Anthill Announces New Film Project

Apr 21, 2011
by Anthill Films  


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 Pink Bike, 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.

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82 Comments
  • 34 0
 Cannot wait, Anthill rock, and i'm sure this will be one hell of a film. and free? sick.
  • 6 1
 I wonder how they will be cashing in on this free film, maybe more advertising dollars due to a massive audience? Obviously distribution costs and the cost of dvd production on top of a limited audience probably doesn't leave much profit in the traditional system.
  • 27 0
 Sponsors... They'll pay anything to have their logo streamed to millions
  • 4 0
 the phanom HD is supposed to be the sickest camera that is made. good for you guys. I really like the concept of free sharing for everyone, It will surely catch on.
  • 1 0
 The fact that they are putting the film on the internet for free is awesome but how are they going to cover the costs incurred from travelling around and filming?
  • 3 0
 follow me was used in a samsung tv ad... i'm sure that brought in a hefty bit of cash that they'll be putting toward the next film. and as much as free is awesome, i'm still gonna buy it!
  • 10 0
 Free streaming is only one way to see the film - there will also be theatrical premieres, digital downloads and DVD/BluRay - these will have a cost. Think of free streaming as the "basic" package. If you want the film on your phone or tablet when you're not connected to the internet the download is a good way to go. If you want to watch it in full HD on your TV in surround sound and get all the bonus features and limited edition stuff the BluRay is the best option. If you want to have a good night out with a few hundred mountain bikers and be one of the first to see the film on the big screen come out to one of the premieres. It's all about options.
  • 2 0
 well as long as you will get enough money for the next project.. Wink
  • 1 0
 Loved Follow Me and I can't wait to watch Strength in Numbers!!, sounds very interesting, I appreciate all the great work Anthill people is doing, wanna get that limited edition! Big Grin
  • 1 1
 personally im a bit sick of the bicycle montage movies, what anthill did with follow me was cool but they only skimmed the idea that they had intended to show. life cycles on the other hand presented an alternate viewing of the regular bicycle movie through proper sybolic themes and to that i praise them, i just hope that anthill can create something that can contend with life cycles rather than the typical bike montage.
  • 11 0
 the things i would do to own a phantom HD and a Red Epic...
  • 1 0
 how much do they cost?
  • 3 0
 If you have to ask, you will not be able to buy one!
  • 1 0
 are we talking like $40000 here, more?
  • 3 0
 I've heard the Phantom costs upwards of a quarter million dollars, Red Epic costs 60,000 US with a moderate accessories kit.
  • 3 0
 wooooowwwww!!! i did a bit of looking around and you can rent the phantom for $2,500 USD a day.
  • 2 0
 You can add the ARRI Alexa to that list. All dream stuff.
  • 7 2
 ""this shall be our punch back at life cycles, now that they have shown that all bike movies must not have rise against and silly distillery songs in them we have to create a movie with a "plot". Also we must let them know that we are filming with a "RED" camera for it will provide a SUPERRRRRRR HHHHHHHHDDDDDDDDDDD EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!.""

