Which Mountains for Warren Miller?

[thetrailboss]

Yep, WME is about the $$$$ now. Just assume for this hypo that $$$$ is not a concern :wink:

 

[SkiDork]

it would be cool if on his website he listed a synopsis of all his films along with locations used in each. I found about the last 15 years or so on Amazon.com but thats all

 

[Mr MRG]

Gotta Pay to Play

Interesting thread. If you don't already know, ski areas have to pay to play to be in a Warren Miller flick. While I am sure there are some exceptions, it is all about $$$$. I contacted Warren Miller's production company several years ago to pitch them on doing something on Mad River Glen during our 50th anniversary season. I was told in no uncertain terms that you must pay for the privilige. Interestingly they even have a pricing schedule based on the number of minutes featured. The more you pay the more time you get. Kind of tunred me off on the whole thing to be honest and I have not looked at these films in the same way since. I understand the economic realities for them, but they really promote themselves as the "soul of skiing". If you notice they have really becoming hour and a half product placement opportunities for various products and resorts. Call me cynical, but it is another example of the commercialization and corporatization 9is that a word?) of our sport. That's one of the reasons I love the Meathead guys. They keep it real and ski where the best skiing is.

 

[SkiDork]

I contacted Warren Miller's production company several years ago to pitch them on doing something on Mad River Glen during our 50th anniversary season. I was told in no uncertain terms that you must pay for the privilige. Interestingly they even have a pricing schedule based on the number of minutes featured. The more you pay the more time you get.

Wow. Thats interesting. Never realized that.

 

[riverc0il]

preach it, brotha!

Kind of tunred me off on the whole thing to be honest and I have not looked at these films in the same way since.

amen!

given what it takes to be considered "worthy" of being featured in a WME film, i am rather happy to hear that it does not sound likely that MRG would be appearing in any WME spots.

 

[Big Game]

Interesting thread. If you don't already know, ski areas have to pay to play to be in a Warren Miller flick. While I am sure there are some exceptions, it is all about $$$$. I contacted Warren Miller's production company several years ago to pitch them on doing something on Mad River Glen during our 50th anniversary season. I was told in no uncertain terms that you must pay for the privilige. Interestingly they even have a pricing schedule based on the number of minutes featured. The more you pay the more time you get. Kind of tunred me off on the whole thing to be honest and I have not looked at these films in the same way since. I understand the economic realities for them, but they really promote themselves as the "soul of skiing". If you notice they have really becoming hour and a half product placement opportunities for various products and resorts. Call me cynical, but it is another example of the commercialization and corporatization 9is that a word?) of our sport. That's one of the reasons I love the Meathead guys. They keep it real and ski where the best skiing is.

Hate to be Jonny B!tch-B!tch Redundant Man, but not sure how you could complain about WME's lack of soul when MRG keeps "my kind of people" off their hill. Depsite MRG's press releases to the contrary, everyone knows the real reason why things are the way they are. So please understand my cynicism of your cynicism. Just as the Warren Miller payola scheme is not very "soulful," neither is playing down to tired stereotypes, formulating illogical explainations, and pandering to the ideals of the proudly obtuse.

You got the power, so really, you already won.

/Impotent rage No. 06-3425(b)

 

[SkiDork]

what about then they go to exotic locations, like Russia or China or the Middle East, etc. Bet those mountains don't pay...

 

[thetrailboss]

what about then they go to exotic locations, like Russia or China or the Middle East, etc. Bet those mountains don't pay...

That's because the places like Aspen, Copper, Boyne, etc. underwrite these adventure$ while putting some $$$$ into WME's pockets.

 

[SkiDork]

That's because the places like Aspen, Copper, Boyne, etc. underwrite these adventure$ while putting some $$$$ into WME's pockets.

Interesting

 

[Mr MRG]

I should have known

So please understand my cynicism of your cynicism. Just as the Warren Miller payola scheme is not very "soulful," neither is playing down to tired stereotypes, formulating illogical explainations, and pandering to the ideals of the proudly obtuse.

