Life of Bot

"Blood" Brothers

2009-11-19T11:55:52-08:00

I recently downloaded the new movie from Brother's Films entitled "Blood". I sat and watched it on my computer and as soon as it got done playing I plugged into the big screen and turned the volume way up and watched again. At first, your like "yo, you need to de-interlace that shit son, but then you realize that it is part of the creative decision. Shot mostly on 16mm film, it has a timeless, reminiscent of a memory type feel and when woven together with the soundtrack, it takes you on an almost psychedelic trip through the powder and trees. Very atypical for a snowboarding movie, I loved it. So I decided to get in contact with the photographer, Zach Hooper, and ask him a couple questions about the debut release from Brothers Films and what the plans for the future entail.

Hi Zach,

I just got finished watching Blood, and I gotta say, It really, really made me want to go and ride powder. Can you tell me a little bit about where the motivation to make this type of a movie originated?

quoting Wyatt Stasinos, " I just always had an interest in filming ever since Aaron started shooting me when I was like ten. It came to a point where I couldn't depend on any one filming me on a consistent level so with some shopping around I found a good Arriflex 16 from FORUM and dove in. I felt like I would end up doing this one day but never really thought it would happen so soon. Now that I have done it only feels right to keep on with it.

Who is Brothers Film?

Brothers Film is indy film crew made up of Wyatt/Cory Stasinos and Zach/Aaron Hooper.

It’s pretty awesome that you guys did this with 16mm, seems like a lost art. There is also some type of helmet cam used in the movie through the trees. Can you tell me a little about that?

Ya 16mm is a great medium. I have always appreciated the look of film and snow together. All the HD/digi stuff is rad to and is a huge time/money saver but so goes the battle between good and evil I suppose. Shooting film is a entirely different ball of wax in the respect of how you use it. We would roll with two 16's, 2 POV cams, the MarkIII and the 5d. Perfect lil production company. You just save the film for when it counts and make sure that what you film counts. You have to be dialed or your just throwing money out the door. Digi has just given everyone the opportunity to have a little leg room in being a true pro if you will, enough said. The only POV shot that actually made it into the movie was when Wyatt dropped the Gnar Coolie on the backside of Silverton located directly above Shaun's Red Bull Pipe. If you get the real DVD the bonus seggy at Wolf Creek is all POV. However all the other hand held point of view shots are actually from the 16mm being hand held. Try snowboarding with a 20 pound weight in your hands or further more wrapping your self around a tree while holding one. Aaron almost lost a finger while follow cam'n and catching an edge on some hard pack. Save the camera or save the finger? Your call.

Does Brother’s Films plan to make another film?

We sure do Tim. In fact we have all ready started to film for the 2010 season with the early snowfall here in Aspen Colorado. We have some sweet locations picked out and good frends as well to be involved.

I see that Frequency, The Snowboarder’s journal has published one of the blood shots. That’s pretty rad, those guys have their feet in the right place. The POW. Tell me about the shot.

The shot which you speak of was Cory Stasinos first published picture ever deep in the Aspen back country. This particular day we had worked our way up into this huge basin that was just filled with different lines. Cory and I worked out this line together on the "Cheese-grader" and he navigated his 16 year old ass through it like a pro.

It was rad to see you guys film a ton in Colorado, you have a lot of love for that place and it shows in the movie. Tell us about filming in CO and where else did you film at?

Here is the skinny, we all grew up in Colorado. My brother and I were lucky to get our fill of southern California while living in Newport Beach. So we have a good idea of whats up I think. Just like everyone else we have been doing this for a long time. Long enough to know that the industry needs to get behind people coming outta Colorado. Colorado is home however and Aspen is a mountain town that we have all fell in love with over the years. No lines, no crowds or crews to battle, just good old fashioned living.

You have the editing credit in the movie. How did that happen? Aren’t you the photographer?

Actually that is my brother Aaron who is a long time movie maker who has that title along with Wyatt Stasinos. I how ever did produce and film for the movie as well as shoot stills. I did a few lil b roll hype edits for the film before we released it. I like to edit and have learned a bunch from Aaron but the credit definitely goes to him for the edit. He is by far one of the best out there.

What kind of gear are you rocking?

Well if were talking cameras, Canon//Arriflex/Holga. If you talking snowboard gear Nicolas Muller's pro model the BurtonEcoNico159/AG/Grenade/SmithI/O Sled Polaris Dragon 800 59 track

What are your influences as a photographer?

I really enjoy other peoples work pro or am. I get crazy inspired from watching photog's like Blotto, Cole, TimZim, SvenMartin, TMEZ, Frode, TheGreenCowboy, PeterLik, AnselAdams etc. I also get really inspired by living the life or doing myself all the things that I am shooting. Well, let me clarify that cuz I am not going to go send my meat like Rice of some retarded big jump.

