Pie fights have long been a movie staple. Now, adding to classics such as the pie fight in THE GREAT RACE, is a GoPro-shot fight in contention for a Guinness World Record. Taking us behind the scenes is Seattle filmmaker Collin Joseph Neal.

MMM: What was the goal for this project?

COLLIN: The initial motivation was breaking a Guinness World Record for largest participated pie fight in the world–and raising money for the Seattle Children’s  Hospital. There were very strict rules for counting exact numbers of attendees, using a specific mix for the pies, avoiding waste, and making it green friendly.

MMM: Who was behind it?

Collin: The event was conceptualized by a group of Seattle filmmakers and given direction by our event coordinator Stephanie Kukuruza, and assistant coordinator Erin Neal. The director of photography was Domenic Barbero.

MMM: What was your role?

COLLIN: I directed and produced the video.

MMM: How long did it take?

COLLIN: Preproduction required two weeks. We spent 1 day shooting.

MMM: How many cameras were used?

COLLIN: Seven GoPro cameras altogether. Four were on a custom-made helmet (a hard hat with GoPro rigs and lots of Gaffer tape). Two were in the air–each on a drone with its own pilot. And the last one was used for time-lapse cinematography taken throughout the day.  It was amazing and insane due to heavy rain that day as well.  There was also a Red Epic camera setup, MOVI stabilizing rig, plus a few other digital camera setups.

MMM: Where has the video been shown?

COLLIN: It was delivered to the hospital to view, shared with the children throughout, with over 500 donated shirts for the children and hospital staff to wear to commemorate the event.

MMM: What advice can you share for those of us who might want to try something like this?

COLLIN: Plan things out in advance. Create an impossible or new shot to learn from and take with you from your event.  Always have the fastest card readers available for all cameras and devices when offloading footage/images at the end of the day.

MMM: Did you encounter any unexpected problems?

COLLIN: Yes, power was pulled when downloading footage so we had to start all over again.When mixing the pie mix we had to shave 300 bars of ivory soap with cheese graters.  When it was done and mixing was made in large garbage cans, we decided it wasn’t big enough for the event and we had to buy a kiddie pool for all of the contents.  Worked out awesome in the end.

MMM: What attracts you to shooting with GoPros?

COLLIN: Mobile devices now can shoot a compressed 4K image. As for equipment–such as stabilizers– it’s all out there now.

MMM: What led you to becoming a filmmaker?

COLLIN: Growing up with dinosaurs! At 7 years old “Jurassic Park” came out in the theatres and rocked my world!  A big screen took my imaginative dreams and made them come to life!  At that point I was sure it was written in the sand that I’d become a paleontologist and study dinosaurs the rest of my days.  Jumping a few years forward I began to see how things went from the pen on paper to the silver screen. Now as a grown man, married and a father, my world revolves around film.

MMM: How would you describe your approach to filmmaking?

COLLIN: I am a game changer who makes the impossible possible. I enjoy organizing chaos and living for every moment. My experience speaks for itself through audio/video.   I am the guy that will always think out of the box, is diligent in my work, and brings my great work ethic and my passion.

MMM: What are you working on now?

COLLIN: I recently finished co-writing two features, and one television series. I’m in post production on several shorts/feature projects.  2015 is going to be incredible and a team effort for collaborating in a way like I have never done in the past.

You can find more about the pie-throwing event—including plenty of photos—by visiting https://www.facebook.com/thegreatpiefightof2014

To learn more about Collin’s work and his production company, please visit http://www.faithvsfateproductions.com