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theabortionator
April, 2025

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What is wrong with mainstream ski media nowadays?

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Idahoe
Posts: 1027 - Karma: 7,539
I went to see the TGR movie last night and holy fuck it was boring. Not necessarily saying that I could do any better, but considering the amount of fucked up clips that come from relatively unknown dudes on instagram, the skiing was so fucking mediocre. I don't get why they just make the same exact movie every year, even when the stuff thats being done is the same stuff Seth Morrison was doing 20 years ago with more style and off bigger features.

Why is the ski content(excluding xgames/olympics) that the mainstream audience might have the chance to see just the most bare-bones, boring, culture-less version of skiing? How does TGR have the money to keep churning out the same movie every year, while vids that are actually pushing the sport along are made with no chance of being profitable? Level 1 is doing some good stuff with the tour they are doing this year but still, how can TGR pull such big crowd and be such a big deal when the skiing is nothing special?
4 years ago
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Idahoe
Posts: 1027 - Karma: 7,539
okay reading that back i think im just mad that i paid 15 bucks for a ticket when I could have just snuck in
4 years ago
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2784 - Karma: 12,650
feel like so many movies are just "we hiked for 3 hours to ride down in 2 minutes here is the gopro footy" and all they do is ride down. and they make it like a fucking documentary just to try to tell the viewer how gnarly it is.
4 years ago
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fukkkz
Posts: 26 - Karma: 577
tgr isnt made for skiers, they make their shitty movies for cinemas and national geographic
4 years ago
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-Dan
Posts: 7189 - Karma: 53,452
Imagine if we gave people like forre or child labor $15 to watch their movie. Shit would actually make sure a difference to them. Just keep that in mind the next time there is a chance to support any homies like that financially.
4 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
-DanImagine if we gave people like forre or child labor $15 to watch their movie. Shit would actually make sure a difference to them. Just keep that in mind the next time there is a chance to support any homies like that financially.


I want a movie with the Arsenic, Vishnu, ON3P and Anytides skiers. Big productions used to be dope, now they suck. Give a bunch of street dudes a budget like that instead of Todd Jones filming his own kid.
4 years ago
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vibe.crudo
Posts: 461 - Karma: 4,665
animatorI want a movie with the Arsenic, Vishnu, ON3P and Anytides skiers. Big productions used to be dope, now they suck. Give a bunch of street dudes a budget like that instead of Todd Jones filming his own kid.


This the most NS thing I’ve ever heard
4 years ago
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vibe.crudo
Posts: 461 - Karma: 4,665
animatorI want a movie with the Arsenic, Vishnu, ON3P and Anytides skiers. Big productions used to be dope, now they suck. Give a bunch of street dudes a budget like that instead of Todd Jones filming his own kid.


Facts tho
4 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
Vincent.CrudoFacts tho

Lmaooooo it is such an NS thing to say but really I just enjoy watching street parts more than pow stuff because I think street allows for way more creativity both behind and in front of the lens. Street skiers are so creative (and fucking insane to do the shit that they do) and I think that allows filmers to try and match their energy with cool angles, pans and stuff like that. No disrespect to people sending it in the backcountry because that’s sick too but once you watch x amount of clips of a skier doing a cork 7 off a cliff from the view of a helicopter, it’s kinda repetitive.
4 years ago
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gak98
Posts: 123 - Karma: 581
Lmao at the Level 1 premier in Bozeman last nightthe presenter homie told us he had a joke for us. The joke being that tgr made a new movie this year
4 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,545
I agree that TGR isn't what it used to be. To polished and follows a formula. I miss the old grainy film footage. Re:Session feels like peak TGR to me.

That being said. There is an asinine mentality here.

Only NS would begrudge a company for being successful, putting out a consistent product and being able to support their families as well as the athletes they feature. I mean these guys started out bumming heli rides with a camera they worked on fishing boats to buy. Luckily NS is almost an insignificant demographic when it comes to the industry.

