A couple weeks ago during Crankworx we held an autograph signing for Strength in Numbers. A signing is not the easiest thing to pull off at an event like Crankworx because everyone’s schedules are crazy with so many different events, parties, product launches, random bike rides, etc… all going on at the same time. For an added challenge we thought it would be cool to combine the rider rosters for both Strength in Numbers and from the Inside Out to create a MEGA-signing. Almost all the riders were in town for both movies and luckily everyone was able to make it. In the end we had 16 riders sitting down for over an hour talking with the fans, signing autographs on everything from posters to manky riding shoes. It was a pretty cool experience because it’s not very often that you get a chance to interact with 16 amazing riders all at once. It was like a microcosm for what Strength in Numbers is all about and we were stoked to have it all come together.

Thanks to everyone who came out, Red Bull and Pink Bike for hosting and especially to all the riders – Gee and Rachel Atherton, Andrew Shandro, Cam McCaul, Matt Hunter, Wade Simmons, Brandon Semenuk, Danny Macaskill, Adam Billinghurst, Graham Agassiz, Stevie Smith, Mike Hopkins, Curtis Robinson, Kyle Norbraten, Dylan Dunkerton and Kenny Smith – who all took time out of their busy schedules to make it happen.

All photos: Conrad Petzsch-Kunze

Anthill Films is excited to follow up the announcement of their upcoming mountain bike film, Strength in Numbers, with the confirmed rider list for the film.    Strength in Numbers will feature a diverse selection of riders with some of the biggest names in the sport, including: Andrew Shandro, Brandon Semenuk, Cam McCaul, Danny Macaskill, Gee Atherton, Graham Aggasiz, Matt Hunter, Rene Wildhaber and Thomas Vanderham.  Strength in Numbers will have a mix of established pros, up and comers and local riders, with Adam Billinghurst, Darren Berrecloth, Rachel Atherton, Ryan Howard and Steve Smith also appearing in the film.

Strength in Numbers will visually explore mountain bike culture, by documenting rider experiences in different bike communities all over the world.  Following the community-based concept – the film will become a shared experience for all mountain bikers.  In addition to a world premiere tour, limited edition DVD/BluRay and digital download, Strength in Numbers will be streamed online for free.  The riders are stoked about the potential this represents, including Danny Macaskill, who will be working with Anthill for the first time.  “I am really excited to be part of this film”, says Macaskill.  “I have been watching the Anthill crew’s films for years, seeing a lot of the world’s top riders fly down trails that I could only dream of riding, captured in a way that only Anthill can produce. To be in a film with all these top riders is fairly mind blowing, it really is the next big step for me.”

Mountain biking has become a truly global sport.  The Anthill crew will set out to capture the different places and ways mountain biking has grown, with film shoots planned in British Columbia, Nepal, Scotland, Austria, Verbier, California, Utah and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.  For the crew and riders, Strength in Numbers represents a way to give back to the sport.  “It’s especially cool that this film is community based”, says   Brandon Semenuk, “because you usually experience these cultures and get helping hands from the people within them while trying to put a segment together.  But they never get the credit they deserve. I think this film will show how important mountain bike active communities are for the growth and progression of our sport”

Working with the Red Bull Media House, Strength in Numbers will be presented by Shimano and Trek, in association with Contour HD, Clif Bar, PinkBike and PRO Components.  This is Anthill’s most ambitious project to date and it would not have been possible without brands who have a true commitment to mountain biking, not just as a sport but as a lifestyle and culture.  “At Trek, we don’t take on small projects”, says Michael Browne Global Brand Manager for Trek.  “We look for partners like Anthill who can take big ideas and create meaningful projects to get people on their mountain bikes more often. With their trademark cinematic style and compelling narrative voice, we’re excited to help bring Anthill’s big idea to computers, smartphones, TVs and theaters around the world.”