Oh my, guess I should of expected this response. While I am reluctant to respond to this issue generally I will because I don't want to be accused of dodging it.

I know that the snowboarding at MRG discussion has taken place on this forum ad nauseum. Just want to point out that the decision regarding snowboarding here is one that is in the hands of the co-op's shareholders. While I understand that the policy doesn't make snowboarders happy, you can't generalize the rationale or intelligence of 1,700+ people. The fact is MRG is a niche market ski area. We cannot be all things to all people if we want to survive. While it certainly was not a stellar season for us our long-term prospects are pretty good. This is not the case for many ski areas of our size that must rely on tickets and passes for the lion's share of revenues.

The snowboard policy is a well thought out strategy that is merely one component of our overall strategic plan. This plan was developed by the our board of trustees with tremendous input and "buy in" from the shareholders. It is not (for the most part) based on stereotyping, on illogical arguements, or pandering to dopey skiers. It is a concious business decision that has worked for us. When (and if) it begins to not work for us I'm sure we (the management) and the co-op will consider changing it. This will not happen unless the shareholders decide they want to change the policy. Say what you will, but isn't it cool that this and all important decisions at MRG are made by the people that use and appreciate the mountain.

To go back to my point about cynicism regarding the Warren Miller discussion. I am most concerned about the gratuitous product placement and the pay to play deal for resort participation. This from a company that projects itself as the soul of skiing. Don't get me wrong, I like what Warren Miller does and it is (and has been) an important player in promoting the snowsport industry for many years and I applaud them for that effort. It just seems that the commercialization and product placement have grown exponentially over the years. Perhaps that is just "how it is", I understand that I and you can't begrudge Warren Miller for trying to make a living, but I guess that I just can't help but pull for the Meatheads of the world.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Eric.....I think you know WMF is not really Warren Miller's films anymore. I hear he is not too happy with the way "his" film company is being run.

I assume in the early days Warren Miller had to get permission to film at any particular mountain, maybe even had to buy lift tickets(lol). As he became successful the pendulum has shifted to the other side so with ski resorts begging for some/more "exsposure" I think it's understandable from a business perspective to charge resorts for the incredible exposure they will receive. I guess it's a dog-eat-dog world out there now and WMF has to do what it can to survive.

It's too bad MRG wasn't as "cool/in" back when Warren Miller filmed in the area....:wink: Perhaps it's a good thing as I wonder if good exposure in a WMF film might result in too much of a good thing in several respects.

 

[thetrailboss]

I agree with you Eric, WME has become a large advertising agent and now spends more time looking at Jeeps and Granola Bars rather than skiing. One reason why I don't go anymore...the main one is that they are allergic to the East Coast.

 

[SkiDork]

It's too bad MRG wasn't as "cool/in" back when Warren Miller filmed in the area....:wink:

I think MRG has always been cool....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I agree with you Eric, WME has become a large advertising agent and now spends more time looking at Jeeps and Granola Bars rather than skiing. One reason why I don't go anymore...the main one is that they are allergic to the East Coast.

Still, eastern skiers, probably on the younger side of the market base, still flock to the movie theaters both to see the movie and to grab the carrot offered, namely a free ski day, usually on a fri or the lift/lodging package deal.

It is definately a marketing mechanism.....these days, what isn't?

Back to the thread topic....I think several ski resorts in the east could provide the terrain favored in WM films. Seeing someone do a flip off the waterfalls at MRG would be really something. Due to today's safety regs and concerns I would think filming at Tucks would be prohibitive.

 

[JimG.]

Skiing films...in days long past I used to watch one or two a season. Then I realized I'd much rather be out there skiing than live vicariously through a film. So I lost interest.

Haven't missed them at all. Sounds like WM's company sold out after he got out. So what else is new? Does it surprise anyone that ski areas pay to be in the movies? Not me.

