The industry is tough right now. Many people I know are not finding the ins to secure a position to work in Snowboarding this year due to the economy and the general consolidation of the industry. This isn't new by any means but, really, it's hard out here for a pimp. Shit, I don't even know if I have a job, that's the way it is. I've been noting that the middle class snowboarder/filmer/photographer is really being cut out of the mix. By middle class, I'm not referring to income, but rather, the person who's been trying to get into the industry for a while but hasn't quite made it. It's not due to a lack of talent, it's like a connection was missed or something. So now, you have the heavy hitters, big budget, long term companies and on the other hand, you have the fresh out the gate rookies, willing to give it everything. The problem for the people in the middle is that they have been giving it everything and are finding it harder and harder to pay out of pocket for another year of filming snowboarding. At this point, it starts to make sense to try something a little more realistic.
I'd like to introduce you all to a good friend of mine that goes by the name of Leland McNamara. I've known him since I started shooting photos of snowboarding and we've always been right there with each other. Leland, Sam Hiltner (people filmer) and Kevin Winkel (K2 TM) made NC Productions what it was, a solid in between market, underground Snowboard video company. Practically a snowboard farming company. If you've heard of Austin Smith, well, that's the kind of talent that NC was raising. He's got skills with the camera, and he's got the whole travel thing on lock, so what's stopping him? Lack of jobs, I guess. If there's a company looking for a full time, talented and fully dedicated filmer, hit Leland up @ ncpleland@yahoo.com or hit me up and I'll introduce you.
Anyways, check out the film they dropped the previous winter in full: ALMOST DEAD