UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => chuffing => Topic started by: Fiend on September 23, 2015, 06:21:21 pm
-
......
http://tv.thebmc.co.uk/videos/stonnis/
cheque your time is now!
-
been looking forward to this
gonna make me some popcorn
-
Well that was a bit good indeed. Never has VDiff biffing been so slickly presented.
Nice film, nice ode to a great crag, I really like the purpose of it. I also liked the footage of Mark20 on the Gaia sloper, made it quite special that he hadn't touched it before.
The only criticism I have is that a bit more varied footage of mid-high-extreme routes (e.g. The Sprain, Fun Traverse, Camel Hot, and similar stuff) would have been nice, but I'm sure there were logistical aspects to consider.
-
Loved it :)
Great editing skills, especially liked the voices whilst setting off on Meshuga.
-
Really looking forward to getting a chance to watch this later.
-
Excellent. Lovely pre-dinner viewing.
I went to Black rocks for the first time this year, went to look at railway slab, it looked about 20m high. I was glad it was raining so I didn't have to put my boots on.
-
Great Cheque, thank you for making this. Really chuffed you got Mark on Gaia, found myself whispering c'mon mate even though I know he did it - Nice one Mark.
-
I really liked the vibe and tempo of the film, it felt like a proper homage to the crag. Good to see some footage involving a struggle as well, with some proper shuffling and scuffling on the edge of control. Great work!
-
Really looking forward to getting a chance to watch this later.
+1 :popcorn:
-
It's a shame no-one filmed Cheque's introduction from the launch event/premier at the Pav in Matlock. That was class as is his film. I hope it gets lots of views.
-
Looking forwards to watching this.
Off topic:
Can I just check is Mike Cheque a genuine real name, or like an assumed equity/street name? Or a genius ploy to get free product advertising on every hiphop album ever. Either way it's a brilliant name.
-
Soooooooo good. The footage of Mark on Gaia is fantastic. Ball to the wall stuff - great to see people out there doing really bold things. In fact Mark's climbing looks as good on film as JDs!
The footage of Meshuga is loads better than Hard Grit, which didn't seem to convey how gymnastic and difficult the climbing seems.
-
Flipping superb 8)
-
Thanks for all the positive comments guys :-[ - it's so gratifying to have produced something that appears to succeed in the ways I'd hoped it would. All the hard work by both myself the others involved really paid off. ;D
I still get sweaty hands watching Mark20 on Gaia myself. In the flesh it was totally intense- filming all the routes was so much fun, particularly the ones I'd never seen climbed before.
The only criticism I have is that a bit more varied footage of mid-high-extreme routes (e.g. The Sprain, Fun Traverse, Camel Hot, and similar stuff) would have been nice, but I'm sure there were logistical aspects to consider.
:agree: This is my only real regret. I didn't find people to climb the routes in that grade bracket within the timescale unfortunately, not for lack of trying (I asked you in fact :P ) but I do kind of like the idea that there are a lot of quality routes at the crag that aren't featured. I think there are 26 routes on the film in total, all quality, but still lots of ** & *** "ones that got away". It's just a shame most are in the same grade range.
Off topic:
Can I just check is Mike Cheque a genuine real name, or like an assumed equity/street name? Or a genius ploy to get free product advertising on every hiphop album ever. Either way it's a brilliant name.
It's a name I came up with when I was a hip-hop DJ 8) :lol: in my early 20s. I've just carried on using it for online/ fun use ever since. Many people I know have no idea it's not my real name and I've had to produce my driving license to prove it's not on more than one occasion!
Ironically, my real surname is actually the same as an 80s climbing legend.
-
Off topic:
Can I just check is Mike Cheque a genuine real name, or like an assumed equity/street name? Or a genius ploy to get free product advertising on every hiphop album ever. Either way it's a brilliant name.
It's a name I came up with when I was a hip-hop DJ 8) :lol: in my early 20s. I've just carried on using it for online/ fun use ever since. Many people I know have no idea it's not my real name and I've had to produce my driving license to prove it's not on more than one occasion!
Ironically, my real surname is actually the same as an 80s climbing legend.
Brilliant. Just make sure you have kids with names like "Rain", "Reality", and of course "Chiggy".
-
Good work Mr Pollitt :)
I watched about 10 mins on my laptop before deciding to savour it on telly at home.
