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.
