Strength in Numbers - The Riders
''A sport of individuals, equally defined by their many differences, as the common threads that bind.'' That's the tagline for Anthill Films' latest movie Strength in Numbers, so whether you ride all-mountain in the Himalayas or flip stepdowns in Utah, there's a section for everyone. But this diversity also creates a conundrum – who do you choose as riders in this project? Do you go with established veterans or young guns; experience, or youthful exuberance? Why not both? Strength in Numbers features a dream team drawn from every discipline of our sport. Read on to hear what the riders think of the filmmaking process:
Brandon Semenuk
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than filming for web content or Life Behind Bars?
It depends on the project, but obviously it’s a different crew of dudes. I've known them for a while now and they also live in the same neck of the woods. We all get along well, and I enjoy working with the crew a lot.
What’s your best memory from filming with Anthill?
Towing a bunch of junk we found on a logging road at high speed with the big Anthill work truck after filming one day.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
Tiger torching the forest every other morning before we shot so we couldn’t see snow. Maybe not funny at the time, but looking back it’s pretty humorous.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
Post Office.
How was it shooting with a massive crew at the Post Office? Did they feel like normal sessions or does filming change everyone’s attitude?
It was pretty similar, everyone was a bit more focused, but everyone was still having a good time, and that’s what Post Office is about.
You’re known for dominating slopestyle competitions but your segment on Full Nelson really showed your speed. Would you ever race a World Cup?
It’s not really a goal of mine, but I wouldn’t say I’ll never try.
Graham Agassiz
What’s it like shooting with Anthill? How is it different from shooting a web video?
Shooting with Anthill is pretty damn fun; at times I would forget that we were even filming. It was like the camera just happened to be there while we were having these badass sessions. It is somewhat of a dream come true shooting with those guys; they are legends in their profession. They filmed a lot of the snowboard videos I watched growing up, which were huge inspirations to me. Yeah, it was a little different than shooting a web video, but either way I was still riding and having fun. Nothing ever changes there!
What’s your favourite memory from filming for Strength in Numbers?
Well, it's pretty hard to pick out just one solid memory, but if there is one that stands out it would have to be when Thomas and I went down to Green River on a scouting mission a week before the crew showed up. We had these two quads we had rented and were bombing around the desert, sometimes having a little too much fun if that's even possible. But this one time, when we were packing it in for the day, I see this big mud puddle…of course I made a b-line towards the thing and hear Thomas yell with his dad voice, "AGGY!!!" But it was too late, I was sooo damn stuck.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill?
Well, the quad story was pretty funny, but another good moment was when Matt Miles ran over me when we were filming the "Gnarcroft" seggy. I guess it hurt more then anything, but when I look back it was pretty funny as well!
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
My favourite segment from the film was the Aptos seggy. The song, the crew, the story, it had it all.
Is it sketchy getting followed so closely by Matt Miles with the helmet cam? Or is it pretty similar to normal rides?
It wasn't sketchy at all; sometimes on a normal trail ride we’re even closer. That's just kind of our style back home, see how close you can get, rub the rear wheel a bit, getting face shots of brown pow. It's a great style and a real good way to learn and try new lines from the rider in front of you. I learned a lot over the years from trying to stay close behind guys like Matt Hunter, but he's a quick one.
Is Gnarcroft the best trail ever?
I don't know if it’s the best trail, but it’s certainly one of the gnarliest. There's still another 2/3 of the trail that needs to be built as well, and once we finish it, it will be up there as one of the best trails for sure.
You had some of the biggest moves (and hardest crashes) in Utah. What was your favourite line/trick you did there? Was it motivating to shred with Vanderham and R-Dog?
Thanks! I think my favourite move I did was the hand plant - I had never really done one before and was pretty stoked to get it in the bag. Shredding with Thomas and Ryan was awesome; two of the most stylish riders in the industry and they were killing it. They got me so pumped to ride, and pushed me to try harder - it was a great vibe out there.
Cam McCaul
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective?
Yeah, it’s completely different. Back in the day they had a sticker of a tree on the back window of their truck. Now they have a sticker of an "A." If you ignore that huge difference, then it’s pretty much the same. It’s always a great experience. They approach every shoot with a list of great ideas on paper and after a few days of shooting, those ideas are in motion on a memory card (although they used to be in a film canister).
