Revelstoke ski film audiences are no strangers to Sherpas Cinema productions. Revelstoke skiers packed in for their collaboration with the Canadian Avalanche Centre called The Fine Line and again for the 2012 hit All.I.Can, which earned the production company an armload of awards and a viral hit with JP Auclair’s transit-powered line through Trail, B.C.
Their 2013/14 film Into the Mind elevates them to a whole new level, say Chris Rubens and Izzy Lynch, two local skiers who earned feature credits for their parts in the movie
Look for some of Sherpas’ trademark digital techniques, including seasonal transition shots, advanced digital editing, amazing time-lapse captures and the advanced, creative narrative solutions needed to stand out in the extremely competitive snow film scene.
Big Eddy local Crhis Rubens didn’t have to travel far for his parts, working with Scott Newsome at Eagle Pass Heliskiing and Eriks Suchovs and Dave Sproule at Selkirk Tangiers, in addition to a camp expedition into the Carnes Creek area where the film crew endured two Pineapple Express weather systems.
Rubens has filmed with the Sherpas for years. He said the big differences this time start with the big budget. “They have a very direct idea of each segment. The storyboard was written, where All.I.Can was, but their was some interpretation. It’s not your average ski movie. It’s not totally one of those movies that you go out and get super-stoked to shred powder in the coming season. You kind of come out of it like, ‘Holy-moley,’ like that was pretty crazy.’
“It’s very artistic and that’s what differentiated these guys from the very beginning. It’s an art piece for sure.”
With a bigger budget comes even bigger expectations. Rubens felt the pressure to showcase the Revelstoke backcountry, and to step up himself. “You put a bit of weight on your shoulders to find the zone and hope the snow conditions are right,” he said.
Rubens was super-impressed with the final product, especially just the plain filming quality. which he said is a must-see on the big screen. “Way better than downloading it on your iTunes.”
Izzy Lynch earns a credit for her work as an athlete in the film, creating a groundbreaking group shot at Whistler and earning exposure in a powder segment, including filming around Revelstoke. Lynch is also involved with Sherpas on post-production and as a tour manager, including managing the premiere at Revelstoke.
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PHOTO: Izzy Lynch shreds some Selkirk powder at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing during filming with Sherpas Cinema. Photo by Austin Ross
“They’ re so talented and so creative and they have really ambitious goals,” Lynch said of the crew, including director/producer Eric Crosland, director Dave Mossop, producer Malcolm Sangster and co-director JP Auclair.
“In production, it’s really amazing working with them because they’re fantastic human beings to start, then they’re also these incredible creative geniuses and they set themselves up with really ambitious and lofty goals and they always follow through no matter how difficult and challenging it is,” Lynch said. “It’s really neat being a part of their vision.”
The unique creative synthesis is more than the sum of its parts, Lynch said: “It’s impossible to pick one part. The way it’s all woven together. I think that’s the most notable part. You don’t just walk away and forget about the film – it’s something that you keep thinking about. It comes back to you.”
Expect creative angles and transitions, and a story line pushing boundaries, including unique narrative techniques and thematic organization that probes the mindscape of skiers and snowboarders as they enter into life-threatening situations. Neither Izzy nor Chris scored speaking parts (“I would be a terrible actor,” Rubens said.) but Izzy’s mom Sarah Lynch did get a role in the film.
The film features travel to Alaska, Bolivia, the Himilaya and beyond.
There are two screenings of Into the Mind at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre this Friday, Oct. 11. The 6:30 p.m. show is free for under-14s, and the second show is at 9 p.m. They feature the usual giveaways and tosses, and some other pro skiers may attend. Tickets are $14 at Eagle Pass Heliskiing. Afterparty at The Last Drop with Mind of Karma scheduled to play.
PHOTO: Izzy Lynch on an alpine line in Haines, Alaska. Photo by Mike Basher
Correction: A previous version of this article stated Chris Rubens was currently on the cover of Powder Magazine. In fact, he has been in the past but, isn’t currently. We regret the error.
