I have nothing interesting to say about my own life, particularly as it pertains to skiing, so I’ve decided to poach ideas from fellow BroBombers. This week’s “inspiration” is Mr. Dunfee’s long overdue demand for freeskiing team videos. I sort of want to just copy and paste his article and hope no one notices, but I think Jon actually reads what I send him.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the death of the Pro Movie lately. Frankly, I don’t really understand why people are still willing to pay for ski films. Look, I’ve liked a couple (literally) flicks from this year, but I can’t definitively say that they’re a cut above any number of the dozenish free movies that have trickled onto the internet over the past month or so—particularly, those produced by relatively anonymous Scandinavians. To be sure, the overall quality of riding, features, and locations in the pro films is better, but the movies themselves….well, they just aren’t.
I’ve mulled over the “whys” and I think I have a few of the answers.
I’m good, you’re good, and racial harmony is so hot right now.
If we’ve learned anything from ill-advised musical supergroup collaborations (I’m looking at the Monsters of Folk album cover), it’s that all the talent in the world doesn’t guarantee any sort of chemistry or cohesion. Have you ever seen a Craigslist band? You know, the ones that put up “bass player wanted” ads? Well if you haven’t, they’re usually made up of 4 or 5 incredibly technically proficient musicians with top notch gear and distinct visions. Unfortunately, these visions are often completely at odds with one another, and the result is 4 or 5 middle-aged Guitar Center employees standing on stage waiting for their chance to solo. It seems to me that often times pro flicks have that same feel; everyone’s got chops, but no one is listening to what the other guy is playing. Ditto this criticism for the completely unnatural athlete groupings- the whole is often less than the sum of its parts. And, I don’t give a shit if the titles are fancier and they can afford to license Bob Marley songs. I double don’t give a shit if there’s a shot of a heli taking off while someone rambles about their first trip to Alaska.