-
The music is also really well selected. I suppose those pieces all have the advantage of being free to use, but its so refreshing to have a break from the dubstep or power chords or whatever normally accompanies climbing films.
And really nice to see out and out punters (read - normal climbers) getting scared and flailing at their limit.
-
I didn't find people to climb the routes in that grade bracket within the timescale unfortunately, not for lack of trying (I asked you in fact :P )
I know! I really regret not trying harder to get down now. Got me psyched to get back down full stop though.
-
Yeah,really loved this film. :2thumbsup:
-
Oh Mike :( Tonight was supposed to be my no alcohol night!
You've spoit that with your bloody brilliant video...
Can't wait to watch it!
-
Anyone else struggling to get BMC TV to load more than thirty seconds of footage without it pausing for ages?
-
Thanks for this Mike. Exquisitely put together.
-
Proper good and well worth the wait.
The topout footage of Mark on Gaia is electric, and probably the most captivating climbing footage I've seen (only matched by the Hard Grit Gaia footage with the heartbeat).
-
I think the Gaia "scene" is definitely amongst the most gripping climbing footage i've seen. The light is flat and it looks freezing cold, the line looks incredibly intimidating. I feel like I'm there! The look on Mark's face says it all really. All the preinspected ascents make the top out look piss. I think when you know it the leg out right becomes quite dynamic and people get to really bury their foot round the arête? Because Mark's flashing those moves it looks so much more conservative and the toe hook looks crap! And then palming down the fucking sloper! AAARGH! Excruciating to watch :2thumbsup:
-
I think the Gaia "scene" is definitely amongst the most gripping climbing footage i've seen. The light is flat and it looks freezing cold, the line looks incredibly intimidating. I feel like I'm there! The look on Mark's face says it all really. All the preinspected ascents make the top out look piss. I think when you know it the leg out right becomes quite dynamic and people get to really bury their foot round the arête? Because Mark's flashing those moves it looks so much more conservative and the toe hook looks crap! And then palming down the fucking sloper! AAARGH! Excruciating to watch :2thumbsup:
A very good description. A gripping watch...
-
Fucking brilliant, well done Cheque. Lovely warm feeling at the end.
Got me thinking about the etymology - is Stonnis a mutation of stone ness as Stanage is stone edge? I guess neb is more common for jutting crags hereabouts, but ness might be appropriate for a bigger feature?
-
That etymology makes perfect sense. Ness is a promontory/nose/peninsula which fits the crag very well. Well spotted, JB.
-
Is it Norse, at some point? Widnes (which both Will and I know well) is widening in some Viking hangover.
-
If you bang the word into google followed by "etymology" it gives you a rough idea. It suggests there are similar words in Old English and Old Norse
-
Oh man what a great film. Thanks Mike. Just brilliant.
-
Magical. Best climbing film I've seen in a long time. Thanks Mike.
-
That was absolutely stunning, well done! You should feel like it's definitely worth all those hours of effort you put in! Every route looks really hard and because you didn't put any grades on they all look like they could be cutting edge! Great use of music too, and the Hard Grit samples for Meshugah work superbly in building the tension, as does that shot of the holds around the arete with nobody on them... Mark's swearing was probably the highlight for me.
-
I'm still savouring it bit by bit, still got 20 mins to go, but I think it's a brilliant piece of work. All the above aside, the camerawork is excellent throughout and the lighting is brilliant (especially on the Birch Tree Variant bit?). Did you do it all with tripod and a drone? Over how long did this take you?
-
Just to add my own to the replies above. Beautiful elegaic tribute to a dark, mysterious place. You've perfectly captured the difficult relationship a lot of us have had with this odd jumble of massive lumps of rock. Almost feeling like tying on again. Love the music, love the even-handed and measured pace of the complete spread of routes and the lack of grades interrupting the flow. I'd happily watch it again without the pictures and again with the pictures. Well done :)
-
Excellent Cheque. Congratulations.
-
Magical. Best climbing film I've seen in a long time. Thanks Mike.
yep
thanks
-
Is this on vimeo or youtube at all so I can watch it via chromecast on the proper telly?
-
You have to feel proud about that. Really moving and beautifully emotive throughout. I liked the subtle soundtrack very much. Well done dude
-
Really lovely film that. Love the inclusion of original route, so I could remind the wife of the time she was spouting profanities like a sailer while stuck in the chimney while I sat belaying smiling at the families picnicking on to top trying to apologise for the colour of the language. :lol: love black rocks. Well done cheque.
