Tiberio Simone, the James Beard award-winning chef who plays a major role in this film, this morning announced that his new book La Figa is now available for pre-order. Publication of this book marks the end of a 5-year-long project for him and his partner, Matt Freedman. I was involved in filming many of their shoots, and I’ll be cutting a book trailer soon. But today there’s just one perfect word: congratulations!

When Molly’s clothes come off on June 18, she’ll more than likely be prepared for the challenge. That’s because she’s already been pushing herself to do what seemed to her like impossible things. This weekend she faced her capoeira teacher in a traditional challenge that paved the way to receiving her first cord (similar to belt in other martial arts). Here’s what happened, and some insight into Molly’s biggest fear.

Yesterday marked two months left until the Fremont Solstice Parade. And was also our self-imposed deadline to find the last of four riders whose stories we’ll be telling in Beyond Naked. We were fortunate to have several great people to choose between, and we had to make some tough choices between some great candidates. But at the end of the day, we’re thrilled we can announce rider number four: Emily Resling.

Emily is on a mission to bring joy to her life after the sudden death of her father late last year. And participating in this film, she feels, is the right thing at the right time. We like her attitude. But there’s just one problem: she doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle. Really. She stopped riding altogether after a biking accident when she was 7 that left her feeling betrayed by bicycles. She’ll have to climb back into the saddle for this film, and we look forward to taking the journey with her.

Next up: Kickstarter campaign. Our goal is to launch a campaign by the end of this week, to raise enough money to rent camera equipment, pay for radio-controlled helicopter for climax scene, catering the food for the volunteer crew on June 18, and a thousand other things required to complete and distribute this film.

Fremont Solstice Parade co-founder Peter Toms told me in a recent interview for this film that if he could sum what the parade is about in a single word, it would be “freedom.” But that wasn’t the word I would have chosen to describe my approach to directing this film when we began filming in December. At that time, I assumed everyone in the film would want to get covered in paint for their ride, if for no other reason that to feel less naked when they appear in front of 100,000 people on the streets of Fremont on June 18. But I was wrong.

When I interviewed Wallingford mom Molly Meggyesy on Sunday for a possible role in the film, she flatly told me: “I view my body as a work of art. I could think of some really cool costumes and decorative ideas, but there’s also something to be said for just streaking.” I think that was the point in the interview where I decided to cast her. Not because we might get to see her naked in the film, but because she so effortlessly embodies the spirit of the parade that I want to infuse into this film.

You’ll get to learn a lot more about Molly and her 5-year-old son River in the days and weeks go come. But for now, I’m delighted to announce Molly as the third rider whose story we’ll be telling in this film. Welcome Molly!

We’re looking for a few good filmmakers to go Beyond Naked on June 18. To cover the climax of the film, which has been in production since December 21, we need to field a crew of 30 people as follows: 8 3-person teams of camera operator, sound recordist, and production assistant. We’re shooting all DSLRs, and need experienced camera operators (preferably with your own gear), sound recordists with same, and production assistants who are team players.

This is a challenging assignment: You’ll be filming people at their most vulnerable, in a chaotic, fast-changing environment that will require you to think for yourself and problem solve. You’ll get to work independently in pursuit of a larger vision. You won’t be getting paid, but it won’t suck. You’ll have a chance to work on some cool equipment like gyro stabilized mounts on the back of human-powered vehicles, man-lifts, helmet cams, and more. Heck, there’s even going to be a radio-controlled helicopter on this shoot (no playing with the joy stick!). We’ll make sure you’re well fed all day, and you’ll be a hero at a great party that night. And of course, you’ll get an IMDB credit reflecting your contribution to a significant documentary film project.

Email your desired position, skills and availability to Beyond Naked producer Lisa Cooper at lisa@beyondnakedfilm.com.

I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve selected Jeff Hedgepeth as the second major character who will be featured in Beyond Naked.

Jeff is no stranger to challenges: a life-long gay-rights activist, he and his partner of 35 years where among the first men to be married under a Canadian law that legalized same-sex marriages in 2003 (which earned them both a big story in the Seattle PI).

We’re still on the hunt for two more first-timers willing to accept our challenge to ride naked in the 2011 Fremont Solstice Parade. If you or someone you know is considering riding for the first time this year, and is perhaps on the fence or facing a challenge they need to overcome, and yet are willing to consider taking us along on their journey, please contact producer Lisa Cooper at lisa@beyondnakedfilm.com.