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MOTOJOURNALISM, AN HYBRID CONCEPT

Moto-journalism is an investigative journalistic method, geared towards complete cultural immersion through motorcycling. This hybrid concept merges the physical challenge of biking with a transparent account of cultural discoveries through means of communication such as writing, photography, videography and audio recordings.

Inspired by the Gonzo Journalism movement -- known for its 'in' experience and social immersion – in which its followers considered themselves cultural reporters, we aim for the most complete immersion into local life in order to create an authentic depiction of it.

We therefore assume total subjectivity in order to better seize objectivity of reality and encourage the narration of cultural experiences. Therefore, we assume total subjectivity to gain a better understanding of objective reality and narrate the cultural experiences we encounter.

- A HUMAN AND CULTURAL PROCESS

DISCOVERING, EXPLORING and SHARING all the different cultures in South America by living amongst the local population, and ultimately gaining a broader perspective on our own cultural methodologies.

TRANSCRIBING the different savoir-faire and savoir-etre by introducing the context and history of each encountered culture. We will be riding in close proximity with Amerindian peoples, notably:

The Quechua, depositaries of the Incan civilization, in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador The Aymaras, in Bolivia, Peru and Chile The Mapuches in Chile and Argentina.

Concretely:

WORKING WITH LOCALS

We offer our help to local aid associations, using the network of agricultural farms that are part of the WWOOFing community: participating in farm work, construction work, etc.

COMPLETING CULTURAL INTERVIEWS

With subjects relevant to the identity of encountered populations, (attention typo dans la version francaise) (i.e “What, for you, does it mean to be Argentinian?”), perspectives on happiness, success or simply their most vivid musical memories.

STAYING WITH LOCALS

Thanks to our local encounters, our contacts on-site and the help of dedicated websites such as Couchsurfing.com or Bedycasa.com we will remain close to the heart of the population, even while we sleep.

Every eye-opening experience we come across will gradually reveal the multi-faceted South American culture and its heritage. Its customs and traditions, cultural sites, anecdotes, local encounters, interesting discoveries will all be exhibited!

- A PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

We will face cold, heat, fatigue, technical challenges of the roads, and the mechanical hazards of the motorcycles.

For 8 months and throughout 8 countries, we will journey equipped only with 2 Royal Enfield Classic 500s, our tents and some replacement gear - the bare essentials.

This journey will encapsulate 15,500 miles in total – about 62 miles a day!

We are prepared to brave a vast 90 degree Fahrenheit difference between the coldest (14 F) and hottest (104 F) temperature, with certain regions in the south presenting very violent winds.

This journey will include multiple mountain passes (some higher than 16,500 feet), the crossing of deserts many hundreds of miles long, paths through the jungle between rocks and mud…

In the face of the many miles that lie before us and the diversity of roads, we will transport the necessary equipment to guarantee the upkeep and proper functioning of the motorcycles: Tire irons, inner tubes, brake pads, spark plugs, air and oil filters, accelerator and clutch cables, motor oil, and lubricants.

To observe the most fascinating locations on the continent, we are prepared for a large number of nights spent camping in nature, thanks to our Moto-Tent.

Our destinations : The riverbanks of the rio Paraná and the Iguaçu falls, the Uruguayan coast, the Argentinian Pamapas, Patagonia, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, the Carretera Austral, the Pan-American Highway, the Chilean Andes, the seven lakes region, the Salar d’Uyuni, the Colca Canyon, Machu Pichu, Titaca lake, the Colombian tropical jungle…

This audacious odyssey will be technical and demanding, but also magnificent and enriching. It is for this reason that we place making high quality creative content at the heart of the project, based on our discoveries and cultural exchanges.

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- OUR VIDEO, PHOTO & AUDIO STORIES

(1) A web series comprised of 7 shorts presenting our discoveries with interviews and images of the local scene, with aerial footage of the native landscape shot with a self-guided drone!

(2) Photography. We set out equipped to capture the most striking shots of our journey: a portfolio of portraits organized by country, with spin-offs on the native peoples as well as the most awe-inspiring scenery. Get ready to feast your eyes.

(3) Soundscapes. Local music will be recorded in its original, natural setting sketching a sonic portrait of native South America.

This content will at first broadcast on our different communication mediums such as :

- Website: www.el-grito.org

- Facebook page: El Grito Project

- Instagram page: el_grito_project

- Vimeo page: elgrito

(1)

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(2)

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(3)

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Material used :

- "Follow me" Drone Hexo+

A self-flying drone than can reach a top speed of 43 mph, follow the motorcycles and shoot high quality video with GoPro, perfecto!

- GoPro Hero4 Black

A camera shooting 4K quality videos, that can be fixed on the drone, the motorcycles and ourselves in order to capture and explore various plans.

- A6000 Sony camera

An hybride camera that offers 24 millions pixels. Thanks to our growing experience in photography, we will be able to catch and seize the most stunning portraits and landscapes.

- Audio recorder ZOOM H5

A high quality recorder to capture the sonic essence of South America soundscapes.

By the way, who are we?

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Théo Saffroy (left)

A quote: “Criss-crossing the world in all possible ways is not only about the discovery of others, but also the discovery of oneself - the excitement of observing oneself act and react. It is a sign that modern man has awoken to understand the waste of making passive a life that is already too short.” Xavier Maniguet

Passions: Curious and quixotic, Theo has a demented passion for music and travel. A Viking at heart (a Viking being ‘one that sets off on expeditions’), surely due to his time spent in Scandinavia, Theo is perpetually seeking adventure and the beauty of vast open spaces. His travels come hand-in-hand with projects of high cultural reach, so expect him to awaken your passions with the history and traditions of the South American continent in pictures, videos and music!

Moto-experience: Theo first discovered motorcycles at the age of 15, during his summer stays in the Pyrenees where he often enjoyed motocross. He rides various types of two-wheeled vehicles, and to this day still vagabonds with the same ethos of exploration.

Why this trip? To discover and be discovered, to explore what is hidden and sketch an account of it, to go forward without turning back, letting freedom - true freedom – grasp the handlebars.

Tanguy de Ferrières (right)

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

A passion for traveling: Tanguy spent his youth in southeast Asia constantly seeking out new adventures, virgin lands and different cultures. Fascinated by aerial sports, he dedicates his free time to freefall jumping, climbing, and scuba diving. His search is the same: this sweet sensation of freedom.

An adventurer at heart, Tanguy knows how to bring us, with jubilation, into the unexpected.

Motorcycle experience: Tanguy has been riding motorcycles since an early age. From riding his first scooter in Malaysia, he eventually graduated to a Honda 400XL, finally getting a Royal Enfield.

As an admirer of motorcycle trips, Tanguy has completed many two-wheeled trips through Burma, China and Indonesia.

Why this trip? It is a childhood dream. Discovering South America with the sweet freedom offered by a motorcycle.

El Grito

The publications