-
Great to watch this again. The footage of Mark on Gaia is stunning, even on rewatching it my heart is in my mouth.
-
Is this on vimeo or youtube at all
I looked and couldn't find it, unfortunately.
-
Cheers for that. The music was great, and set the bar for what these sort of flicks should be (made me think of Amelie, and the folky bits in Underdeveloped; the only climbing film I've ever paid for).
Really enjoyed it, and Made me wish that someone could put that passion into some of my local crags, giving light and shade, rather than just look at my balls..
-
wish that someone could put that passion into some of my local crags, giving light and shade, rather than just look at my balls..
I thin you would be worried if all everyone did was look at your balls.
-
Cheers for that. The music was great, and set the bar for what these sort of flicks should be (made me think of Amelie, and the folky bits in Underdeveloped; the only climbing film I've ever paid for).
Really enjoyed it, and Made me wish that someone could put that passion into some of my local trad/bouldering crags, giving light and shade, rather than just look at my balls..
Someone did - Fresh Meat. Admittedly with much more limited camera technology and editing software but the spirit of the film was the same. He focused on the local sport crags. (I know that's not what you meant)
-
I wish someone would fund Doylo with a DSLR / Lens setup...
-
I wish someone would fund Doylo with a DSLR / Lens setup...
Could we not crowd fund a couple of go-pro's to stick on him at all times and make some strange climbing type of Trueman show?
-
It's a shame no-one filmed Cheque's introduction from the launch event/premier at the Pav in Matlock. That was class as is his film.
Its my favorite ever film premier... the crag, the climbs, the location, the audience, the intro from the filmaker and the film: all top notch. I met someone from work who had never watched a climbing film before and even they really enjoyed it. There must be a copy of Mike's intro on someones phone?
-
Thanks again everyone :hug: , blown away by the response. My head won't fit in the chimneys next time I go to Black Rocks! ;D
Answers to questions-
"Stone ness" sounds more likely than the only other explanation I read, which was "Stone house".
It took 14 months from conception to completion, shooting was the middle 12 months of that- late May 2014 to late May this year.
I shot the climbing with a combination of tripod (with decent but not crazily-fancy fluid head), hanging from a rope using a faffy-but-worth-it setup to keep steady (not much of this required due to the nature of the crag layout) and my incredible (-y heavy) crane/ jib thing- an eBay bargain that I was inspired to get after realising that was what was used for the beautiful Life on Hold. All the drone shots were done by a mate in a few hours one weekday afternoon- there are a few shots of me scrambling about in the intro but no other climbing is filmed via drone as, for various reasons I didn't want to get one myself, mainly 'cos they write off the sound.
My deal with the BMC is dependent on them hosting it exclusively for a while- when that period's up I'll put it on my Vimeo page at higher quality- the file the BMC asked for is 2.5GB while the original is more like 60!
I don't know that any footage of my speech before the premiere exists I'm afraid. A big part of it was emphasising how grateful I was to the people I roped into the project though- I did a lot of persuading to get the right people to the crag then just pointing them at routes that I'd planned how to film and hoped would create good footage. It kept working better than expected! Many of the shoots were enhanced by getting anyone climbers had brought along to operate second camera, climb a routes or two etc. Quite a few of the climbers featured had input way beyond what you see them doing onscreen. :bow: The voices on Meshuga came from Neil telling me that's what was going through his head before he climbed, for example.
Even though she wasn't directly involved, my (non-climbing) girlfriend shaped the film massively too, both by dealing with me spending all my time and money on the project but by giving feedback on every climbing film I've ever watched with her. Lots of the things people like about Stonnis were inspired as much by things she disliked in other climbing films as they were by things we both liked in films like Doylo's, Guy's, Pritch's, Slackjaw's, etc.
Really, really encouraged to make more films now- I have lots more ideas...
-
Thoroughly brilliant Mike! I recommended it to a friend who hasn't climbed in ages but grew up near Black Rocks and he was so psyched he dusted off his gear and is heading to his mums asap :) :2thumbsup:
-
he was so psyched he dusted off his gear and is heading to his mums asap :) :2thumbsup:
That's it, right there, that's the stuff!
-
Really, really encouraged to make more films now- I have lots more ideas...
Do it! Now you've got track record down, ask for a couple of quid for a download. I would happily spend a pound or two on quality like that.
-
:agree:
Such hard work deserves fair reward.