And saying TGR isn't meant for skiers like the idiot above is stupid. It's just not meant for skiers like you. Get over it. Watch something else that is. I have been to a ton of movie premiers over the years. And the only non-TGR release that was actually fun, and full of stoked people was a Level 1 premiere that ON3P put on. The rest were just a bunch of awkward kids whose parents had to bring them to the theatre and weren't hyped on shit. Every TGR release has been a fucking event.
4 years ago
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9608 - Karma: 71,463
Idahoeokay reading that back i think im just mad that i paid 15 bucks for a ticket when I could have just snuck in


I treated that event as more of a get together with friends. MSP, Faction, and Level 1 movies should be good. Also, it is pretty amazing that Johnny Collinson can still ski like he does.
4 years ago
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bigcat.
Posts: 92 - Karma: 784
TGR hasn't made a good movie in over a decade, same with MSP, just wash rinse repeat every season and cashing in on their 6 figure budgets.
4 years ago
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vibe.crudo
Posts: 461 - Karma: 4,665
animatorLmaooooo it is such an NS thing to say but really I just enjoy watching street parts more than pow stuff because I think street allows for way more creativity both behind and in front of the lens. Street skiers are so creative (and fucking insane to do the shit that they do) and I think that allows filmers to try and match their energy with cool angles, pans and stuff like that. No disrespect to people sending it in the backcountry because that’s sick too but once you watch x amount of clips of a skier doing a cork 7 off a cliff from the view of a helicopter, it’s kinda repetitive.

I mean we had that tho with stept, and they all wound up fucking up their bodies beyond repair. I think there’s a reason it’s not as popular. If u really want street dudes to succeed subscribe to Keegan’s patreon, watch mageaus movie, there are still street dudes making high production value projects, it’s just only the best of the best get the high end production, always been that way
4 years ago
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Christian_Bale
Posts: 2240 - Karma: 25,518
-DanImagine if we gave people like forre or child labor $15 to watch their movie. Shit would actually make sure a difference to them. Just keep that in mind the next time there is a chance to support any homies like that financially.

My thoughts exactly. I downloaded Interpretation for a relatively small amount of money a few months or so before it dropped online and watched it on my birthday - a very fond memory of mine. Might be a good idea for crews to do that more often, especially since it's not always an option for people to attend in-person premieres (I live in Canada lol). I think a lot of people would pay to watch the forre movie asap
4 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52563 - Karma: 173,868
-DanImagine if we gave people like forre or child labor $15 to watch their movie. Shit would actually make sure a difference to them. Just keep that in mind the next time there is a chance to support any homies like that financially.


I tell people that when the new "warren miller" movies come out. People can do whatever and im not a di k but i mention that it's dope to support the real shit.

Nothing like being in your teens/20s at a premier. Stoke is wild. Hell i still get stoked. Ive missed the premiers last few years but now im actually around for the season might try to catch something.
4 years ago
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-Dan
Posts: 7189 - Karma: 53,452
Christian_BaleMy thoughts exactly. I downloaded Interpretation for a relatively small amount of money a few months or so before it dropped online and watched it on my birthday - a very fond memory of mine. Might be a good idea for crews to do that more often, especially since it's not always an option for people to attend in-person premieres (I live in Canada lol). I think a lot of people would pay to watch the forre movie asap


Last I knew, the new Forre movie “Forrmula” will be available for purchase long before it is available online for free. I’ll be paying whatever they ask. On top of the money I gave them last winter. Those guys deserve far more, but at least this is better than nothing.
4 years ago
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abar.
Posts: 1062 - Karma: 6,903
-DanLast I knew, the new Forre movie “Forrmula” will be available for purchase long before it is available online for free. I’ll be paying whatever they ask. On top of the money I gave them last winter. Those guys deserve far more, but at least this is better than nothing.


I would actually be so hyped to have to pay money to watch Forrmula, dudes are some of the best street skiers in the world atm and have like no big sponsors. Anything that helps Harald make his real ski audition part
4 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5078 - Karma: 43,070
SessionAnd saying TGR isn't meant for skiers like the idiot above is stupid. It's just not meant for skiers like you.

This.

Saying TGR isn't meant for skiers is like saying lodge food, heated chairlifts, and mid-mountain champagne stands aren't for skiers.

