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Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

A film about the man who built Mammoth Mountain into a phenomenal ski area.

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Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

Dave McCoy and the Mammoth Plan

A film about the man who built Mammoth Mountain into a phenomenal ski area.

A film about the man who built Mammoth Mountain into a phenomenal ski area.

A film about the man who built Mammoth Mountain into a phenomenal ski area.

A film about the man who built Mammoth Mountain into a phenomenal ski area.

Tim Ford
Tim Ford
Tim Ford
Tim Ford
1 Campaign |
Mammoth Lakes, United States
$12,080 USD 113 backers
8% of $150,000 Fixed Goal Fixed Goal

WHY MAKE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DAVE McCOY?

For those who admire the rags to riches American hero story, for those who believe that leadership is about building a team spirit and bringing out the best in people, who insist that life is about loving the road each step of the way, I want you to meet Dave McCoy:



In the 1940's, without a dime to his name and against the advice of ski experts, Dave McCoy began to build California’s Mammoth Mountain into one of the most successful ski resorts in the world, revolutionizing the ski industry along the way. But even more alluring than what he did was how he did it. With unrelenting kindness, he inspired others to become part of his vision. Motivated by creating something great, not by making money, he found no job too complex to tackle, no ditch too mundane to dig. A natural leader, he coached people to do their best and made it clear that having fun was integral to the daily requirements of his unwritten business plan. 


Though he'll turn 100 in August, Dave McCoy is still the vital, brilliant, engaging man that built Mammoth.  He still honors community, listening to and answering the needs of the people.  He is still pursuing new dreams and still inspiring everyone around him.  

We want the world to know about this amazingly influential person. Our storytellers are the people who have had their lives touched by Dave. The mosaic of their personal stories will inspire those who see the film to follow their dreams, be kind, be generous, and as Dave would say, “have fun along the way.”



WHO AM I and HOW DOES DAVE MCCOY FIT INTO MY LIFE?

My name is Tim Ford.  Before the great recession of 2008 I made a decent living in Hollywood producing and directing music videos and commercials, mostly for the Walt Disney Corporation. I had been on a three-year streak with the Mouse (as we call Disney in the biz), making videos for acts like The Jonas Brothers, and arranging live concert films for Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. The work made me happy, because at the end of the day I knew it was making kids happy. 

When the 2008 financial collapse happened, film work in Los Angeles slowed to a crawl. I found myself with too quiet of a phone and too much time on my hands. But with winter around the corner and me wanting to make the best of my situation I said to myself,  “You’ve always wanted to teach skiing, now’s your chance!”

I drove to a local LA ski resort (not Mammoth Mountain) and applied for a job. They hired me on the spot. My new life had started:  Monday through Thursday I spent in Hollywood trying to drum up work, while each weekend I spent happily in the mountains teaching children and adults the thrill of downhill skiing.

One weekend evening in January of 2009, after a long and exhausting day of teaching, finally home in my ski club's snow-covered cabin, I sat collapsed in a torn chair next to a fire in the giant stone hearth, grumbling with my co-workers about how bad the ski area management treated us. A memo had been issued from on high that morning.  In order to accommodate customers who had been complaining about long lunch lines, employees would now be forbidden from buying lunch between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm!  Essentially, for instructors that meant no lunch at all. 

As we sat around the hearth, up in arms about this latest token of appreciation from our resort leadership, Rick, the president of our ski club, stepped into the room. Shaking his head, he bellowed, “Are you surprised? Those guys don’t know what they’re doing up there!” 

We turned and stared.  Rick continued, “Dave McCoy would have had hamburgers, hotdogs, and a big pot of chili up in the patrol room for you guys.  He knew how to run a mountain.  If they’ve got a long line at lunch, then they can afford something for the workers.”

I naively asked, “Who’s Dave McCoy?”

A hush fell over the room.

“You don’t know who Dave McCoy is?!?” yelled Rick.