Anthill will be partnering with the Red Bull Media House to help produce the film, a relationship that will also see the film premiered on Red Bull’s digital channels during 2012. “The Red Bull Media House has a proven record of creating amazing film projects that reach millions of people and we are super excited to work with them to help bring the crew’s vision for Strength in Numbers to the world”, says Ian Dunn, Producer/Marketing Director for Anthill Films.

Production for Strength in Numbers is currently underway.  Learn more at:

anthillfilms.com

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Strength in Numbers is a new feature mountain bike film that will be released Spring 2012.  It is made possible by the Red Bull Media House, Shimano and Trek, in association with Contour HD, Clif Bar, PinkBike and PRO Components.  Additional support for the film is provided by the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Kona, Toyota Trucks, Scion, Big Mountain Adventures, Verbier St. Armand and Ride Nepal.

Anthill Films is an award-winning action sport production company based in Squamish, B.C.  Anthill is owned and operated collectively by Colin Jones, Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCullough, Ian Dunn and Jonathan Schramm.

Anthill Films, the production company that brought you Follow Me and the crew behind Seasons, Roam and the Collective, is excited to announce a new film called ‘Strength in Numbers’ to be released Spring 2012.

Strength in Numbers will explore the shared experiences that connect us all, regardless of location or language, as mountain bikers.  From the weekend warrior chained to a desk to the bike-bum who worries that even riding every single day of the season still might not be quite enough to satisfy.  The purist riding alone in far-flung parts of the globe has the same single-minded focus that drives the most elite racers to be world champion.  Call it passion, obsession or something else that we can’t quite put our finger on, the film will delve into diverse mountain bike communities in search of an answer.

But Strength in Numbers will be more than just a film.  Following the community-based film concept, Strength in Numbers will be available for all mountain bikers to experience and share.  The film will be available for free – online.  At the end of a world-wide premiere tour in spring 2012, Strength in Numbers will be streamed online for free – creating the potential to spread the culture of mountain biking to every corner of the planet.  “As a crew, we’re always looking for ways to grow the sport and one day it just hit us… we should make the movie free,” says Darcy Wittenburg Producer/Cinematographer for Anthill Films.  “We’ve been talking about it for a while but now the technology has reached a point where we feel like we can pull it off at a level that our audience has come to expect.  It’s a bit scary to just put it out there – but we’d rather be trying new, unique things than settling for what’s comfortable.”

Free online streaming will not be the only way to see the film.  On top of exclusive worldwide premiere events, fans will have the opportunity to get the film in all kinds of formats.  For those that want a digital copy when not connected to the internet, a low cost download will be available through iTunes and the Anthill website.  As well, a limited edition DVD/BluRay will be available with tons of extra features, including a full-length documentary about the making of the film.

Anthill has spent more time and money than ever before to make sure Strength in Numbers showcases the crew’s best possible work.  Since wrapping up Follow Me last spring, the crew and riders have spent months researching and developing stories that represent the many different sides of the sport.  “From concept to visuals this is our most ambitious project ever”, says Darcy. “Our goal is to create something that helps define the culture of our sport.”   To execute this vision, Anthill has invested heavily in all new production equipment that will integrate camera systems such as the Phantom HD and Red Epic into a completely overhauled kit.

Stay tuned for more announcements next week.  Throughout the year the Anthill crew will be posting regular updates from the field on Facebook and Twitter – make sure to follow us to get all the latest inside info.

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Anthill Films is an award-winning action sport production company based in Squamish, B.C.  Anthill is owned and operated collectively by Colin Jones, Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCullough, Ian Dunn and Jonathan Schramm.

Congrats to Jeff Tran from North Vancouver BC who just won the custom Demo 7 from Specialized and Anthill Films. Jeff’s name was randomly picked from the thousands of people who ordered Follow Me off anthillfilms.com or submitted stories about their best day of riding with their friends.

The Anthill crew was totally surprised when we did the draw to see someone from North Van come up as the winner. There were names from all over the world so it’s pretty cool to know that someone who we’ll run into on the local trails will be riding the bike we created with Specialized. Jeff will be pretty easy to spot because he’ll be riding one of only 5 custom frames that were produced.

