True Grit Productions
June 9, 2013
Great Skiing cover shot of freestyle pioneer, John Clendenin. As one of Barrymore’s original K2 Performers, an innovator and showman on the revolving ski dek and a top competitor/performer in all four freestyle events (ballet, moguls, aerials and the overall), J.C. is a key figure in the story of the birth and boom of freestyle skiing.  I’m very excited and honored to be able to feature images from Ski and Skiing in the documentary. For me, the hot dog/freestyle images and articles in these magazines sparked an excitement to go out onto the slopes and try and emulate my heros of the day (Wong, Ferguson, Brooksbank, Clendenin and the host of original hot doggers). Dog Days of Winter tells the story of those first few years of hot dog or exhibition skiing when it was as much about spectacle as sport.

Great Skiing cover shot of freestyle pioneer, John Clendenin. As one of Barrymore’s original K2 Performers, an innovator and showman on the revolving ski dek and a top competitor/performer in all four freestyle events (ballet, moguls, aerials and the overall), J.C. is a key figure in the story of the birth and boom of freestyle skiing. 

I’m very excited and honored to be able to feature images from Ski and Skiing in the documentary. For me, the hot dog/freestyle images and articles in these magazines sparked an excitement to go out onto the slopes and try and emulate my heros of the day (Wong, Ferguson, Brooksbank, Clendenin and the host of original hot doggers).

Dog Days of Winter tells the story of those first few years of hot dog or exhibition skiing when it was as much about spectacle as sport.

May 26, 2013

A short snippet of raw footage from my interview with freestyle pioneer and filmmaker, Stanley Larsen. Here, he talks about his inspiration to get into freestyle before it organized into a sport. Like so many I had the privilege to interview, it was films like “Ski The Outer Limits” and “The Performers” that sparked the imagination and generated an energy that would lead to the birth of freestyle in America.

Thanks to Caleb Young for operating the camera and joining me on the shoot. Archival footage used with permission from Dick Barrymore’s films.

February 27, 2013

Project Update-Visit to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame

Last week, I had the great opportunity to venture to Ishpeming, MI and pay a visit to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. A huge thanks to Tom West and Bob Hendrickson for supporting the documentary and my research efforts. A key focus of my visit was to view the outstanding John Jay collection that spans an amazing 50 decades of skiing. We are hopeful that we will be able to include some of John Jay’s classic footage along with images from Dick Barrymore, Summit Films, Joe Jay Jalbert, Barry Stott, Vail, Sun Valley, Waterville Valley, skiers personal collections and hopefully the classic film of the ‘74 tour, Winter Equinox. I couldn’t be more delighted to showcase some of the greatest images of the early days of freestyle as those who created and shaped the sport tell the story of the birth of a sport in America.

It was also an honor to help support the Hall’s preparation to pay tribute to freestyle pioneer and ski icon, Wayne Wong’s upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame. What better way to work on “Dog Days” then to be back in my home state, being surrounded by an amazing collection of ski history and nice folks to support my efforts and get to eat Pastys. Hope I will be able to return again some day soon!

Congratulations Wayne!! Amazing Cover shot by Scott Nelson (1972)

February 23, 2013

Finally-something about my sport !

I grew up in western Massachusetts during the early 70’s and was on the Bousquet Freestyle Team. We competed with other ski areas ( Mass., New York, Vermont, etc.) Had to put up with a lot of grief and friction from the racers and ski patrol. Was much like what skateboarders had to go through in the early 80’s. Glad to see this project is happening and can’t wait to see it.

February 20, 2013
Thanks to Sakeus Bankson and all the good folks at The Ski Journal for the most appreciated write up. It’s an honor to be featured in such an outstanding publication.

Thanks to Sakeus Bankson and all the good folks at The Ski Journal for the most appreciated write up. It’s an honor to be featured in such an outstanding publication.

February 20, 2013 • 3 notes

Here’s a sneak peek at our first attempt at a trailer for the story of the start up of freestyle skiing in America. My 75-minute first rough cut from interviews is now looking to become a one hour broadcast length documentary. Thanks to Jim Murphy for helping with the music! Also, working with a partner the past three months has been a great experience and wonderful decision for the project. Thanks Caleb! We are about 40-minutes into the first rough cut. Lots of work to go: getting the archival footage, adding an interview or two and hoping to find some additional funding to pay for a song or two, visual effects and getting everything looking and sounding as good as possible.

So thankful for everyone’s support and encouragement!

January 4, 2013 • 1 note

Project Update

Well, here I am in 2013, three years into the project. “Dog Days” continues to be a low budget (a big reason for the slow pace since I need to keep my full time paying job), first time, independent feature documentary. I never could have imagined the adventure and task I got myself into when my decision to make a short documentary on the first organized freestyle (exhibition skiing) event in March of 1971 at Waterville Valley quickly expanded into presenting the story of the spirit that freestyle is rooted in and the original group who got things started. While the history of freestyle lends itself to a much larger story, I’ve kept to the focus of the birth and initial boom of the first years of loose organization, 1971-1974. One of the key questions I asked the pioneers from that era that I was so fortunate to interview was what defined the essence, relationships and spirit that the sport is rooted in (what is the “free” in freestyle). What factors created the template for freestyle and what factors impacted the original intent? 

Stott Shot of Wild Bill O’Leary finishing his ballet run with style and finesse at the ‘74 Championships. Fun, innovation and “Look at me!” were a big part of that original template which the sport grew from.