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
Probably our shoot at Windell's Camp for Follow Me. Such a weird trip because we were only shooting at night. We all stayed in a funky little cabin, sleeping at weird hours of the day on tiny bunks and odd shaped couches. The riding was sick because the jumps were always perfectly lit with rental tower lights. You never had to worry about the magic hour fading.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
When Jonathan Schramm (Anthill cinematographer) dropped in at Post Office and showed everyone up.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
The Utah segment. I wanted to be on that trip so bad but had to pull out to get my shoulder fixed. Luckily, RDog was able to take my place and we all got the chance to see him shred on the big screen. Such awesome style.
How was it shooting with a massive crew at the Post Office? Did they feel like normal sessions or does filming change everyone’s attitude?
We did two big shoots about a year apart. I was able to ride during the first shoot and that was when we did that big train on the middle trick jump. Getting that shot was the coolest experience. It had the vibe of a normal PO session because we were riding together and trying to push it, but it was enhanced because we knew we were filming the banger shot for a major film segment. We all looked at each other on the roll-in, decided to all try our hardest trick and we somehow nailed it on the first take. It was one of the all-time highlight moments from 13 years of Post Office riding.
Are the Post Office jumps the best you’ve ever ridden?
If you took all the jumps that have ever existed at Post Office and had them there at the same time, then yes. It has evolved from forty-foot gappers on DH bikes to steep and deep rhythms on hardtails and there has been everything in between. To fully appreciate that place, you would have to be there since the beginning…or get a time machine.
Matt Hunter
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective?
Shooting with the Ants is pretty much the same as shooting with The Collective, only difference is that we aren't running it quite as loose as back then.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
We had a rental Suburban vs. Ford Anger food fight on the Cariboo highways and backroads while filming the Williams Lake segment in Roam, it was an endless battle with many intense ambushes and different projectiles. I'll never forget the laughs.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
We were celebrating on our last night of the shoot and Wade decided to take a Swiss Policeman's bike for a spin...
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
Aptos. The history and action of those guys shredding their home jumps was perfect. Great tune too.
It looked like you rode an on/off box made of logs in your section. Where did that come from? Was it fun to ride?
The logs were just an idea I had, it ended up working really well and it was super fun to ride! There was no filler between the logs but it was pretty smooth because of the speed.
Thomas Vanderham
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective?
Shooting with Anthill has been awesome. They are all pros who have been doing it for a long time. We’ve worked together on a lot of films and it’s a real team effort on shoots, they take a lot of athlete input. That group dynamic was formed during The Collective days, so in a lot of ways it’s very similar.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
There have been many, it’s too tough to pick one.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
Funniest story would have to be Aggy getting one of our quads stuck in the middle of nowhere. We were heading back to the trucks after a day of digging and Aggy managed to find the only watering hole in the desert to drive his quad through. He got stuck and I had to go about half an hour to the truck to get a tie down and pull him out.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
I don’t get tired of watching the Aptos segment. Great insight into a legendary spot, and the song really puts it over the top for me.
How was it shooting with Aggy and R-Dog? Do you ride much with them during the season?
I ride with Aggy a lot through the season but I don’t get the chance to ride with R-Dog much. Filming with both of them down in Utah was dope. They are both guys that have great style and that made for a good shoot. It was as much fun to watch them as it was to ride myself.
Was your segment good training for Rampage? Or do you prefer looking off tall buildings and doing pushups?
Well, pushups and looking off of tall buildings is a little bit of a tradition of mine…that said, riding the dirt down in Utah is probably the best way to get ready for Rampage.
Ian Morrison
What’s it like shooting with Anthill? Is it different than shooting web edits?
It's pretty incredible, they are a really easy group of guys to work with and they have their program dialed. It was a little different than working with Mike Goldstein, but it was great, they are both super fun and easy to work with.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
Getting to know the guys was awesome and getting to watch Karver’s drifts in person was pretty jaw dropping.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill?
I loved getting called out by the groms for crashing on the scrub clip, luckily I crashed on the second take and had to do the shot five more times after that to get a shot for the movie.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
The Aptos segment was incredible, but Aggy's ‘’Gnarcroft’’ segment was hands down my favourite movie segment ever - summer or winter.
Is it tough to find unique things to shoot in Whistler?
Personally, I don't think so. With some creativity the Bike Park has endless opportunities to shoot and get a unique look.
Do you feel typecast as the ‘guy who scrubs Whistler tables?’
I do, but that’s only because no one’s ever seen my switch left-handed hair flick. It's all time.
Claire Buchar
What was it like shooting with Anthill?
