Edits to Feature Film..?

AK_Media

AK_Media

Member
I need some feedback on the topic of taking my ski edits to a feature film. I currently produce the Beast Coast series, which is still in its growth stages. It started as an edit I did over my winter break from college, gained a following, and I developed a 3 episode series along side Epic Planks. I am so stoked because this year, I was legally contracted in again to produce 3 more episodes with a budget from our friends at Epic Planks and Ballata Skis.

However, after talking to some friends and skiers, people seem to be stoked on the idea of dedicating an entire season to making one final product, a movie. Being a film major in college (doesn't mean shit in the industry) I am really pumped on the idea. The possibility of making a ski oriented film, directed and shot by myself is a very exciting notion. I am well aware of the undertaking, and how much time goes into making a film, and its by no means an easy task. However, my school provides me with top of the line rentals for mics, lighting, studio space, editing labs and even some awesome cameras like the RED Epic and Sony FS700. So working on a small budget is not a problem for me.

I would really like to hear some stories and tips from other filmmakers, and how they accomplished producing a film. Also any mistakes you might of ran into, so I can avoid such scenarios. Lastly, what you want to see in a film. Please leave some feedback below, I will also leave links to the video series I was talking about.

Beast Coast : Chapter I from Andrew Keyser on Vimeo.

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Beast Coast : Chapter II from Andrew Keyser on Vimeo.

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Beast Coast : Chapter III from Andrew Keyser on Vimeo.

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I feel one big film would be awesome by showing some amazing skiing and other things that go on along with the skiing. I think it would be a really good idea and would definitely watch it. Best of luck.
 
>make feature length film>release online

>sell physical copies as well, with included goodies

>don't make much money BUT

>fame and accolades
 
dont show the same trick over and over.......like i love the edits but i cant tell you how many super k feds or 630s off iv seen sam z do, not saying its not sick! but if you make a movie keep the whole thing interesting. Add some comic relief
 
no you will not make any money of a ski film really. If you want to make money you should make porn. You know if anyone is filming some RED epic porn btw?
 
I'm definitely not doing this for money, its for my personal love of filmmaking and the accomplishment that follows suit. As for variety of tricks, that will come with a variety of skiers, which I plan on recruiting. I want the film to be varied with different styles, looks, tricks and stories.
 
fuck yea! I would love to watch a ski movie of red footage and the beast coast skiers!

also where do you go to school?
 
I actually think webisodes can be better. It gives the viewer something to follow and invest more time and interest in. It seems that everyone this previous season moved away from webisodes or saved all their best shots for a full length film, which has also flooded the ski film market this year. I personally think you could build a bigger following and and generate better product promotion this way.
 
Ima give it to you straight, do a web series. More views = more sponsor dollars. I know you don't care about money but a web series will pull in a larger audience. Unless you already have a reputation, its tough to succeed in the full length movies.
 
I put together a web series featuring pow skiing in vt. The amount of good content we got was based almost entirely on conditions, but that doesn't really look like an issue for you in the park.

The hardest part is getting everyone in one place to shoot. Working with/around other people's schedules gets really frustrating.

I grew up watching the meatheads, so when I started filming and editing my own stuff I used those movies as a model, kind of something to work towards. One thing I really like about their movies is the way they use 'interviews' to draw you in to what they're doing. Instead of having someone sit in a room and tell you about what they did, it's the crew giving you a few lines while they're out there. Not that it's only the meatheads that do this, i've just noticed it from them the most. Definitely a technique I try to use whenever I can.
 
get more athletes and go bring them to some eastcoast urban, make trips to quality urban destinations. do it man, love to see more quality content on the eastcoast.
 
I appreciate all the feedback.

I'm weighing the pros and cons of it all. But the idea of making a film is so fucking cool. Im not undermining the process, and its going to be a pain in the ass, but its a challenge. I want to do the challenge, but I might stick to what I know and go with the webisodes. Still on the fence
 
In all honesty I say make the series again. One of the main purposes of release video content in the fall well after the season is to get people excited about the new products in the videos. I'm assuming you will mostly be filming Am's in which case you wont have next years gear that you need to showcase. So why hold the footage in?

Snow sports are slowly starting to make the shift to releasing top level content during the season. If you want to be ahead of the curve and not just another pretty sick underfunded am movie then put out 3 really sick edits of decent length, 6-10 minutes. And then at the end of the season you can take all the bangers from those and put out a season compilation video. Sure the shots have already been seen but do people really care that much? If they are sick shots, edited in a new way and put together with a story line people aren't going to care that they saw the clips already.

Another way to think of it is say you decide to make the full length video. You will put out 1 maybe 2 teasers in the spring. Besides that how is anyone outside your circle going to know what you are making and to expect anything from you?

No say you put out 3 movie grade edits through out the season. You can put out 3 teasers before all of those to get people interested in your project. Think of it like the traveling circus but with your own story.

Getting a bit long here but one last thing. Regardless of which way you decide to go come up with a story line first. What is going to be the purpose of your project and why should people care about it? If you can create an idea that interests people more than just look at these cool tricks you're going to get a much bigger and better response.
 
So the gist of this is that you want to sponsor the series...?

Just playing, although that would be extremely dope. Anyway, again I really appreciate the feedback. I really enjoyed your reply being a company that is involved with so many films and edits. Also your breakdown was very informative.

Super stoked to get feedback from some members like Heath and Saga, one being a very respectable videographer in the industry and the other being a company that was born and beyond involved in the ski industry.
 
Not that you don't produce good stuff but the more content a brand can produce themselves the better we think. That way every bit of energy we put in to it is directly related to promoting our brand and only our brand. Sponsoring other projects is good to get exposure but when you start to realize you're also supporting other companies riders who aren't putting in an equal share you want to branch out and create your own content.

A good example would be Forum. Before they went out of business of course. They used to put out the sickest videos. As good if not better than all the other major company multi sponsor films.

Regardless of what you do though it will turn out well I think. you seem to have a good outlook on this and are very motivated.
 
Respectable and understandable.

However, if you ever need an extra videographer or something out on the east coast for something, give me a holler.
 
I'll give you a bit of a compromise. Put out a short feature film, maybe ~ 20 minutes. Try to film most of it outside the park, except a few bangers here and there.

Then film park a bit during the season and put out mini edits to keep people interested and stoked on what you're doing.

You guys seem to have a pretty close knit crew and it doesn't seem like scheduling would be a huge problem and you obviously have the passion and decication requried cause it's gonna be a lot of work
 
In all seriousness wether u are making porn with RED cameras or making a ski movie i would have to star in it. obvi
 
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