Louder and more animated, he went on, “Dave McCoy started Mammoth Mountain. He was the real deal. He knew how to build a ski mountain and knew how to run it. Not like these jokers over here. Dave had great ideas, common sense, and knew how to take care of his employees. I was lucky enough to work alongside him at Mammoth in the sixties and seventies.”

Rick was not the type of guy who idolized. He paused.  Then quietly but firmly, he concluded, “Dave McCoy is my hero.”

That was it. I was hooked. Dave McCoy became a legend in my mind, an exciting, powerful person living life with the ethics I believe in. Every night at the end of my shift, I would corner Rick asking for more Dave stories. He told me about all the crazy lifts Dave put up and how he invented a hundred ways to make skiing better for everyone. He talked about how Dave would blast rock and push dirt to get the fall line of a ski run just right, somehow leaving the run looking just as natural as if he’d found it that way. He told me about people getting lost in snowstorms on the backside of the mountain and Dave knowing where they were just by the trees they’d describe over the walkie-talkie. He talked about how Dave was completely dedicated to his sport, his employees, and his customers, how he put them all before himself.

Later in 2010, as the economy started to improve and companies needed filmmakers, my Hollywood phone starting ringing again. Soon I was too busy to teach skiing.  Though it was hard to say goodbye to the ski club and my new ski instructor buddies, it was Dave McCoy who lingered in my mind. I didn’t even know him, yet he had become my hero. I’d find myself on film sets, in the calms between all the hustle and bustle, pondering Dave and the stories I had heard back in the snow-covered cabin. Sometimes during lunch on set someone would bring up skiing. “Do you know about Dave McCoy?” I would ask, then launch into telling one of my second-hand stories.

It didn’t take long until a coworker at the table remarked, “Wow, a documentary about that guy would be really cool!” I quickly agreed, walked outside, and started making phone calls. 

Before too long I was talking on the telephone to Dave himself.  Amazingly, he invited me to his house in Bishop. I was nervous when I first walked into his office. What would he be like? Would he be open to me? I knew that he was still active, that he was the main force behind Cerro Coso College successfully operating in Mammoth and Bishop, but would he shine in other ways?

The man exceeded my wildest expectations. There he was, sitting behind his desk, welcoming me with a bright smile on his face and a playful light in his eyes. His walls were covered with accolades and framed photos showing a small fraction of the fun and adventure he’d been responsible for over the years. He reached his hand across the desk, I gave him mine, and with a jovial jerk he threw me off my balance. He chuckled at his prank as we sat down and I instantly knew that despite being 98 years old, Dave McCoy still was still as spunky and charismatic as I had imagined him to be. 

I told him about my ideas for the film and why I felt it was important. He asked questions, listened to me, then said he didn’t know how interested he was in the project, since he didn’t think he had done that much and wasn’t much of a bragger.  His enthusiasm perked as he showed me his latest photographic venture, wild horses in Nevada wildlands, photos he had taken on one of his back-country off-road rides. Next, he showed me the new solar panels that powered his house. Then the grand prize:  an electric, solar-powered all-terrain vehicle he had designed and was building. I asked him why he wanted to build an electric off-road golf cart when he already had a gas one. He looked surprised, then grinned and said with a twinkle in his eye, “The price of gas!” 

A couple of meetings later, Dave agreed to let me make the film. He gave me a smile and said “Well, better get started if you’re gonna get done. And don’t forget to have fun with what you’re doing!” 


WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Last year, I put together a great team who has been willing to work on the Dave McCoy doc during spare time between other gigs. The film is 50% shot, with many interviews and much B-roll.  But this is a big story and we still have a long way to go to tell Dave’s story the way it should be told. We’re proud of how far we’ve taken this project with the resources we’ve had at hand, but we are at the point where we can’t go forward without real funding. 

