Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

From falls & poppers to plaiting & cracking technique, this section is dedicated in memory of Sergei, IndyGear Staff Member and Whip Guru. Always remember to keep "Celebratin' Life!"

Moderator: BullWhipBorton

Post Reply
User avatar
Satipo
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1110
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:44 am
Location: London, England

Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by Satipo »

In the classic making of TOD documentary, there is a clip of Ford practicing his whip cracks in Sri Lanka. Basically, he is facing a ground height camera and manages to hit a paper cup that is on the grass in the foreground. Does anyone know what type of crack he did and the length of whip used?
WhipDude
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 706
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:51 pm

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by WhipDude »

Do you have a link to the video? Can it be found on the DVD collection bonus disc? I don't recall this scene at all.
User avatar
Satipo
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1110
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:44 am
Location: London, England

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by Satipo »

Yes, here:

https://youtu.be/0mh1YBN711c

At the 7.10 mark. It's a very brief clip.

It's been about thirty years since I last watched it, so it's not exactly as I previously described. The cup is not on the grass, but on a very low twig. Funny how memory changes details over time.
WhipDude
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 706
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:51 pm

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by WhipDude »

Are you sure that is Ford to begin with? The hair down the sides and the face leads me to believe it may be a stunt double?

Based upon that video, it's hard to determine the length of the whip. If the video was from the side, it may be easier to determine. However, that crack is the overhead crack. It's not the most precise overhead crack because of the way he moves his arm and hand.
User avatar
Mike
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9686
Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2002 7:34 pm
Contact:

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by Mike »

It is Ford. Hard to tell with the quality of the video, but he's wearing headphones, not having hair hang down the side of his face.
User avatar
backstagejack
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3465
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Lost in the Jungle

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by backstagejack »

Pretty sure that's Ford. Either way what a great BTS video thanks for the links
User avatar
Satipo
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1110
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:44 am
Location: London, England

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by Satipo »

You're welcome, backstagejack. And thanks for the analysis, WhipDude. I used to watch this over and over when I recorded it off the TV in the 80s. I was always impressed with Ford's accuracy in that brief clip (and amused by the groans of his audience), but couldn't tell what the crack was. I'd always assumed the whip was a ten footer, but now I'm thinking it moves more like an eight.
WhipDude
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 706
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:51 pm

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by WhipDude »

If I had to guess, I would agree and say 8 footer based upon the movement.
User avatar
lankywookiee
Field Surveyor
Field Surveyor
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 6:34 pm
Location: Watford, UK

Re: Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

Post by lankywookiee »

I have no idea about the whip length but thanks for the video link, can't believe I haven't seen this behind the scenes doc before
Post Reply