Brad Kremer Interview
Occupation: Director, Cinematographer, Editor
Location: Tahoe City, CA
What influences you to make snowboard videos?
My original influences were skate and snowboard movies. like "hokus pokus", "new kids on the twok" and "snowboarders in exile". Those were great movies back in the day. I still enjoy watching them sometimes. Now that I am making snowboard films, life is my influence. I try to get emotion into my films, whether it’s the excitement of landing or the thrill of travel. Too many movies now days are just snowboard porn. I am trying to break out of that while keeping the level of riding rising higher and higher.
What films have you worked on in the past?
Butter
Substance
Brown Trout
Warriors
Kingpin Chronicles
Mission Impossible
Decade
The Revival
Destroyer
Brainstorm
Bulletproof
Happy Hour
Back in Black
Chulksmack
From ___, With Love
Follow Me Around
Are there any other projects you worked on outside of snowboarding?
I've helped out on a few music videos with Whitey. I also directed a mini movie, or a long commercial for ski-doo. Snowboarding is what I love and it’s what I put all of my time into.
Can you break down the role of the director in a snowboard video?
A director has many roles. Probably the most important is being able to organize your crew. Making sure everyone is working together for the same goal and that goal is something that the director decides on. He has to decide on the direction of the movie. Will it be fun or serious, travel or parts? If the director works with an accomplished crew like at MDP, a lot of the trips just happen. Like if it snows in Minnesota, we go. Not too much of a decision, but what about going to Russia or Finland? Plus when do we go? And which riders will go? Speaking of the crew, the director also has to put the crew together. He or she has to organize a crew every year and make sure they are the right people. Not only that they are the riders who will produce but that they will work well together. One bad apple can spoil the bunch. Then there is editing. Not all directors cut the film but at the very least they need to be there to be sure the movie is put together the way they want it. So basically the director has to oversee every step along the way of making the film.
What is the key element in making a snowboard video?
Snowboarding of course.
Most recent film project
Name: FOLLOW ME AORUND
Production Company: MDP
Riders:
Eero Ettala
Jeremy Jones
DCP
Jussi Oksanen
Josh Dirksen
Jakob Wilhelmsen
Hampus Mossesen
Heikki Sorsa
Louie Fountain
Aaron Bittner
Darrel Mathis
Andreas Wiig
Filippo Kratter
Scotty Arnold
Filmers:
Brad Kremer
Jaakko Itaaho
Mike McEntire
Ross Steffey
Simon Turcotte
Editors:
Brad Kremer
Jaakko Itaaho
Film Locations:
Alaska, Chile, Austria, The Sierra Nevada's, Whistler Backcountry, The Streets of Finland, The Trenches of Hoth, Mammoth Mt., Northstar at Tahoe, Snowqualmie, Mt. Hood Meadows and many other snow covered spots
Camera Gear used in the video:
Cameras: Arri SR3 super 16mm, Arri SB 16mm, Panasonic HVX200, Panasonic DVX100 and a couple secret weapons.
How long have you been working on Follow Me Around?
I started the planning phase during editing for From ___, With Love. So since around June of '05.
What was your favorite memory from filming this video?
Alaska, for sure. It was mine, and most of the riders too. First time to AK. It has always been a dream. We were in Valdez for two and a half weeks and it definitely lived up to all the stories. The best part about it was that I got to take over thirty runs without my backpack. Each run in AK is worth a month of runs at home.
How is the premiere tour going?
The premier is going great. The response from the kids has been incredible. Every kid we have talked to at the shows has loved themovies and the whole experience of the tour.
What’s up with the Follow Me Around Blog?
The blog is something I started last November. I just thought it would be fun to share our year with people, in a new way. A way where they could get so much closer then you can with just a movie. I hope that by following the blog, they can get more out of the movie. Almost like, they remember the stories or podcasts when they see certain shots in the film.
How does a rider get involved in a film project like Follow Me Around?
Snowboard, snowboard and snowboard. Of course we need to see you somehow. Sometimes a team manager asks us to check out this new kid coming up. Other times we might notice you at the local park. Maybe we see you for the first time in a contest. These are all ways I have brought new snowboarders into our crew. Just get out there and shred and enjoy not filming. Because as great as making a film like Follow Me Around is, snowboarding for yourself is what it’s all about. If you are right for filming, and filming is right for you, it will happen.
Do you have any advice for the young upcoming snowboard filmmakers?
Keep true to your dream. Figure out what you want to accomplish and
don’t stop till you do. I knew all along what I wanted. I wanted to make the best videos with the best riders. I knew how I wanted to do it. I wanted to direct for a company like MDP because they made the best films and would give me the opportunity to make the films that I wanted. Your dream might be the same or you might want to start you own company. Whatever it is give it everything you have and you will get there.
GLOBAL WARMING.
Is it a snowboarders worst enemy?
Of course. I don’t like to preach, but here we go...
Whether you believe in global warming or not there are things that we
as a culture and as a world need to start rethinking. We are a race of energy abusers. There are simple changes that we can make in our lives that if everyone joined in it would make a huge difference. Things like changing your light bulbs to low energy florescent bulbs. Using public transportation more or riding a bike. Watch your hot water usage. Try turning off the water in the shower as you scrub with soap. Try eating more fresh foods. Fresh foods use much less energy to produce than processed and frozen foods. Eat less meat. Most of these are pretty easy to change in our lives. The effect will be nothing butgood. We have to start somewhere and starting with our own life is a good place.
Anyone you would like to thank?
Way too many people to get into that. I'll just say thanks to everyone who has ever picked up a snowboard and had a dream.
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