It was chill. And it's not because they aren't professional. On the contrary, they had a plan so we weren't too stressed to execute it. I was also surprised - I thought I'd have to do something super gnarly to make the cut but they just wanted me to do the A-Line Drop. Something I do, and a lot of riders do a hundred times a season. They just had a crazy camera and a different angle of it. It wasn't about going massive or doing something that has never been done. It was about just riding.
Is it different than shooting web content?
I was so honoured and stoked to be asked to be a part of a real live Anthill Films film! It may not be a big deal to the Shandros and the Vanderhams out there but for me it was pretty darn cool. So I guess just knowing that I was actually gonna be in a real legit film was different then just being in an edit released out onto the world wide web somewhere.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
To get my shot off the A-Line Drop, the timing had to be pretty near perfect as they had to be driving up the service road past the "window" as I came off the drop. It took a few attempts but eventually we got it. The Phantom Camera was unreal, it made it look like you could just reach into the woods and grab me. Like I was a fish in a fish bowl or something.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill?
We had to do some pretty precarious trimming of foliage to prepare the shot. All while the Bike Park was still open and with A-Line being the most popular trail on the entire bloody mountain!
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
The racing segment in the beginning was my favourite, being a racer myself and being really passionate about it. They really captured how racing can either lift you up or crush you. And the feeling of why we always come back for more.
Does Kovarik ever show you any sneaky lines (or vice versa)?
Yes. Whether I can hit them like he does is another story. But most of the time, I can shred them pretty hard too.
Andrew Shandro
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective?
The vibe is very similar, everyone has a voice and ideas are welcome. Overall though, the Ants are a bunch of slackers.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
My most recent shoot to Nepal was unreal, amazing people, beautiful mountains, sick trails. For me it was the most epic MTB trip I have ever been a part of.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
Loads of spontaneous funny shit happens all the time. CJ's sarcasm makes me laugh.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
I think Aptos was my favourite segment, it had a great feel to it and really told the story of a very influential zone.
How was it shooting with René? Do you ride much with him during the season?
René is an animal, fit as hell, always ready to ride and pin it. He loves a plan; when you're on a shoot René is always asking "What's the plan?" He likes everything to move with Swiss precision. Seriously though, René is an incredibly hard working, genuine person who loves the mountains.
Did you experience major culture shock filming in Nepal?
When we landed in Kathmandu after travelling for 20 hours it was a culture shock, dog packs ruling the streets, diesel fumes that make you choke, and insane traffic. Nepal is an incredibly diverse country, from the unpredictability and rawness of Kathmandu to the highest mountains in the world. I would love to visit Nepal again.
René Wildhaber
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than filming for web content?
The Anthill Films crew is the most professional crew I have ever worked with. When we were travelling through Nepal it wasn’t always easy, we had to make a lot of decisions and work together. We grew together in this time and became friends. Web is mostly action only, but for the Strength in Numbers project Anthill wanted to tell the story that biking is becoming more popular all over the world. I think it’s hard to tell a story in a mountain bike video but they succeeded. In the end it was a big surprise when I saw the film for the first time because I was not involved in the cutting process.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?
One day we had bad weather far up in the mountains, it was a mix of snow, rain, and sun. So we were shooting and then searching for shelter for cameras and people. We had a lot of discussions about whether we should wait for more sun or give it up - we were nervous. I think that situations like this bring a crew together or make it fall apart. I think we ended up as friends!
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?
We had some free time during our high camp stay at 4600 meters. While there, I tried spontaneously to ride one of our packing horses. Once I was up, the horse tried to kick me down and I tried to stay up. My legs hurt for several days because I was clamping so hard without a saddle.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?
The story of the Post Office jumps in Aptos. We mountain bikers have to fight to get our tracks and jumps. It’s like a school for life, never give up what you love.
How was it shooting with Shandro? Do you ride much with him during the season?
Sometimes I have the pleasure of riding with Shandro for Trek shoots. It’s fun and I would like to ride with him more often. He lives in one of the best mountain bike spots in the world, Vancouver's North Shore. So far he's shown me some epic trails in Canada - I thank him and Trek a lot for that.
Did you experience major culture shock filming in Nepal? What were the biggest surprises?
I had travelled in India and Nepal before, so I knew about the culture there. I love the mountains and the people of Nepal. There's a big difference between the Hindu and the Buddhist part of the country. During the film we got in touch with very poor people and the former royal family. To get in touch with their high society was the biggest surprise for me. It’s crazy how big the spread between the richest and the poorest is there.
