Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
THANKS and the story behind MANUFACTURING STOKE...pt. 1
We just finished up the MANUFACTURING STOKE WORLD PREMIERE WEEKEND and it was quite an amazing ride. I initially wanted to thank everybody involved and tell you where we are going...but rather than that, I first wanted to let you know where we have been...
(Wayne's World flashback effects and cue Foreigner's "Feels Like the First Time")
The concept of MANUFACTURING STOKE was conceived in Fall 2010 while visiting a Seaside Reef "Green Expo" and seeing recycled handplanes. I passed this booth twice and it blew my mind. No way, handplanes?...do people even bodysurf anymore? I had to go back. Manning the booth turned out to be none other than Ed Lewis and Kipp Denslow of *enjoy handplanes. The sun was shining, the surf was 2-3' and I was holding in my hand a beautifully constructed handplane that was created from a recycled surfboard that was heading to the landfill. It was completely surreal.
(Side note, what is with the term "landfill" anyway? It's a DUMP.)
Back to the story, because it was such a beautiful day and I didn't have the heart to tell them that people DO NOT bodysurf anymore, I did enjoy chatting with them and thought well at least they have an amazing business card. It was shaped like a mini hanplane out of a recycled cardboard box with a handprinted *enjoy logo on it. Now that was cool. I just figured I would see them in the unemployment line because those things would never work. I was wrong...DEAD WRONG.
(Roll massive shorebreak and cue Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" at 11.)
I emailed Ed and told him I wanted to try out a handplane (again cheap and doubting bastard) and he got back to me and said anytime. Throughout the next couple of weeks, the idea grew from a 10-15 minute short film to a feature length documentary on sustainability in the surf industry. I put in a "request" that Ed and Kipp be interviewed for the film and they accepted and from that moment on I have been getting really deep barrels on the *enjoys. We actually filmed a lot of the footage seen in MANUFACTURING STOKE from a GoPro mounted onto an *enjoy handplane. The combination was perfect. I didn't want anyone filming with a large camera in that mayhem. It's too dangerous. When things got really gnarly, I would just let go of the handplane and it would be waiting on shore for me. I have been womping for over 30 years and can honestly say I have never been deeper and more in control while bodysurfing. I suggest everyone go out and grab a handplane whether it be an *enjoy, a Grain, a Danny Hess or a homemade jammer. Go get barreled.
PMK
(Wayne's World flashback effects and cue Foreigner's "Feels Like the First Time")
The concept of MANUFACTURING STOKE was conceived in Fall 2010 while visiting a Seaside Reef "Green Expo" and seeing recycled handplanes. I passed this booth twice and it blew my mind. No way, handplanes?...do people even bodysurf anymore? I had to go back. Manning the booth turned out to be none other than Ed Lewis and Kipp Denslow of *enjoy handplanes. The sun was shining, the surf was 2-3' and I was holding in my hand a beautifully constructed handplane that was created from a recycled surfboard that was heading to the landfill. It was completely surreal.
(Side note, what is with the term "landfill" anyway? It's a DUMP.)
Back to the story, because it was such a beautiful day and I didn't have the heart to tell them that people DO NOT bodysurf anymore, I did enjoy chatting with them and thought well at least they have an amazing business card. It was shaped like a mini hanplane out of a recycled cardboard box with a handprinted *enjoy logo on it. Now that was cool. I just figured I would see them in the unemployment line because those things would never work. I was wrong...DEAD WRONG.
(Roll massive shorebreak and cue Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" at 11.)
PMK
Friday, May 20, 2011
MANUFACTURING STOKE WORLD PREMIERE WEEKEND
Yes, Ed the "Mexican Blanket" is beautiful and we thank you for the generous contribution towards the raffle. In addition, misfit pictures is collaborating with *enjoy handplanes on the "Waste to Wonderful" recycling project during the MANUFACTURING STOKE WORLD PREMIERE WEEKEND. Please bring in any broken boards and old wetsuits and have them recycled into a beautiful new *enjoy handplane. You will receive a handful of raffle tickets for your donations. misfit pictures...keeping San Diego classy.
PMK
PMK
Enjoy Handplane Giveaway this weekend at Manufacturing Stoke Premiere
We are raffling this away at one of the showings of the Manufacturing Stoke premiere this Saturday 7pm (Sold Out) or Sunday (4pm) at Bird's Surf Shed.