hope you can follow up to Life Cycles, because their stuff was original...
  • 9 2
 Life Cycles was great, so was Follow me. but there denying that Rise Against and Downhill/Free Ride don't go well together. Rise Against is where its at, the day their new album came out i had them in my ears all day every day at school for 5 days. ♥ Music ♥
  • 14 6
 Life Cycles was clearly a great piece of cinematography and had some brilliant riding in it, but the whole time I was watching it I couldn't help but feel I was watching a nature documentary with a bit of riding. Bring back the Rise Against, all the previous Collective/Anthill films seem to have struck a good balance between the rock and roll of Disorder and the boring documentary style of Life Cycles. IMO they have it right, Life Cycles didn't.
  • 1 0
 try skipping all the talking the Jack Daniels ad dude does
  • 2 1
 yeah i got the same feel from Life Cycles. but tomorrow i shal watch Follow Me and get stoked before going out to build. i find it help with ideas for lines and makes its all seem possible to build something totally dope and out of this world.
  • 2 1
 I'm going to agree with Webb, that Lifecycles while really good look, and eye catching did seem to be missing something. I know we can't say that it wasn't a bike film, but there was a missing x-factor so crucial that I can't seem to put my finger on it.
  • 7 1
 Rise Against.
  • 2 1
 i can put my finger on it. lifecycles had no biking in it.. those boys were a little to caught up in the film aspect and forgot to throw in a good amount of the sport in there.. other then that they were superior . music,filming,story was all killer.. just not enough icing on the cake.. anthill does it best shitty pop punk for all the kids and no epileptic rapid fire scene change /angle clips with rap rock thrown on top like nwd use to throw down.. not everybody needs that kind of energy to talk themselves into steppin it up in the courage department.. i speak for the folks who like to kill it with the chill turned up .. keep it smooth out there fellas.
  • 2 0
 haha i was watching life cycles just 2 hours ago!! I think the biggest problem I had with it (other than seeing hardly any riding and watching every shot in slowmo) was that most of the music just didnt get me pumped up. The soundtrack to follow me was killer, a bunch of hard/punk rock with a bit of reggae and hip hop mixed in. thats music that should be played in a bike film
  • 1 0
 ay, i just watched Follow Me, no building will be done today. but after i cook some sausages i shal be heading out for a DH. and you right about the soundtrack for Follow Me, it was bloody fantastic, even better than the Seasons soundtrack, and the Seasons soundtrack was awesome! I actually forgot how good Follow Me is, haven't watched it for at least 3 months.
  • 3 0
 I doubt that Life Cycles is a factor in Anthill's new film. If anything, Life Cycles showed that it is possible to go too far with plot and cinematography. I bought Life Cycles, and have only been able to get all the way through it from start to finish one time. It's just soooooooo slow! I'll definitely never watch the first 7 minutes again. I see what they were going for, but they took it way too far.

Anthill/Collective is on a whole different level. I only listen to Reggae, Hip-Hop, and DJ produced music, so the music isn't always for me either. Basically, once I've watched a bike movie once or twice and have heard the commentary, the TV goes on mute, and my own tunes get turned on. The soundtrack is meaningless to me.

Anthill will not be following up to Life Cycles, they will be following up to Follow Me. Sorry, but Life Cycles can't touch Follow Me...

Oh, and I also love how Follow Me didn't have any street riding in it. Please Anthill, just keep building on what you've accomplished already. You know what to do!
  • 2 1
 pretty much all the music in life cycles was depressing, especially the bit where they show the transition into winter, they were making it out as if somebody had died. imo, the best biking music used in a film was in whistler segment in seasons
  • 1 0
 who rode in this whistler section? i can't remember it.
  • 1 0
 in follow me it was brendan fairclough and thomas vanderham
  • 1 0
 yeah but who was in seasons? or are you thinking about roam with rennie and tyler morland?
  • 1 0
 oh yeah!! haha, its only my favorite bit of the movie.
  • 1 0
 The fact that everyone is comparing Life Cycles to Anthills/collective means they have had an impact. Not every one may like Life Cycles but one thing it has done better then any other bike film including anthills films is win more awards. That can't be denied and does a lot in helping mountain biking gain exceptance in the mainstream. Anthill says that is what they are trying to do with this next film and Life Cycles is leading the way. They also look like they are trying to develop more of a story and take more time on their film. Something else Life Cycles did. Say what you will about Life Cycles but they are effecting the sport wether you like it or not.
  • 3 0
 So excited to see how they pull this off. The idea of the film really speaks to me right now; I have moved from Cali to a small country called Croatia and am still riding at least 4 days a week. I have made some amazing new friends here through our shared love of riding. We've already started talking about online games of "bike" once I return to the states.
  • 3 0
 Life Cycles was awesome. We need different companies pushing the sport in different directions. Would you have liked Life cycles to be the same cookie-cutter movie w/ rise against slapped onto cool bike scenes (not that i have a problem with that) or can you appreciate that there are some people in our sport that are experimentalists, pushing the envelope in different directions? I enjoyed Life Cycles because it was unique, and refreshing. Glad to see other companies experimenting with different techniques as well, I think its what drives our sport.
  • 2 0
 Dear Anthill Films, If you need a little more culture and depth for your free or to be purchased, surely to be a wonderful, film please feel free to Private message me. I freely offer you my services and lifestyle example with no strings attached. Yours Cordially, VFL Productions
  • 1 0
 Pinkbike is a big Part of the culture, who knows they might hook up with you. Best of luck, Bon chance!
  • 3 0
 I liked life Cycles and Follow me but I liked Seasons the most it was fun following the story of the seasons. I hope they will stick to this kind of story telling.
  • 1 0
 I know people gave the NWD films shit for been the movies that they were but man they hit the spot.
Anthill have their niche style which is always good as they make interesting movies but I hope someone comes out with some NWD styled movies to fill the large hole that has been left!

