Cinematographer: JESSE STOKES By: Major Tom photos: Sean Sader
NAME: Jesse Craig Gordon Stokes
DOB: February 27, 1986
DO YOU THINK A GOOD FILMER NEEDS TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY TO GET FILMING SKILLS OR NOT? No. A good filmer should go and work on actual feature films as a camera trainee or help out with productions. This will teach you how movies are made, and will give you an understanding of how to shoot a film properly. Film people are always stoked to answer any questions you have about filming, so you can get a lot of education just by asking questions. In order to be a good shooter, you basically have to go shoot your own stuff. I think trial and error is better than having someone show you how to use your camera, because you actually understand why your camera operates a certain way, and what you need to do to make it work best in the situation you are in. However, I may not be the best candidate for this question, as the owner of the film school I attended, Vera Heinze of the Heinze Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, hosed my self and several other students out of thousands of dollars. She sold the school, and has since been hiding somewhere outside of the country.
FAVORITE ALL TIME MOVIES? WHY? For snowboard films, Robot Food's, "Afterbang" is my favorite. Afterbang changed snowboard films drastically. I remember the first time I watched Afterbang, and was blown away by this intro with a robot. Louie Fountain had a killer part, and some sweet spinning with JP Solberg. Next came this crazy Finish fellow Jussi, who started buttering the shit out of everything. Travis Parker brings out the fast plant, E-Tree does some untamed jibbing, and then David Benedek pulls out his pocket mirror and performs a wild jumping entourage of regular and switch tricks. On top of all that, Pierre Wikberg and Jess Gibson develop a fun and creative snowboard film that revolutionized the way snow films are made today.
As far as theatrical movies, "American Beauty" is my favorite. The cinematics are spectacular, and the story is so crazy, it's beautiful. I recommend that both of these films be in your collection.
IF YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PARK, PIPE, OR POWDER? WHAT DO YOU LIKE FILM THE BEST? WHY? Powder for sure. The park is too crowded and the angles kind of suck. Pipe has its limits, and again, can be too crowded. Powder is sweet because it opens up so many possibilities, and allows you to get creative. Also, I don't get to snowboard much anymore, so I get to do some rooping on my sled while traveling to jump spots. Great success.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS GUY FROM SNOWBOARD-REVOLUTION? Ed is nuts. He knows everyone and likes to get shit done. Watch out though if you don't get shit done, as he will bring out a chainsaw or razorblades with salt and vinegar, and make you say goodbye to romance. Ha! " No seriously", I think Ed and everyone at snowboard revolution are great because they are here to help snowboarding, not to destroy it.
FAVOURITE PERSON TO WORK WITH? WHY? Kyle Herperger. Kyle and I have been snowboarding together for nearly a decade, so we share the same roots, and we know how to get things done together. He is super motivated and works hard to get his shots. There are lots of other riders I like working with that are super motivated, but as the filmer, I'm not in a position to start picking favorites. Kyle and I however, have so many years together that we know what to expect from each other.
TOP FIVE RIDERS YOU WANT TO WORK WITH? Nicolas Muller, Jeremey Jones, David Benedek, Eero Ettala, and MFM. Andy Forgash also has a special place in my heart.
IF I GAVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW "CASH" WHAT DO YOU DO? First solve all of my family's financial problems. Then buy a new truck because I totaled mine off a month ago, and get an insurance package that would cover me from Saskatchewan to Timbuktu. Next, buy three 16mm Arri's, tons of film, three Panasonic HD cameras with lots of P2 cards and digi tapes. Then I'd get my self set up with a portable editing studio, and a brand new Summit 800 sled. I'd also buy a sweet RV to park at our lake, or haul it around to a central location. Then invest most of what's left and try live off of what interest I make, while filming as much snowboarding year round as possible.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THE NEW FILM COMPANIES OUT THERE? Personally, I think it's almost impossible for a new film company to survive. A lot of films now are starting to go the skateboard way, by making a huge budget team or company film, and plus its difficult to compete with established companies like Mack Dawg, Standard, and Absinthe. The internet is also destroying little companies, because people no longer want to buy films when they can just sit in front of there computer and watch something free online. You have to be super creative, and have to market your film really well in order to stay afloat.
YOU SUPPORT KIDS THAT JUST DO HANDRAILS? I do support them. Some people don't have the luxury of sleds, so they stick to the streets. If you are involved in school, or have a job, it's pretty hard to do anything else other than rails. As long as jibbers are laying down new tricks, and continue to get shots, Ill support and keep shooting them. Handrails have their own consequences and challenges, however it's a lot easier to access them, as they are right in the city.
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU PUT IN YOUR VIDEOS? I try to find songs that no one has heard before. I was always stoked on snowboard films because it had new music that wasn't on Much Music or MTV. Now I try to give kids the same opportunity by finding new songs, and present them in our films. Most of the songs are Indy Rock, or a bit on the Techno side. No country or death metal, both hurt my ears.
FUTURE PLANS I am hoping to go back to Saskatchewan and work on a drilling rig until winter time, to restock the pocket book. After that, get back out and start shooting. The rest is a mystery.
THANKS? Thanks to Ed and the Snowboard Revolution crew for the interview, and Sean Sader for the photos. Our sponsors Cab Clothing, Unlimited, Arson, Rockstar Energy Drink, and Coors Light. Thanks to all of our riders for making our films possible, and to everyone else that helps out. Thanks to my parents, and all of my family. Thanks to all of those who love snowboarding for what it is, and don't let stupid people and problems get to them. With that my friends, I say adieu.