As filmmakers who have worked successfully in Hollywood throughout our career, we started the McCoy documentary with a traditional approach including a short pitch film that we e-mailed around town.  We’ve received a very positive response from potential investors and distributors and have built a lot of momentum that we don’t want to lose, especially with ski season approaching.  Yet, our film remains penniless.  Rather than wait for traditional film funding, we’ve decided to seek funding through crowdsourcing.

It’s our hope that Dave McCoy’s story and the approach we are taking will resonate with and excite a large and diverse group of people.  Whether you personally know Dave McCoy, if you are a skier/snowboarder interested in ski history, or if you like films where a guy finds success in business while putting people first, I hope you’ll give us a little piece of financial encouragement so we can make this film a reality. 


$150,000 IS OUR FUNDING GOAL

This sum will ensure we can:

  • Film the remaining interviews we need to finish the film
  • Hire a documentary film editor and begin our off-line edit
  • Fulfill our perk promises
  • Pay our Indiegogo and credit card fees

$150,000 will represent a fantastic first investment in our movie and encourage other film financiers to invest in our film. If we do secure more funding the project will be bigger and better, but $150,000 will give us the ability to continue and complete the film the way we've envisioned it: A story about an ordinary guy who worked tirelessly to make people happy, while proving a business can make a profit, support it's community, and inspire people; without needing to put the screws to anyone. 


PLEASE MAKE A $1 DONATION

We would rather have 150,000 - $1 donations than 1 - $150,000 donation. This campaign exists to prove that there is an audience for this story, and if you've read our pitch this far then it's likely you agree it's worthy of a film. Please take a second to make a 1$ donation and your support of this movie will be counted in our contributor number, then help us spread the word about our campaign so we can get 150,000 donations!


Many Thanks; and SKI you later,  

Tim Ford & The Crew. 







PERKS

For donations in excess of $1. 

You’ll receive a digital download of the film Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan when it’s complete, as well as regular updates about our progress.

We’ll ship you a DVD version of the film when it’s complete, in addition to a digital download pass.

Please add $10 for international shipping.


For $50 you’ll get the digital download of Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan, plus a free hot ski or board wax and machine buff at Kittredge Sports ski shop in Mammoth Lakes for the 14/15 winter season.


For $50 you’ll get the digital download of Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan, plus a free hot ski or board wax and machine buff at P3 snowboard shop in Mammoth Lakes for the 14/15 winter season.


We’ll ship you a pound of fresh-roasted coffee from the best coffee shop in Mammoth Lakes-- Black Velvet Coffee. You’ll also receive a download link for the completed film. 

Please add $10 for international shipping.


When Dave McCoy ran Mammoth, he only had two rules for his employees:

1.     Have Fun.
2.    NO FACIAL HAIR.

“No facial hair” of any kind is a pretty tall order, but Dave was so loved from his employees that it inspired an “I Shave for Dave” T-shirt. We’re recreating this shirt at the $75 dollar level. You’ll get the shirt-- men’s size S, M, L, or XL-- plus a digital download of the completed film. 

Please add $10 for international shipping.

We’ll mail you an original “Dave McCoy and The Mammoth Plan” Tee-shirt, plus a digital download. You’ll love it.

Men and Women size S, M, L, or XL.

Please add $10 for international shipping.

Why not head to Mammoth Lakes for the weekend and experience Dave’s work first hand? We’ll give you a free ski or snowboard rental package for 2 people for 2 days, from Kittredge Sports Ski Shop or P3 Snowboard Shop.

We’ll also get you half-off a 2-day car rental from the Mammoth Lakes Hertz. You’ll also receive a download link for the completed film.



(Some blackout dates apply: Not valid Dec. 20, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015; Jan. 17-18, 2015; Feb. 14-15, 2015; April 4-5, 2015. Hertz rental car limited to $40 discount per rental day.)


Nowadays Dave’s passion is nature photography, but he’s been taking photos his whole life. At the $100 level you’ll be able to choose from a small selection of Dave’s favorite work. We’ll mail you a high-quality 8 x 10 glossy print of your choice, along with the DVD and digital download.