All of those things are for skiers who have money and spend it on things that create better margins for resorts than season passes and endless park laps.

Here in the NS echo chamber our priorities for this activity feel well represented and important. Out in the real world though we represent a small percentage of the overall customer base and buying power present in the ski industry. Some companies make ski films as vehicles to sell product to that larger audience. Others make ski films to entertain us. Understanding that dichotomy helps make all of the ski industry make a lot more sense
4 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6447 - Karma: 70,192
-DanLast I knew, the new Forre movie “Forrmula” will be available for purchase long before it is available online for free. I’ll be paying whatever they ask. On top of the money I gave them last winter. Those guys deserve far more, but at least this is better than nothing.

Formula was absolutely amazing and probably the best of the movies on the Level 1 tour. Not to put any others down as they all were insane and I enjoyed every second. But Formula had the sickest shots and spots all around. The urban segment was one of the best urban segments I've seen in a while. Unfortunately I was not sober enough to remember it all very well so I will definitely be buying that asap.
4 years ago
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Christian_Bale
Posts: 2240 - Karma: 25,518
I don't think NS begrudges them for those reasons. It's probably because they make boring movies
SessionNS would begrudge a company for being successful, putting out a consistent product and being able to support their families as well as the athletes they feature.
4 years ago
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elm.
Posts: 1510 - Karma: 13,605
ReturnToMonkeyFormula was absolutely amazing and probably the best of the movies on the Level 1 tour. Not to put any others down as they all were insane and I enjoyed every second. But Formula had the sickest shots and spots all around. The urban segment was one of the best urban segments I've seen in a while. Unfortunately I was not sober enough to remember it all very well so I will definitely be buying that asap.


I was just as amazed at the architecture and sculptures in Finland as I was the skiing.


Jk the skiing was better
4 years ago
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Tristan.MP
Posts: 157 - Karma: 2,829
The ski movie industry is a club and MSP and TGR act like bouncers, deciding who gets in and who gets kicked out. Seems like if you’re not willing to get on your knees for them they’ll toss you. I have personal experience working with a bigger production company and they shafted me, for no reason other than taking advantage of a small time filmmaker. No hate towards the riders of course, just the people callin the shots.

One of the earlier Level 1 podcasts they talk about how MSP tried to convince Berman that if he didn’t start working for them that his gig would fizzle out/there wasn’t room in the industry for Level 1 and companies only wanted their athletes in the big films instead of smaller productions like Level 1. Mad respect for Berman for sticking it out and showing the big dog’s what’s up. Big production companies will never be able to achieve the level of authenticity that Level 1 and other smaller productions have.

Can’t really blame MSP or TGR tho, they started small and grew to be wack because of the influence of big money. IMO.
4 years ago
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Spider-Man69
Posts: 6 - Karma: 48
Tgr really made a documentary about their own son.
4 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9718 - Karma: 65,551
SessionOnly NS would begrudge a company for being successful, putting out a consistent product and being able to support their families as well as the athletes they feature


i know it's disgusting, they prob wear helmets and stretch too

plus they take all those helicopter rides and you never see them smoking blunts in them
4 years ago
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vibe.crudo
Posts: 461 - Karma: 4,665
Also seeing a lot of ppl say this and I gotta say, real core shit fails because people don’t watch it or buy the movies. I talked to some dude on here a while ago and he said he had never bought a DVD or had a single movie in his iTunes. Every bunch movie has like 100k views, now imagine if each of the viewers paid $5 or 6$? Same with faction movies, same with zootspace, same with everyone really. People gotta start charging for their shit and we as a community need to buy it. I’ve been buying movies forever, and I always will, love supporting those making dope shit, and we all should too
4 years ago
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Loysnico
Posts: 11 - Karma: 26
Tristan.MPThe ski movie industry is a club and MSP and TGR act like bouncers, deciding who gets in and who gets kicked out. Seems like if you’re not willing to get on your knees for them they’ll toss you. I have personal experience working with a bigger production company and they shafted me, for no reason other than taking advantage of a small time filmmaker. No hate towards the riders of course, just the people callin the shots.