My one New Year’s resolution is to complete The Dog Days of Winter in 2013. I’ve been fortunate to receive a small loan (as far as filmmaking goes) to block out time for a young, talented local filmmaker (Caleb Young) who has been very generous in his consultations the past year to help me finish the edit. This has allowed me to keep things moving and at a higher level, while I do my daily work in the school counseling world and let Caleb work on the project at Handcrank Films where he is a director. I’ve appreciated this partnership greatly and we hope to have a few trailers/teasers to post soon.

“Dog Days” is very fortunate to have Caleb’s dedicated partnership as an editor and producer. Caleb Young graduated from Western Washington University in 2005 with a BA in Creative-Writing/English and Minor in Film and founded LAB Films-NW. Since then, Caleb has produced, directed and/or lensed 5 independent feature films, 11 short films, and several music videos, receiving several Official Selections and Awards.

It would also be a dream come true to get some funding to pay for licensing a few classic rock songs from the era and visual effects/titles to take the edit to the next level.

I can’t tell you how much the support and encouragement from friends, families, freestylers and fans of the spectacle turned sport has meant to me.

Thank You & Happy New Year!!

November 4, 2012 • 1 note

Pioneers of Freestyle, Image of the Day

Barry Stott (Stott Shots) captures Mike Williams at Vail flying through the moguls back at the dawn of the sport. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to feature Barry’s incredible photography in the “Dog Days” production.

October 20, 2012

Pioneers of Freestyle, Image of the Day

Suzy Chafee graces the cover of The Ski Journal in this beautiful Peter Miller photo. A great annual Photobook edition with a section devoted to the 70’s and some classic images of the Pioneers. 

September 3, 2012
PROJECT UPDATE Finishing my first rough cut for Act One which celebrates some of the key people and events that set the stage for the birth of organized freestyle. Stein was certainly mentioned in more than a few of my interviews. These poles look as long as the ones Bob Howard would amaze crowds with some 30-years later.

PROJECT UPDATE

Finishing my first rough cut for Act One which celebrates some of the key people and events that set the stage for the birth of organized freestyle. Stein was certainly mentioned in more than a few of my interviews. These poles look as long as the ones Bob Howard would amaze crowds with some 30-years later.

August 28, 2012

http://www.sunvalleymag.com/Sun-Valley-Magazine/Winter-2012/Penny-in-the-Sky/

Nice profile on Penelope Street, one of the few women that was there right at the start up competing with and against the men.

August 1, 2012
While Bob Salerno started his professional freestyle career in 1973, it was the 1974 tour where he consistently found the winner’s podium and gained legendary status. In honor of his birthday, here’s a wonderful write up of his Sun Valley victory and the 1974 IFSA tour. This should be easier to read (just click the photo) for those interested than the Facebook post. Found in the March 27th issue of Ski Racing.

While Bob Salerno started his professional freestyle career in 1973, it was the 1974 tour where he consistently found the winner’s podium and gained legendary status.

In honor of his birthday, here’s a wonderful write up of his Sun Valley victory and the 1974 IFSA tour. This should be easier to read (just click the photo) for those interested than the Facebook post. Found in the March 27th issue of Ski Racing.

July 27, 2012
A great collage/celebration from the ‘74 season found in Sept. ‘74 publication of “Skiing.” The ‘75 Championships would not occur as an IFSA event however. In ‘75, most of the top competitors joined the PFA (Professional Freestyle Associates) which brought ABC Wide World of Sports broadcasts and a new chapter to the first era of organized freestyle.

A great collage/celebration from the ‘74 season found in Sept. ‘74 publication of “Skiing.” The ‘75 Championships would not occur as an IFSA event however. In ‘75, most of the top competitors joined the PFA (Professional Freestyle Associates) which brought ABC Wide World of Sports broadcasts and a new chapter to the first era of organized freestyle.

July 26, 2012
Copy of the results from the 1974 Beconta Cup, World Super Hot Dog Championships held at Park City. Regardless of where they placed in that day’s competition, an amazing group of skiers/performers on this list.

Copy of the results from the 1974 Beconta Cup, World Super Hot Dog Championships held at Park City. Regardless of where they placed in that day’s competition, an amazing group of skiers/performers on this list.

July 26, 2012
Gelande (from the German word Gelandesprung meaning terrain jump) contests began in 1963 at Alta off the base of the mine dump below Alf’s High Rustler. Skiers like Keith Lange, Jim McConkey, the Engen family, Junior Bounous, Dick Simon and Jim Gaddis were early masters of the sky ten years before the first Exhibition Skiing Aerial Competitions.Gelande contests (especially when the most spectacular division was included) became a breeding ground for freestyle pioneers like Michael Grazier, Roger Evans, and Bob Theobald. A great shot from Fred Lindholm of Keith Lange (late 1950’s)

Gelande (from the German word Gelandesprung meaning terrain jump) contests began in 1963 at Alta off the base of the mine dump below Alf’s High Rustler. Skiers like Keith Lange, Jim McConkey, the Engen family, Junior Bounous, Dick Simon and Jim Gaddis were early masters of the sky ten years before the first Exhibition Skiing Aerial Competitions.

Gelande contests (especially when the most spectacular division was included) became a breeding ground for freestyle pioneers like Michael Grazier, Roger Evans, and Bob Theobald. 

A great shot from Fred Lindholm of Keith Lange (late 1950’s)