This might be old news for some of you, but my book Double Take has officially entered development for a feature film with Groundswell Productions (Milk, The Informant) and Katie Jacobs (exec producer, and co-creator of House) – who will direct. The book was optioned almost two years ago, but after finally getting funding, it looks like it’s currently out to writers!

Now, this is still really early in development, so after reading some of the below links – you will officially know as much as I do about where this is going…

Deadline Hollywood article

Rama’s  Screen

Movies and News

I will most definitely post here as I learn more, which hopefully will be trickling down soon…

Doctor's Orders

So for those who were tuning in last weekend, some of you may have noticed my absence.While I was in Aspen, and registered for X Games, I spent most of the weekend on an I.V. rather than snow. After battling with a bout of flu/food-poisoning (after a while the symptoms were pretty similar) for a couple days, I realized it was a far smarter move to take care of my health and head to a hospital than try and race. The above photo is actually from my discharge papers as Aspen Hospital. Orders that specific are tough to ignore…

While I was bummed not to compete, it was great seeing some new blood winning some medals. However – I do have a little bit of ski footage to show you. ESPN filmed a feature on some of the new things that I was working on. Unfortunately, I can’t find a way to embed the video. So if you’re feeling motivated – click anywhere in this sentence and scroll about halfway down. Can’t miss my bearded mug.

Anyone in Bozeman this Friday?  Well, if you’re in town and feeling bored on Friday evening, come down to Barrel Mountaineering for a photo show of some of my collected, non-Rolling Exhibition works. All prints will be for sale, and 10% of proceeds will go to Eagle Mount of Helena. We’ll be serving wine and light appetizers from 6pm – 8pm . If you’re keen to buy a print, get a book signed, or just drink some wine – come on over!

Details:

Barrel Mountaineering Art Gallery

240 E Main – 582-1335

Friday, Dec 10^th 6-8pm

Just saw this go up the other day and thought I should share. While I was down in Colorado speaking to students at Colorado Mountain College, I was interviewed by a local journalist, David Frey. Super nice guy, and savvy enough with his questions to get me to eek out more than I should’ve about the next project.

Low and behold – it made it’s way to The Huffington Post! I’ve quoted a little bit for the interview below, but for the full article click right here.

Can you talk a little about this next project?

I’m basically going around the world and trying to find other people who have made really interesting adaptations outside of the kind of Western medical infrastructure a lot of us deal with. Especially from the experience I have had traveling abroad, you really get the sense that this is more prevalent in developing countries than it is in Western ones.

The need is also greater, because there’s less funding, there’s less governmental infrastructure, there’s less access to medical infrastructure. So that is going to be the next project. In many ways it’s the inverse of the Rolling Exhibition: focusing on people who get stared at, maybe because of their interesting adaptations. We have locations like India, Congo, Haiti, Russia, Brazil.

But this is not just an exhibit. This is a book project.

I’m pitching a book, but it’s also going to be delivered through a photo series. So you have portraits of the people who created these interesting adaptations interspersed between each chapter that would otherwise be a massive travelogue. I’m trying to keep the photo project moving simultaneously as well as write about it as well as chronicle other people’s inventions. It’s a bit daunting.

So how did your new cheetah legs come about?

Trying to profile people in developing countries, I realized I had to have something that could take me off the sidewalk, right? The skateboard, despite all its practicality, is limited to the ground rolling beneath it. I found that I needed something that is going to allow me to ambulate without having to deal with pavement.

If people stare at you on a skateboard, they must really stare at you on cheetah legs.

Yeah, if I’m in Saudi Arabia or Haiti, I think I’ll get a few stares on this next project.

Told you I’d be back!

With school starting next week, now is probably the time to post the official convocation reading guide for MSU and One Book, One Bozeman. Now, I don’t know how many freshman or Bozeman readers there are reading this blog, but I wanted to invite anyone interested to post their thoughts or answers to any of these questions in the comments section below. I’m going to be monitoring the conversation, and will be answering questions and contributing some of my own thoughts to the discussion if we manage to get some people involved.

So if you’re a Bozemanite looking to attend one of the upcoming events; a freshman trying to get a jump on discussion; or just an interested web-wanderer wanting to contribute – I’d love to hear your thoughts on some of these questions.

Finally, to keep the discussion manageable, I’ve only posted about have of the total list of questions. The rest I will post sometime next week as a sequel to this post. If you are anxious to see the full list, however, it’s available over at the One Book – One Bozeman website.

Hit the jump for the list of questions as well as the comment box.