Besides making me want to ride powder, this movie makes me want to eat mushrooms. There is a slightly hallucinogenic quality to the ilm along with the music choices. It reminds me of raw 70’s, not the disco, but the fall out of the 60’s, 70’s. Did you choose the music?

The music was collaboration from the crew and mos def emotes the stoney vibe. Its been really fun to come up with these kids who really didn't care for any music outside of hip hop and see them opening their minds to new music and actually pick up instruments along the way as well. Its all circular no matter how hard each generation fights it, hahaha.

What are your plans for the upcoming winter?

Lots of snowmobiling, hooking up with some of our Swiss, Norwegian, Jackson and Idaho buddies. Maybe Japan.

Shout outs?

I would like to thank Wyatt and Cory Stasinos for just being them selves while putting everything on the line for what they love. Love you guys. Also wana thank Aaron my brother who never fails to create awesomeness. I would like to thank Cory Smith and Smith Optics for supporting us and building buy far the most superior goggle on the market. Willie McMillon and Travis Rice at BLUEBIRD for creating the fastest and earth friendly wax known to man. Thanks to Dr. Dave Jensen and crew at the WIN Health Institute for keeping us together and healthy. If any of you are in the area he is the man! www.winhealthinstitute.com. Shout outs as well to Travis, Mike, Sara and Jason at Radio Boardshop, Rachel, Melissa and Deric at AspenSnowmass, Danny Kass, Dingo and Kevin Casillo at Grenade, Mountain Power Sports, Jeff, Mike, Nate & Exile at SnowboardMag, Pouch formerly of Rossignal, Billy, Boyes and Wooly at Volcom, Will Blonna at Reqwium Design for doing all the art work, The Stasinos and Hooper Familes and KUDA.

Get your physical copy of the movie HERE.

Below are a couple rad production shots from Zach Hooper.

Lil' homey Cory Stasinos legitimizing the BLOOD title.

Cory getting after it in monochrome

This shot of Wyatt sums up the whole movie

To see more of Zach's work, go HERE, and to see what's up on the daily, go HERE.

Eero Ettala 2009 - Tracking Eero

2009-11-18T10:41:29-08:00

I met Eero a very long time ago at Sierra-at-Tahoe, he was just a kid and was filming Chris Edmands for Straight Jacket films "Road to Madness", his first major film. Since then, Eero has become one of the most consistent all-around riders in the world, filming with Standard films, and most recently, Mack Dawg Productions. However, Dawger decided it was time to get out of the business on top of the game, which left riders like Eero, to fend for themselves and continue to grow on their own terms. Check out his latest effort.

Eero Ettala's 2009 Snowboard Video Part from OAKLEY on Vimeo.

Eero rides for:

Art Restoration - Scott Lenhardt's Craig Kelly Mural

2009-11-17T12:47:41-08:00

(Blatant disrespect in the face of Voodoo)

For the past couple weeks I have been working full time on a passion project in partnership with Travis Rice to attempt to restore a mural created by Scott Lenhardt that memorializes the life of Craig Kelly. When Tim Zimmerman called me to ask if I would be able to shoot a piece of art for Travis, I was like "sure, no big deal, I've shot lots of art". To shoot a photo of art, it is imperative that you have even lighting, generally you have two lights on either side of the piece at 45 degree angles, to avoid glare, and you meter to make sure that it is even across the entire photograph. Color accuracy is the other main issue. Like I said, no big deal. Well, I had no idea what I was in for. This mural is 20 feet wide inside of the cabin at the Stash at Northstar-at-Tahoe. It goes from wall to wall, so the idea of lighting from the side is immediately thrown out the window. Also, to make this "more challenging", it sits on the slope of the ceiling at a 45 degree angle. Four feet away are two beams that are load bearing. If all that wasn't enough, the cabin has been severely vandalized with bad graffiti and rocks had been thrown through the windows. The mural was tagged from top to bottom, so at this point, I am diffident to say the least. I shot the mural in pieces and stitched it together in Photoshop. We did this in a meticulous fashion by chalk marking the floor so that the lens was always the same distance from the mural as well as maintaining the same slope angle of the roof. The lighting was a nightmare. Worst case scenario...I don't even want to talk about it.

The biggest concern that I have about the whole situation is the lack of respect for an icon of our sport as well as the artist who created this beautiful piece of work. I used to tag shit when I was younger as well, so I get it, but being that this is located on the hill, it had to be done by people who ride there. If you ride a snowboard, why in heaven's name would you desecrate a mural dedicated to someone that made it possible for you to be riding there in the first place. Craig Kelly is the soul of our sport and had an amazing career that if I was to liken it to another popular icon, it would be the Beatles. The reason I say this, is because they both had a profound effect in their industries, both started off doing things that were "popular", and then both decided to break away from that and change, which in turn changed everything. So the question has to be, what lead to this occurrence? Is it that people are not aware of who Craig is, or is it that no one cares? I sincerely hope it's not due to the latter.