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Stills by: Sterling Lorence
Interview by: Scott Secco
 |
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than filming for web content or Life Behind Bars? It depends on the project, but obviously it’s a different crew of dudes. I've known them for a while now and they also live in the same neck of the woods. We all get along well, and I enjoy working with the crew a lot.
What’s your best memory from filming with Anthill? Towing a bunch of junk we found on a logging road at high speed with the big Anthill work truck after filming one day.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers? Tiger torching the forest every other morning before we shot so we couldn’t see snow. Maybe not funny at the time, but looking back it’s pretty humorous.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? Post Office.
How was it shooting with a massive crew at the Post Office? Did they feel like normal sessions or does filming change everyone’s attitude? It was pretty similar, everyone was a bit more focused, but everyone was still having a good time, and that’s what Post Office is about.
You’re known for dominating slopestyle competitions but your segment on Full Nelson really showed your speed. Would you ever race a World Cup?It’s not really a goal of mine, but I wouldn’t say I’ll never try.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill? How is it different from shooting a web video? Shooting with Anthill is pretty damn fun; at times I would forget that we were even filming. It was like the camera just happened to be there while we were having these badass sessions. It is somewhat of a dream come true shooting with those guys; they are legends in their profession. They filmed a lot of the snowboard videos I watched growing up, which were huge inspirations to me. Yeah, it was a little different than shooting a web video, but either way I was still riding and having fun. Nothing ever changes there!
What’s your favourite memory from filming for Strength in Numbers? Well, it's pretty hard to pick out just one solid memory, but if there is one that stands out it would have to be when Thomas and I went down to Green River on a scouting mission a week before the crew showed up. We had these two quads we had rented and were bombing around the desert, sometimes having a little too much fun if that's even possible. But this one time, when we were packing it in for the day, I see this big mud puddle…of course I made a b-line towards the thing and hear Thomas yell with his dad voice, "AGGY!!!" But it was too late, I was sooo damn stuck.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill? Well, the quad story was pretty funny, but another good moment was when Matt Miles ran over me when we were filming the "Gnarcroft" seggy. I guess it hurt more then anything, but when I look back it was pretty funny as well!
 |
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? My favourite segment from the film was the Aptos seggy. The song, the crew, the story, it had it all.
Is it sketchy getting followed so closely by Matt Miles with the helmet cam? Or is it pretty similar to normal rides? It wasn't sketchy at all; sometimes on a normal trail ride we’re even closer. That's just kind of our style back home, see how close you can get, rub the rear wheel a bit, getting face shots of brown pow. It's a great style and a real good way to learn and try new lines from the rider in front of you. I learned a lot over the years from trying to stay close behind guys like Matt Hunter, but he's a quick one.
Is Gnarcroft the best trail ever? I don't know if it’s the best trail, but it’s certainly one of the gnarliest. There's still another 2/3 of the trail that needs to be built as well, and once we finish it, it will be up there as one of the best trails for sure.
You had some of the biggest moves (and hardest crashes) in Utah. What was your favourite line/trick you did there? Was it motivating to shred with Vanderham and R-Dog? Thanks! I think my favourite move I did was the hand plant - I had never really done one before and was pretty stoked to get it in the bag. Shredding with Thomas and Ryan was awesome; two of the most stylish riders in the industry and they were killing it. They got me so pumped to ride, and pushed me to try harder - it was a great vibe out there.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective? Yeah, it’s completely different. Back in the day they had a sticker of a tree on the back window of their truck. Now they have a sticker of an "A." If you ignore that huge difference, then it’s pretty much the same. It’s always a great experience. They approach every shoot with a list of great ideas on paper and after a few days of shooting, those ideas are in motion on a memory card (although they used to be in a film canister).
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them? Probably our shoot at Windell's Camp for Follow Me. Such a weird trip because we were only shooting at night. We all stayed in a funky little cabin, sleeping at weird hours of the day on tiny bunks and odd shaped couches. The riding was sick because the jumps were always perfectly lit with rental tower lights. You never had to worry about the magic hour fading.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers? When Jonathan Schramm (Anthill cinematographer) dropped in at Post Office and showed everyone up.
 |
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? The Utah segment. I wanted to be on that trip so bad but had to pull out to get my shoulder fixed. Luckily, RDog was able to take my place and we all got the chance to see him shred on the big screen. Such awesome style.