Please add $10 for international shipping.


We’ll send you a hardcover copy of Robin Morning’s beautiful book, “Tracks of Passion,” which details the history of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Dave McCoy’s path to greatness, signed by Robin and by Dave himself.  You’ll also get the DVD and download link.

Please add $10 for international shipping.


For $300 you’ll get both the high-quality 8 x 10 glossy Dave McCoy Print AND Robin’s Morning’s Book “Tracks of Passion,” signed by Dave and the author. You’ll also get the DVD and download link.

Please add $10 for international shipping.


At this level we’ll take the print described above, increase the size to 16 X 20,  have it signed by Dave McCoy himself, and then professionally frame it in the McCoy Garage.  You’ll also get the DVD and download link.

Please add $10 for international shipping.


Join director Tim Ford and members of the film crew for a day of skiing at Mammoth Mountain. We’ll get your lunch and your lift ticket and tell you all about how we put the film together.   Plus you’ll get the DVD, download link, a copy of Robin Morning’s “Tracks of Passion”, and our eternal gratitude for your generosity.


If you can contribute $1000, you’ll get a special thanks in the credits, plus get 2 tickets to premiere parties we have in Mammoth Lakes and Los Angeles. You’ll also get the DVD, download link, a copy of Robin Morning’s “Tracks of Passion” and a t-shirt of your choice. You can also come to the wrap party, where everyone there from the film crew will personally thank you for being such a great person.


For a $5000 contribution we’ll add your name or your company’s name to our credits as an associate producer of the film. You’ll get tickets to our premieres and wrap parties, as well as both t-shirts, a signed 16 x 20 framed print, the book, and a surprisingly long thank you note from Director Tim Ford.  And we’ll send you a few DVDs to pass out to your friends.


Dave McCoy and The Mammoth Plan is still looking for one or two co-executive producers. These producers will get their name or their company name and logo at the beginning of the film, as well as on our promotional materials and press releases. Of course we’ll get you all the perks from the $5,000 level, a bunch of DVDs, and pretty much anything else you ask for, within reason.  Plus, just for fun, a 14/15 season pass at Mammoth Mountain for you or the Ski-lover of your choice.

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Choose your Perk

Rope Tow Pass

$2 USD
Back when Mammoth Mountain was only 3 rope tows and a dream, a day of skiing cost a mere two dollars. Even two dollars will help us complete our film, and we’ll be grateful forever.
0 claimed

Digital Download Pass

$15 USD
You’ll receive a digital download of "Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan" when it’s complete, plus regular updates about the progress of the film.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 claimed

DVD of the Film

$35 USD
We’ll ship you a DVD version of the film when it’s complete, in addition to a digital download pass. Please add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 claimed

Hot Ski Wax

$50 USD
For $50 you’ll get the digital download of "Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan", plus a free hot ski or board wax and machine buff at Kittredge Sports ski shop in Mammoth Lakes for the 14/15 winter season.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 claimed

Hot Snowboard Wax at P3

$50 USD
For $50 you’ll get the digital download of "Dave McCoy And The Mammoth Plan", plus a free hot ski or board wax and machine buff at P3 snowboard shop in Mammoth Lakes for the 14/15 winter season.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 claimed

Black Velvet Coffee

$60 USD
We’ll ship you a pound of fresh-roasted coffee from the best coffee shop in Mammoth Lakes-- Black Velvet Coffee. You’ll also receive a download link for the completed film. Please add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 claimed

I Shave For Dave!