So after hundreds of hours of Photoshop work and three separate trips to the Northstar Cabin, as well as a broken tripod, I have gotten the piece back to a respectable manner. The work may not be finished, but from where it was to where it is, is a miracle and it's the best I can do. Props go out to Terren Gomez & Kyle McCoy for assisting the first day. Props to IJ Venezuela for hooking up the Macbook Pro power cord and to Northstar-at-Tahoe and SPT for facilitating our presence. The biggest thanks of all go out to Travis for caring about art. Look out for the Asymbol project that he is going to be dropping soon.

(screenshots of the tagging)

Screenshot of the finished product

Random snaps from Sierra-at-Tahoe's Annual Pray for Snow party at Murphy's Pub

2009-11-17T02:49:56-08:00

Sierra-at-Tahoe hosted their annual Pray for snow party and it was a blast. So good to see the community come together...even almost let the Thaifoon out the cage...almost.

THE PRAY FOR SNOW PARTY IS TONIGHT!

2009-11-12T09:05:58-08:00

I ganked this from Snowboard Revolution, hit up there site! I'll be there tonight for the Sierra-at-Tahoe pray for snow party. You should be there too.

Sierra_at_Tahoe Hosts Annual Pray For Snow Party

Contributed by Snowboard Revolution 10/27/2008

Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort Hosts Annual Pray For Snow Party in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, Ca – Anxious skiers and snowboarders will take over Murphy’s Irish Pub on November 13, 2008 to hoot, holler, rap, yodel, chant and sing during the snow calling contest at Sierra™ Resort’s annual Pray For Snow pre-season bash.

The legendary winter kickoff extravaganza begins at 6:00 p.m. at Murphy’s Irish Pub on Emerald Bay Road . It’s passholders only for the first hour. Doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m.

A DJ will be spinning tunes from inside the bar while Sierra Resort’s mini skate ramp will be set up on the back patio for anyone who wants to session. The much-anticipated contests, including Show Us Your Ink, Frozen T-shirt, Cross Dress for Success, and, of course, the main event – snow calling – will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Sierra Resort Elite Team Riders will join RSN host Todd Offenbacher to judge the various contests. Snow calling contestants are judged on volume, audience participation and creativity. Prizes will be given away all night long and will include a season pass, lift tickets, gear from Flow and Sessions, and gift certificates from business around South Lake Tahoe.

John Rice, General Manager of Sierra Resort, will once again enter the snow calling contest. Following up last season’s rendition of SnowMaker Boy (set to the tune of Crank That (Soulja Boy)) will be tough, but Rice is a veteran of the snow calling contest, “The Pray For Snow party is such a fun way to reconnect with our passholders and share the excitement of the coming winter. Of course we want to see big snow this year and the snow calling contest is the only sure-fire way to know that mother nature and the snow gods hear us,” said Rice.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to Sierra Resort and Double Whammy passholders (season pass or proof of purchase must be shown). Murphy’s Irish Pub and Sierra Resort will sponsor a passholder happy hour while New Belgium Brewing Company will also be on hand passing out bar bucks and swag.

At 7:00 p.m., doors open to the general public. Happy Hour drink specials will be offered throughout the evening, along with a shot special – The Circuit Breaker – for the ice luge. Dinner service will be available. Season passes will be available for purchase from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Keepin It Real

Recognized by Transworld Snowboarding as a “Best Value” and a “Best Vibe” resort and known for its wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing, family programs and parks and pipes that are among the best in the nation, Sierra Resort is a bastion of the authentic California ski experience. Easy to get to and always laid-back, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders to escape from everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasure of winter in the mountains. Sierra Resort and the Eldorado National Forest are partners in recreation.

The closest major resort to Sacramento , Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is located just 12 miles west of Lake Tahoe and receives an annual average of 480 inches of snowfall. For more information, visit SierraAtTahoe.com or call 530.659.7453.