See you there!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Bloggityblog blog blog
..excerpt from KorduroyTV interview.
What's your film background? What drew you to filmmaking in the first place?
I realized the power of film really early on because my father, with his unique child-rearing sensibilities, used to take us kids to see films like the Towering Inferno and the Poseidon Adventure. These films scarred me for life so I guess the natural progression was to pick up a video camera myself. My younger brother Dennis and I grew up on Chris Bystrom movies and used to film with a VHS camera around the La Jolla reefs when we 13 or 14. I wish I still had those tapes because there was some really good surfing going on back then. So my education with filmmaking started as a curious grom on the beach but ended formally with a film degree from UCSB.
I realized the power of film really early on because my father, with his unique child-rearing sensibilities, used to take us kids to see films like the Towering Inferno and the Poseidon Adventure. These films scarred me for life so I guess the natural progression was to pick up a video camera myself. My younger brother Dennis and I grew up on Chris Bystrom movies and used to film with a VHS camera around the La Jolla reefs when we 13 or 14. I wish I still had those tapes because there was some really good surfing going on back then. So my education with filmmaking started as a curious grom on the beach but ended formally with a film degree from UCSB.
Were your expectations going into the film different from what you ended up finding while making Manufacturing Stoke?
Definitely. I told my crew that we were going to spend a weekend or two on a short doc and I had an $800 budget and minimal equipment. Six months later, rent checks bouncing, an attempted mutiny, 90 hours of footage from California, Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico we are ready to present a pretty amazing 80-minute documentary examining sustainability in the surf industry.
How has making this film changed your perception on the surf industry?
I have always had a love/hate relationship with the surf industry in general. Let’s just leave it at that.
Who surprised you the most in filming the interviews for the film?
Who surprised you the most in filming the interviews for the film?
We interviewed over 30 people directly involved with our surf industry and got to discuss and experience some incredible insight into these individuals’ lives. We received complete honesty even from those not necessarily doing the right thing but who are striving to do better. All the interviews are amazing…okay; one of them sucked…just kidding. But the most surprising comment comes from Jasper during a discussion on surfboards being manufactured overseas. It blew us all away.
In time where technology and innovation is at it highest, surfing seems to be heading back to it's roots where surfers are making their own boards and redefining what we can ride. Why do you think we are coming back full circle?
In time where technology and innovation is at it highest, surfing seems to be heading back to it's roots where surfers are making their own boards and redefining what we can ride. Why do you think we are coming back full circle?
Surfing used to be outlaw…and it is good to see that there are outlaws still out there. I just saw a board that Ryan Burch shaped at Lucas Dirkse’s house. The thing looks like a space ship and I bet it rides like one too. Those two guys are a prime example of the paradigm shift that surfing is experiencing right now. They both rip and can shape and surf anything. Lucas was a big part of this film and I think he and Ryan will both reshape the way the world sees surfing.
What do you expect to see from the surf industry in the future?
Surfing is a billion dollar a year industry. According to some, it’s not broke…so why fix it. We all know that’s bullshit. We are surfers, we are surfing, we are the industry, and we make the machine run.
If we want surfing back…we can take it back.
PMKMonday, May 16, 2011
Can I use this as a blog entry?
So without further adieu, I share with you a few questions to PMK… a humble guy avoiding the limelight who just wants to shed some light (and dark) on the tumultuous system of the surfing world.— Adam “Trout” Traubman
AT: Pierce, the year is 2011. The push for eco-friendly solutions isn’t exactly new. So why did it take so long for a film like this to surface?
PMK: Good question. As surfers, we are kind of in our own little world. Let me start by saying that this is not a surf movie. Manufacturing Stoke is a documentary on sustainability in the surf industry. Yes, there is amazing surf footage, but there is way more. Surf movies these days are generally brand-driven and have team riders ripping beautiful waves all over the world. I love those movies. I have watched a million airs and deep tube rides, and I can’t wait to watch a million more. But since we (misfit pictures) don’t work for the surf industry, we do things a little differently. I guess we had the right thought at the right time and place.
You connected with a lot of individuals and companies along the way. What was the biggest surprise to you in creating Manufacturing Stoke?
The biggest surprise is how much the little guys are doing to get the ball rolling, while the big guys stand around and check their bottom line. I find it amazing that guys in their workshops are creating new designs with very little resources. In my opinion, that is where surfing started and that is where it seems to be going again.
