WKR Exclusive: Interview with Filmmaker Gregory Bayne on "Jens Pulver | Driven"

Kaleb Kelchner:  For those who don't know, what is "Driven", and why Jens Pulver?

Gregory Bayne:  JENS PULVER | DRIVEN is an intimate feature documentary film about legendary mixed martial arts champion, Jens Pulver, who rose from a childhood laced with violence and substance abuse, to become on of the most loved and respected MMA fighters of all time.  The film presents an in depth look into the fighter, and his life, past, present, and future as we follow his 'last march' toward what ended up being his final fight in the UFC/WEC last March.

I am actually quite new to MMA, and haven't watched it much.  And, before my first meeting with Jens, did I know much about him or his career.  What I did know, after the first meeting, is that Jens is a warm, casually unassuming guy, with a quick smile, big heart, and an incredibly engaging personality that just draws you in. 

After that meeting I did my research, read his biography, "Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter's Rise to the Top", and learned that there was so much more to Jens, and his sport, than meets the eye.

I was hooked, quickly becoming engrossed in this story of an abused kid from the horse tracks in Seattle, who despite every opportunity to repeat the mistakes of his father, instead embraced athletics to eventually rise to the height of World Champion in his sport.  His life story, coupled with his return to the WEC, simply struck me as an amazing story to tell.

KK:  What spurred you to move ahead and create this film?

GB:  In a word, Jens.  I really was drawn to him, and his story.  And felt, like him, that I was in a do or die moment.  I just had to make it happen by whatever means necessary.

After our initial talks I attempted to find some financing, unsuccessfully, and as 2009 came to a close I decided rather than miss out on this story as it happens, I would just start shooting, and find other means of financing while I shot.

After the holidays were done, Jens and I got together for a couple of days and the end result was this teaser trailer meant to capture the story, tone and look of what I was going for overall in the film I was looking to make:

Since its initial release on YouTube its been viewed nearly 47,000 times, and prompted countless emails from fans, and friends of Jens recounting their experiences, and what an inspiration Jens has been to them personally.

All of this helped me strengthen my resolve, and go all in on making this film happen.

KK:  As, not only a fighter, but a person as well, who do you think Jens Pulver and his story appeal to?

GB:  If you've met Jens, you love him.  Sure he's a little roug around the edges, but when folks describe the person that would give you the shirt off his back, they're talking about Jens.  I honestly think Jens, and his story have an endless broad-base appeal.  In the film, MMA is the backdrop, and the fight is the subplot as Jens draws you into his world, his state of mind, as he goes through many of the same day to day trials and tribulations that you and I do, only with the heightened stakes of having to literally fight for what he can claim at the end of it.

I've been surprised, and not so surprised to find that many people who have no connection to the sport find Jens, and the way the film is presented, via the clips we've released, totally compelling.

KK:  How much fan support has the film received?

GB:  The film has, to date, been fully fan funded.  Which honestly is an amazing sentence to write.  100% fan funded.  The fans, new and old, that have come to this project, kept up with it, been patient with it...I simply can't say enough to convey my gratitude and sheer awe that this film has been made in this incredible way.

KK:  Jens Pulver has always appeared to be a little rough around the edges, when you met him, did anything about him surprise you?

GB:  That he absolutely, and rather immediately disarms you.  He completely sidesteps the 'fighter' cliche, and approaches you as if you were some long lost relative, not even a friend, a relative.  He just has that intangible thing about him.  It's very apparent why, even with the losses, people love Jens.  He's straight from the heart, and completely genuine.

KK:  Throughout the filming for Driven, what moment was the most memorable for you?

GB:  Being in the arena, sitting cage side at the fight.  I couldn't film the fight, so I just had to sit there, and I realized the moment he stepped into the cage something shifted in me.  After following Jens for months with a camera, collecting these very personal and raw moments with him, I was suddenly stripped of that barrier, the viewpoint of the lens, and I was suddenly just in the moment watching, and rooting for my friend.  I don't think I took a breath for the entire fight.

KK:  Will you be taking your film to any festivals, and are there any viewings planned at this time?

GB:  We're moving one step at a time working toward a release on DVD in November which we hope to follow up with both festival play, a national screening tour, and distribution via all means possible.  Our plan for the tour is to build a platform to both screen the film, and bring awareness to child abuse and domestic violence through Jens telling his story.  We hope to partner with fans, and community groups to this end.

KK:  If anyone would like to find out more information on the film, stay updated, or contribute to the film, where can they go?

GB:  The official site for the film is jenspulverdriven.com, and folks can also join us on Facebook.  We keep it pretty lively over there.  Right now we're in the midst of our LAST MARCH campaign to finish and deliver the film by November 1st, which I would urge everyone to check out.  

Now through September 10th for a contribution of $30 via our PayPal link at jenspulverdriven.com you can reserve the Limited Edition Jens Pulver | DRIVEN DVD.  There will only be 1000 in print, they will be signed by Jens, individually numbered, feature exclusive cover art, and additional video content that won't be on the general release.

Oh, and did I mention we just released a new teaser?

Photo 

via www.thislovelymachine.com