By: debbie lynn elias
Well, what can I say. You’re gonna “jump” over this one. That’s right – JUMP! – marked its world premiere at LAFF 2007 with a sold out house, unbridled energy from filmmakers and fans alike, and jump rope exhibitions (and free jump ropes) on the Festival Promenade on Broxton. Not just for sissy girls on a playground anymore, the art of jump rope is a league all its own. With a motto of “Sharing and Caring”, jump rope has advanced into an internationally competitive sport over the past 20 or so years. Esteemed television producer Helen Hood Scheer always knew that she wanted more in life than just produce. “I wanted to either segue into becoming a director/producer or change careers.” So it seemed a natural progression when she caught the 2005 U.S. National Amateur Jump Rope Championship on tv that her mesmerization with watching people jump rope and the high level of athleticism, competition, comradery, creativity and exuberant determination and skill in these young people, would lead to her creation and direction of JUMP!
JUMP! chronicles the journey of six national U.S. Teams – River Valley Skippers, Ropin’ Rockets, Razz Ma Tazz, Summerwind Skippers and West End YMCA Rope Twisters – and the lives of some of their most dedicated and outstanding players, including two time national champion Tori of the River Valley Skippers, the incomparable Razz Ma Tazz pair from Texas, Jeff and Nick, national champ and Rocket, Marcus, and Summerwind Skipper Kelsy who at 21 is one of the “veterans.” These kids are amazing. Tori, an asthmatic, doesn’t let her condition stop her, as she drives herself to be the best at speed trials. The Summerwind Skippers as a team are phenomenal and titleholders of Grand Champions in Double Dutch. Jeff & Nick are beyond words. Amazing, Phenomenal, Awesome, Exhilarating only scratch the surface. They are both at LAFF promoting not only the film but the sport of jump rope as well as giving demonstrations whenever and wherever they can. Both are affable, approachable, funny and the kind of guys you want as brothers or best friends. Meeting and speaking with them is definitely one of the highlights of the Festival for me personally. And not only can they jump rope, they have a keen sense of direction as they managed to get “lost” and then “unlost” driving through downtown and Central Los Angeles while trying to find Westwood. Thanks to her impeccable research on competitive jumping, Scheer built on that base knowledge and, with camera in hand, followed these teams and participants around the country for over a year shooting practices, competitions, wins and losses, and interviewing some of the top names in the sports all the way through Grand Nationals held in Toronto, Canada.
The journey is fast and fun and educational. I came away with an entirely new language of “Jump Rope Speak”.
The key to the success of this film, however, comes not only from its subjects, but the work of Emmy-nominated editor Scott B. Morgan. With everything from split screen to triple split screen, fades, wipes, swipes, double layering – you name it, he’s got it going on. Morgan keeps the film’s energy as high as that of the jump ropers. Basic editing techniques such as those used here, seem to have fallen by the wayside or are not as apparent in most films today thanks to CGI and FX, which makes Morgan’s work even more appreciated and visually appealing. His work is quite simply – pure Oscar gold and for my money, the best in the Fest.
With a pristine synergy among the subjects, a super-charged soundtrack and captivating visuals, just like so many of the kids in the premiere audience, you will find yourself gabbing that piece of clothesline, running to the toy store or just jumping up and down for joy as you are drawn into the world of jump rope. Pairs, teams or alone, it’s a sport for everyone at anytime in their life. Hey! Even director Helen Hood Scheer couldn’t stop herself from jumping rope her very first time at LAFF, which I happened to catch on film.
A competitor for the Target Documentary Award and a cash prize $50,000.00 to director Helen Hood Scheer, JUMP!, as are all the films in the Festival, is also up for one of the Audience Awards that are selected by YOU – the audience. With yet another screening at the Majestic Crest on Saturday, June 30 and some jump rope exhibitions and audience participation as part of Family Day also on the 30th, there is no reason for you not to jump on over for JUMP!
Directed by Helen Hood Scheer.
Photos Courtesy NUTSHELL PRODUCTIONS