Free's not a big deal but good on them for been original however $35 for a DVD has never been an issue some people need to put their hands into their pockets a bit more often and support the industry
  • 4 0
 its gonna be legeeeeeeeeen "wait for it" DARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 Anthill Films, Sweet biscuits please be hiring! I would literally sell a non essential organ to work with you...
  • 2 0
 Could you make the itunes download on each itunes for each country? I cant download Follow Me on itunes because its only on Itunes US and Canada.
  • 2 0
 Our plan is to have iTunes worldwide - we'll do our best to make it happen.
  • 1 0
 that will be awesome!!
  • 4 0
 Free is cool, but I'm hoping there'll be a Bluray I can purchase.
  • 10 0
 Yes there will - free online is only one way to see the movie. There will be premieres, downloads, DVDs, BluRays... and anything else we come up with over the next year and a bit.
  • 5 0
 Awesome. I just prefer the clarity vs. streaming...
  • 5 0
 me too, please! I will absolutely buy anything you create on bluray! Follow Me is, without fail, my go-to bike flick to get totally amped and completely psyched to ride... in fact, now that I think about it, I want to watch it again even though it's one in the morning :p
  • 6 0
 hahaaa same man must of watched follow me atleast 300 times hahaaaaa Big Grin
  • 2 0
 haha gotta love it ^^
  • 2 0
 I completely agree with UncleCliffy and intrepidbiped. I will for sure be buying this on bluray!
  • 1 0
 Please make it available in the UK iTunes store!! Whenever somethings released on iTunes, it hardly ever makes it to the UK store and it makes it almost impossible to buy.
  • 1 0
 Please tell me you are not working with VAS anymore. I don't want to see another great film get delayed a couple months. They butchered the Life Cycles project.
  • 2 0
 Spring 2012, a year away and they're building the hype already. This had better be good.
  • 4 1
 Spring 2012? Frown pitty the world will end 1/1/2012!!
  • 7 0
 NO I WILL MAKE THE WORLD KEEP SPIN UNTIL I SEE THAT MOVIE
  • 3 0
 no, the mine calendar (i think thats it) ends on the 23/12/2012 you will have plenty of time to watch it many times.
  • 1 0
 Funny I thought the MAYAN calender ended on December 21, 2012. I guess your calendar Hooly ends on the 23rd of December, given that you claimed it was "mine".
  • 2 0
 OPEN BRACKET i think thats it CLOSE BRACKET i was 2 days out, fucking sue me for it.
  • 1 0
 i still will see it before i die thats for sure
  • 1 0
 Follow me is such a sick film, definately looking forward to this one and its FREE! tup
  • 1 0
 Follow me is such a sick film, definately looking forward to this one and its FREE! tup
  • 1 0
 This is gonn be epic as long as it's not a nature documentary like life cycles
  • 1 0
 this new project will squash Life Cycles and it's shitty soundtrack/narration into tiny little pieces.
  • 1 0
 I hope the disk will be of much better quality than the one they used on follow me. That turned out to be a waste of money!
  • 1 0
 I wished I had a freaking time-machine!!!
  • 1 0
 Anthill!! be sure to use some wearable cams for the movie Smile
  • 3 1
 anthill for life
  • 3 0
 Anthill? Free? So exciting. I love all their films!
  • 1 0
 yeah boi! sounds awesome.
  • 1 0
 Can't wait!! I wanna se the trailer when comes out! stoked!!
  • 1 0
 Thats sounds Good to me, Anthill Rock!!!
  • 1 0
 YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY
  • 1 0
 any ideas on who the pro riders in it will be?
  • 1 0
 Sweeeeeeeeeet..! I just wish it was sooner than a year away...
  • 1 0
 finally a reasonable way to distribute a video. better for everyone
  • 1 0
 TRAILER! TRAILER! TRAILER!
  • 1 0
 that is awsome
  • 1 0
 awwww yeah
  • 1 0
 riders ?







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