-
I'm no expert, but I'm guessing selling to the BMC/ epicTV is going to be more lucrative. Relatively speaking.
-
I guess via the BMC deal I'm paying indirectly
-
Wow, just watched this - totally inspiring film.
I don't think I even have a favourite bit, every story was just so compelling
Loved it
-
Can anybody settle an argument? How do you say Mark's surname?
Ran-KEEN?
Ran-kin?
Ran-KYNE?
-
Rankin
as in Uptown Top
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMrNDnU6PPk
-
You pronounce it "Mar Cranking!"
-
Just wanted to add my thanks to the list.
Stunning film love the concept and execution you should be incredibly proud.
Thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to the next one!
Macca
-
Some praise for Stonnis in this: http://www.climbmagazine.com/news/2015/11/keystones-editors-note-climb-129 as well as being a generally good article I thought.
-
It’s back. (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/) Not free any more but it is in better quality, has optional subtitles and (if you download it) comes with the shorter, in some ways superior, festival edit and a version with my “director’s commentary”. :lol:
-
Thanks for letting us know... quite a few people have asked me about it and I've highly recommended it to others, so hopefully you will get some happy customers.
-
https://vimeo.com/131717281
:thumbsup:
-
Amazing, this will have to wait until I have a free hour to give it proper attention. Thanks Mike.
-
Just watched again and no idea why I've still not been :spank: Boss film :2thumbsup:
-
This is handy as i'm keen to have a look at Meshuga! Anyone know what gear i'll need to set up a toprope on it?
Great vid, the storytelling was brilliant and had me watching from start to finish.
-
Cheers guys :hug: I’ll have to watch it again- I watch it every couple of years and get completely overwhelmed by nostalgia for that period.
IIRC getting a good toprope anchor on Meshuga is fairly involved Liam- You can see at 34:30-34:50 that Paul’s had to do some work to get a safe belay up there. There are massive threadable boulders at the top of the gullies on either side of the promontory but they’re both quite a way back and lower than the place where you need the anchor point to be so you need to use some cams in (again IIRC) quite shallow flakes n breaks at the sides of the prom’s top itself to keep the rope in place. You’ll need about 20m of static to rig it I reckon but there are at least a couple of people who’ve climbed it who have accounts on here so they might come along and fill you in. Could be that they just used the cams- I often find I’m more cautious about such things than E9 headpointers and I never needed a rope on it myself, just saw Neil and a few other people’s setups.
-
Excellent, thanks Mike. You really should make some more films.
-
That is one of the best climbing movies I’ve seen. Thank you Cheque :popcorn: :bow:
-
Great film Cheque. Almost made me want to do some routes again.
-
great one cheque thanks :great:
-
Simply brilliant Mike.
Totally absorbing.
-
Somehow I thought I'd seen that before, but I hadn't. Absolutely wonderful, one of the best climbing films I've watched in a long time. Thanks so much for putting it up Mike.
-
IIRC getting a good toprope anchor on Meshuga is fairly involved Liam- You can see at 34:30-34:50 that Paul’s had to do some work to get a safe belay up there. There are massive threadable boulders at the top of the gullies on either side of the promontory but they’re both quite a way back and lower than the place where you need the anchor point to be so you need to use some cams in (again IIRC) quite shallow flakes n breaks at the sides of the prom’s top itself to keep the rope in place. You’ll need about 20m of static to rig it I reckon but there are at least a couple of people who’ve climbed it who have accounts on here so they might come along and fill you in. Could be that they just used the cams- I often find I’m more cautious about such things than E9 headpointers and I never needed a rope on it myself, just saw Neil and a few other people’s setups.
Cheers. It seems like I should take someone with me who knows what they're doing!
-
Excellent. I can't believe it's nearly 8 years old. Need to watch again, on the big TV this time.
-
That was great, cheers Cheque. Loved the footage of mark20 on Gaia, some of the best I've seen. Did you subtly slow down the footage of the palm down, match foot to hand mantel on the sloper at the end? Really nice I thought, fitted the music really well.
We struggled to hear some of the dialogue over the music at times which would be my only minor critique! Probably a Vimeo issue but might be useful if you make some more (you should!).
-
That's awesome stuff Cheque. Have you got a donate page?
I do really need to pull my finger out and actually have a grist trad trip at some point!
-
that's the grist of it.
-
that's the grist of it.
Don't get all floury with me!