One of the earlier Level 1 podcasts they talk about how MSP tried to convince Berman that if he didn’t start working for them that his gig would fizzle out/there wasn’t room in the industry for Level 1 and companies only wanted their athletes in the big films instead of smaller productions like Level 1. Mad respect for Berman for sticking it out and showing the big dog’s what’s up. Big production companies will never be able to achieve the level of authenticity that Level 1 and other smaller productions have.

Can’t really blame MSP or TGR tho, they started small and grew to be wack because of the influence of big money. IMO.


I've just watched again coordinates from Nimbus Independant and...Gosh... this film has soul !

Nothing to compare to those big companies doing some empty skiing, all those smaller productions bring so much more than just skiing into their films...

Just go watch coordinates again, it's reaally worth it. So much creativity in there, nothing compared the bigger names.
4 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61937 - Karma: 126,486
Vincent.CrudoAlso seeing a lot of ppl say this and I gotta say, real core shit fails because people don’t watch it or buy the movies. I talked to some dude on here a while ago and he said he had never bought a DVD or had a single movie in his iTunes. Every bunch movie has like 100k views, now imagine if each of the viewers paid $5 or 6$? Same with faction movies, same with zootspace, same with everyone really. People gotta start charging for their shit and we as a community need to buy it. I’ve been buying movies forever, and I always will, love supporting those making dope shit, and we all should too


There is a reason they are released for free, to get more views, to then sell that to their sponsors/supporters. If you want to support someone like TheBunch, buy their merch or donate money, the movies have to be free or else you cut out 80% of the viewership. Movies used to cost 10-20 bucks no matter what and now you see most companies movie to a free model because they make more money from sponsors due to increased and trackable viewership.
4 years ago
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NotEnoughSkiing
Posts: 94 - Karma: 467
eheathThere is a reason they are released for free, to get more views, to then sell that to their sponsors/supporters. If you want to support someone like TheBunch, buy their merch or donate money, the movies have to be free or else you cut out 80% of the viewership. Movies used to cost 10-20 bucks no matter what and now you see most companies movie to a free model because they make more money from sponsors due to increased and trackable viewership.


Without going all crazy about it, when you encounter something that is free and go hmm, try to go through some questions to yourself.

Adapt these so they make sense to you. The point of this isn't a definitive answer key like 2 yes means you're getting screwed!, nothing like that, just a way to approach thinking about it.

1) Why is it free? Multiple of the below could be true at the same time.

a) It's part of some bigger ticket or spend you are already making. You are actually paying for it but it's being promoted as free so you notice because maybe it's a differentiator vs. other products and services where that feature doesn't exist or you pay extra

b) It's a promotion, flat out marketing

c) It's one of the newer business models where this is an in to get you to do something else and spend money

d) It's got an agenda it's pushing (regardless of why) and making it free increases the reach


2) Is it malicious or intended to take down something or someone?

3) Reverse #2.

4) Is it poorly positioned and it truly shouldn't exist, someone made a mistake, it really shouldn't have been free?

5) If this thing took real time & effort is it intended to make money?

TRUST YOURSELF, everyone is smart enough to evaluate stuff on their own and discuss it to figure out missing pieces. It doesn't matter if you get slightly different opinions at the end.
4 years ago
2 0
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eheath
Posts: 61937 - Karma: 126,486
NotEnoughSkiingWithout going all crazy about it, when you encounter something that is free and go hmm, try to go through some questions to yourself.

Adapt these so they make sense to you. The point of this isn't a definitive answer key like 2 yes means you're getting screwed!, nothing like that, just a way to approach thinking about it.

1) Why is it free? Multiple of the below could be true at the same time.

a) It's part of some bigger ticket or spend you are already making. You are actually paying for it but it's being promoted as free so you notice because maybe it's a differentiator vs. other products and services where that feature doesn't exist or you pay extra

b) It's a promotion, flat out marketing

c) It's one of the newer business models where this is an in to get you to do something else and spend money

d) It's got an agenda it's pushing (regardless of why) and making it free increases the reach


2) Is it malicious or intended to take down something or someone?