How was it shooting with a massive crew at the Post Office? Did they feel like normal sessions or does filming change everyone’s attitude? We did two big shoots about a year apart. I was able to ride during the first shoot and that was when we did that big train on the middle trick jump. Getting that shot was the coolest experience. It had the vibe of a normal PO session because we were riding together and trying to push it, but it was enhanced because we knew we were filming the banger shot for a major film segment. We all looked at each other on the roll-in, decided to all try our hardest trick and we somehow nailed it on the first take. It was one of the all-time highlight moments from 13 years of Post Office riding.
Are the Post Office jumps the best you’ve ever ridden? If you took all the jumps that have ever existed at Post Office and had them there at the same time, then yes. It has evolved from forty-foot gappers on DH bikes to steep and deep rhythms on hardtails and there has been everything in between. To fully appreciate that place, you would have to be there since the beginning…or get a time machine.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective? Shooting with the Ants is pretty much the same as shooting with The Collective, only difference is that we aren't running it quite as loose as back then.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them? We had a rental Suburban vs. Ford Anger food fight on the Cariboo highways and backroads while filming the Williams Lake segment in Roam, it was an endless battle with many intense ambushes and different projectiles. I'll never forget the laughs.
 |
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers? We were celebrating on our last night of the shoot and Wade decided to take a Swiss Policeman's bike for a spin...
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? Aptos. The history and action of those guys shredding their home jumps was perfect. Great tune too.
It looked like you rode an on/off box made of logs in your section. Where did that come from? Was it fun to ride? The logs were just an idea I had, it ended up working really well and it was super fun to ride! There was no filler between the logs but it was pretty smooth because of the speed.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective? Shooting with Anthill has been awesome. They are all pros who have been doing it for a long time. We’ve worked together on a lot of films and it’s a real team effort on shoots, they take a lot of athlete input. That group dynamic was formed during The Collective days, so in a lot of ways it’s very similar.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them? There have been many, it’s too tough to pick one.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers? Funniest story would have to be Aggy getting one of our quads stuck in the middle of nowhere. We were heading back to the trucks after a day of digging and Aggy managed to find the only watering hole in the desert to drive his quad through. He got stuck and I had to go about half an hour to the truck to get a tie down and pull him out.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? I don’t get tired of watching the Aptos segment. Great insight into a legendary spot, and the song really puts it over the top for me.
How was it shooting with Aggy and R-Dog? Do you ride much with them during the season? I ride with Aggy a lot through the season but I don’t get the chance to ride with R-Dog much. Filming with both of them down in Utah was dope. They are both guys that have great style and that made for a good shoot. It was as much fun to watch them as it was to ride myself.
Was your segment good training for Rampage? Or do you prefer looking off tall buildings and doing pushups? Well, pushups and looking off of tall buildings is a little bit of a tradition of mine…that said, riding the dirt down in Utah is probably the best way to get ready for Rampage.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill? Is it different than shooting web edits? It's pretty incredible, they are a really easy group of guys to work with and they have their program dialed. It was a little different than working with Mike Goldstein, but it was great, they are both super fun and easy to work with.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them? Getting to know the guys was awesome and getting to watch Karver’s drifts in person was pretty jaw dropping.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill? I loved getting called out by the groms for crashing on the scrub clip, luckily I crashed on the second take and had to do the shot five more times after that to get a shot for the movie.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? The Aptos segment was incredible, but Aggy's ‘’Gnarcroft’’ segment was hands down my favourite movie segment ever - summer or winter.
Is it tough to find unique things to shoot in Whistler? Personally, I don't think so. With some creativity the Bike Park has endless opportunities to shoot and get a unique look.
Do you feel typecast as the ‘guy who scrubs Whistler tables?’ I do, but that’s only because no one’s ever seen my switch left-handed hair flick. It's all time.
What was it like shooting with Anthill? It was chill. And it's not because they aren't professional. On the contrary, they had a plan so we weren't too stressed to execute it. I was also surprised - I thought I'd have to do something super gnarly to make the cut but they just wanted me to do the A-Line Drop. Something I do, and a lot of riders do a hundred times a season. They just had a crazy camera and a different angle of it. It wasn't about going massive or doing something that has never been done. It was about just riding.
