A documentary film about streakers was never actually meant to happen. It was a joke that had gone too far and, before we knew it, we had seen too much (literally) and could no longer turn back.

The idea was born July 4th, 2004 while we were drinking pints in Vancouver and watching Portugal vs. Greece in the Euro Cup Final. It was a tense game and with 2 minutes left in regulation time, a spectator who jumped from the crowd ran onto the pitch, passed center field towards the goal and when he finally had no place left to run he threw himself full force into the net. The man bounced back off the net, fell and hit the ground hard, and was swarmed by at least ten security guards. Over 200 million people around the world witnessed the event live on TV. This was major.

As the replay of this insane spectator slamming into the net kept repeating over and over in slow motion, his t-shirt, which simply read ”JimmyJump.com”, continued to flash across the screen. It was apparent that not only did this guy have a crazy urge to run and interrupt the game, but he also had a message to deliver to the world. And that logo on his t-shirt delivered big time.

Later that evening we finally succeeded in getting onto JimmyJump.com and we were amused to read all about this guy Jaume Marquet, a fanatical football fan from Barcelona operating under his alter ego, Jimmy Jump. Jimmy was dedicating his life to jumping in front of camera’s at televised events in a quest to become famous while spreading the message that this dream of his is worth chasing no matter what the cost. It was both inspirational and crazy. We were so intrigued about this man who was acting out his fantasy that two weeks later we dropped him a line. It was not long until we got our response – it was from Jimmy himself telling us to come to Barcelona and to bring a camera. The journey had officially begun.

Our first outing to Barcelona in December of 2004 yielded some great results, which we used to create the short film “Jump! A Dreamer’s Day” - a short documentary about Jimmy’s escapades at the Euro Cup and a look into his motivations behind his jumps. The film went on to win the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the Winnipeg International Film Festival. We were ecstatic, and we knew that a bigger story needed to unfold.

Jimmy’s story lead us into the world of streaking where we discovered he was but one amongst a handful of major players, or “professionals”, who had been infiltrating the media for years. We were amazed - streakers were being paid to promote company brands and websites, they were out there to promote personal brand or political messages, and sometimes they simply just wanted to show a little cheek in order to get a good laugh!

In February of 2005 we embarked on a trip around the world where we met and filmed with jumpers and streakers alike, their friends and foes, advertising companies, public relations experts, lawyers, security teams and law officials who all play very important roles in this crazy world of professional streaking. With the more people we met and the more stories we heard it became evident that this was going to be much more than a film about naked people running around for shits and giggles. We came to learn that there are many serious issues and concepts around timing and respect, politics and rivalries, laws and repercussions, the rules of renegade marketing and making money through streaking, publicity successes, publicity disasters, and what it takes to be a true professional streaker.

Along the way, the words “streaker” and “jumper” became synonymous because whether or not someone chooses run onto a field completely naked, clothed, or in costume, isn’t really the point. Streaking isn’t just about being naked; it is about throwing yourself out there to be seen and to be heard. These are all people who thrive on exhibitionism and they want to spread a message. They have something to say. To them, streaking is all about seeing an opportunity and having the guts to take it despite what their rationale may say. They love the excitement and the adrenaline, and always at the back of their mind is that little sense that maybe, just maybe, they are becoming famous.

One thing that is certain is that the general public has a love/hate relationship with streakers. There are those who love the hilarity of a spontaneous and unexpected act, while there are others who find it disrespectful, selfish and self-absorbed.

Our intention was never to glorify or vilify the act of streaking onto the fields of major international events. “Jump!” travels the centerline and shows it all for what it is. It allows the major players to tell their stories, present the ideas, and speak for themselves. It allows the viewers to walk through it all and decide for themselves what they want to make of it, and how ultimately they feel about it.

Professional streakers are serious about the process, because for all of them streaking is a way of contributing to the big show and it is something that has played a major role in shaping their lives. Ultimately, as filmmakers we were very surprised and pleased that a film about streaking could actually have so many layers and lead us in so many interesting directions. This gives the film a depth that we had never expected, and delivers an experience that is both serious and insightful, but wrapped in a lining that remains whimsical and entertaining.

People are always asking us: “How do the streakers get into all those events?”

Well, it’s quite simple - they buy tickets, just like everybody else. So in some ways streakers really are a lot like you and me.

"A fascinating insight into the minds of some of the world's greatest exhibitionists!"
Bill Brownstein - The Montreal Gazette

Press coverage

Always one jump ahead of the law
by Bill Brownstein, The Montreal Gazette, November 27, 2008

Filmmakers had naked ambition
by Bill Brownstein, The Montreal Gazette, July 2, 2009

Reality Check / Jump!
by Catherine Dawson March, The Globe and Mail, February 5, 2010

New documentary checks bare facts on sports streakers
by Nelson Wyatt, The Canadian Press, July 4, 2009

Jump! Documentary Preview
by Carey, Orca Sound, July 4, 2009

A Streakers Story
by Lindsay Gibb, Real Screen, July 4, 2009

Passing shots: The G.O.A.T. debate, Nadal's knee and Jimmy Jump
by Bryan Armen Graham, Sports Illustrated, Tuesday June 9, 2009

Serial streakers, uncovered
by Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail, July 4, 2009

He's just in the mood to run in the nude
by Paul Breschuk, The Lance, "Features Editor", March 10, 2010