prompting them to further explore professional rodeo.
I attended my first rodeo several years ago when a friend who was a professional bareback rider introduced me to the sport. I immediately fell in love with the sport from a visual and excitement standpoint, as well as wanting to tell the story of these cowboys. With my background as a cinematographer, I wanted to further explore their lifestyle, camaraderie, athletics, and passion. There was also something very familiar behind the chutes ... an energy very similar to the film industry.
I went with these riders to several rodeos to shoot footage and gather information for research and script development. In addition, I used the footage to produce a short video piece to introduce the story I want to tell.
A few years ago, I had never been to a rodeo. I knew nothing about it. But now, there is such a feeling of comfort and familiarity when I attend a rodeo. Maybe it is because of the showing of family which has been extended to me. For truly, there is a sense of family ... just as there is that family which is formed with crew being on the road for several months shooting a feature film.
Having spent so much time behind the chutes and on the road with these riders, I have gained an acceptance which makes it easier to document their story. In addition, I have the support of the PRCA (Pro Rodeo Cowboy's Association) to produce this documentary. Their involvement will ensure accuracy and access to historic materials. In addition, Chris LeDoux and Capitol Nashville have offered support by giving permission to use his music in the documentary. Of course, Chris LeDoux is himself a world champion bareback rider.
This is a project of the heart which has been inspired by one reason only ... the passion of these cowboys for their sport.