You gave these entities a free platform to stand on and let the world know who they are and what they represent. Many shot your offer down without blinking an eye and, of that group, many were companies who preach “eco.” How does that make you feel?
I can’t take any of that personally. I mean, who am I? I approached every major surf company out there and in some cases couldn’t even get past the receptionist. The major companies have very close control over their PR and most of them wanted nothing to do with us. Cheers to the bold ones who took a chance.
Okay…that said, what transpired (if anything) just as you had imagined?
When I first looked closely into the industry, I was really inspired by certain individuals who are striving to make the future of surfing more sustainable. Getting to meet people that are reconstructing what the surf industry means to them was really refreshing. Those are the real stories that I wanted to highlight in this documentary.
This next question is pretty “vanilla” but it’s important enough where I feel the need to ask it. As the creator of this documentary, what is your ultimate goal?
PMK: I just want the film to make people think. Surfing is a $7.2 billion dollar a year industry and every time you open your wallet you should think about that. Make sure the companies you buy from follow your same beliefs. Before I did my research, I didn’t really know what was going on. Now that I know, I spend very differently.
Finish this sentence: “I hope after watching Manufacturing Stoke, you, the viewer…”
…will hold the surf industry you support to a higher level. Research where your boards, wetsuits and clothing come from. Your dollars can and will make the change. Trust me.
What’s next for PMK?
We have several different film projects that misfit pictures is going to be working on this year, but for right now I just want to go womping with my friends…who’s in?
The Manufacturing Stoke world premiere is May 21st at Bird’s Surf Shed located at 1091 W. Morena Blvd. in San Diego and all tickets will be sold in advance online at: www.manufacturingstoke.com.
AT: Pierce, the year is 2011. The push for eco-friendly solutions isn’t exactly new. So why did it take so long for a film like this to surface?
PMK: Good question. As surfers, we are kind of in our own little world. Let me start by saying that this is not a surf movie. Manufacturing Stoke is a documentary on sustainability in the surf industry. Yes, there is amazing surf footage, but there is way more. Surf movies these days are generally brand-driven and have team riders ripping beautiful waves all over the world. I love those movies. I have watched a million airs and deep tube rides, and I can’t wait to watch a million more. But since we (misfit pictures) don’t work for the surf industry, we do things a little differently. I guess we had the right thought at the right time and place.
You connected with a lot of individuals and companies along the way. What was the biggest surprise to you in creating Manufacturing Stoke?
The biggest surprise is how much the little guys are doing to get the ball rolling, while the big guys stand around and check their bottom line. I find it amazing that guys in their workshops are creating new designs with very little resources. In my opinion, that is where surfing started and that is where it seems to be going again.
You gave these entities a free platform to stand on and let the world know who they are and what they represent. Many shot your offer down without blinking an eye and, of that group, many were companies who preach “eco.” How does that make you feel?
I can’t take any of that personally. I mean, who am I? I approached every major surf company out there and in some cases couldn’t even get past the receptionist. The major companies have very close control over their PR and most of them wanted nothing to do with us. Cheers to the bold ones who took a chance.
Okay…that said, what transpired (if anything) just as you had imagined?
When I first looked closely into the industry, I was really inspired by certain individuals who are striving to make the future of surfing more sustainable. Getting to meet people that are reconstructing what the surf industry means to them was really refreshing. Those are the real stories that I wanted to highlight in this documentary.
This next question is pretty “vanilla” but it’s important enough where I feel the need to ask it. As the creator of this documentary, what is your ultimate goal?
PMK: I just want the film to make people think. Surfing is a $7.2 billion dollar a year industry and every time you open your wallet you should think about that. Make sure the companies you buy from follow your same beliefs. Before I did my research, I didn’t really know what was going on. Now that I know, I spend very differently.
Finish this sentence: “I hope after watching Manufacturing Stoke, you, the viewer…”
…will hold the surf industry you support to a higher level. Research where your boards, wetsuits and clothing come from. Your dollars can and will make the change. Trust me.
What’s next for PMK?
We have several different film projects that misfit pictures is going to be working on this year, but for right now I just want to go womping with my friends…who’s in?
The Manufacturing Stoke world premiere is May 21st at Bird’s Surf Shed located at 1091 W. Morena Blvd. in San Diego and all tickets will be sold in advance online at: www.manufacturingstoke.com.
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