Base brings Web3 to The Real Cannonball Run

Base is working on a “Web3 film experience” for upcoming documentary, The Real Cannonball Run, which tells the true story of a coast-to-coast automotive protest race across America.

The documentary is being produced, curated and distributed on the blockchain, directly to fans. It utilises cloud and Web3 technology provided through a technical solutions partnership with Base and powered by Eluvio’s Content Blockchain.  

The team is building an end-to-end online content chain. Archive film, 4K digital camera rushes and third-party contributor content is securely uploaded to the cloud and automatically transformed to viewing proxies in an Iconik Media Library for the director to view from anywhere and begin tagging and clip selection.

Editing is performed using Adobe CC, which is hosted in the cloud via BeBop OS and enables editors, directors, producers and the post supervisor to collaborate across global locations.

BeBop OS provides the operating system used by Base to enable Adobe editing to take place on virtual workstations hosted in the cloud, and is also directly connected into Eluvio’s global blockchain infrastructure.

When the film is completed and mastered, the finished exports will be uploaded on the Eluvio Content Blockchain, through a custom integration with BeBop OS.

The Real Cannonball Run will feature experiential NFTs rather than one-off transactional NFTs, as part of its Web3 experience. 

The first NFT drop for fans will happen on 10 September and will include film artwork and pre-release trailer access.

One fan will also receive early access to mint a one-of-kind, 3D-rendered digital twin (NFT) of the legendary Cannonball Countach LP400S Supercar.

Tiered-experience NFTs will then drop on 17 September.

Gero Hoschek, director and producer of The Real Cannonball Run, said: “We have been curating this exclusive content for years, including the original film archive from 50 years ago. There are millions of fans across generations and continents who will want the documentary to be launched and become part of the story themselves. With Eluvio and Base, we are uniquely placed to do things differently and use technology in new, creative ways, from pre-production fan engagement, all the way through to direct-to-fan 4K streaming.”

Ben Foakes, CEO, Base, added: “This is such an exciting project, combining film-making, a global fan base and a totally new paradigm of movie post-production and Web3 distribution. We are writing a new rule book for production. We plan to create a rich content world and special ‘experience’ built and distributed on Eluvio, a blockchain content fabric that delivers hyper-efficient decentralised storage, distribution and monetisation.

”Dedicated Cannonball fans can purchase a subscription token (NFT) and get exclusive access to trailers, behind-the-scenes content, specially minted assets and incrementally released exclusive content throughout the lifecycle of the film. Certain subscriber NFT tiers will even be able to receive exclusive minted collectibles such as handmade scale models of original Cannonball race cars. Premium-tier NFT holders will also get their name on the film’s end credits and a red carpet invite to the premiere. It is a new type of value exchange and an entirely new way to engage with your favourite media.”

Michelle Munson, CEO and co-founder of Eluvio, said: “The Real Cannonball Run will showcase the transformational potential of Web3 for film-makers, and we’re honored to have this experience happening on the Eluvio platform. This a first of a kind Web3-native production and distribution of a film. We’re bringing together several blockchain stakeholders to create a dream experience for everyone who loves racing, pop culture, technology, creativity, and film history.

”Fans will have the chance to become active participants in this unique and historic experience rather than passive viewers. Gero Hoschek, along with Ben Foakes and the team at Base, are at the forefront of a revolutionary new way of producing, curating, and monetising films. With the Eluvio Content Blockchain, film-makers can use NFTs and tokenised access to help participate in the creation of films; activate exclusive community experiences before and after a film’s release; and stream films to a global audience—all while controlling access and monetisation via blockchain.”

David Benson, president and chief product officer for BeBop Technology, adds: “BeBop and Base are long-time partners and champions of adapting new technology for media and entertainment; working together with Eluvio and as stakeholders in the Eluvio Content Blockchain has allowed us to show what’s possible, in a practical and tangible way, when Web 3.0 is leveraged with remote, virtual post-production on the BeBop OS. For The Real Cannonball Run, we’ll be direct-publishing to the Eluvio network, but this only scratches the surface of our exciting product roadmap and joint plans with base in the months and years to come.”