There's a movement brewing in Whistler this winter. Finally a new production company (with their $h*t together) working on a big mountain freeskiing film set to drop in fall 2010. All those up'n coming rippers that abound on Whistler and Blackcomb will now have a chance to show us all what they've got, combined with some amazing cinematography and story telling from none other than Dendrite Studios. We caught up with Nicolas Teichrob and Athan Merrick from Dendrite to get the lowdown on what they're up to.

And before we get into the thick of it, their 4th webisode was just released today. Enjoy...

Jamie Bond: So guys, what's the deal with Dendrite Studios? What are you guys up to?
Nic & Athan: We started shooting ski photos together a couple of years ago and were both drawn to visually portraying playing in the mountains.  We felt that the ski film industry had room for some new faces at the professional level, so we are doing this film project with all guns blazing.

As for what we're up to today, we were out shooting on Whistler and Blackcomb and currently we are downloading and converting footage at Dendrite headquarters, and tomorrow we'll be shooting some intro clips, and hopefully Friday and Saturday will yield some big lines in the sun while sled skiing.

Forming Dendrite Studios, we wanted to work together to present creative imagery and a narrative that focuses on the unknown and up and coming talent of Whistler, BC

Jamie Bond: Awesome, Whistler (and the ski industry for that matter) is due for a new look at ski vids
Nic & Athan: We full heartedly agree

Jamie Bond: What will you be producing this year? A full length ski film?
Nic & Athan: We are producing a series of web clips titled 'Perspectives' that will build the hype in the anticipation for the release of our full length ski film, which will be released in Fall 2010.

Jamie Bond: Looking forward to it. Where are you guys shooting? Just Whistler? All over? Or top secret?
Nic & Athan:  Throughout the sea-to-sky corridor, as well as some zones in the interior of BC (Kootenays, Selkirks, Valhallas etc.).  We also have some other filmers in other locations git'en'er done.

Jamie Bond: A Pacific Northwest Film. Nice. No shortage of snow for you then.
Nic & Athan:  Not just the Pacific Northwest, but much of it will be shot in Coastal BC. We are always looking for filmers/athlete teams from other locales who want to be in a professional ski film.

Jamie Bond: Oh look no further, I do a mean crotch-grab
Nic & Athan: Do it off the Dominator and you will be in for sure!

Jamie Bond: OK i'll stretch up, stay tuned. Gimme 2 weeks.
Nic & Athan: Gaper Day is months away Mr. Bond

Jamie Bond: Who else is in the flick? Besides my imminent crotch-grab cameo
Nic & Athan: 2008 World Champion Brett Crabtree, Sickbird winner Christian 'Little C' Boucher, Air Jordan specialist Matt Elliot, Surface rider Eliel Hindert who brings a newschool persepctive to natural terrain, verteran and switch-master Chris Turpin, recent 7th place finisher at the Revy comp Alex 'Blazer' Blais, 6th overall 2008 World Tour and Telus Slopestyle Finalist Jake Cohn, and the list goes on and continues to build with time.

Jamie Bond: Awesome, this flick is going to rule. How are you guys going to stand out in the crowd of other ski vids?
Nic & Ahtan: We are attempting to put a narrative into the film which will hopefully broaden our audience, while maintaining skiers' need for fresh stoke in the form of big lines, big airs, and face shots. It is all written down and in our heads and planned out, but we can't give it all away just yet

Jamie Bond: We'll save a few secrets for the premiere. Dare I ask, what's a Dendrite?
Nic & Athan: Dendritic patterns are present throughout nature in the form of branching fractals.  These range from trees to rivers to erosion to neurons in the brain to snowflakes.  Like a dendritic snowflake we will try to make every shot unique

Jamie Bond: Well it sounds cool, works for me. For the am's out there, what are you guys filming with?
Nic & Athan: We hate questions like this because it draws the focus away from the visuals.  It is not about the camera one uses (we are shooting in full HD), but about the quality of the finished product.  We are focusing on utlizing rigs that provide varied and unique perspectives, many of which we built with our own 4 hands, while others have been provided by some of our sponsors.

Jamie Bond: And what are you doing to be sure you nail enough shots this year for a full film?
Nic & Athan: Well Jamie, when we've seen you filling your face in Glacier Lodge with Poutine, we've been out getting shots and working hard. But in all seriousness, planning is the key to anything of this magnitude.  Everything we have shot and need to shoot is on paper.

Jamie Bond: Speaking of shooting, i'm up at Backcountry Snowcats as we type, hopefully you guys will score some sweet footie from spots like this... pillows galore.
Nic & Athan: We would be stoked to shoot at Backcountry Snowcats and showcase their terrain on film.  The pictures we have seen look unreal!

Jamie Bond: Who are your sponsors?
Nic & Athan: Corknine Development and Design made us a killer website, Russell Brewing will be supporting some Dendrite parties in the near future, PointofViewCameras.ca is a one-stop shop for everything helmet cam related, Smith Optics keep our vision clear and heads safe, Surefoot boots keep the athletes charging with a custom fit, Intuition Liners keep the toes from freezing, Indi System makes some sweet filming rigs, Light Craft Workshop keeps the cameras accessorized, Swany gloves warm the hands, Lowepro packs and Pelican cases keep the camera gear mobile, and Doglotion.com is going to keep promoting us and help us throw parties, right Jamie?

Jamie Bond: You bet. Party it up.
Nic & Athan: There is always a need for new sponsors.  Our cash flow is low, bills are high and we would be stoked to discuss sponsorship opportunities with more companies.

Jamie Bond: What's the best way for everyone to follow you this winter?
Nic & Athan: The world wide web is the way.  www.dendritestudios.com will be updated all winter with fresh blog content and 'Persepectives' web clips, we have a facebook page that everyone should join (Dendrite Studios), and our affiliate site, www.actionarmada.com, will provide some extra content as well

Jamie Bond: We'll definitely be keeping an eye on the site and sharing those perspective webisodes. Everything we've seen to date has looked sweet. Well good luck with the rest of the season, and save 11 seconds in the final edit for my crotch grab. Anything else you want to share with the world?
Nic & Athan: I've heard you are more of a 1 second man.  To the rest of the world, keep living the dream, pursue your passions, work hard but play harder.

Previous Perspectives Webisodes

Perspectives #3 - Making of Deep Winter

Perspectives #2 - Nightskiing

Perspectives #1 - Winter Prep