Documentary Pitch
The Long Road Before the Storm
A journey through the heart of Australia by Harley-Davidson
Turn 7 Media | turn7media.com
Project Summary
Format
Feature Documentary — up to 60 minutes
Production Period
10 Days
Preferred Dates
24 August – 2 September 2026
Alternative Dates
17 August – 26 August 2026
Production Budget
AUD $110,000 – $130,000
Route
Perth → Great Central Road → Uluru → Port Augusta → Nullarbor → Perth
Overview
One Rider. Thousands of Kilometres.
“The road itself becomes the subject — and every day presents new environments, new challenges, new stories.”
The Long Road Before The Storm follows a Harley-Davidson rider on an epic journey through the heart of Australia. Departing Perth and travelling thousands of kilometres across some of the country’s most remote and recognisable landscapes, the expedition takes in the Great Central Road, Uluru, South Australia’s interior, Port Augusta, the Nullarbor Plain and the long road home.
More than a motorcycle trip, the documentary explores what draws people to the open road — and why some journeys are undertaken simply for the experience itself. Over ten days, the film documents the realities of long-distance motorcycle travel: changing landscapes, remote roads, early starts, long days, unexpected challenges and moments of reflection.
The Journey
The Route
Beginning in Perth, the expedition heads east through regional Western Australia before joining the Great Central Road towards Uluru. From there the route continues through Australia’s interior towards Port Augusta before turning west across the Nullarbor and returning home.
The final route remains flexible — subject to road, weather and access conditions across remote sections. The journey is not built around a race, event or deadline. It unfolds as the road allows.
The Story
Distance, Patience, Resilience.
Motorcycles have always represented freedom and adventure, but every rider has their own reason for getting on the bike. For some it is the challenge. For others the opportunity to disconnect from daily life. For many, simply the desire to see what lies beyond the next horizon.
The Long Road Before The Storm follows one rider undertaking a journey that many talk about but few ever attempt. The documentary captures both the physical journey across Australia and the personal experience that comes with spending days on the road — a story about distance, patience, resilience and the perspective that can only be gained by travelling through the country one kilometre at a time.
“Rather than relying on narration or scripted moments, the film allows the journey itself to drive the story.”
Storytelling Approach
Immersive. Observational. Visual.
The Long Road Before The Storm is intended to be a largely visual documentary. Rather than relying heavily on interviews, narration or scripted dialogue, the film focuses on the experience of travelling through Australia by motorcycle.
Music, natural sound and imagery carry the emotional narrative — allowing audiences to experience the ride rather than have it explained to them. Long stretches of open road, remote landscapes, sunrise departures and the changing character of the country are given room to breathe on screen.
The approach is observational rather than instructional. The audience travels alongside the rider and experiences the journey as it unfolds.
Production
A Dedicated Expedition Crew
Filming takes place over ten days with a dedicated documentary crew travelling alongside the rider throughout the expedition. The production approach documents the journey as it happens while capturing the scale of the landscape and the realities of long-distance motorcycle travel.
Director / Production Driver
Gimbal Cinema Camera Operator
Vehicle Camera Operator
Drone Operator
Two 4WD Support Vehicles
Netflix-Approved Cinema Cameras
Professional Gimbal Camera Systems
Vehicle-Mounted Camera Platforms
Content Deliverables
A Full Content Suite
Type
Format
Description
Social Media
Short-Form Vertical Series
YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, Facebook Reels — journey updates, scenic highlights, behind-the-scenes and teaser content
Promotional
30 & 60-Second Trailers
Designed for social media, promotional campaigns and documentary launch activities
Extended Preview
Multiple 4–5 Minute Films
Key journey moments that build audience anticipation ahead of the documentary release
Documentary
20-Minute Short Film
Concise version suitable for digital release, partner distribution and festival submissions
Documentary
30-Minute Documentary
Expanded version allowing greater exploration of the route, locations and rider experience
Documentary
60-Minute Feature
The complete documentary experience — the full journey from departure to return home
Schedule & Investment
Filming Windows
Preferred Window
August / September 2027
Alternative Window
June / July 2027
Production Budget
AUD $110,000 – $130,00
Includes principal photography, crew, equipment, drone operations, editing, colour grading, audio finishing, trailers and social content production.
Excludes: fuel, accommodation and applicable travel expenses.
Why This Project
Few Places Left Like This.
Australia is one of the few places left in the world where a rider can travel for days through remote landscapes, vast open spaces and some of the country’s most iconic locations.
“Not through extensive narration or explanation — but through the road itself.”
The changing landscapes, the kilometres travelled and the moments found between destinations become the story — offering audiences an opportunity to experience Australia from the seat of a motorcycle. At its heart, this is a documentary about the journey itself.
The Long Road Before The Storm
Turn 7 Media | turn7media.com