Basically, you can’t swing a dead trout over your head without hitting one of the “new breed†of fly fishing videographers, and a yes – a large number of them hope to make a living shooting whatever the hell they want.
Traditionally, that’s a recipe for fiscal ruin for all but a gifted few (ask all the Gierach-wannabes who tried to write their way into trout-bum-hood).
Still, for those willing to soil their artistic sensibilities in the service of commerce, opportunities abound – especially for those who realize the world is not all that interested in watching them fly fish.
Email was the Internet’s first “killer app†(both on a personal and commercial level), but the world continues to spin, and in this case, it’s spinning towards video becoming the “next†killer app.
That’s why I’m not surprised to see commercial videos embedded in Catch Magazine, or even this interesting-looking episodic video sponsored by outdoor gear manufacturer ARC’TERYX and the New Belgian brewery:
You’re looking at episode one of The Season – a series of videos following the lives of five outdoor athletes for one season.
Despite a somewhat ponderous start to the first video, the series appears genuinely interesting; it’s more documentary than music video, and because the videographer isn’t part of the narrative, there’s little incentive to posture or sink into the climbing/kayaking/mountain biking/snowboarding equivalent of fish porn.
In other words, it’s a beautifully shot video about people doing what they love. And perhaps a model for some erstwhile video entrepreneur in fly fishing.
In this economic climate, I’m betting fly fishing’s manufacturers are largely unwilling to fund more epic, chest-beating fish porn adventures in return for a superimposed logo in the opening and closing credits.
Is The Season a look into the future of outdoor video – one that lives at the intersection of art & commerce?
Undergrounders, discuss…
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