$75 USD
When Dave McCoy ran Mammoth, he only had two rules for his employees: 1. Have Fun. 2. NO FACIAL HAIR. “No facial hair” of any kind is a pretty tall order, but Dave was so loved from his employees that it inspired an “I Shave for Dave” T-shirt. We’re recreating this shirt at the $75 dollar level. You’ll get the shirt-- men’s size S, M, L, or XL-- plus a digital download of the completed film. Please add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 claimed

Film T Shirt

$75 USD
We’ll mail you an original “Dave McCoy and The Mammoth Plan” Tee-shirt, plus a digital download. You’ll love it. Men and Women size S, M, L, or XL. Please add $10 for international shipping
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
0 claimed

Mountain Vacation Package

$90 USD
Why not head to Mammoth Lakes for the weekend and experience Dave’s work first hand? We’ll give you a free ski or snowboard rental package for 2 people for 2 days, from Kittredge Sports Ski Shop or P3 Snowboard Shop. We’ll also get you half-off a 2-day car rental from the Mammoth Lakes Hertz so you can check out June Mountain as well. You’ll also receive a download link for the completed film. (See full description to left for restrictions)
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 out of 50 of claimed

Dave McCoy Photography

$100 USD
Nowadays Dave’s passion is nature photography, but he’s been taking photos his whole life. At the $100 level you’ll be able to choose from a small selection of Dave’s favorite work. We’ll mail you a high-quality 8 x 10 glossy print of your choice, along with the DVD and digital download. Please add $10 for international shipping
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
0 out of 200 of claimed

Tracks of Passion

$250 USD
We’ll send you a hardcover copy of Robin Morning’s beautiful book, “Tracks of Passion,” which details the history of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Dave McCoy’s path to greatness, signed by Robin and by Dave himself. You’ll also get the DVD and download link. Please add $10 for international shipping
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
0 out of 100 of claimed

Book and Print Combo

$300 USD
For $300 you’ll get both the high-quality 8 x 10 glossy Dave McCoy Print AND Robin’s Morning’s Book, “Tracks of Passion,” signed by Dave and the author. You’ll also get the DVD and download link. Please add $10 for international shipping
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
0 out of 50 of claimed

Dave McCoy Photography Plus

$500 USD
At this level we’ll take the print described above, increase the size to 16 X 20, have it signed by Dave McCoy himself, and then professionally frame it in the McCoy Garage. You’ll also get the DVD and download link. Please add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
0 out of 50 of claimed

FRIEND OF THE FILM

$750 USD
Join director Tim Ford and members of the film crew for a day of skiing at Mammoth Mountain. We’ll get your lunch and your lift ticket and tell you all about how we put the film together. Plus you’ll get the DVD, download link, a copy of Robin Morning’s “Tracks of Passion”, and our eternal gratitude for your generosity.
Estimated Shipping
January 2016
0 out of 15 of claimed

FRIEND OF DAVE

$1,000 USD
If you can contribute $1000, you’ll get a special thanks in the credits, plus get 2 tickets to premiere parties we have in Mammoth Lakes and Los Angeles. You’ll also get the DVD, download link, a copy of Robin Morning’s “Tracks of Passion” and a t-shirt of your choice. You can also come to the wrap party, where everyone there from the film crew will personally thank you for being such a great person.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 100 of claimed

FRIEND OF MAMMOTH

$5,000 USD
For a $5000 contribution we’ll add your name or your company’s name to our credits as an associate producer of the film. You’ll get tickets to our premieres and wrap parties, as well as both t-shirts, a signed 16 x 20 framed print, the book, and a surprisingly long thank you note from Director Tim Ford. And we’ll send you a few DVDs to pass out to your friends.
Estimated Shipping
November 2016
0 out of 10 of claimed

CO-EP

$15,000 USD
“Dave McCoy and The Mammoth Plan” is still looking for one or two co-executive producers. These producers will get their name or their company name and logo at the beginning of the film, as well as on our promotional materials and press releases. Of course we’ll get you all the perks from the $5,000 level, a bunch of DVDs, and pretty much anything else you ask for, within reason. Plus, just for fun, a 14/15 season pass at Mammoth Mountain for you or the Ski-lover of your choice.
Estimated Shipping
December 2014
0 out of 2 of claimed
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