What: Under The Influence Whistler premiere
When: Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Where: MY Millennium Place
Tickets: $9.99
Six centimetres of snow fell on Whistler Mountain on Monday
morning, which was, coincidentally, the first day of fall. Now the anticipation
of the upcoming season and powder pangs are kicking into high gear, and yet
another ski and snowboard film is making its premiere this week, building on
the winter hype.
But Teton Gravity Research (TGR) isn’t just about winter
sports. The action sports entertainment and production company has been around
since 1996, making films about everything from surfing and kayaking to skiing
and snowboarding with the help of a solid team of acclaimed producers,
directors, cinematographers, and top athletes.
To date, the Jackson Hole-based company has filmed, directed
and produced 18 films, as well as original series television and commercial
programming for NBC, Showtime, Nissan, Gatorade and others.
The focus of their latest film,
Under the Influence
, is spelled out pretty clearly in their tagline:
“the people, places and moments that define our riding.”
Jamie Bond is the local tour promoter for
Under the
Influence
, hosting the premieres in
Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler.
“Maybe when you think of ‘under the influence’ at first, you
think of drinking or something,” Bond said with a laugh. “And of course, that’s
the spin we took with the after party, but they’re referring to, be it the
season or the conditions or the riders or just everything about skiing that
inspires them to go bigger, to explore new places.”
The film celebrates the camaraderie, lifestyle and surroundings
of the winter sports world, with some massive tricks thrown in, to keep the
audience oohing and aahing.
While there’s an intense focus on riding, viewers can also
expect a glimpse of genuine conversations with the athletes. Sticking with the
theme of “under the influence” the filmmakers decided to explore the character
and motivations of the riders, trying to find out what makes them tick, and
what draws them to their chosen sport and lifestyle.
Though TGR has a strong skier following, Bond said the film
should also appeal to the snowboarding contingent. He adds that it will have a
special appeal to the people of Whistler, with a number of riders with local
connections, like Victoria Jealouse, Dana Flahr, Ian McIntosh and Kye Petersen
featured prominently throughout the film, alongside some massive names, like
Jeremy Jones.
The cast and crew also visited and shot in a wide range of
locations, including our own backyard (Pemberton backcountry), plus Jackson
Hole, Haines, Alaska, and locales throughout Europe.
“It’s just funny that it’s a Jackson Hole, Wyoming based
company, but it definitely has a strong local presence with some of the
riders,” Bond pointed out.
The skiers and riders featured in Under The Influence have
raised the bar with this latest film.
“The one obvious thing is people going bigger, which seems to
happen year in and year out.”
That seems to be the common thread for all of TGR’s movies,
whether they focus on summer or winter sports — their films feature
progressive athletes who are prepared to take the sport to the next level, and
are keen to explore and try new things.
“Not just the ski model type, but more somebody who is trying
to push themselves in the sport,” Bond explained, adding that TGR is known for
finding and fostering new, up-and-coming talent.
In terms of quality, TGR’s films are shot in 16 mm and
high-definition, so expect crystal-clear, jaw-dropping images.
The Whistler stop isn’t the first for the TGR crew this season.
The Under The Influence tour started on Sept. 20 with the world premiere in
TGR’s hometown, Jackson Hole.
Whistler is the fourth stop on the tour, but there’s at least
one special feature in store for the local crowd: a short, five-minute Gaper
Day film, shot here on the last day of the 2007/2008 season.
“Before the show, we’re going to do the world premiere of a
really short little movie that we call Gaper Day,” Bond explained. “…This year,
there’s probably about 100 people dressed in jeans and spandex and wrestling
outfits and everything under the sun, skiing on dirt and rocks.”
Bond expects the audience to be stoked to catch a glimpse of
themselves, friends, and riders from the feature film decked out in their
finest attire and taking to the local slopes.
“Half the audience was at the day… so it’s pretty funny, and
Dana and Ian, from the feature film, are also regulars at gaper day, so it’s
kind of funny that first, you get to watch them ski in jeans and make a total
fool of themselves, and then you get to see them on the real film.”
The premieres will also be followed up with a “Fear and
Loathing” Whistler-style after party at the Longhorn Bar and Saloon.
To check out an Under The Influence teaser, visit
www.tetongravity.com/undertheinfluence
.