Carl Boenish Speaks . . .
I've always avoided uploading any of Carl Boenish's films somewhat out of respect for his work, but primarily because Jean Boenish would climb all over my ass if I did. However, I know for those of us who knew him only in death he's beginning to become a bit abstract.
This vid is from one of those PM Magazine TV shows (PM San Diego I think it was) in about 1983 or early 1984 and shortly before Carl was killed in Norway. So indirectly it's not totally his films . . .
In life Carl was a joy to be around. He was bright, articulate, and very funny. And he was always willing to help a newbie out. I first met him when I was fumbling around with the first camera helmet I built in about 1977 for skydiving. In those days you couldn't just buy one off the shelf. And there wasn't a hundred people on the DZ flying cameras. You had to drill the holes, fab the mount, figure out a way to run the wires and then hope the whole contraption didn't kill you.
Being a newbie jumper in those days was a bit more of an ordeal than it is now. If you weren't a known quantity you were basically ignored. I remember making my first few still camera jumps at Lake Elsinore with nobody to shoot because no one would jump with me. If I walked up to a group of jumpers after green light, they'd all stop talking, until I walked away. And it wasn't just me. All unknowns got that treatment.
And I only mention it to draw a contrast.
At the time Carl was the preeminent skydiving cinematographer in the entire world. And if anyone had the right to be a snooty asshole it was him. But he was just the opposite. Carl had a way about him. He wouldn't just say you're doing something wrong. He would, like he did with me, say, "Hey, you made a camera helmet, that's very cool. Now that'll work all right, but here's a better way I've found of doing this, this, and that." I remember floating on air for a week just because he spoke to me.
Anyone who's been reading my stuff over the years knows I seldom miss an opportunity to work Carl's name into whatever the discussion is about. It's a task I gladly took on to make sure he's not forgotten. But it dawned on me it's possible some newer BASE jumpers wouldn't even recognize Carl, or have ever heard him actually speaking.
So there's this vid. The piece doesn't do him total justice but maybe it'll give you a glimpse into the man. Oh, and as an added bonus . . . you get Jean too.
Things to look for: The rigs they are using from the balloon are the first true Velcro closed BASE rigs ever built. These were the ones Jim Handbury made for Carl and Jean in Lake Elsinore in about 1983.
Also you get a glimpse of a very early Bridge Day, so early, there aren't even spectators on the bridge. And you'll see Jean jumping a round there. That wasn't a preference, it was because the wisdom of the day said she didn't have enough experience to handle a square.
In the El cap bit Carl talks a little about Mike and Brian's 1966 jumps. And Mike. I'm talking to you now. Don't get all ginned up over what he says. Since I know both of you, but you didn't know one another, I can honestly say you would've loved each other and got along famously.
Also in the El Cap section listen to what Carl says about the history of El Cap. And see if his words don't resonate and apply to another famous cliff that's been in the news lately.
And Jason, if you're reading this, I think it's high time we planned a future Bridge Day (maybe 2010) totally dedicated to Carl Boenish. Yes, I know there's issues with Jean. But maybe we can fix them, and if not, work around them.
I think we kinda owe it to Carl. We are, after all, all riding on his ticket . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwDcrkrJefE
NickD
BASE 194
..... 
