It is like they say…you can’t beat the meat. Meathead Films is an upstart East Coast film production crew bringing the best of East Coast skiing to a screen near you. Breaking away from the souless, bland, and homogenized movies produced by the big corporate ski movie outfits, Meathead Films offer up real skiing experiences featuring their closest buddies instead of pro skiers that huck cliffs for a living.
Dozens of home grown ski movie production outfits are popping up the world over. What separates Meatheld Films from the pack is their exclusive focus on the East Coast which has been ignored by most ski films. The Meatheads prove that despite being shunned by ski movie production outfits, the East Coast has some amazing lines and choice descents in addition to plenty of powder shots and freshies.
The soul of New England is what really shines through in the Meathead productions. Skiers in New England have less to work with, so we do more with less by cutting stashes in the woods and seeking out rare snow filled gullies. We work hard for just a small taste of perfection and smile all the more for our efforts when we are rewarded. The Meatheads bring the essence and soul of this dedication and mind set to the screen.
Meathead Films was the creation of Geoff McDonald out of Burlington, Vermont. Founded in 2001, the production outfit grew out of a UVM aired sketch comedy series. Elements of comedy remain in the ski movies; however, the production value and quality is substantially higher than a college version of “Jackass.” While the budget of Meathead Films does not provide for helicopters and ultra-zoom cameras to capture the best angles, the production outfit has the technology to make their well produced and well directed films worth every bit of the $20.00 selling price.
The video roster of Meathead Films includes four titles. “Schooled” and “Epoch” are currently both available on DVD from Skier Shop, “Born From Ice” is the latest feature which is due to tour New England during the Fall of 2005, and “Elevated” the Meatheads’ first ski film, which is sadly no longer available for sale.
“Schooled” is a full on ski movie featuring both new school jibbing and back country elements. The soundtrack is well selected and directed featuring selections that fit the scenes from the grace and precision of a steep couloir descent to the heart pounding jams a 720 inspires. Generally, the selections trend along the more soulful and folkish side of the spectrum bucking the typical soundtracks of the major ski flicks. “Schooled” brings to life the journey to find the goods, in addition to the descent, with an especially cool segment featuring the Chic Choc range of Quebec. The movie has a school theme in which the Meatheads pay homage to their college years by dressing and playing the part of your generic high school stereotypes. The theme thankfully takes a back seat to the main plot of filming killer shots of skiers and riders; however, it is good for a few laughs and is the glue holding many of the segments together. The biggest complaint that I have with “Schooled” is that the movie is too short!
“Epoch” is more documentary and journey than a true ski movie. The film chronicles a small group of skiers who commit to ascending and skiing the highest peaks from five New England states including Mount Greylock, Mount Washington, Mount Marcy, Mount Katahdin, and Mount Mansfield. Each peak features historical segments featuring old maps, interviews, vintage photographs & film interspersed with live action segments documenting the drive, lodging, ascent, and descent. The unfortunate aspect of the film is that the crew was limited on days and available time, so bad weather and poor conditions occasionally hamper the typical perfect shots you would expect to view in a movie. However, these difficulties add substance to the journey and also add a large dose of good ole’ New England reality to the outings. Reality is often suspended during most ski films as major production crews have the time and resources to wait for the perfect day that will allow for perfect shots. Not only does the New England viewer not have to suspend disbelief, but they can view the movie vicariously as only someone who has experienced New England conditions can. Less than half of the film is actual skiing footage, but a lot of great extra footage is located within the bonus features. One especially interesting feature documents the trails the crew ascended and descended utilizing topographic maps and voice over descriptions.
Having grown tired of the major ski film production outfits’ overly homogenized and similarly boring movies, Meathead Films provides a breathe of fresh air. Not only for capturing the uniqueness and special feel of New England skiing, but more importantly for capturing the soul and essence of a skiing population. Any idiot these days could film a bunch of hot shot skiers hucking cliffs and going big, but it takes special care and passion to attempt to capture something larger than a simple motion picture of skiers. To capture the essence of not just one skier, but an entire population of skiers is an impressive feat and something Meathead Films does well. I am anxiously awaiting a viewing of “Born from Ice” this Fall.