3) Reverse #2.

4) Is it poorly positioned and it truly shouldn't exist, someone made a mistake, it really shouldn't have been free?

5) If this thing took real time & effort is it intended to make money?

TRUST YOURSELF, everyone is smart enough to evaluate stuff on their own and discuss it to figure out missing pieces. It doesn't matter if you get slightly different opinions at the end.




4 years ago
7 1
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NotEnoughSkiing
Posts: 94 - Karma: 467
I get it, agreed! It's too much! The point was just a lesson in biases. If you apply the same questions to everything it helps even that stuff out.

It's easy to go I like this and it's free and not ask the same questions about it vs when you see something and don't agree and then just rip it and come up with all these critical questions.




eheath
4 years ago
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
Vincent.CrudoI mean we had that tho with stept, and they all wound up fucking up their bodies beyond repair. I think there’s a reason it’s not as popular. If u really want street dudes to succeed subscribe to Keegan’s patreon, watch mageaus movie, there are still street dudes making high production value projects, it’s just only the best of the best get the high end production, always been that way


I watched Mutiny once then gave the DVD copy away. I just couldn't handle the vibe of what those guys were going though. I was actually in the same dorm as Nick Martini back at CU and seeing those dudes my age get all fucked up was too much to watch. Especially being exposed to the CU drug scene and having a friend fuck his life up with oxy then hearing about Tom Warnick's overdose.
4 years ago
3 0
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eheath
Posts: 61937 - Karma: 126,486
NotEnoughSkiingI get it, agreed! It's too much! The point was just a lesson in biases. If you apply the same questions to everything it helps even that stuff out.

It's easy to go I like this and it's free and not ask the same questions about it vs when you see something and don't agree and then just rip it and come up with all these critical questions.


What you said had nothing to do with my post, what are you going on about?
4 years ago
0 1
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Denseclouds
Posts: 536 - Karma: 3,193
NotEnoughSkiingWithout going all crazy about it, when you encounter something that is free and go hmm, try to go through some questions to yourself.

Adapt these so they make sense to you. The point of this isn't a definitive answer key like 2 yes means you're getting screwed!, nothing like that, just a way to approach thinking about it.

1) Why is it free? Multiple of the below could be true at the same time.

a) It's part of some bigger ticket or spend you are already making. You are actually paying for it but it's being promoted as free so you notice because maybe it's a differentiator vs. other products and services where that feature doesn't exist or you pay extra

b) It's a promotion, flat out marketing

c) It's one of the newer business models where this is an in to get you to do something else and spend money

d) It's got an agenda it's pushing (regardless of why) and making it free increases the reach


2) Is it malicious or intended to take down something or someone?

3) Reverse #2.

4) Is it poorly positioned and it truly shouldn't exist, someone made a mistake, it really shouldn't have been free?

5) If this thing took real time & effort is it intended to make money?

TRUST YOURSELF, everyone is smart enough to evaluate stuff on their own and discuss it to figure out missing pieces. It doesn't matter if you get slightly different opinions at the end.


YOU WUT M8???
4 years ago
2 0
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weastcoat
Posts: 6499 - Karma: 75,327
-DanImagine if we gave people like forre or child labor $15 to watch their movie. Shit would actually make sure a difference to them. Just keep that in mind the next time there is a chance to support any homies like that financially.


I can totally get on board with this.
4 years ago
2 0
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NotEnoughSkiing
Posts: 94 - Karma: 467
eheathWhat you said had nothing to do with my post, what are you going on about?


You are right, no idea what I was going on about either, I latched on to free stuff somehow someplace. eh chalk one up to braindead.
4 years ago
1 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9608 - Karma: 71,463
Also I want more beautiful writing like what Cy puts out. We're lacking that kind of writing in my opinion with no magazines.
4 years ago
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3153 - Karma: 18,733
eheath


Yo this pic of you is hella cute.
4 years ago
2 1
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Tristan.MP
Posts: 157 - Karma: 2,829
I agree with @JAHBRADOR
4 years ago
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