Interviewed - Freeride Entertainment's Derek Westerlund

Let’s face it, there’s no real shortage of mountain bike film producers in the game these days. Your selection can vary from rough digital video footage of locals ripping their best trails to 16mm film footage of the world’s best riders shredding the most exotic locales. That’s quite a range. Some obviously appeal to a more “local” market, while others are eagerly awaited by (dare I say it?) the entire industry. It's safe to say that’s where Freeride Entertainment fits in!

Hear the 37 minute Westerlund MP3 Interview here... I don’t think I’d be exaggerating at all if I was to say Freeride’s New World Disorder series have led the sport’s progression since the first volume hit store shelves back in 1999. More and more each year, the freeride community is abuzz with anticipation in the months leading up to the NWD (insert number here) premiere. Some may say it's a product of Freeride's marketing savvy, while others would argue it's because we can't wait to see where the sport will be pushed in the coming year.

I still remember seeing Allen and Simmons hitting Kelowna's Gillard Road Gap thinking "Holy shit - that's as big as you can go on a bike! They can't possibly top that!" Funny, it wasn't more than a few months after the movie's premiere that the local kids were pulling sick no footers and moto whips across the same gap. Like the sport, Freeride picks up the pace and manages to stay ahead of the pack with each new installment.

Westerlund's got a roster full of not only the best riders on the planet, but also some of the most creative personalities in the industry. To be successful, it takes a whole lot more than just good riders. It takes a whole lot of players to be the best. Without a doubt, it's that team approach that puts Freeride at the top of the movie game.
As producer, or as he puts it, "full time babysitter" Westerlund has brought together the "best of the best" in the industry, all of whom play an integral part in the Disorder family. First, there's editing guru, Jeremy Grant who, coincidently is also 50% of the MPF Production team, makers of Self Titled and Riders Anonymous. Then there's chief cinematographer Alex Fostvedt and a bevy of photographers including (but not limited to) Matt Scholl, John Gibson and Scott Markewitz. There's even a full time art director in Scott Dickson, not to mention Carey and Larry making sure the office stays in check. Each and every one plays an integral part in the finished product. Westerlund also credits the folks from Matchstick Productions for their invaluable advice, assistance and direction along the way.

Then there's the biggest reason you don't see many bike movies of this calibre, money! Ride the Lightning alone had over 24 hours of raw footage for the approximately 35 minutes that makes the final cut. At over $100 per minute of processed film you can see how costs quickly add up. My rough calculation shows the cost of film alone is well over $140,000. Keep in mind this doesn't include travel, salaries, equipment, food, accommodation, helicopter time, an editing suite, etc. There's not many other filmmakers out there with the ability to put this all together.

I caught up with Westerlund while he was editing the crash segment of NWDIV - Ride the Lightning . From their modest second story office in downtown Nelson, Big D had a whole lot to say about the industry, his success, the learning curve and the people and events that have shaped Freeride Entertainment into what it is today.

Hear the 37 minute Westerlund MP3 Interview here...

Warning: May contain some coarse language and sexual innuendo! Not intended for young children or the puritan brigade!

Check out all the Freeride videos
New World Disorder 4 - Ride the Lightning
Red Bull Rampage 2002
New World Disorder 3 - Freewheel Burning
New World Disorder 2 - Fat Tire Fury
New World Disorder 1