Shadows in the Understory - Ft. Dillon Butcher
One of the greatest challenges in cinematography is avoiding the repetition of the same ideas. It’s easy to fall into the habit of regurgitating what works to create a video, out of necessity to complete a project quickly. When Dillon and I first conceived the concept of “Shadows in the Understory,” it was daunting. We knew we had no time limit with a concept fueled by passion, but how do we seamlessly transition between seasons mid-ride in almost every shot? I wanted to do this in a way that was both challenging, feasible and difficult to reproduce. Naturally, the answer was to film almost the entire video using a Cable Cam, ensuring smooth transitions between seasons. Tripod and handheld filming would have been too simple and lacked the dynamic movement we envisioned.
Initially, I had serious doubts about whether this idea would work. I wondered how it would be possible to have the camera in the exact same spot, moving at the same speed, while Dillon's riding remained consistent and repeatable in each season. I knew achieving this was going to be extremely difficult and time consuming. We both had a hefty job to do. The transition ideas and calculations needed to be correct in the spring, given any variation in the cable lines would result in not being able to line shots up come fall time. There were countless factors to consider. So, we devised a plan, thinking through each shot thoroughly, and set out with a tape measure and all the necessary gear.
We both knew that the only place where this could be accomplished was at our local jump spot, Spooks. The layout at Spooks is compact, allowing for similar riding speeds in each season. Most importantly, we believed we could "probably" pull this off even in the snow. Dillon is a true master of this spot, he’s poetry in motion, and watching him ride there is art. If any rider at any location could achieve this, it’s Dillon at Spooks.
The logistics of this project was nothing short of a headache. We essentially had to film the entire video over 20 times, considering the number of takes it would require to line up transition seamlessly. Fast forward to today: after 20 days of filming and being blessed with 2 days of snow all winter, we managed to create something we are both thrilled to share with the world.
I can't thank Dillon enough for his determination and perseverance. He is truly a filmmaker's dream and, more importantly, one of my favorite people to spend time with. While I'd like to say this video is about our creative idea, it is really about Dillon's ability to be consistently stylish and fluid every single day he gets on the bike. AND, how beautiful the world is we live in.
This is the most challenging video concept we’ve ever undertaken. We poured our heart and soul into this project, and we hope you enjoy the result as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Special thanks to Race Face for supporting this video, every human who has ever put a shovel to dirt out there, & Cole Nichol for his snow plowing arms!
Rider: Dillon Butcher
Filming and editing: Calvin Huth
Music: Ezra Bell - a serenade to Kathy
Sundae Music Publishing
Пікірлер: 199
I would have got back to the woods and been like, "shit was it this tree or that one we tied the cable too?!"😝 - I'm guessing you had to match the tension on the line each time too. The more you think about this the more you realise what would have gone into it. Bloody awesome.
You know, guys, just when I think you couldn't possibly be any sicker you go and do something like this... and totally outdo yourself!
Amazing work on this one boys! Masterpiece!
Absolute masterclass in filming and riding.
Wow! This is UNREAL guys!! Best biking video I’ve watched in a long time!👏🏼
Wow Calvin and Dillon! Safe to say it’s everywhere after that last clip! 😩
This is the progression and pushing boundaries of filming and riding we didn't know we needed. Next level.
Unbelievable. This is not only the best bike edit I've ever seen, but the best EDIT I've ever seen. Period. Wow... Just wow... Thank you
I’m a life long shooter/editor and this is hands down the most incredible/ beautiful piece of video I have ever seen in my life.
This is a fuckin masterpiece! Never saw anything like this before, really really impressive
Wow, awesome concept, awesome execution, so cool the relationships we form with the amazing places we ride!
Calvin, you're a huge inspiration. This is the finest piece of bike cinema ever created. Thankyou!
Wow wtf 🙌
Unreal video. Taking me back to Life Cycles but turning it up by matching so much more of the riding. The music was the perfect match too. You've definitely got a MTB Video of the Year nominee if not the winner, in my eyes.
Amazing! The attention to detail with the different colour bikes is super cool
This edit is just beyond everything. Absolutely stunning. Had goosebumps watching this several times
Super cool edits! Every mountain biker's dream.. A bike colour for every season! 😂❤
Amazing film, this must have taken so much time. The attention to detail is crazy
This is the sickest bike film hands down. Insane
Now that is how you create an edit! Every detail is on point.
10/10 to both parties on this masterpiece
this is with Arthur together the best mountainbike video and cinematography masterpiece you can find on the internet and both together only have about 14k likes???
Not only is this ridiculously perfectly prepared, ridden, filmed and edited it's damn beautiful. The only part of this video that's less than absolute perfection is the misspelled song title in the credits. 😂
That last sequence is outrageous on all parts 😮💨😮💨😮💨
I got tears in the eyes on that final sequence, beautifull
Incredible work on this one! Pure Art!