On Sunday Jeff made the short trip up to Squamish to pick up his new ride.  Needless to say he was very stoked on his good fortune.  Jeff has never won anything in his life so when he first got the email letting him know he won he thought it was a scam and almost deleted it… luckily that didn’t happen. Here’s what he had to say right after he got his hands on the bike: “Dude this is just amazing! I cannot wait to take this and ride up in Whistler, Fromme and Seymour. I’m going to have so much fun on this bike and ride it like a boss! Thank you very much Anthill, Specialized and Pink Bike.”

Thanks to everyone who ordered the film off our site or sent us your stories. Also a huge THANKS to the guys at Specialized for creating such a beautiful bike.

Anthill Films
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As the official photographer for Anthill Films, Sterling Lorence is on set for our shoots whenever possible. Beyond capturing mind-blowing photos that document the progression of our sport, Sterling’s shots are a great compliment to the film, giving a unique perspective on of everything that goes down in front and behind the cameras. When Sterling agreed to share his slideshow from Follow Me, we thought it would be good to get his perspective on what life is like for being a still photographer working on a film shoot.

1.  What it is like being a still photographer on a film shoot?

For the most part, it is really good being on film/webisode shoots. There is always an added formality and responsibility that lots of good work must be accomplished due to limited time and the expense in film production. Riders know that some of the details that can be hidden in still photography are on display in moving pictures, so it brings out the best in the rider’s style and performance.  One of the downsides to being on a film shoot can be when the angle I would like to shoot from happens to be in the key film angle.  I often have to discover other angles where I can stealth out of view.  But, most of the time, there is good cooperation/collaboration amongst the video crew and myself.

Since the days of the Collective, I have dealt with many a cable cam...

Eventually I have gotten pretty good at anticipating/cooperating so that...

when riders like Sorge throw down so hard, I can nail my shot and not ask him to shred again

2.  From your perspective, what does a still photographer add to the production of a film?

Photographers bring the opportunity to share all this amazing action with the magazine world, advertisers, posters, the web… We also give an added level of exposure to the riders, the film, and to all the sponsoring companies.  Often the top riders in the world, doing really big stunts, won’t do them unless a photographer is on set.  I also think photographers bring an artistic element to the shoot where the videographers often ‘shoulder-hop’ our sick angles… .

Seldom is it that the Darcy Wittenburg clothesline circus act improves my shot. But here he gives an added sense of height for Aggy killing it in Brad's Yard.

3.  You’ve got a long history with the Anthill crew.  How did it all start and how have you seen things evolve over the years?

It all started when a few riders that were stars in the original Kranked and NWD films decided with a few of the filmers and myself as a photographer that there was room to have a film company that would try a more mellow approach to an MTB film that had good chill tunes, primo singletrack riding, some storytelling and an attempt to do the best cinematography and editing possible. Looking back, I think the response from the sport shows that the Collective accomplished that and the demand from viewers is why we have kept it all very alive with Anthill.  Stay tuned for more!

4.  What do you remember most about helping make Follow Me?

There certainly is an added element of fun for the riders when they get to session together. That’s why the theme for this film became what it is.  Most film segment shoots have the rider being alone, so I think it can be quite intimidating and a bit lonely for the rider.  There was lots of fun on most of these shoots. When you have Gully/Sorge/Hunter/Semenuk/McCaul/Coastal Crew/etc… anywhere near each other at anytime, it gets chaotic fast… but fun.

5.  What were the highlights vs. lowlights for you?

The highlight move for me in Follow Me was certainly Matt Hunter’s step up gap to wall ride.  We had witnessed him crash on it once and this always makes the return shoot become very nervous and worrisome.  Watching him stomp that, and seeing the wall explode behind him was so rad.  The photo was much more amazing than I ever expected.  I also have to say witnessing Semenuk’s moves in the Sunshine Coast seggy was super rad too.    The lowlight to the film would have to be the fact that shooting two riders in a still photo sometimes just doesn’t work. One rider always looks better or is in the critical spot in the photo, leaving the other rider less significant.  That was one of my hardest challenges.  I always try and stoke out all the riders with as many sick shots as possible, but for the continuity in the film process… the second rider sometimes got burned a bit.