Look Alive People - First official release from Wake Up Lucid

2009-11-11T16:11:51-08:00

Introducing... Wake Up Lucid : Rolling Stone

Wake up Lucid's first release, "Look Alive People", is a fierce debut from this Southern California trio. The opening track, "A Minor", intros much like the humble beginnings of the band itself, starting slow and bluesy, then catching momentum and ripping into full velocity by the main riff of the song. "I'm gonna take you to heaven tonight, and I ain't never gonna bring you back". The album touches on a range of emotions and leaves you desperate for more by the final song, E Minor. It was nice to hear accents from the keyboard and organ interlaced subtly into their studio work as well. I was also impressed at how they managed to capture a bit of their live performance in terms of energy onto their record, especially Jamie Baca's intense drumming skills. Many successful bands never fully achieve that.
What's different from previous incarnations of the band is a dirtier yet fuller sound due to bass player Ian Baca and newly appointed drummer Jamie Baca. Coupled together with Ryan Baca's talented songwriting skills and electrifying guitar work, Wake Up Lucid has never sounded better or more complete. The EP is now available on . For $4.99, you get your money's worth. Pick it up now!

Below is an older write up from Rolling Stone, written 3/10/2009, since then, Jamie Baca has replaced Dan Hodge as the drummer of he band, and boy, does this Baca rip.

Introducing... Wake Up Lucid

March 10, 2009 11:30 AM

Thanks, S.S. readers, for your tips about L.A. trio Wake Up Lucid. We checked 'em out, dug their shit and hunted 'em down. We got them fresh -- turns out their first gig was last December.

Wake Up Lucid are cousins Ryan Baca (guitars/vocals) and Ian Baca (bass), and drummer Dan Hodge. They've known each other forever and jammed plenty before officially forming the band last March.

At that first gig in December, at LA's 24K club, "A couple of DJs from KROQ were there and they were really pumped on it," says Ryan, 29, who loves the Beatles and Zep and the Black Keys and the Raconteurs. "The crowd was stoked and they just started asking us back. So we decided to roll with it and kept going."

And they've only played a handful of shows since, and they're still in the process of making an EP.

They certainly have the dedication. "At our second show, we were about to get on stage when our drummer gets a phone call that his house just burned down," says Ryan. "We ended up playing the show -- I mean, it was already burned to the ground."

Check out "Broke Down House" below, and head over to their MySpace to hear more.

Wake Up Lucid - "Broke Down House"

Wake Up Lucid - Album Release Party, Nov. 10

2009-11-02T20:52:37-08:00

Best band in the world, if your in the LA area, go check out Wake Up Lucid! This will be a special show as they are releasing their highly anticipated EP "Look Alive People".

SIERRA-at-TAHOE's ANNUAL PRAY FOR SNOW PARTY!!! Nov 12th, 2009

2009-11-01T17:22:57-08:00

Annual Pray For Snow Party Invokes Winter Weather

Snow lovers across Northern California are starting to turn their eyes toward the mountains, looking for those first signs of the winter to come. Here at Sierra Resort, we’ve already seen 9 inches of snow in October and are looking toward a wet November, if forecasts are to be believed. As I write this, flurries are starting up outside.

So what do we do until the season begins? Well, we Pray For Snow of course! And no one can Pray For Snow like Sierra can. If you’ve been to one of our Pray For Snow parties, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, here’s the skinny:

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort annual Pray For Snow party

November 12, 2009

Murphy’s Irish Pub in South Lake Tahoe

Doors open to passholders at 6:00 p.m.

Doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m.

Contests this year will include Show Us Your Ink, Pin El Nino on the Map, Olympic Medal Exchange and, of course, the famous Snow Call contest.

We’ll also have the Sierra ice luge with drink specials

and the SPT mini skate ramp in the backyard (though we don’t recommend mixing the the ramp and the ice luge or you might look like Mike Miller here!)

We’ll even have a few celebrity judges this season including Todd Offenbacher from RSN, Cody Lewis from the Sierra Pro Team, and Tim Peare, snowboard photographer extraordinaire. Here’s a snapshot of last year’s judges doing their thing.

As we always do, we’ll have tons of prizes from our sponsors – Nikita, DC, Skullcandy, Powderhouse and Beach Hut Deli. It’s going to be a good time! Be there!

Forum "Forever" Premier @ Lake Tahoe Community College, Friday, Oct.30

2009-10-24T22:16:37-07:00

Come check out Forum Snowboarding's 6th team inspired feature film at Lake Tahoe Community College on Friday, Oct. 30th. It's free and the movie rips, come hang out. Sierra-at-Tahoe's gonna be there, and who knows, they might even have a season pass to give away. Doors open at 7:30pm.

Boarding For Breast Cancer Event at Mont Bleu Casino, Stateline Nevada October 20th

2009-10-13T11:13:41-07:00

Here's a solid event for a good cause. Terren Gomez, Ryan Hughes and myself along with several other artists are donating photos and artwork for charity to help the boarding for breast cancer cause. Come check out the movies, drink some booze, get a free day pass to Northstar or Sierra, drink some booze, vibe out to the Mother hips and South Lake's own Saturn Rising, drink some booze and have a ripping time holmes. Be smart, don't drink and drive. Take a cab. Walk. Designate a Driver. Blue Go.