Awesome work as usual! Might just take a half-day and go hit some trails now.
Worked with Dillon and his dad building the Stevie Smith pump tracks in Nanaimo. Was so much fun 👷♂️ Good times Dillon 🙂
Love watching his style - nastiest Nacs in the game
3 minutes of video editing is a painful process when You're try to synchronized 1 second clip with the music beat, but in the end you're creating masterpiece 🎉. Nice video🤘
Perfect! As always... 💪
Another masterpiece in mtb filmmaking dude. Properly inspiring. Thankyou! 🔥🔥
Guys, this is absolutely amazing! Id love to see some BTS on how you did it all!
HOT DAMN. Out of this world cinematography and editing. Amazing work sir!! ❤
These transitions between the camera work and the bike are smooth as butter. Insane work! 👌
I always get so stoked when I see a new Calvin high video!
This was well worth the effort boys, amazing job!
I knew you were one of my favorite filmmakers. But this video is just incredible! We're beyond inspired now. Thanks for your work, I hope to see some behind the scene soon!
This is incredible. You are on a whole other level for creativity and execution of an innovative idea for the MTB / slopestyle genre. This is brilliant, man. Bravo.
The consistensy of style the videos Dillon is part of is just mindblowing.
A masterclass in both production and riding ❤🔥
Wow. Wow. Wow. Chills. Amazing talent. Incredible!
Masterpiece, I just wish I had a cinema to watch that in
Gorgeous ! Music, filming and riding all top notch
Always a great day when calvin uploads - This is a true work of art!
doesn’t post for like a year then drops the best bike video i’ve ever seen lmao
Absolute banger fellas, No Bad Days 🔥
Kudos on song selection, this should be the official music video
Absolute Masterpiece. LETS GO!!!!!!
For sure one of the best bike videos I've seen in a long while! Awesome work!
Unexpectedly poetic ending haha - nice!
This is absolutely incredible and impressive on every aspect. One of the best action sports videos I’ve seen in years. What a f’n masterpiece!
I don’t know how you managed to capture this but the idea and the end result is sick, well done 🤯🤯
Just amazin mates! Insane work together! Congrats 🙏🏻🤘🏻💥
Wow! Beautiful work! This is a masterpiece! 💥👌🏽❤️
This is so amazing, the music, the vibes, the riding and the craftsmanship. This couldn’t be any better. Deserves some kind of award or something 😂
Got chills on that last part where the switches matched every single beat
One of the best films I have seen for sometime!! The transitions betwen the bikes/seasons was insane!!!
One of the best edit I've ever seen. Those shots and the fact that bike build are accorded to the season... Woa. Insane! I think, to be the best edits it needs more effects (like the ending for example), a moodier music, and a story line (not only mtb but a start, and a finish) (I'm obviously no one to advice, take only what is worthtaking) Great job
Godlike riding, filming and editing!
Crazy video, guys …. You did it
Ahhhhhh that peak was insaneeeeee such a good video boys!
No way that’s the perfect edit 🤤🙌🏻
Thank you for your great artwork! I love it!
absolutely spectacular
Dude, this is amazing... Great work!👏
That was just epic!! Amazing work!
Thank you for creating art, masterpiece for sure!
No words! Really amazing...
One of the most beautifull bike vioes i've ever seen
one of best mtb videos i ever see. great work, guys. from brazil
What in the name did I just witnessed? This is one of the most incredible works I have seen 🤯
Awesome peice of work cant say anyone else ever done a bike / dj video like this switching bike and seasons
@99MrJ99
Ай бұрын
life cycles did it long time ago. good video as well
@Mavo1989
Ай бұрын
@@99MrJ99 Cant say seen it ill go find it
Beautiful edit guys, watched your work for years this is epic..🤙🤙
what a great project you guys completed. thank you for your effort.
Holy shit what a banger! And the editing skills are insane!
Finally a new video. Absolutely amazing as always!🥰🥰
Very cool creation!
A piece of ART! Amazing work
Incredible work!!
Instantly a classic!
Most cinematographic video Ive seen
Incredible work, love it, really well done!
🤘⚡️🤘 your videos are always so artistic and amazing!
Jesus that is good. perfectly executed.
wow standing ovation over here. That was unreal.
what an incredible edit
This video is unbelievable
wow this is massiv and absolutely awesome 🔥🔥
simply a true masterpiece...
Ahh Calvin is at it again. Amazing work! In my eyes you are the best bike cinematographer out there and I really look forward to every new video!
This is absolutely insane, i love it so much 😍
This is sick. Seriously. So good
This just simply made me happy. Thank you. ❤
That was beautiful! Thanks guys
Incredible job as always.
Lovely vibes clips and tricks
Art. This is art.
Insane. That last switching shot, amazing
Love it. Long live dirt jumping. Cheers fellas