5.  Do you enjoy watching the films you’ve been a part of?

Yes, it is always a thrill on premiere nights to see the fruits of so many hard working days.  I am a huge fan of all the films…mountain biking is a relatively small sport so anyone that chooses to put time into our sport, be expressive and share artistry with us, is gonna get my attention and time. That is why it is so key of those brands out there that are cool enough to put money into these film projects… without them, we loose a large chunk of art and expression.

Thanks to Sterling for sharing his slideshow with everyone.  Make sure you check out his site: www.sterlinglorence.com

Also… don’t forget that there’s only a few days left for the Follow Me Custom Demo 7 deal – buy Follow Me from anthilfilms.com and you’ll automatically be entered to win (contest closes December 31^st).

Happy holidays!

Anthill

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You know that saying about the iceberg… something about the part you see being way smaller than the part you don’t. How does that saying go? Anyway, that saying is a lot like making movies. The part the audiences sees is just this tiny chunk poking out of the ocean. Meanwhile, underneath there’s this massive chunk that you don’t see. Matt Hunter’s gap to wall ride in Follow Me is a good example of this. Everyone who has seen the film loves that shot. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

OK so I’m rambling a bit here. The point is – there was a ton of work that went into making that one shot. It was only a few seconds in the movie, but it was years in the making. It had to be conceived, built, tested and filmed. And even after all that, it almost didn’t happen, as you’ll see in this quick Q&A with Matt Hunter:

When did you first get the idea to build the gap to wall ride and how did it come about?
A gap to wall like that one? Well it was sitting there in the “imagination” section of my brain. It didn’t get to move over to the “reality” section until I hiked into that zone and saw the run in and the cliff wall. Even then, it took a while for my brain to complete the transfer from Imagination to Reality.

The first time you hit it things didn’t turn out so great. What happened? What went wrong?
I went too slow. It was not possible to judge the speed on that run in, I had nowhere to go except off the ramp once I committed to going fast down that hill. I knew I wasn’t going to make it, but I had to hit the jump anyway… So I kind of flying-squirreled my way across to the far wall and ditched my bike. I landed on the wall and bounced to the bottom. Thanks to Murphy and his stupid laws I happened to land on top of my upside-down bike, and cut my balls. I was kind of stressed about it, but it turned out to be a non serious flesh wound. A few stitches and they are fine!

For your second attempt, time was getting down to the wire for the film, what were you feeling waiting at the top getting ready to drop in?
I was really confident because I had made my run in about 200 meters longer, so I was pretty sure I would have enough speed. I guess I was feeling pretty focused though, just wrapping my head around what I wanted to do.

The second time up there you dropped in before the crew was ready. Did you do that on purpose? What happened there?
Ha ha, no not on purpose. We had a communication issue. I was so far away from them at the top my run in that they couldn’t hear me even though I was yelling at them. They thought I was just doing a test run.

What was going through your head right before you took off? Did you know you had it as soon as you left the lip?
Usually you know as you leave the lip, but this time I wasn’t too sure, as I ended up landing on a huge sagebrush. I thought it might make me crash, but I hardly felt it, it was a sweet bush-tranny.

That shot is one of the most talked about shots in the film. What kind of response have you gotten from people you’ve talked to?
People remember it for sure. That makes me happy, I always want to film something big, that’s fun, and that people will remember and enjoy watching. I was lucky to find the right set up for that move. I knew the instant I saw it that I had to try it… It’s really great when those things work!

Just in case you haven’t heard yet… Buy a DVD or BluRay copy of Follow Me from www.anthillfilms.com and you’ll be entered to win a custom Demo 7 from Specialized and receive a free one year subscription to Bike Mag.

Thanks!

Anthill
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