Dodo Films is a multi-media production company dedicated to keepin' life on earth. We have two requirements for every production: it has to be fun and it has to help humans live more sustainably on this planet. Our projects include:
• television programming
• film production
• advertising campaigns
• innovative web-based programming
• To preserve life on earth by creating entertaining, humorous and educational mass media
Hal Brindley (founder, owner, producer)
Hal Brindley has been inspired by life on earth his whole life. Although terrified by many animals as a child (including dogs, chipmunks and kittens) he has always had a keen interest in science and biology. At around age ten he began producing animated films with an 8mm movie camera. He spent endless hours moving clay models frame by frame in his dark basement. He had a lot of patience for a ten-year-old.
He also had a mind for business and started his first entrepreneurial ventures around this time (including neighborhood carnivals, fireworks distribution and eventually controlling the bubble gum racket throughout junior high). Hal's love of film took on a different focus when he began skateboarding and BMX riding in high school.
Hal started his first real business as a freshman in college. What began as a small custom screen printing outfit soon grew into a full clothing line for BMX riders. Thanks to the marketing savvy of Hal and his partner Steve, the company became the sport's most popular clothing brand by the mid 90's. He also became a major event promoter, starting a national BMX freestyle competition circuit. This led to his role as an organizer for the ESPN X-Games and MTV's Sports and Music Festivals. After 10 years in business, Hal decided it was time to focus his energies on something he really cared about: preserving life on earth. He sold the clothing line and reinvented himself as a wildlife photographer.
His fascination with life's incredible diversity is clearly evident in his work (halbrindley.com). After eight years of traveling the world and documenting it's vanishing wildlife, he decided it was time to take the next logical step. To begin in earnest what he felt was his true life calling, the culmination of all the skills and knowledge he had acquired throughout his eventful life. Dodo Films was born.
Hal Brindley brings the following skill set to the table:
• film and video production and editing experience
• business management and accounting skills
• extensive marketing and advertising experience
• an intimate knowledge of "hipness, coolness, and cutting-edge nonsense"
• a wide range of graphic, artistic, and web design skills
• vision (and the ability to make outlandish dreams into reality)
• determination, perseverance, self-motivation, and the honest desire to make the world a better place.
• the ability to write third person biographical information about himself without feeling schizophrenic
Leigh Ramsdell (idea man, writer, videographer, riot)
Leigh Ramsdell is really bowlegged. We just had to get that out of the way so you can pay attention. He is also a ham, which is weird since he’s vegetarian. Nothing makes him happier than entertaining people. And he’ll do what it takes, too. Ever since his childhood, when performing AC/DC songs for his dad and friends came before homework, to telling really bad jokes, to dressing up in various costumes for BMX videos, nothing is taboo when it comes to getting a smile. Also when Leigh was a youngling he always wished he could talk to animals (a skill he is constantly trying to develop.)
Mr. Ramsdell also has a love for BMX bikes. He’s been riding them since well before he could play the ukulele, which still eludes him. That love of bikes brought him to his first sponsor, 2B Clothing and the person that would soon become one of his best friends, Hal Brindley. Leigh eventually became a pro BMX’er, which took him all over the world to experience different cultures. Anytime an opportunity arose to travel he would take it just so his eyes could be opened more. And opened they were.
Leigh started realizing the world was in trouble. Slowly he changed the way he lived. Not always voluntarily though. His car was stolen and he vowed not to get another for at least a year, just to see if he could live without it. Five years later Leigh is still riding his bike to work and loving it. He was also improving in other areas, like reusing and using less, but noticed that more people could do simple things to help.
Then Hal came along with his crazy idea for Dodo Films. A fire was lit and now Leigh has a new calling. BMX is still in his blood, making people laugh is just too fun, and helping the world is a must. Somehow he’s going to put all that together and save your ass.
Leigh Ramsdell brings the following skill set to the table and then knocks it on the floor:
• film and video production and editing experience.
• TV experience (co-host of Mat Hoffman’s CFB Series on ESPN2, reporter for ESPN X-games & B3 contests from 97’-02’)
• acting experience
• extensive marketing and advertising experience
• skilled in the fine arts of humor, laughter and weirdness
• wide range of graphic, artistic, and web design skills
• hard-working, creative thinker with a sincere desire to show people that anyone can make a difference
