The mighty triumvirate that took mountain biking webisodes to the new levels have stepped things up again this year and are embarking on their grandest task yet: to produce, film and deliver a full length DVD that shows what life is like living and riding in British Columbia, as seen through their eyes and those of some of their closest riding companions.

Together with Anthill Films (you may of heard of one or two of their films, most recently Follow Me) they have established Second Base Films. Sombrio are supporting the vision of the Crew to make this movie so we thought it was about high time we interrupted their busy schedule long enough to find out a little bit about this movie.

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What is the reason for doing a full length movie?

K: The basis of a full film is to cover every bit of freeriding we’ve always wanted to see in a film. We grew up looking up to the athletes and filmmakers before us, and so many different people, places and lines inspired us. I always wished I could do what they were doing and create things the way I saw them, and now we have to opportunity to do all of that in one film.

D: The true basis of doing a full length film was the opportunity that Anthill Films gave us. They offered to team up and handle the pre- and post-production paperwork, allowing us to focus on only the production. It’s something we could not say no to. We felt there was a hole in the MTB film market and that we were the ones able and willing to fill it.

Why the move to a full film from Webisodes? Isn’t the internet the most powerful thing in the world next to Chuck Norris and a girlfriend who has the painters in?

Dylan: Our plan was never to go to a full film, I still don’t feel it’s the way of the future. The internet is such a powerful tool and webisodes are something that you can use to really grow your presence. The thing with a film is that it is the best way to legitimize your final product, it’s a physical item you hold, not a bunch of files floating around on the internet. People still want to sit back relax and watch a bike movie, or walk into the LBS and pick up the latest, greatest film. We still use the web; in this day and age we have to use it, but in the form of teasers and behind the scenes footage.

Kyle: True the internet is a powerful tool, but the decision to do the movie is based on having something tangible to own that will last forever.

Curtis: The 3 of us really wanted to take our ideas and dreams that one step further. Even to this day I really appreciate a full length DVD over strictly web edits. It’s nice having a hard case piece that will last forever in your collection next the TV, rather then somewhere lost on the internet. Maybe I’m just getting old haha!

Will the film be sold as a DVD or will it be available on the net? I don’t mean illegally uploaded to YouTube by groms.

D: The film will be available on DVD, Blue Ray and digital download via Itunes.

K: Hopefully it wont pop up illegally…hopefully people will respect the work we are putting in.

Are you guys still pioneering the Canon 7D or have you got some new tools?

K: We are still putting the trusty 7D to work but we have added a new video camera to the arsenal: the Panasonic AF100. We will also have Darcy [Wittenburg] out with the RED for the key slow-mo shots.

D: After badly breaking my wrist early this year I ended up having an abundance of spare time and used it well. I created a new dolly system that doubles as a cable cam. Small light packable and powerful. Up to 300 ft. of high speed cable action and its paying off.

What are the tools of the trade in terms of filming and editing?

D: The biggest tools in the trade would be the post-production suite. This is something that is not cheap and needs to be top of the line. I am running a Mac Pro with 4TB of storage, 2 2.4 GHz quad core Intel processors, 12GB of ram, and a 30” cinema display. For editing soft wear I use strictly Final Cut Pro 7.

C: Dylan is the brains behind the editing; you put him behind the computer screen and watch the wizard work.

What one tool could you absolutely not do without if you had to film a part? You can’t say bike or each other.

K: I would have to say good light. Good light makes or breaks filming a sick part!

D: Batteries and memory cards. It has happened a countless number of times: show up, gear up, turn everything on and realize you have forgotten the batteries in the charger and cards in the card readers. Nothing can be recorded at that point. I think its time I make a gear check list.

C: My helmet.

Who else is working behind the camera?

D: Excluding myself there are 4 others behind the camera from time to time. Kyle and Curtis are the main filmers. They are on point and creative, but still have lots to learn. The bottom line is their shots are always sharp and exposed properly. We also have Callum Jelley and our photographer Nicolas Teichrob.

K: Sterling Lorence will be involved as well as photographer and scouter with back history into one of our segments in a location that he helped to pioneer a few years ago.

Who is working in front of the camera? Why did you choose each particular rider to be in the movie? Feel free to give specific answers for each rider as well.

