What do you think makes a good surf film?

I would like to see some roots surfing, pure stoke and old film feel.

 

I cant stand surf videos that show guys on short boards making hard cutbacks and spraying off the top of a wave. I enjoy a video that conveys the serenity of the ocean and the smooth ride. Showing someone do an areal is boring seeing someone carve smooth turns through a wave is great. That being said I ride a long board and therefore would rather watch longboard surfing then shortboard. Also forget aggressive hardcore music. Watch 100m surf videos and then do the exact opposite of all them, you will have something original and unique.

 

No matter how much crap gets attached to surfing, when it comes down to it, it is about being in harmony with nature. It is the act of connecting with a pure form of energy over the surface of the water. With this concept in mind:\r\n\r\n1.) Absolutely no techno or electronic music. NONE. Unless the sounds are coming directly from the manipulation of an instrument of some sort by a human being, it has no business being a part of a film that is trying to capture the serenity and power of nature.\r\n\r\n2.) Film in the highest video quality possible. Old school typed films are cool in theory, but I abso-****ing-lutely hate that in the age of 1080p that people still record ther vids on old cameras and film when a far superior image can be achieved. The Drifter was a major disappointment for me because of this. \r\n\r\n3.)Include wide sweeping shots, not just tight shots focusing on the surfer. Tight shots are definitely cool, but they make it look like the wave is not moving and they take away from the speed of the wave and surfer.\r\n\r\n4.) Only really awesome airs need apply. After the 786th air, they ALL look the same.\r\n\r\n5.) SMILES. Everyone needs to stop trying to look cool and simply just look cool. This is accomplished by being natural. Surfing is fun and shouldn\'t make people frown or have to put on a mask to hide their joy. \r\n\r\n6.) Try to minimize \"the scene\" and hip factors and stickers and cool guys in suv\'s and anything that takes away from the ocean and actual surfing.

 

originality in a surf vid scores high for me... I get tired of that standard surf film, with good footage, but no plot or uniqueness.

 

Stylemasters is my all time favorite surf video.

 

cosmic children is a good one. great waves good tunes.

 

Airs, airs and more airs.

 

Check out Nathan Oldfield's work. He's from New South Wales, Australia. He mixes both longboarding and shortboarding into his films. They're definitely more about the stoke and the search than a lot of other films I've seen. The music is always fantastic, too.

http://www.freefilms.com.au/ (his film site)
http://lookandsea.blogspot.com/ (his blog)

 

smooth turns and good barrels

 

The exact opposite of this^^

IMO a good video should include everything from shacks, cutbacks, reverts, airs, to throwing massive buckets. As well as smooth turning and good form with nature shots. Get some water shots too...duck dives, sealife..ect. Shortboards & Longboards...mix it up. This way you will have something to entertain all types of surfers. As far as music goes mix that up as well....mellow shyt as well as hardcore shyt. There isn't too much you can do that hasn't been done already. So, your originality will be tough.

Good luck

 

anything with tom curren...

seriously though it seems like every video i watch starts the same: the preparation, the drive listening to reports, surfers goofing off thinking they are hot sh!t, blah blah blah...same scene every opening. I can't stand it. All i want to see is the surfers riding waves. I fast forward those scenes now.

 

Cold water. Indo is too perfect. I'd rather see guys exploring for unknown waves in Canada, Norway, Iceland, UK, Alaska etc. A little love for the east coast doesn't hurt either.

Also like to see people get more creative with the camera, stories, and music. That Nathan Oldfield stuff looks pretty nice.

All that being said, Dark Fall is probably one of my favorites.

Props to outner for resurrecting some old threads, but I'm not convinced he/she is a real person.

 

Here's a new short from Aussie Nathan Oldfield for the Critical Slide Society/Thomas Surfboards. He's really stepping it up a notch with his edits these days!

http://vimeo.com/37785513

 

no go pro footage .. that stuff gets very lame very quick

 

..Shelter.

 

This^^

Agree...If first third is guys sitting watching red blobs on computers, gassing up trucks/skis in the dark, talking about conditions, driving down deserted streets, then they're making a video about themselves, not so much surfing for surfing's sake. Wrong perspective IMO.

 

I am surprised no one said this yet, or maybe im the only one who F*CKING HATES SLOW MOTION. It takes away from the ride, rider and wave. PUNK ROCK SOUNDTRACKS!!!

 

I'm with DaMook..... Mix it up and find the balance. One thing is for sure though, if anyone in the movie gives a wave the finger, edit it. That shyte has gotta go.

 

Slow mo is ok if its one in a while ... punk rock soundtracks are ok if you are still in high school ...