A production crew consisting of five members recently embarked on a mission to tell the story of Bristol Pit, YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 snowboard park.
Seth Gillis, a freelance cinematographer and director from Squamish, B.C., is working on a 10-20 minute short documentary about the site and the people who frequent it in the winter.
The idea was inspired by his old friend, Liam Upton, who helps run Bristol Pit, along with his mother Stacy Ridley and a group of volunteers. Upton moved to Yellowknife a few years ago and started working at the location.
SA国际影视传媒淚 knew that he was working at this tiny ski hill and I started doing a bit of research about it and just thought it had really interesting characters,SA国际影视传媒� said Gillis. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a whole crew of folks who kind of make the pit run and build this really sweet community.SA国际影视传媒�
He wants to tell a story about skiing and snowboarding thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not typical and that showcases the do-it-yourself culture and the spirit of making the most of what you have. He said the pit has a unique vibe and a loyal fan base, especially among local youth.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just like a really cool story of something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening here that kind of goes beyond just skiing and snowboarding and the quality of a mountain or snow quality, or whatever,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey SA国际影视传媒榬e doing it really well up here. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 so fun to be here and ski the mountain with all the kids and check it out.SA国际影视传媒�
Gillis and his crew flew in for their initial trip to Yellowknife in January. With already a couple terabytes of footages captured, they plan to return in the spring for another shoot, to tell a more complete story. They hope to finish editing the film by late fall and submit it to various film festivals.
Preparations for the project have been underway since summer 2023, when Gillis started pitching it to potential funders and partners. He said he has been doing a lot of research and interviews with the pitSA国际影视传媒檚 staff and patrons, as well as digging into its history.
SA国际影视传媒淭he pit has been around since the SA国际影视传媒�70s, and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a whole crew of older characters who put in the rope tow and the lights and the snowmaking and all that stuff,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪o thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of history there and a lot of stories to tell.SA国际影视传媒�
The film title has not yet been decided, but Gillis has a few options in mind.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a really cool place and a really cool story, and ISA国际影视传媒檓 excited to share it with the world,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Scott Sterling, hill operations manager with the Ragged Ass Riders Snow Sports Society, said he has been involved with the pit for the past six years, and has been managing it for the past four years. HeSA国际影视传媒檒l have a prominent role in the upcoming documentary.
SA国际影视传媒淚t makes me feel really good, it makes me feel really excited, you know,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a really cool thing to showcase that we are making it happen here, in a place that people probably donSA国际影视传媒檛 think it is happening,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Sterling hopes the film will inspire more people to come and check out Bristol Pit and join the snowboarding community. He emphasized that the site is not just a ski hill but a place where people can have fun, make friends and express themselves.