K: We selected each rider because each one inspires us in a different way, and they are all riders who work hard and we enjoy watching ride bikes! 
Stevie Smith – his sheer speed and power on a bike is something we wanted to capture. Stevie is a powerful WC racer and he puts the time in on his local DH trails like any other trail builder too.
Thomas Vanderham – inspirational rider to all of us as we grew up watching him. He has the most natural freeride talent and we wanted to revisit an iconic location with him to relive some great history.
Brandon Semenuk – the most consistent trick rider in our sport. He is pushing himself to learn new tricks to stay on top of the slopestyle world and we want to capture his personal training.
Graham Agassiz – Aggy is a like a back country slopestyle rider. He is exciting to watch and brings big moves to the table.
Mike Hopkins – Mike is solid at creating impressive lines that make you want to get on your bike and ride them!
Matt Hunter – Matt lives an inspiring lifestyle and we want to show that to the world. He is a sick rider and a great person who is into adventures as much as we are!
Kenny Smith – Kenny is one of the gnarliest riders I know. He is determined and is not afraid of anything made of rock and has put together some heinously scary lines to shoot.

C: We also wanted to make a film that did NOT have the sponsors determining which athletes we would be working with. Every rider we have on the roster is a good friend of ours that simply loves riding their bike, just like us.

You have decided to focus on the incredible riding that you fortunate to be surrounded with in British Columbia but will you be doing any travel this year?

K: Our locations for the film are all based inside British Columbia. We might not even have to get on a plane for any of it! BC has a very diverse terrain with so much potential and so many fun places to ride so there wasn’t really any reason to travel further.

So how much time do you guys spend building trails?

K: It depends. This year we have had a major building project on the go for Brandon Semenuk, and it has drained a lot of our own personal building time. But that’s just the way it goes some times. Weather owns our lives. We haven’t had enough trail building days this year and behind schedule. But luckily our zone is abundant with natural lines and things are looking next level!

C: When ever we aren’t riding or shooting…As much as possible really.

Do you prefer jumps or loamy turns?

K: Loamy turns into jumps.

D: Nothing beats brown pow! Bottom line, loam always wins.

C: Jumps into loamy turns!

So nowadays you are all on the same deal in terms of frame sponsor [Scott], clothing [Scott], parts [Chromag], components [Sram], and bags [Evoc]. How did the relationships with these sponsors come about and what is the benefit of having these particular sponsors?

D: It was a no brainer to all be on the same product, it just streamlines everything. Kyle and I have had a good relationship with Scott for a few seasons, and Curtis just signed this year. SRAM has also been a supporter for a few seasons. They really take care of their athletes and without them I don’t know what we would do! One thing that has changed this year was doing film sponsorship. For the film we went after sponsors that had product we stood behind and wanted to run. Sombrio and EVOC are a great example. We have begun our relationship with them on the film side of things but since we have all signed with them as riders. It’s a unique process for a pro rider but we are glad that all has worked out so well. We really appreciate the support we have and look to continue our relationships for a long time to come.

C: We struggle to survive without each other. We worked hard to all be on the same program so wherever one of us had to go we all went together. Haha! I can safely say we ride everything we want to be riding.

You are all wearing Sombrio threads from now on; do you have to coordinate who wears what outfit so you don’t look the same or do you like looking the same once in a while?

K: Haha! It is kinda funny when you show up to the trails and you have the same shorts on and stuff like that, but we all like to look different. For shoots we will be coordinating who wears what so we don’t run into any look a likes in the segments! Don’t want things to get confusing.

D: Haha! Yes we do have to coordinate, weather we are on a shoot or not! We quite often show up wearing the same hoodie/shirt combo. People must think we are weird. We are not a race team, we don’t want to look the same!

C: Haha! Rock, paper, scissors always determines who gets to wear what.

Freeriding or free-range eggs?

K: Dylan’s dad’s free range eggs are the best eggs ever but freeriding is what keeps me motivated every day of my life!

D: I have been raised on both, I don’t think I can choose!

C: Free range in the morning, free riding in the afternoon!

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Second Base Films first realease will be titled ‘Inside Out’ and is set to be released Fall 2011 on DVD, BluRay and digital download. Keep up to date with our travels and progress throughout the season by following us on Facebook, Twitter and PinkBike. Also watch for iconic still images from the film by Nicolas Teichrob and Sterling Lorence who will be on set with us for most shoots. To kick things off, here’s a little taste of what we’ve been up to as we prepare for the film and test new camera equipment.

Sombrio Cartel // The luxury of Dirt & Life After: Born on the steep and rugged mountains of Vancouver BC’s North Shore in 1998 and is lead by freeride pioneer, David Watson. Sombrio products blend art, sport, street, and lifestyle while maintaining it’s deep mountain bike roots.

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To see the complete collection of garments in the Sombrio garment range or to get updates on Sombrio Cartel riders, go to www.sombriocartel.com. To set up an interview with Dave Watson email info@sombrio.com or phone (1)604 985 1654.


From The Inside Out – First Look – More Mountain Bike Videos