1) In chapter 2, Kevin’s dad fashions a number of different inventions to help him get around. The inventions are based purely on function, which contrasts heavily with the legs Kevin receives in chapter 3.What do you think is the relationship between aesthetics and function and the importance of each to those with a disability?

2) In chapter 11, Kevin gets particularly angry when he catches a group of teenagers taking a photograph of him. This comes after experiencing many stares, which by comparison he barely notices. What do you think is the difference between a stare and a photograph? Do you think that Kevin’s decision to “return fire” with his camera is morally or artistically justifiable?

3) In chapter 1, Kevin states his doubts of being able to raise a legless child. What do you think such an experience would be like? How would you handle raising such a child?

4) On pages 170-171, Kevin tries to create a different definition for the word “disability”. He makes the argument that the concept is much more common and more fluid than most people believe. Do you agree with his statements? If not, why? If so, what is your disability?

5) In chapter 17, Kevin almost quits working on “The Rolling Exhibition” as a result of the pain that his appearance is bringing out in others walking the streets of Sarajevo. Kevin feels as if he is manipulating people and their pain for his own artistic gain. Do you agree? If so, is it right for him to continue photographing?

6) On page 163, Kevin talks about his skateboard and how it has come to be a part of his self-concept. The skateboard embodies who he is, despite it being less socially acceptable than a wheelchair would be. In your own life, how do you deal with the relationship between being “socially acceptable” and being true to yourself?

7) Discuss the symbolism of Kevin’s skateboard and what it represents. What people, items or events have served as your “skateboard”?

8 ) How do you think “the Dirtbags” in chapter 6 helped to shape Kevin’s view of disability?

Some good stories are on the way, though! Seducing stray dogs, getting assaulted in a Turkish bath, and getting heavily pet by a couple of gypsies! Right now I’m having to deal with community computers and very limited access, so I’ll just leave a few photos to wet the pallette. Back soon!

Following up on Meredith Vieira’s “gorgeous” comment at the end of my appearance on the Today Show. Hit the jump for the actual interview…

Happy Holidays, everyone.

So this is coming a little after my appearance on the Today Show last week, but I thought you might like to see it. It might help to check out the interview that preceded the video above, though.

It was great getting to hang out with everyone at NBC, and Meredith was a great gal who was a lot of fun to joke around with after the interview. Thanks to everyone who watched and sent in feedback. It’s been great to hear from so many people over the past few days! One consequence that has come about from the interview has been a new nickname… Since returning home for Christmas, “Gorgeous” has been the new moniker I’ve been assigned – like it or not. I guess there are worse things to be called!

I'll be appearing December 23rd. Hit the jump to hear me gush...

So tomorrow morning I’m hopping on a plane for NYC for an appearance on the Today show on the morning of the 23rd. It’s going to be strange for once heading to place with MORE snow than Montana, but I’m still incredibly excited (also read: slightly nervous) for the opportunity to come out and talk about Double Take in front of millions! The segment will be five to six minutes long, and will mostly focus on my book, as well as my training for this season’s X-Games.

I know that some of you might not be the biggest of morning people, but I would really appreciate it if you passed this around to some of your friends and e-buddies.  And I promise – if I’m not at least somewhat charming, you have every right to track me down and give me a shot to the ribs for stealing some of your morning sleep-in.

See you on TV.

And I swear it's not as creepy as my photo might indicate...

Well, that’s it. It’s finished. I just received my first box of hardcovers, and I have to say that they look pretty great. I have to send out a big thanks to everyone at Harper Studio for all of the hard work they put into making this book as beautiful as it could possibly be. More than that, they allowed me to actively participate in the design process of the book. I can honestly say that cover to cover, I got to see/approve pretty much every visual element of the book which is a rare luxury for any author – much less a greenhorn.

I’m heading off to NYC this afternoon for the book launch next week. We have some pretty cool (and funny!) stuff in the works that will be coming out in the next few days. So keep checking back! In the meantime, if you want to see anything else, head over to my book’s page on HarperStudio – http://theharperstudio.com/authorsandbooks/kevinconnolly/

Also, these photos were taken around 7:30 AM, so please excuse the fact that I look a little crazed.

A meta moment on the blog.

Howdy -

Want to let you know that over in the “Portfolio” section of my site, we’ve added some new photo galleries to the page. If you haven’t taken a peek at some of my earlier blog entries, check out “Travel and Assignments” for some cool miscellaneous photographs from this past year. Also, wander over to the “Double Take Extras” gallery to find some photos that I shot during the events (i.e. traveling, shooting Rolling Exhibition, etc) featured in Double Take. Hope you dig the photos, and remember the book’s on it’s way! It’s scheduled for release on October 13th, so keep checking back for more updates!