Marketing and hype is the order of the day for most ski resorts now. Come one, come all to our 150 feature terrain park with 2 superpipes! Or, ski our perfect cordouroy snow that is groomed to death nightly. Or, come ski the 9 feet of snow we got last night (that is piled up in one corner of the resort). No soul there, alot of lies too.

Eric, I'm surprised you would even think about wanting MRG on board with that.

 

[Big Game]

Oh my, guess I should of expected this response. While I am reluctant to respond to this issue generally I will because I don't want to be accused of dodging it.

I know that the snowboarding at MRG discussion has taken place on this forum ad nauseum.

Snowboarding? I was talking about your ban on the Scottish. Are you saying that we're allowed now? Oh boy, the boys at the Off Track Betting Parlor are going to be tickled. Hurrah! Yeah, screw the snowboarders. They ain't got no class.

Butt seriousely (or as serious as I'll get) you said it yourself -- the ban is a business decision of MRG. But so is what WME does.

All of these cold cold policy makers --- they forget its the little guy that gets shut out. And sometimes I'm a little guy. But alas, the endtimes are a near, and soon, none of us will have the luxury of bickering about what color of the rainbow is prettiest. We'll all be doing hard time for Satan --- probably installing vinyl siding on his sprawling and perhaps, endless, compound.

Your response was pretty mellow and I appreciate that. I have no interest in the same-old same-old flamer-baiting. You know, it's just that MRG has a pretty extreme policy that cuts out a good 25% of us out of the action. So you know, a bit of ball-busting will likely continue ad infinitum.

Love and sunshine

 

[kingslug]

I agree with you Eric, WME has become a large advertising agent and now spends more time looking at Jeeps and Granola Bars rather than skiing. One reason why I don't go anymore...the main one is that they are allergic to the East Coast.

One reason why I like TGR films so much, though they too aren't into the east coast.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Butt seriousely (or as serious as I'll get) you said it yourself -- the ban is a business decision of MRG. But so is what WME does.

Good point. I guess it's human nature to have selective outrage.

 

[Sparky]

i actually thought the tux segment on epoch could have been better.i felt they were limited by number of cameras and not enough shooting positions. you really did not get a feel for the emense expanse of the ravine area and it was hard to tell which route the skiers were descending just by watching the action. not disrespecting the meatheads job with epoch, fantastic film and i highly recommend it. i just hope their success gets them more and better equipment so they can do even better shots.

having just skied the east snowfields yesterday for the first time, i am surprised they have not appeared in a more recent WM film (or any of the other major production outfits for that matter). it is a great spring skiing location which would make for a cool spring skiing segment and the east snowfields have that wide open expanse feel that many of the west coast shots have since it is all above tree line. top to bottom on mount washington is something every east coast backcountry skier would want to shoot for. on a bluebird day with good skiing and climbing conditions, it would make for footage that even west coasters could be envious of.

the problem for WM is that mount washington would not pay big bucks to have WM film a segment at the mountain. nor would almost any east coast skier area be able to pay WME enough money to schedule a shot for a movie. it is all about the benjamins over at WME, the soul of skiing is so far removed from that franchise it is laughable.

Meathead and WME films are about skiing, and that is where the similarity ends. Meathead films revolve around a group of semi college age friends enjoying the essence of skiing. The production values are what they can afford, one camera, limited time, challenging weather, no one is waving a powerbar in front of the camera, it’s just pizza and beer for Dinner and hot dogs for breakfast. However in their films they seem to catch the primal essence of skiing. I’d like to say I can relate, but my skills are not even on the same planet as those boys. I can’t help but think that this is what Warren had in mind back in the early days when he was running his own company. I do hope Meatheads is successful enough to expand on their operation, I just hope they don’t start waving powerbars at us and telling us that every ski resort is just wonederful. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Warren Miller films. Just not a big a fan as I was when it was actually Warren Miller making the films.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Film is so dead

:wink:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ski

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=snowboard

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=tuckermans

and most disturbing of all

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=yard+sale