If your not "F1RST",,,Your last.
A FILM BY CLAY PORTER
When Clay produces a film, it is special to me, because I remember where he started and the passion he had as a youngster to arrive at this level. Producing, editing, filming, fundraising, traveling, writing, and premiering, Distinction Productions, aka Clay Porter (at age 23), is a one man show. 6 films into his collection, the cinematography and focus has evolved a long way since the days of "The Spectacle". I know for a fact that Clay poured his heart into making this video, it is apparent with the quality. He goes beyond making a video with cool music, it's a real life storyline of monumental events documenting downhill mountain bike racing during the 2007 season....
SUMMARY
What someone like me, who lived the experience, takes away from the film will be very different to someone who has never met these characters or been to these events. I have a lot of memories from each venue and a great deal of admiration for how fast riders ride these tracks, and who they are as people. Downhill has soul, creativity, and so many variables across a season,,, there is a lot to learn; this is what Clay portrays to the public. The full season of Downhill racing, insight from riders, scenic time lapses, and some of the greatest footage captured. There is depth in this film. Building heroes is what it is all about....
FILM STYLE
There are a several parallels with F1RST and the last couple films Clay has made as far as documentary style, interviews, people,,, but to someone who buys this video, stand alone, none of that stuff will matter. He is doing the same thing, but better each time. In my opinion, after watching it a couple times I am still involved the entire time. I would like to see the next one edit the interviews down slightly, change it up with more on the spot stuff:). He did use some new techniques: jib arm, skateboard dollys, refined cable cam, night shooting.
SECTIONS
Opening chapter: Time lapses, character development, defining the sport,,,setting the stage..
"Picture an olympic sprint runner full flight. Now picture him trying to juggle while trying to memorize a complex sequence of numbers, and you will begin to see the complexities involved in the sport we are talking about." ... " You, machine, and course against the clock".
SAM HILL
You could probably have an entire video of just Sam riding. This was HIS year, hands down; World Champ, World Cup Champ. His riding is beautiful. "Everybody thought he cornered the best, now he's just found a way to do everything the best". I like that quote. There are a few clips from Sunpeaks resort in Kamloops, one of him doing this massive gap- you don't often see him do stuff like that!!. Clay said that Sam had been talking about it from last year, so they showed up and within ten minutes, one roll through, sam hit it up. Down to business, that's how he rolls. End of the year "I finally got to hold the biggest trophy".
WORLD CUPS
The focus of this video is mainly on the battle for the overall championship. Each location offers something special, suited to one style or the other, riders adapt, it is a global confluence of talent. Just have to watch it: Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Austria, Slovenia.
AMERICANS
It is good to see that he put an american section in there. Keep it real for those guys at home who are going to bat against the world. Luke Stroble, my fellow Seattle homie, had an awesome year and is finally getting the support he needs just to ride like he does. It is a process and not easy to compete against season veterans with hundreds of world cup races under their belts.
Cole Bangert section is one of my favorites too for his point of view. First time I met him was out in Australia a few years ago at the races. His family had just sold their rafting business and were out traveling. Such a nice family, he has good head on his shoulders, glad the rest of the world got to see that. I knew he was from the sticks, but had no idea it was like that:) Where you are from is a part of the story.
JD, Kid has all around talent. His jumping is what he is mostly know for, but then a podium at the Jr worlds got him on the radar for racing. He just signed with the Intense factory team and is about to embark on a full season of racing overseas as a teenager living the dream.
ATHERTONS
"Its just been all about pushing eachother on"..."Its an amazing bond that you've got, you never really talk about it, but if one of you were to quit it would ruin it". Two brothers and a sister all top in the world. They have it all, they are their own team, tight family who loves bikes. Clay went to their home in Wales, and filmed them at night, 24 floodlights. Black and white for some of this would have been cool, but still, no one has really filmed like this at night with zip lines and all that. Bit cooky, but came out really nice. These three make you appreciate the love of riding and the journey, lots of insight.
SOUTH AFRICA
New teammates, old friends, Peaty and Minnaar in South Africa. Never seen this part of the world, so it was interesting to see a those guys rolling through a village of huts with little kids chasing after them. Minnaar tells good stories from his homeland, and here we see it :). Peaty is a champion, loved by the people:) He's been around the race scene over a decade and still shredding as a top contender for the championship. Didn't happen this year for Peaty, but he will have another chance... That's one of the greatest things about racing, there's always another race:)
Only complaints are that I hate Coldplay almost as much as John Mayer:), Sorry Clay. And that there was no 4x :(.
CONCLUSION
At the end, I just wanted to go faster on my bike. 2007 is over :) Onto the new season.....Well done Clay, I was impressed. The Movie will be in shops soon, couple weeks I think.
http://www.f1rstmovie.com
This review is based off my opinion.