Olliepop Films presents Out Reach Reach Out – A Leukaemia Fundraiser
Olliepop Films is an Australian snowboard film company based out of Falls Creek in Victoria. Over the past two seasons, the leading cinematographer and producer, Jeremy Richardson, has put together a snowboarding movie with a difference. As a result of his aunt’s battle with Leukaemia, Jeremy decided to use his film to generate awareness about the prevalent cancer.
Transfer Snowboard Magazine | Alex Cameron
Olliepop Films presents Out Reach Reach Out.
Transfer spoke to Jeremy about his decision to use snowboarding as a means to promote awareness about Leukaemia.
FAST FACTS
Name: Jeremy Richardson
Occupation: Cinematographer/Producer at Olliepop Films
Birthplace: Adelaide
Hometown: Falls Creek by Winter, Northern Hemisphere by Summer
Years Snowboarding: 7
Home Mountain: Falls Creek VIC
Out Reach Reach Out celebrates the unique life and style of Australian snowboarding, while at the same time promoting Leukaemia awareness.
What inspired you to get into making snowboard films?
My first season one of the local boys was selling some movie he’d made for the previous winter. I owned no camera not even a digi for stills. At winters end scabbing a few photos from friends was all the memories I had to share with peeps back home. I returned home with some coin in the pocket and blew it on some One Chip Sony Handcam… needless to say upgrades followed soon.
Outreach Reachout is rare in that its objective is to help a cause through snowboarding. Why did you choose the Leukaemia Foundation?
In spring while I was in Whistler with family we received word that my aunt had been diagnosed with Leukaemia. She’s been just round the corner literally a 2 minute walk for most of my life. Her son and daughter are two of my closest friends. Not to do a project like this just didn’t seem an option. I’d just roll on round and she’d always be there for a chat, I’d perch up at the kitchen bench and she’d be more than likely cooking something while offering me a plate of some sort of snack. She continues to battle with the disease and this was I guess my way of supporting from afar while still following my dreams and goals.
How do you hope to support Leukemia through the film?
The film had a fundraiser night up at Falls Creek on the 26th of August. About 150 friends and local crew all showed up to support. With raffle prizes, door tickets, a portion from the bar and a bunch of donations we raised $3120 and counting. The film is to be available in full for free download at www.olliepopfilms.com where there is a direct link to the Leukaemia Foundation Australia for anyone who feels the need or wants to support. As well as financial support, the film was made to just give support to others. If others had previously or were now in the same boat as my family and didn’t really know what support they could give their family, that they’d be able to support this project and make a difference.
How long did the project take?
I guess from mid May 2011. I’ve been shooting web edits pretty much flat out this past 12 months. Some simply park laps but some also team edits that for example the 3CS 2010 team edit that had 20 plus shoots involved. So I had the footage, all that needed to be done was edit and put together this flick. Thankfully the people I’d shot for this past year were more than happy to support and be involved in the project.
What can people expect from Outreach Reachout?
The film is only short, about 15 mins in length so it’s not super long really. It’s shows off a bunch of Aussie and Canadian riders riding both in Australia, Canada and Europe. It’s not your typical snowboard ‘rider part’ style film, more a highlights film. You’ll see a bunch of Australian urban riding and night shoots as well as some Canadian powder. Most importantly the film is there to showcase ‘style,’ not double corks. Stylish riding from crew that are some of the nicest guys out there on a shred stick.
Who stands out, in your opinion, as a rider in the film?
Mat Galina and Daniel Currie, these guys I shot with solidly this past twelve months. Mat’s originally from Canada though we claim him as family at Falls Creek. He’s a work horse, he loves to snowboard even when dog-tired and the man has a bag of tricks. Dan, he just has flavor to his snowboarding. He’s still progressing and getting his bag of tricks together but damn does this kid know what style is. You get utterly jealous watching him snowboard while at the same time inspire and stoked on how he tweaks everything.
What was the most memorable experience during the project?
I think the night shoots in Australia. It’s always awesome to shoot in your own back yard and last year we just had the perfect amount of snow and new 10cm dumps of fresh that kept conditions perfect to build. But if one bit stands out it’d be ‘Pond Skim,’ coolest feature I’ve shot to date.
How difficult is it to produce a snowboarding movie?
It definitely takes more time than people realize, but the putting together the film isn’t the hard part it’s being out there and making it that takes the time. You literally can shoot a whole day and get one or two shots. Sometimes you luck out and get a whole bunch of shots on a few features, sometimes the weather just sucks so bad it’s beer-a-clock all day long waiting for the next day. It’s worth it though, no matter what the film ends up being.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m heading back overseas and will be based back in Whistler. Getting a truck and sled are high priority for me. A few road trips with a possible scandinavian trip. Just shooting with a bunch of crew doing a few different projects and a whole stack of web edits.
Special thanks.
To Brad and Jaye at 3CS Outerwear, who’s contribution to this flick and my last twelve months has been awesome. You know when you have people behind you like these guys that you have true friends and supporters. Thanks also to all the sponsors of the film, your support was wholeheartedly appreciated.