Is it different than shooting web content? I was so honoured and stoked to be asked to be a part of a real live Anthill Films film! It may not be a big deal to the Shandros and the Vanderhams out there but for me it was pretty darn cool. So I guess just knowing that I was actually gonna be in a real legit film was different then just being in an edit released out onto the world wide web somewhere.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them? To get my shot off the A-Line Drop, the timing had to be pretty near perfect as they had to be driving up the service road past the "window" as I came off the drop. It took a few attempts but eventually we got it. The Phantom Camera was unreal, it made it look like you could just reach into the woods and grab me. Like I was a fish in a fish bowl or something.
Funniest story shooting with Anthill? We had to do some pretty precarious trimming of foliage to prepare the shot. All while the Bike Park was still open and with A-Line being the most popular trail on the entire bloody mountain!
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? The racing segment in the beginning was my favourite, being a racer myself and being really passionate about it. They really captured how racing can either lift you up or crush you. And the feeling of why we always come back for more.
Does Kovarik ever show you any sneaky lines (or vice versa)? Yes. Whether I can hit them like he does is another story. But most of the time, I can shred them pretty hard too.
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than shooting with The Collective? The vibe is very similar, everyone has a voice and ideas are welcome. Overall though, the Ants are a bunch of slackers.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?My most recent shoot to Nepal was unreal, amazing people, beautiful mountains, sick trails. For me it was the most epic MTB trip I have ever been a part of.
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers? Loads of spontaneous funny shit happens all the time. CJ's sarcasm makes me laugh.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers? I think Aptos was my favourite segment, it had a great feel to it and really told the story of a very influential zone.
How was it shooting with René? Do you ride much with him during the season?René is an animal, fit as hell, always ready to ride and pin it. He loves a plan; when you're on a shoot René is always asking "What's the plan?" He likes everything to move with Swiss precision. Seriously though, René is an incredibly hard working, genuine person who loves the mountains.
Did you experience major culture shock filming in Nepal? When we landed in Kathmandu after travelling for 20 hours it was a culture shock, dog packs ruling the streets, diesel fumes that make you choke, and insane traffic. Nepal is an incredibly diverse country, from the unpredictability and rawness of Kathmandu to the highest mountains in the world. I would love to visit Nepal again.
 |
What’s it like shooting with Anthill Films? Is it different than filming for web content?The Anthill Films crew is the most professional crew I have ever worked with. When we were travelling through Nepal it wasn’t always easy, we had to make a lot of decisions and work together. We grew together in this time and became friends. Web is mostly action only, but for the Strength in Numbers project Anthill wanted to tell the story that biking is becoming more popular all over the world. I think it’s hard to tell a story in a mountain bike video but they succeeded. In the end it was a big surprise when I saw the film for the first time because I was not involved in the cutting process.
What’s your favourite memory from filming with them?One day we had bad weather far up in the mountains, it was a mix of snow, rain, and sun. So we were shooting and then searching for shelter for cameras and people. We had a lot of discussions about whether we should wait for more sun or give it up - we were nervous. I think that situations like this bring a crew together or make it fall apart. I think we ended up as friends!
Funniest story shooting on Strength in Numbers?We had some free time during our high camp stay at 4600 meters. While there, I tried spontaneously to ride one of our packing horses. Once I was up, the horse tried to kick me down and I tried to stay up. My legs hurt for several days because I was clamping so hard without a saddle.
What’s your favourite segment from Strength in Numbers?The story of the Post Office jumps in Aptos. We mountain bikers have to fight to get our tracks and jumps. It’s like a school for life, never give up what you love.
How was it shooting with Shandro? Do you ride much with him during the season?Sometimes I have the pleasure of riding with Shandro for Trek shoots. It’s fun and I would like to ride with him more often. He lives in one of the best mountain bike spots in the world, Vancouver's North Shore. So far he's shown me some epic trails in Canada - I thank him and Trek a lot for that.
Did you experience major culture shock filming in Nepal? What were the biggest surprises?I had travelled in India and Nepal before, so I knew about the culture there. I love the mountains and the people of Nepal. There's a big difference between the Hindu and the Buddhist part of the country. During the film we got in touch with very poor people and the former royal family. To get in touch with their high society was the biggest surprise for me. It’s crazy how big the spread between the richest and the poorest is there.
Anthill Films on Pinkbike.
Stills by: Sterling Lorence
Interview by: Scott Secco
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Thanks. :-)
On Semenuk trying his hand at WC racing, I'd like to see that. He wouldn't get to top 5, those guys are just too fast, but maybe he could muster a top 10-15, who knows. It'd be fun anyways.
Ride the same trails as the Anthill boys did in Switzerland and Nepal next year with us. We guided them!
ridebig.com/adventures.php